Knicks Notes: Achiuwa, Tucker, Payne, Shamet, Free Agents, Brown
Coming off a frustrating season in terms of playing time, Knicks big man Precious Achiuwa “started to see the game a lot differently” in January, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link).
Bondy notes that Achiuwa was never able to win the full trust of former head coach Tom Thibodeau, dating back to his arrival in a trade with Toronto last season. Thibodeau inserted former Knick Jericho Sims into the starting lineup instead of Achiuwa when Karl-Anthony Towns was injured, and Achiuwa saw his minutes drop even more when Mitchell Robinson returned in March.
Bondy points out that Achiuwa got off to a strong start during the preseason, but wasn’t able to claim a regular role after missing the first 21 games of the regular season with a hamstring strain.
“You don’t want to start off the season hurt,” Achiuwa said. “And I was kind of having a really good preseason. So getting hurt right there kind of throws you off your rhythm. You get back, you’re trying to get back your rhythm. And then you’re battling getting your rhythm with inconsistencies in terms of playing time, playing style. It took a while for me. But it was tough.”
Achiuwa is exploring his options as he prepares for free agency at the end of the month. Bondy believes the chances of him staying in New York may have improved slightly due to the coaching change, but the team’s salary cap situation makes a return uncertain.
“Going to take a little bit of time from my end to think about that stuff,” Achiuwa said regarding free agency. “But that’s something that’s important. So when that time comes, I have people who I pay money to handle that type of stuff, who have those type of conversations. So we’ll see how that goes.”
There’s more from New York:
- The Knicks are almost certain to decline their $3.5MM option on P.J. Tucker for next season, Bondy adds in the same piece, but that doesn’t mean he won’t re-sign. Although Tucker barely played after joining the team in March, he established himself as a strong locker room leader. Bondy notes that free agent guards Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet are both close friends of Mikal Bridges, increasing the chances that they’ll return. Bondy identifies Al Horford, Nicolas Batum and Chris Paul as potential low-cost additions in free agency.
- In a mailbag column, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic points to Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard as another possible free agent target. Edwards acknowledges that Kennard is likely to receive better offers than the $5.7MM he could get from New York, but adds that his status as a CAA client could give the Knicks an advantage. Edwards also names Horford as an MLE target, along with Spencer Dinwiddie and Trey Lyles.
- Former Sacramento head coach Mike Brown conducted his interview with the Knicks on Wednesday, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
NBA Finals Notes: Game 6, Daigneault, SGA, Haliburton
With a chance to capture their first title since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City, Thunder players are focused on the process of winning Game 6 rather than its historical implications, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. Heavy favorites when the series began, OKC has a chance to celebrate tonight on the Pacers‘ home court.
“We want to win the game tomorrow, but the most important thing we need to do to win the game tomorrow is prepare today and prepare tomorrow and play the first possession really well, then the next possession, then the next possession,” coach Mark Daigneault told reporters on Wednesday. “That’s how we try to approach a game, how we try to approach the playoff series, how we try to approach every single day and let that win the day.”
The Thunder have largely controlled the series after letting Game 1 slip away due to a miraculous Indiana comeback. They won handily in Game 2, staged a rally of their own in Game 4, then took their first lead of the series in Game 5. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is encouraging his teammates to take their normal approach to tonight’s game and not get distracted by thoughts of a victory celebration.
“The cusp of winning is not winning,” he said. “The way I see it, winning is all that matters. It hasn’t been fulfilled. We haven’t done anything.”
There’s more on the Finals:
- Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is considered to be a game-time decision, but ESPN’s Brian Windhorst expects him to play. Appearing this morning on Get Up (YouTube link), Windhorst noted that Indiana’s medical staff already had the results of Haliburton’s MRI from Tuesday when the team listed him as questionable. He believes the Pacers are “setting the stage” for Haliburton to be active, but it’s uncertain if the right calf strain is too severe for him to be effective.
- An ESPN panel doesn’t give the Pacers much chance of extending the series if Haliburton can’t live up to his normal standards. While most of the group expects the Finals to end tonight, Jamal Collier observes that Indiana’s role players have performed better at home, while Zach Kram points to Andrew Nembhard as someone who could swing the series if he can find a way to score like he did earlier in the playoffs.
- With the Finals nearing their conclusion, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic examines why the games often seem less important than they used to. He cites a number of factors, including a “humdrum” presentation and the league-wide focus on the transactions cycle, and suggests that things may change when NBC resumes its coverage of the NBA this fall.
Lakers Sale Notes: Walter, Buss, LeBron, Doncic
The sale of the Lakers to Los Angeles sports mogul Mark Walter should signal a change in the way the franchise operates, writes Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. The record-setting deal, which includes an approximate $10 billion valuation for the franchise, will end more than four decades of control for the Buss family.
Despite their position as one of the NBA’s glamour teams, Vorkunov points out that the Lakers haven’t always been run that way. He states that many of the owners who’ve entered the league in the past few years are more aggressive about investing in high-priced front office and coaching hires and that L.A.’s basketball operations department isn’t as large or free spending as some of the small-market teams.
Vorkunov expects Walter to adopt a different approach based on his stewardship of the Dodgers, who have used an enormous payroll to become an MLB powerhouse. They’re projected to spend $476MM this season in payroll and luxury tax, and they invest heavily to bring in top-notch talent throughout the organization.
“A key difference between baseball and basketball is that you can’t simply outspend everyone on payroll the way the Dodgers do,” an NBA executive told Vorkunov. “But what most people overlook is how much the Dodgers invest beyond just players. They spend at an elite level on infrastructure: front office talent, analytics and player development. Each area is essentially run by a GM-level executive, enabling them to retain top-tier personnel across the board.”
There’s more on the sale of the Lakers:
- The purchase agreement ensures that Jeanie Buss will retain her role as governor and will keep running the team for “at least a number of years,” sources tell Ramona Shelburne of ESPN (Twitter link). Her sources add that Walter gave his full endorsement to the arrangement, noting that he and Buss have built a strong relationship, especially since he became a minority owner in 2021. Shelburne adds that it’s a different situation that Mark Cuban faced in Dallas, where he didn’t get to keep the operational control he expected after his sale of the team was finalized (Twitter link).
- The Buss family intends to hang onto a minority stake in the franchise worth just over 15%, per Shams Charania of ESPN. NBA bylaws require a stake of at least 15% in order for Jeanie to continue serving as governor, as Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line note (Substack link).
- LeBron James is “comfortable” with the impending sale, Vorkunov and other Athletic reporters add in a separate story. Luka Doncic, who is eligible for a $229MM extension, shared his excitement about the deal on social media. “The Lakers are an amazing organization,” he tweeted. “I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to LA, and I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved. I look forward to working with both of them to win championships!”
- Mark Medina of RG notes that Buss talked 10 years ago about having the family control the team “forever.” He looks at what has happened over the past decade to make them change their minds.
Stein/Fischer’s Latest: Durant, DeRozan, Kuminga, Sixers, Yabusele, Flagg
Potential moves around the NBA are on hold as the league waits for the Suns to finalize a Kevin Durant trade, according to Mark Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
They mention Kings forward DeMar DeRozan as a player who could be a “fallback trade target” for unsuccessful Durant suitors and cite a report from James Ham of The Kings Beat, who said on his podcast this week that the Heat may be among the teams that pursue DeRozan.
Sources tell Stein and Fischer that Miami has previously expressed interest in forward Jonathan Kuminga, who’s about to become a restricted free agent, and could become a sign-and-trade partner for the Warriors, echoing a report earlier this week from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
After weeks of speculation, there still doesn’t appear to be a clear favorite to land Durant, who’s widely expected to be dealt before the first night of the NBA draft on Wednesday. Stein and Fischer state that the Spurs and Rockets haven’t seen a need to increase their offers, being reluctant to add an older player to their young cores and knowing that Phoenix wants to resolve the situation quickly. The Timberwolves are still interested, but are hesitant to go all in with their offer without some indication that Durant would consider an extension.
Stein and Fischer share more inside information from around the league:
- A source tells the authors that the Sixers are currently expected to hold onto their No. 3 pick in the draft. They add that Philadelphia is still interested in trading up with San Antonio to grab Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, but the Spurs appear set on keeping the No. 2 selection. The report on the Sixers’ plans came before news broke late Wednesday that Ace Bailey has called off his scheduled workout with the team.
- Stein and Fischer point out that the guaranteed contract for the No. 3 choice will add an $11.1MM salary to the Sixers‘ books next season. Sources tell them that Philadelphia plans to operate either near or above the second apron as they hope for improved health from Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey. Stein and Fischer expect Kelly Oubre, Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon to all pick up their player options, and sources tell them that re-signing Quentin Grimes remains an offseason priority. They add that it will become “increasingly challenging” to retain big man Guerschon Yabusele, who’s expected to draw strong interest on the free agent market.
- Stein and Fischer hear that Cooper Flagg was “impressive” this week as he traveled to Dallas to meet with general manager Nico Harrison, coach Jason Kidd and other Mavericks officials. Flagg also worked out for about an hour, displaying the skills that have made him a lock to be the No. 1 pick.
Ace Bailey Cancels Pre-Draft Workout With Sixers
Former Rutgers star Ace Bailey has opted to cancel his lone scheduled pre-draft workout, with the Sixers, sources inform Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Bailey, projected as a top prospect in this month’s draft, had rejected workout invitations from lottery teams prior to this slated Philadelphia audition. The Sixers possess the No. 3 overall pick.
A 6’10” wing, Bailey averaged an impressive 17.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 1.3 APG across 30 healthy contests for Rutgers this past season. He earned 2025 All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman honors for his play.
The young star is considered a high-upside scorer and shot creator, but his strategy to avoid team workouts has puzzled clubs and could compel a draft slide. This Philadelphia situation certainly won’t help that. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports tweets that flights, hotel accommodations, and dinner plans had all been scheduled for Bailey’s visit.
Still, the 76ers haven’t ruled out the possibility of drafting Bailey, having scouted him “extensively” during the season, according to Givony, who points out that the team previously selected Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain without having brought them in for private workouts.
Duke forward Cooper Flagg and Bailey’s former Scarlet Knights teammate Dylan Harper are widely anticipated to be the top two selections this year, with Bailey, Baylor forward V.J. Edgecombe, Texas guard Tre Johnson, Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Frears, Duke center Khaman Maluach, and Duke wing Kon Knueppel among the next tier of young NBA hopefuls.
The Blue Devils and Rutgers could have a virtual stranglehold on the 2025 draft’s top eight spots, with five players anticipated to be selected between the two programs. Unlike Rutgers, however, Duke actually made the NCAA Tournament this past March.
Givony previously reported that Bailey’s camp views him as a top-three prospect in this year’s draft class, but wants him in a situation where there’s a path to stardom, including regular minutes and usage as a rookie.
And-Ones: Top Free Agents, Star Deals, Guards, Belinelli
Ahead of what could be a finite market for free agents this summer, Bobby Marks of ESPN explores the sort of contracts he expects 10 of this year’s most notable FAs to sign.
Only one team, Brooklyn, has space for a maximum-salary contract, although several clubs will have their full mid-level exceptions available to use. Still, top free agents could attempt to work out sign-and-trade deals to get them to a preferred destination for more than the mid-level.
Marks projects a two-year, $79MM contract for Clippers guard James Harden, a three-year, $113MM deal for Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, and four years and $121MM for Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, among others.
There’s more from around the basketball world:
- John Hollinger of The Athletic ranks his top 25 free agents — including potential free agents who hold options, like Harden and Randle — heading into the 2025 offseason. Hollinger places Lakers forward LeBron James, even at age 40, as his No. 1 “realistic” free agent, ahead of Harden. The 21-time All-Star holds a $52.6MM option for 2025/26.
- In two additional pieces for The Athletic, Hollinger looks specifically at the best free agent point guard and shooting guard options on the market. Harden, Irving and Fred VanVleet are Hollinger’s preferred point guard options, while he thinks the best swingman players available are not quite at the top point guards’ level.
- After helping his Virtus Bologna club claim a title this week, former longtime NBA sharpshooter Marco Belinelli plans to retire from basketball, per Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops. Belinelli, 39, has been playing in his native Italy for the past five seasons, following a 13-year NBA career that included a run to the 2014 championship with San Antonio.
Draft Notes: Robinson, Flagg, Bailey, Dixon
Former senior Kentucky forward Jaxson Robinson, who spent the first part of the pre-draft process rehabilitating a right wrist injury that required surgery, has several workouts on his plate this week, reports Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
According to Rankin, Robinson has already worked out for the has workouts on tap with the Lakers, Cavaliers, Celtics and Suns after having already auditioned for the Warriors and Kings.
“Try to knock them all out before the draft,” Robinson said of his workout schedule. “It’s been tough since I’ve been injured, but just getting these last workouts in, trying to get my face in front of people so they can see me again.”
There’s more out ahead of the 2025 draft:
- Five-year Villanova star Eric Dixon will have a pre-draft workout with the Suns, Rankin writes for The Arizona Republic. Phoenix holds the Nos. 29 and 52 picks in this year’s draft. An All-American Third Teamer in 2024/25 and Villanova’s all-time leading scorer, Dixon reflected on how he thrived with the Wildcats. “It’s the kind of people that Villanova helps mold,” he said. “Villanova recruits a certain type of guy. They also can mold and make you a certain type of person.”
- One-and-done Duke forward Cooper Flagg, a lock to be the No. 1 pick in this month’s draft, touched down in Dallas earlier this week and is conducting a 48-hour visit with the Mavericks, who own that No. 1 selection, notes Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News (subscriber link). Given that Flagg is the anticipated top pick, he has no plans to meet with any other team before next week’s draft.
- Former Rutgers standout Airious “Ace” Bailey has emerged as the most confounding of this year’s anticipated lottery players, writes Adam Zagoria of NJ.com. Bailey has yet to have workouts with any NBA club so far, in a surprising move, although he is set to show off his skills for the Sixers this week. Philadelphia possesses the No. 3 selection.
Jazz Notes: Sexton, Kessler, Collins, Higgins, Maluach
Currently armed with four picks in this year’s draft (Nos. 5, 21, 43, and 53), the Jazz appear to be exploring the possibility of being active on the trade market before or during next week’s event. On Thursday’s installment of the Locked On Jazz podcast, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune unpacks a few trade scenarios that Utah’s brass has at least discussed.
Larsen suggests that the Jazz have had preliminary conversations with the Lakers about the idea of a Walker Kessler or John Collins trade, the Mavericks about a potential Collin Sexton deal, and the Sixers regarding a possible trade up for the No. 3 pick, among other potential discussions.
A deal for that Philadelphia pick could come at a steep price.
“I do think it’s true that the Philadelphia 76ers are interested in trading down to No. 5 potentially if they can get off the Paul George deal,” Larsen said. “That may not make sense given how long that contract is and how I think Paul George was [last year]. I don’t think the Jazz are going to take that offer, but do think that’s an offer that’s been presented.”
While the Jazz have had real discussions about each of those scenarios, Larsen clarifies (via Twitter) that they haven’t “gotten into the serious stages” and he’s not sure how many of those negotiations are ongoing.
There’s more out of Utah:
- The Jazz’s G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, have officially announced (Twitter link) that Rick Higgins will serve as the club’s sixth head coach. Higgins had most recently been a Jazz assistant coach under Will Hardy for the past two years. “I’m looking forward to taking on this opportunity to lead the Stars and continuing within the Jazz organization,” Higgins stated in a team press release. “The Stars play a critical role in the development structure of the Jazz and I plan to continue to build on the team’s successes, preparing players for the next level.”
- Back in the lottery for a third straight season and under the stewardship of new team president Austin Ainge, the Jazz face several big decisions this offseason, as Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron details in his preview of Utah’s summer (Substack link). The Jazz are currently $23MM below the league’s luxury tax. Gozlan observes that Utah could try to package together its two first-round draft picks this year, or could look to offload some of the surplus of future picks they possess through 2032. Gozlan notes that the Jazz could also consider the idea of trading star forward Lauri Markkanen, despite a 2024 contract extension.
- Ahead of this year’s draft, the Jazz recently worked out one-and-done Duke center Khaman Maluach, sources tell Tony Jones of The Athletic (via Twitter). Kessler, of course, is the club’s incumbent starter at the position, but Maluach boasts intriguing upside. The 7’2″ big man is one of the best-regarded prospects this year and considered a probable top-10 selection. Across 39 healthy games for the Blue Devils in 2024/25, the 18-year-old averaged 8.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 1.3 BPG.
Thunder Notes: SGA, Williams, Wiggins, Finals MVP
Heroic NBA Finals performances from Thunder All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have brought Oklahoma City to the brink of its first franchise championship since leaving Seattle, writes Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.
With MVP Gilgeous-Alexander still just 26 and Williams merely 24, the future is bright for this young Thunder squad.
Grange notes that Gilgeous-Alexander became the first player in NBA history to compile at least 31 points, 10 assists, four blocks, and two steals in a Finals game in Monday’s pivotal 120-109 win over Indiana, while Williams scored a whopping 40 points.
“He was, like, really gutsy tonight,” Gilgeous-Alexander raved about Williams after Game 5. “Felt like every time we needed a shot, he made it. He wasn’t afraid. He was fearless tonight.”
There’s more out of Oklahoma City:
- The Thunder’s role players are happy to sacrifice individual accomplishments to serve the greater whole, writes Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. Beyond stars Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and center Chet Holmgren, role players Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins proved critical off the bench in Game 5, notching 25 combined points, to help Oklahoma City ice the victory. All-Defensive wings Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso have been crucial on both ends of the hardwood throughout the series. “That’s the culture of our whole team,” Williams said. “Everybody is ready to do whatever it takes to win.”
- Wiggins in particular has been a valuable contributor for the Thunder during the Finals on both sides of the ball. As Rylan Stiles of Thunder On SI observes, the fact that a former No. 55 draft pick can even have any kind of playoff impact is a great reflection on Oklahoma City’s developmental program.
- Although Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 32.4 points, 5.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per night through five Finals games for the Thunder, Zach Harper of The Athletic wonders if an ascendant Williams could swipe the Finals MVP award from him with his terrific two-way play of late. Across the last three contests, including two Oklahoma City wins, Williams has averaged 31 points while shooting 50.8% from the field and 40% from distance.
2025 NBA Offseason Preview: Boston Celtics
The Celtics enjoyed one of the NBA's all-time great seasons in 2023/24, racking up 64 wins and posting the fourth-best single-season net rating in league history in the regular season before winning 16 of 19 playoff games en route to the franchise's 18th championship.
Unsurprisingly, the Celtics decided to essentially run it back in 2024/25, retaining nearly the exact same roster, with one or two minor tweaks around the edges. Boston compiled 61 more regular season wins in 2024/25 and while they finished the year as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the C's would've been the clear betting favorites over the No. 1 Cavaliers if they had met in a postseason series.
And it sure seemed like we were headed for a Celtics/Cavs showdown in the conference finals after no other team in the East finished within 10 games either of them in the regular season. Both clubs breezed through the first round and had plenty of momentum entering round two.
But while the Pacers were in the process of upsetting the Cavs on one side of the Eastern Conference bracket, the Celtics had their own issues with the upstart Knicks, who pulled off a pair of improbable comebacks in Boston to open the conference semifinals. Even after those two losses, the Celtics were still widely expected to take the series, especially after comfortably winning Game 3 in New York, but that early hole they dug came back to haunt them when star forward Jayson Tatum sustained a season-ending Achilles tear near the end of Game 4, another Boston loss.
The Celtics made it a little interesting by winning Game 5 at home, but without Tatum, they didn't have enough firepower to get past the Knicks in Game 6 -- their season ended that night in New York.
Whether or not the Celtics could've pulled off the comeback with a healthy Tatum is a moot point now. There are much bigger issues to worry about in Boston, where the team is facing a financial crunch and can't necessarily assume that its perennial All-NBA first-teamer will be able to play at all next season. Achilles recoveries typically take upwards of a year.
With a new ownership group incoming, there's not necessarily a mandate to slash costs, but it doesn't make sense for a Tatum-less Celtics team to continue operating over the second tax apron in 2025/26. Maintaining a team salary in that range imposes major roster-building restrictions and generates massive tax penalties, and those restrictions and penalties only increase the longer a club stays above the aprons. That's fine for teams with realistic championship aspirations, but the Celtics can't honestly put themselves in that group until Tatum is back to 100%.
The Celtics' Offseason Plan
Getting under the second apron won't be easy for the Celtics. If we assume they retain their nine players on fully guaranteed contracts, plus Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh (who have partial guarantees), then fill out their standard roster using their No. 28 and No. 32 picks, plus one minimum-salary veteran, they'd be at about $231.9MM for 14 players. The second apron projects to come in at around $207.8MM.
