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Offseason Zion Williamson Trade Considered ‘Very Unlikely’

May 28th, 2025 at 2:45pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s “very unlikely” that the Pelicans will trade forward Zion Williamson before the 2025/26 season tips off, reports William Guillory of The Athletic.

It was another injury-shortened season in 2024/25 for Williamson, who was limited to 30 or fewer games for the fourth time in his six years in the NBA. His injury woes, along with a disappointing season for the Pelicans as a whole and a front office overhaul that saw Joe Dumars hired as the team’s new head of basketball operations, have led to speculation that the former No. 1 overall pick could be on the trade block this summer.

However, Guillory says there has been communication between Dumars and Williamson’s camp on “several occasions” since the former Pistons executive replaced David Griffin in New Orleans last month. According to Guillory, both sides are feeling good about where the relationship stands ahead of next season.

Echoing prior reporting from Marc Stein, Guillory also confirms that the Pelicans’ decision to make Williamson their on-stage representative at this month’s draft lottery was “very intentional,” as was Zion’s decision to be there. Stein previously noted that Williamson’s presence at the lottery on behalf of the organization was a strong signal that he’ll remain a franchise centerpiece in New Orleans.

Although Williamson has been limited to 214 total regular season games across six NBA seasons and has never suited up in the playoffs, he has been terrific when he has been available, with career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 31.4 minutes per contest.

As Guillory notes, after missing a chunk of the season due to hamstring issues, the former Duke star looked to be in the best shape of his career and was playing some of his best basketball during the second half of the season. That stretch served as a reminder that the Pelicans can get more from a healthy Williamson on the court than they could realistically hope to get in exchange for him on the trade market.

Still, while he views a Williamson trade as a long shot to happen this summer, Guillory cautions that the new front office is unlikely to be as patient as the previous regime was with the 24-year-old if he continues to have issues related to his health, conditioning, and/or work ethic.

Williamson is owed approximately $126.5MM across the next three seasons.

Tahaad Pettiford Withdrawing From Draft, Returning To Auburn

May 28th, 2025 at 1:46pm CST by Luke Adams

After testing the NBA draft waters following his freshman year at Auburn, Tahaad Pettiford has decided to pull out of the draft pool and return to the Tigers for the 2025/26 season, he tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter link). Pettiford confirmed the news with a post on his Instagram account.

[RELATED: 2025 NBA Draft Early Entrants List]

Pettiford, a 6’1″ point guard who will turn 20 in August, earned a spot on the SEC’s All-Freshman Team after averaging 11.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 22.9 minutes per game in 38 appearances (one start) in 2024/25.

He posted a solid shooting line of .421/.366/.804 and helped Auburn earn a No. 1 seed and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. The Tigers were defeated by eventual champion Florida in the Final Four.

Pettiford was considered a strong candidate to be drafted but was less likely to be a first-round pick. He came in at No. 38 on the most recent update of ESPN’s big board of 2025 prospects.

According to Givony, Pettiford is expected to enter his sophomore season as a projected first-rounder in the 2026 draft.

Jamir Watkins To Remain In 2025 NBA Draft

May 28th, 2025 at 1:30pm CST by Luke Adams

Jamir Watkins will keep his name in the 2025 NBA draft, he tells Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports (Twitter link).

Watkins, who played two seasons for VCU and two for Florida State, had one year of college eligibility remaining and had entered the transfer portal this spring, but will go pro rather than returning to school for another season.

A 6’7″ forward, Watkins averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in 30.9 minutes per game across 32 outings (all starts) for the Seminoles in 2024/25. He posted a shooting line of .427/.321/.747 and was named to the All-ACC second team.

Watkins began his college career in 2020/21, which didn’t count toward his four years of eligibility because the season was shortened due to COVID-19. He was then sidelined for all of ’21/22 due to a knee injury, earning him a redshirt year. As a result of his extended college career, he’ll turn 24 this July, which will limit his appeal to NBA teams looking for a young player with untapped upside.

Still, Watkins’ experience at the college level puts him in position to potentially emerge as an immediate contributor at the next level. He was ranked as the No. 65 overall prospect on ESPN’s latest big board, and a few prospects ahead of him on that list have since withdrawn their names from the draft.

As we outlined earlier today, NCAA early entrants who want to maintain their college eligibility will have to withdraw from the draft by the end of the day on Wednesday.

Warriors Announce Details For 2025 California Classic Summer League

May 28th, 2025 at 12:57pm CST by Luke Adams

The seventh annual California Classic Summer League will take place this summer on July 5, 6, and 8 at Chase Center, the Warriors announced today in a press release.

According to today’s announcement, the Warriors will be joined at this year’s event by the Heat, Lakers, and Spurs. Each team will face every other club once over the course of the three-day event.

San Antonio owns the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft, so it’s possible Dylan Harper – who is considered the overwhelming favorite to be selected at that spot – will make his Summer League debut at this year’s California Classic.

The California Classic, which is held days before the league-wide Las Vegas Summer League, was launched by the Kings in 2018, and has been held in either Sacramento or San Francisco in recent years, with the Kings and Warriors trading hosting duties back and forth.

The event expanded from four teams to six in 2023 and then to eight in 2024, with China sending its national team to participate. However, it seems it will revert to just four squads again in 2025. The Warriors, Lakers, and Heat typically participate every year, while the Spurs have competed since 2023. This will be the first time the Kings aren’t involved in the event.

The California Classic will take place at the same time as the Jazz are hosting the Salt Lake City Summer League in Utah. The Vegas Summer League, which features all 30 NBA teams, will be played from July 10-20.

Pelicans Hire Troy Weaver As Senior VP Of Basketball Operations

May 28th, 2025 at 12:24pm CST by Luke Adams

May 28: The Pelicans have formally confirmed the addition of Weaver to their front office, announcing that he’s the team’s new senior VP of basketball operations.

New Orleans also announced Jason Hervey as the team’s director of player personnel and Davis Smith as basketball operations manager. The club’s deal with Hervey was previously reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

April 23: The Pelicans are hiring former Pistons general manager Troy Weaver, according to Marc J. Spears of Andscape, who reports (via Twitter) that Weaver will be named the senior vice president in New Orleans’ basketball operations department under new executive VP Joe Dumars.

In a full story on ESPN.com, Spears says Weaver will also hold the title of Pelicans general manager.

Weaver spent more than a decade in the Thunder’s front office before being hired by the Pistons as their general manager in 2020. He oversaw the rebuilding project in Detroit for four years, but was removed from his position last spring after the team posted a franchise-worst 14-68 record in 2023/24.

As poor as the Pistons’ record was during Weaver’s tenure, he perhaps deserves partial credit for the team’s renaissance this season, which was led by a handful of his draft picks, including star point guard Cade Cunningham, center Jalen Duren, and swingman Ausar Thompson.

Following his exit from Detroit, Weaver joined the Wizards last summer as a senior advisor. He’ll be leaving that role to join the Pelicans’ front office, says Spears.

Although both Dumars and Weaver are former heads of basketball operations in Detroit, their stints with the club didn’t overlap at all. Dumars led the Pistons’ front office from 2010-14, departing the organization while Weaver was still in Oklahoma City.

Withdrawal Deadline Looms For NCAA Early Entrants

May 28th, 2025 at 11:52am CST by Luke Adams

The deadline for players who declared for the 2025 NBA draft as early entrants to withdraw their names from the pool is June 15 at 4:00 pm Central time.

A player who withdraws from the 2025 draft by that deadline would be eligible to be drafted in a future season — that could happen as early as 2026 if the player declares again as an early entrant or is automatically draft-eligible next year, or he could become draft-eligible in 2027 or beyond.

However, the NCAA sets its own withdrawal deadline each year. While the NBA’s deadline comes 10 days before the start of the draft, the NCAA’s deadline occurs just 10 days after the combine ends. This year, the NCAA’s withdrawal deadline is May 28 (today) at 10:59 pm CT.

A college player who is testing the draft waters could technically put off his decision for another two-and-a-half weeks, but if he withdraws from the draft pool on June 15, he would lose the ability to return to an NCAA program for the 2025/26 season. That route would only make sense for a player who had lined up a non-college opportunity, such as playing in a professional league overseas.

In other words, nearly all of the college players who declared for this year’s draft as early entrants will finalize their decisions on whether to return to school or go pro by the end of the day on Wednesday. As our tracker shows, there are still a number of prospects whose intentions haven’t been confirmed, so we’ll be keeping tabs on any updates that come in over the next 11 hours or so.

Here are a few of the latest updates:

Forward Toibu Lawal is removing his name from the 2025 NBA draft pool and will return to Virginia Tech for his senior year, a source tells Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 (Twitter link). After transferring from VCU to Virginia Tech for the 2024/25 season, Lawal was a full-time starter, averaging 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game with a .559/.371/.641 shooting line in 30 contests.
Brandon Walker is pulling out of the draft, he tells Jon Chepkevich of DraftExpress (Twitter link). Walker, who has spent the past two seasons playing for Montana State, is still in the transfer portal and plans to announce a commitment to a “high-major program” soon, Chepkevich notes. The 6’7″ forward put up 14.7 PPG and 4.9 RPG with a .528/.386/.545 shooting line as a junior last season.
After withdrawing from the transfer portal earlier this spring, wing Raysean Seamster has now withdrawn from the draft as well and will return to UT Arlington for his senior season, Chepkevich reports (via Twitter). Seamster was a starter for the Mavericks in 2024/25, averaging 11.4 PPG and 4.9 RPG in 30 games (25.7 MPG).

Celtics Notes: Holiday, Luxury Tax, Draft, White, Trades

May 28th, 2025 at 10:54am CST by Dana Gauruder

With the Celtics looking to find ways to shave their luxury tax bill, the Clippers are expected to be among the teams to show interest in veteran point guard Jrue Holiday, Brian Robb of MassLive.com reports.

Holiday will likely have multiple suitors, but the Clippers’ front office has previously pursued Holiday, Robb notes — L.A. was outbid by Boston on the 2023 trade market. The Celtics shipped Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and two future first- round picks to Portland for Holiday.

Holiday has three years and $104MM remaining on his contract. Robb notes that Bogdan Bogdanovic ($16MM) could be a crucial matching salary piece if the two sides pursue a deal.

Here’s more on the Celtics:

Taking their cue from the Pacers and Thunder, the Celtics need to get younger and cheaper talent, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe opines. In order for the Celtics to stay under the second apron, they need to have players on rookie contracts and — when the time comes — give them less-than-max rookie extensions. They need to hit on their two draft picks at No. 28 and 32 to help achieve that goal, Washburn notes.
Regarding their trade assets, Robb details how many future picks the Celtics hold. Boston has one first-rounder and two second-rounders next year but doesn’t have a second-rounder in 2027. Robb also notes the Celtics currently have no picks in 2029.
Yossi Gozlan of ThirdApron.com (Substack link) doesn’t see the club trading Jaylen Brown but believes the next 12 months could be the optimal window to move Derrick White, who is set to begin a four-year, $128MM extension. If White is retained, the club should be able to achieve its financial goals by trading Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Sam Hauser, Gozlan writes.

Montrezl Harrell To Remain In Australia On One-Year Deal

May 28th, 2025 at 10:02am CST by Dana Gauruder

Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell will remain in Australia next season. He has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Adelaide 36ers, Olgun Uluc of ESPN reports.

Harrell averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during the 2024/25 season in Australia’s National Basketball League, helping to guide Adelaide to a sixth-place finish and a spot in the play-in. Harrell had offers across Europe and Asia, according to Uluc’s sources, but opted to return to the 36ers after being named to the All-NBL Second Team.

Harrell initially joined Adelaide as a short-term injury replacement but wound up signing a rest-of-the-season deal.

Harrell, 31, played eight seasons in the NBA with career averages of 12.1 points and 5.0 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per contest. He earned Sixth Man of the Year votes for four straight years from 2019-22 with the Clippers, Lakers, Wizards, and Hornets, winning the award as a Clipper in 2020 when he averaged 18.6 PPG and 7.1 RPG in 63 games.

The 6’7″ forward/center spent the 2022/23 season with the Sixers and re-signed with Philadelphia during the 2023 offseason, but suffered a torn ACL and medial meniscus tear shortly after finalizing that contract. That injury, which required surgery, cost him the entire ’23/24 campaign and prompted the 76ers to waive him in October 2023.

Knicks Notes: Deficit, Defense, Lineup Change, Towns, Brunson, Bridges, Hart

May 28th, 2025 at 8:35am CST by Dana Gauruder

The Knicks erased a 20-point deficit in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. They couldn’t complete a comeback against the Pacers in Game 4 on Tuesday, leaving them on the brink of elimination.

“In true fashion to our whole playoff run, we put ourselves in a deficit, got ourselves out of the deficit, and then usually we feel good about us going into a close game in the fourth quarter and showing our resilience. But you get burned if you put yourself in that position too many times,” Karl-Anthony Towns said, per ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “We think coming into the fourth quarter that we’re going to find that one trick again. We just didn’t have that magic tonight.”

The Knicks’ defense faltered, as Indiana shot 51.1% from the floor and committed just 11 turnovers, six fewer than New York. Pacers stars Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam combined for 62 points.

“They played with more intensity,” center Mitchell Robinson told Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “We should’ve matched it.”

We have more on the Knicks:

The lineup change that coach Tom Thibodeau made in Game 3 — Robinson replacing Josh Hart — flopped in Game 4, Jared Schwartz of the New York Post notes. The Knicks trailed 16-11 before Towns subbed out with 7:48 left in the first quarter after picking up his second foul. When the unit was back together to start the third quarter, the club gave up seven unanswered points to fall behind by 12. “There’s obviously some good, but also things we have to do a lot better,” Thibodeau said. “I don’t think we had a good grouping. … We start the third without great energy, and you can’t do that.”
Towns was able to stay in the game after colliding with Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith with 2:11 remaining. However, the left knee pain he suffered is some cause for concern heading into Game 5 on Thursday. “I’m only thinking about this loss, I’m not thinking about that right now,” Towns said, per Peter Botte of the New York Post. “It’s disappointing when you don’t get a win. Just didn’t do enough to get the job done tonight.”
Jalen Brunson scored 31 points but a vast majority came prior to the fourth quarter. The Knicks were outscored by 14 points when he was in the game, Braziller notes. “I’m not doing enough,” Brunson said. “I could sit here and be very detail-oriented about certain things, but obviously not good enough. There has to be a difference on my part when it comes to that.”
Mikal Bridges‘ shortcomings were apparent in Game 4. He couldn’t stop Haliburton as the Pacers guard posted a triple-double without a turnover. The veteran forward was also passive on the offensive end, repeatedly passing up driving opportunities. “I didn’t play my best game,” Bridges told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “On both ends, let my team down a little bit.”
Hart also had a rough night as he committed five turnovers, Schwartz points out. “It’s tough to win against a team like that who turns those turnovers into points,” Hart said. “I had like four or five. Just stupid turnovers that you can’t have. That leads to easy baskets, that leads to momentum. We gotta be more careful with the ball, starting with myself.”

Suns Pare Down List Of Coaching Candidates To Five

May 28th, 2025 at 7:00am CST by Dana Gauruder

May 28: In addition to confirming Quinn, Bryant, Ott, and Sweeney as finalists, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link) reports that Bliss is moving to the next round of interviews as well.

Gambadoro confirms that the Suns are advancing five candidates to the final round of the search process, with Bliss still in the mix (Twitter links).

May 27: The Suns have whittled their list of candidates for their head coaching job.

According to Phoenix radio reporter John Gambadoro (Twitter link), there are four finalists for the position, with Heat assistant Chris Quinn and Cavaliers assistants Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott among that group.

The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin, citing multiple league sources, also hears that Quinn and Ott are among the likely finalists along with Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, with Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori also a possibility.

Sweeney is headed to Phoenix for an in-person interview on Wednesday, Gambadoro confirms (via Twitter).

The Suns are looking to replace Mike Budenholzer, who only lasted one disappointing season on the job. Budenholzer was hired after Frank Vogel, another coach with a championship on his resume, was let go after one season.

The Suns are the only team in search of a head coach. Gambadoro reported on Sunday that Phoenix’s brass had already conducted second interviews with nine candidates for the position, mainly via Zoom. Suns assistant David Fizdale, Pelicans assistant James Borrego, Nets assistant Steve Hetzel and Thunder assistant Dave Bliss were the other reported candidates.