Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images The Chicago Bulls made a big splash in free agency. If they want it to translate to playoff success, they’ll need to answer these questions. Few teams made more noise this offseason than the Chicago Bulls. They made a huge splash in free agency, adding both Lonzo Ball and DeMar
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10:58 AM ET After architecting the franchise’s first NBA championship in 50 years, Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst has agreed to a long-term contract extension, he told ESPN on Friday. Horst had one year left on his contract, and his new deal — finalized Friday morning with his agent, Brian Elfus, and team officials
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. With the NBA season just days away we’re looking at a few NBA players who posted career-bests last season that might not be entirely replicable. I always root for
3:04 PM ET ESPN News Services Ben Simmons, who has cleared health and safety protocols and is eligible to rejoin the Philadelphia 76ers, will not play in Friday night’s preseason finale, the team announced. Simmons’ absence is listed by the team as “reconditioning” and he did not travel with the team to Detroit for the
This week, The Long Two breaks down how much the Brooklyn Nets will miss Kyrie Irving on the court and how good the Raptors’ young core has looked. If Kyrie Irving were as intelligent as he fancies himself, he might have avoided getting into this mess altogether. Instead, he has chosen to put both his
4:27 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson will miss the start of the regular season because of a right foot injury that required offseason surgery, Pelicans vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said on Thursday. Williamson received scans on Wednesday, and after reviewing the scans with Dr.
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 03: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets cheers from the bench during a pre season game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is
11:48 PM ET Kevin Durant said he wishes “none of this stuff would happen” but he isn’t upset that Kyrie Irving is not with the Brooklyn Nets. Durant said he has not spoken to Irving since the Nets decided on Tuesday that their starting point guard will not practice or play with the team until
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. As I mentioned a few newsletters ago, I am dipping my toes back into the water of making preseason predictions and picks this year. It’s something I’ve mostly eschewed
8:00 AM ET FIFTY-FIVE MINUTES before tipoff at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook take the court for a joint workout that Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy guides. “We’ve been tied at the hip, pretty much, since we made the acquisition,” James says of Westbrook at media day. “We’re
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Ben Simmons blinked first. After a summer of evolving trade demands and completely stonewalling direct contact from his teammates and the Philadelphia 76ers organization, after holding out of training
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Conor McGregor goes on racist rant aimed at Ali Abdelaziz, Dagestan by Amy Kaplan Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid took a playful jab at Andre Drummond, as the two have quite the past. Now that Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond are teammates for the Philadelphia 76ers, it really has sitcom
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 13: Brittney Griner #42 and Skylar Diggins-Smith #4 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrate after defeating the Chicago Sky in Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center on October 13, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 91-86 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and
1:10 AM ET Kyrie Irving said Wednesday night he still hopes to return and play for the Brooklyn Nets but that “this is about my life and what I am choosing to do,” as he explained his decision to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Irving, speaking on Instagram Live, said he is neither pro-vaccine nor
Oct 4, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) and Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) react during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports It didn’t take long for the Jon Gruden to USC rumors to heat up by Alicia de Artola
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images Joel Embiid can’t help throwing a little shade while he praises Andre Drummond by Braulio Perez With the NBA’s Opening Night all set to arrive next week, the Boston Celtics have two stars who have recently tested positive for COVID-19. The 2021-22 NBA regular season is almost here and fans
3:33 PM ET Associated Press CAMDEN, N.J. — This much is known: Ben Simmons is back in Philadelphia. But there’s no clear sign yet the All-Star guard is set to rescind his trade request and actually play for the 76ers. Even coach Doc Rivers — publicly, at least — says he’s unsure of the status
The one and only Michael Jordan has come out in support of the NBA’s protocols leading up to the regular season arriving. For a while now, there’s been plenty of drama across the NBA when it comes to players getting vaccinated and having to follow the league’s protocols on COVID-19. Most notably, Kyrie Irving has
8:00 AM ET Behold, the top 10 NBA teams in our 10th annual League Pass Rankings. Reminder: These are watchability scores, not power rankings! We score teams, 1-10, in five categories: ZEITGEIST: Do actual humans care about this team? STAR/HIGHLIGHT POTENTIAL: Do you stick around games, at the expense of sleep and loved ones, because
Zaire Wade, the 19-year-old son of Dwayne Wade, is signing an NBA G League contract with the Salt Lake City Stars, the Utah Jazz affiliate team. Three years after Dwayne Wade hung up his jersey, his son Zaire is set to follow in his footsteps — on a Wade-affiliated team, no less. According to The
2:52 AM ET Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Ben Simmons passed his physical and held a meeting with the team’s front office on Tuesday but remains ineligible to participate in team-related activities until Friday at the earliest due to NBA health and safety protocols, sources told ESPN. Simmons met with Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports Mike Zimmer finally said something nice about Kirk Cousins after Seahawks win by Josie Rohach Tyron Woodley finally got the Jake Paul tattoo and its hilarious (Photo) by Curtis Calhoun New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson is apparently recovering from foot surgery. Third-year superstar Zion Williamson, of the New Orleans Pelicans,
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 03: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets follows the action from the bench during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user
7:04 PM ET Associated Press BOSTON — The Boston Celtics say center Al Horford has tested positive for COVID-19. Horford is currently in isolation and didn’t travel with the team for its two-game exhibition road trip to Florida, which includes games in Orlando on Wednesday and Miami on Friday. He is the second Celtics player
11:12 AM ET Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the Brooklyn Nets until he is eligible to become a full participant under local COVID-19 vaccination requirements, general manager Sean Marks said Tuesday. “Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently the choice restricts his ability to
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers. (Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports) The Philadelphia 76ers have a lot to prove this season after the most tumultuous offseason in the NBA. They may have the most important questions to answer in basketball. The Philadelphia 76ers spent the entire offseason in the NBA news cycle. They gave content to
10:21 PM ET After staying away for the first two weeks of the preseason, 76ers All-Star guard Ben Simmons reported to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Monday night, sources told ESPN. As the Sixers played the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons took a COVID-19 test in the arena, sources said. The initial test starts several
Oct 4, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Drew Eubanks (14) in the first half at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports One of the greatest storylines in the NBA last season was Mike Conley’s All-Star Game appearance. Which player can
8:00 AM ET SAN DIEGO — Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Paul Millsap and Joe Harris were all trying their best, but this was not their night. On the plush, manicured lawn of Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai’s picturesque La Jolla, California, home, the Nets’ four veterans were no match for Tsai’s two sons at bocce
Shaquille O’Neal continued his criticism of Ben Simmons as Simmons continued his holdout in Philadelphia. Shaquille O’Neal has a reminder for Ben Simmons. The two have at least one thing in common. “In all my championships, I shot 30-40 percent in the Finals ( from the free-throw line ),” O’Neal told FanSided. “That’s not what
11:29 AM ET Discussions have gained momentum on All-Star Ben Simmons returning to the Philadelphia 76ers, likely as soon as this week, sources told ESPN on Monday. Philadelphia management and coach Doc Rivers progressed in talks over the weekend with Simmons’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, on a resolution for Simmons to report to
Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) Yankees vs. Red Sox MLB live stream reddit: Watch AL Wild Card Game by Jordanna Clark 2021 PFL Championships: Raush Manfio reflects on gauntlet on the path to the lightweight finals by Curtis Calhoun Pau Gasol announced his retirement from professional basketball and the Los
5:06 PM ET Kyrie Irving returned to practice Sunday, but the Brooklyn Nets sound like a team coming to grips with the realization that its starting point guard will not play in home games for the foreseeable future. While the situation around Irving’s availability for home games due to New York City’s COVID-19 protocols could
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 03: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets during a pre season game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms
1:57 PM ET Eric WoodyardESPN DETROIT, Mich. — Ben Wallace is an NBA Hall of Famer, NBA champion and four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Now the 47-year-old can add basketball operations and team engagement advisor for the Detroit Pistons to his resume. The Pistons announced Friday that Wallace has been hired in this role
The Indiana Pacers reportedly are still in the hunt to acquire Ben Simmons from the 76ers, this time they’ve offered Caris LeVert for the disgruntled 76ers star. The longer Ben Simmons remains on the Philadelphia 76ers roster, the more teams are presumably added to the mix as a potential trade partner. Through these rumors, however,
2:11 PM ET Associated Press MIAMI — Udonis Haslem and Bam Adebayo were yelling at each other during practice Sunday, which was a critical step for the Heat. It meant things were normal again. Their captain is back. Haslem — the NBA’s oldest active player at 41– returned to practice Sunday, joining his team for
After a brief but stellar showing last season in Houston, Kevin Porter Jr. confirmed that he’ll be starting at point guard for the Rockets this year. When news of Kevin Porter Jr.’s meltdown in Cleveland came out, many questioned if he could ever find his footing in the league. He was traded to the Houston
Washington Wizards forward Kyle KuzmaMandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports With the 2021-22 NBA season scheduled to begin soon, these five players have the most to prove this season. The NBA off-season is a time filled with hot takes, trade and free agency rumors, player rankings and a lot of criticisms. While media discusses this
12:03 PM ET Associated Press GREENSBORO, N.C. — Former NBA guard J.R. Smith is set to make his debut next week as a golfer for North Carolina A&T. The school announced that Smith will play his first collegiate tournament Monday and Tuesday at the Phoenix Invitational hosted by Elon. The tournament will take place at
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. (Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) UFC Vegas 39: Mackenzie Dern vs. Marina Rodriguez preview and prediction by Curtis Calhoun Alex Cora gives ominous update on Chris Sale before postseason by Scott Rogust Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry becomes one of the first victims of new NBA rule change. Monday
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The NBA preseason is officially underway and even a sample size of a single game we’re already seeing some rookies showing out against the increased level of competition and
Federal prosecutors announced an enormous fraud case Thursday morning, which included the arrest of 18 former NBA players. The final days before the NBA season finally starts are usually filled with injury updates, glowing assessments of preseason games and optimistic goals for the upcoming season. Oh, and accusations of massive, collaborative insurance fraud. On Thursday,
8:43 PM ET Associated Press TORONTO — Ontario’s major indoor professional sports teams have been given the green light to host capacity crowds. The NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors will be able to play in front of full arenas when their seasons start this month, Ontario Sports Minister
Philadelphia 76ers, Allen Iverson Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis III out a month with quad injury by Jaleel Grandberry Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson questions why the team hasn’t hired him for a position. It’s not the easiest task to be a professional athlete in the City of Brotherly Love.
4:38 PM ET SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has long been an admirer of LeBron James, but he added an extra layer of praise to his famous foe’s accolades in advance of Friday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers. When asked what it’s been like to play against James for
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles as he speaks to the media during Los Angeles Lakers media day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 28, 2021 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Here’s how close Cardinals were to taking a lead of
7:00 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving will be able to practice at the team’s facility in Brooklyn, sources confirmed to ESPN, but still won’t be able to play in home games due to the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The change in Irving’s status is due to the city determining that the
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) The Golden State Warriors are a team with a lot of questions surrounding the team. Which ones weigh the most on the team heading into the season? It seems like forever ago that the Golden State Warriors were the quintessential star of
8:00 AM ET With less than two weeks until the start of the regular season, the uncertainty around Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving continues to swirl. The Nets listed Irving, 29, as ineligible to play in Friday’s preseason game against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. New York City’s COVID-19 protocols allow only NBA players with
Jarrett Allen has done everything you could ask from a young, athletic big man. But his place with the Cleveland Cavaliers still doesn’t feel secure. Jarrett Allen joined the Brooklyn Nets in the years when the team was still reeling from giving up all their first-round picks to the Boston Celtics in a 2013 trade.
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. With the start of the season less than two weeks away, Ian Levy and Ben Ladner share their award predictions for NBA MVP, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man
8:00 AM ET NBA Insiders Which NBA teams and players could disrupt the races for home-court advantage and awards during the 2021-22 season? After the New York Knicks‘ surprising run to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference last season, could head coach Tom Thibodeau’s crew pull off that feat again in an improved East?
The NBPA released a memo to players informing them that they will not be subject to random tests for marijuana during this season. After the NBA season froze in March 2020, the league stopped testing NBA players for any types of drugs. But when players were brought back for the NBA Bubble restart in July
7:41 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets listed Kyrie Irving as ineligible to play in their home preseason game Friday, another strong indication he has not met New York’s vaccination requirement. Irving has not been with the Nets for any of their practices in New York, where professional athletes are required
LaMelo Ball has endless talent, creativity and imagination. What can he do for the Charlotte Hornets now that he has experience too? In a May contest against the moribund Pistons, LaMelo Ball did one of the coolest things anyone has done on the basketball court in a long time. Detroit turned the ball over and
Unvaccinated NBA players who break quarantine in Toronto may be subject to face criminal charges, including prison time and fines. In 2020, when the NBA resumed the season in the bubble, the proposed punishment for leaving the bubble was a mandated quarantine, more rigid COVID testing and a deduction in pay for any games missed.
1:50 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN Los Angeles became the third NBA city to pass a sweeping COVID-19 vaccine mandate that will impact its NBA teams, joining New York and San Francisco. The ordinance, which was both passed by the Los Angeles City Council and was signed by Mayor Eric Garcetti Wednesday, will go into effect
With only two weeks left before the start of the season, the Brooklyn Nets are unsure about what Kyrie Irving’s intentions are concerning the coronavirus vaccine. At a point in time, Kyrie Irving was given the monicker ‘The Bus Driver’ for his renowned ankle-breakers that often left defenders dazed and confused. In 2021, however, Irving is operating
This week, The Long Two looks at how Jordan Poole could help fill in for Klay Thompson and whether the Knicks can replicate last year’s success. Given the variables at play, it’s nearly impossible, and certainly exhausting, to confidently project a likely outcome for the Golden State Warriors this season. Uncertainty over how Klay Thompson
10:56 AM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Eighteen former NBA players have been charged with defrauding the league’s health and welfare benefit plan out of about $4 million, according to an indictment Thursday in New York. Federal prosecutors planned a news conference for noon ET Thursday to describe the case that was brought in
Russell Westbrook, Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports Giants: Second-half stats back up Gabe Kapler’s pitcher choices for NLDS by Alicia de Artola Los Angeles Lakers’ Russell Westbrook reveals that Pau Gasol was his favorite player growing up. Pau Gasol officially announced his retirement from professional basketball on Tuesday,
11:00 PM ET PHOENIX — Trevor Ariza will be sidelined about two months after having surgery on his right ankle, the Los Angeles Lakers announced Wednesday. Ariza, one of 11 new players added in the offseason, underwent an arthroscopic debridement procedure Wednesday. He has missed most of training camp because of the ankle. The Lakers
De’Andre Hunter will be crucial to the short- and long-term success of the Atlanta Hawks, provided he stays healthy enough to remain on the court. Most NBA teams fall into one of two categories: those aggressively pursuing as many wins as possible and those stockpiling talent with the hope of eventually competing for a championship.
John Collins has become one of the best offensive big men in the NBA. Is that enough to help take the Hawks to the next level? It would be unavailing to try and categorize John Collins within the broader positional category of big men. While he certainly possesses conventional qualities of both power forwards and
After receiving a hefty fine for missing the 76ers first preseason game, Ben Simmons might be reconsidering his holdout. Last week, Ben Simmons liked an Instagram post with a graphic detailing the fines he could receive for missing out on the Philadelphia 76ers practices and games. But the fine he received after missing the 76ers
5:57 PM ET Kevin Durant said he’s still envisioning Kyrie Irving being a part of the Nets’ championship pursuit but he also acknowledges that it will be “hard to duplicate what he brings” if he can’t play home games in Brooklyn. Irving missed his second straight day of practice in Brooklyn as New York City’s
Bradley Beal revealed that he’s unvaccinated for “personal reasons” during the Washington Wizards’ Media Day on Monday. Bradley Beal joins a list of NBA players who are unvaccinated heading into the start of the 2021-22 NBA season. During the Washington Wizards‘ 2021 Media Day on Monday, Beal said that he isn’t vaccinated due to “personal
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 13: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on April 13, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the
Ben Simmons listed his Ritz-Carlton residence for sale, furthering his stance that he will never play for the Philadelphia 76ers again. Time is ticking between the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons. The organization’s No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft has made it clear that he refuses to step on the court for Philadelphia
12:09 PM ET Associated Press MADRID — Pau Gasol announced his retirement from basketball on Tuesday, ending a career that lasted more than two decades and earned him two NBA titles and a world championship gold with Spain’s national team. The 41-year-old had already announced his farewell from international basketball in August after Spain lost
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports NFL Week 5 2021 full schedule by Josie Rohach LSU football: 3 big names to target to replace Ed Orgeron by John Buhler Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk continues to impress his teammates after the team’s first preseason game. The Los Angeles Lakers made a lot of offseason acquisitions, and
8:59 PM ET Adrian Wojnarowski Close Senior NBA Insider Host of The Woj Pod Joined ESPN in 2017 Brian Windhorst Close ESPN Senior Writer ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010 Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years Author of two books The Brooklyn Nets remain unclear on All-Star guard Kyrie Irving‘s ultimate intentions to get vaccinated and
After cashing in this summer, can Gary Trent Jr. cement himself as a fixture of the Toronto Raptors’ post-Kyle Lowry era? Gary Trent Jr. is waltzing into a golden opportunity in 2021-22. With Kyle Lowry now in Miami, the Toronto Raptors will be reinventing themselves. Fred VanVleet figures to take over as their full-time point
How can OG Anunoby take the next step as an offensive threat, without sacrificing the defensive intensity that’s made him so essential to the Toronto Raptors? As he enters his fifth season, OG Anunoby is trying to become something that may or may not actually exist. The idea of a two-way wing holds an outsized
Golden State Warriors, Andrew Wiggins, Jusuf Nurkic (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) Jaguars owner responds to Urban Meyer’s ‘inexcusable behavior’ by Josie Rohach Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins got vaccinated just in time to put Jusuf Nurkic on a poster. After what felt like an eternity debating Andrew Wiggins’ possibilities this season with the Golden State
2:34 PM ET Kyrie Irving did not practice with the Brooklyn Nets in Brooklyn on Tuesday as the point guard is unable to practice or play in New York under the city’s COVID-19 vaccination protocols. After practicing with the team last week at training camp in San Diego, Irving did not attend the team’s first
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports Andrew Wiggins celebrates getting vaccinated by yamming on Jusuf Nurkic by Jordanna Clark The Toronto Raptors are finally playing basketball in Toronto again after a long time away. The ongoing pandemic forced a lot of things to be done far differently. One of those things was where the Toronto Raptors
12:41 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN The Brooklyn Nets are being tapped as the heavy favorites to win this season’s championship by the league’s general managers, and star Kevin Durant is picked as the slight favorite to win his second Most Valuable Player award. In the annual survey of all 30 general managers released Tuesday by
If you think a Scottie Pippen comparison is hyperbolic for Tyrese Haliburton, maybe you need to watch more of Tyrese Haliburton. Scottie Pippen has become the archetypal second-best guy. That’s kind of what happens when you win six championships as the wingman for arguably the greatest player in basketball history. But the legacy that’s been
De’Aaron Fox is fast. But is he fast enough to outrun the chaotic legacy of the Sacramento Kings, and strong enough to carry his team with him? Plastic bullets fill the air. Bone claws slowly protrude from skinned knuckles. Jim Croce’s voice offers sad reservations about time and bottles. And there is De’Aaron Fox, at
During an Instagram Live, Lakers enter Dwight Howard said that teammate LeBron James gave him permission to take a 3-pointer for every two blocks he had this season. Over the course of his 17-year career, Dwight Howard has amassed a total of 2,192 blocks for an average of 1.9 a game in his career. Had
2:44 AM ET Golden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins on Monday explained his decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine, noting that he felt “forced” to do so in order to continue his NBA career. “The only options were to get vaccinated or not play in the NBA,” Wiggins said after the Warriors’ preseason opener against
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. In general, I tend to shy away from making preseason predictions about the NBA. I have no reason to think my insight or analysis is any more prescient than
10:52 AM ET The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have agreed to a reduction in pay of 1/91.6th of a player’s salary for each game an unvaccinated player misses because of local COVID-19 vaccine mandates, sources told ESPN, a decision that stands to impact Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving. The decision on a
Will the Phoenix Suns’ run to the 2021 NBA Finals help propel Deandre Ayton into having a career year? Heading into the 2021 NBA playoffs, Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton was one of the league’s biggest wild cards. Fresh off a run to the NBA Finals, he now appears poised to cement himself as one
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The NBA preseason officially got underway Sunday with two championship favorites — the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers — facing off. It’s tough to draw too many meaningful
8:00 AM ET With NBA opening night just over two weeks away, teams are starting to construct their rosters and determine which players will be healthy for the start of the regular season. Several top players were sidelined by injuries in 2020-21 — Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard,
Golden State Warriors, Andrew Wiggins Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports Did Steelers get robbed on blown call? NFL Rules Expert thinks so by Josh Hill Watch Michael Kay’s call as Aaron Judge cements Yankees’ playoff fate (Video) by Mark Powell Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins is vaccinated and will be available for all home
Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has high goals for this upcoming season, including winning Defensive Player of the Year. While all the focus for Philadelphia 76ers fans this offseason has been the ongoing drama with Ben Simmons, this team is still looking like legit contenders in the Eastern Conference. That will always be the case
4:10 PM ET SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins received a COVID-19 vaccination and will be eligible to play in home games this season. Warriors coach Steve Kerr made the announcement following Sunday’s practice. “Andrew got vaccinated,” Kerr said. “He just told me today that he was fine with us acknowledging it
Mitchell Robinson has carved out a niche with the New York Knicks with insane highlights and absurd numbers. Now he’s ready for more. There can be beauty in simplicity. Catch ball. Dunk ball. Stand here. Jump. Swat ball. That’s not to call Mitchell Robinson’s basketball responsibilities simple. He is often playing as the defensive anchor
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was an incredibly efficient creator despite carrying the entire load for the Oklahoma City Thunder. What if they put more talent around him? By the box score, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already looks like a star for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He averaged 23.7 points, 5.9 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game last season on
Brandon Ingram is just five years into his NBA career but once again finds himself in the unfortunate position of being defined by his relationship to others. Brandon Ingram has established a healthy NBA resume. He’s averaged 23.8 points per game for two consecutive seasons. He’s made an All-Star team and won Most Improved
Why Zion Williamson’s foot injury could spell trouble for the Pelicans, plus what Michael Porter Jr.’s max extension means for the Nuggets moving forward. Monday’s NBA headlines rightfully centered on a small but vocal group of maddeningly selfish and deeply misguided players using incoherent, bad-faith rhetoric to support grossly irresponsible and scientifically indefensible decisions to
After quieting critics by guiding his Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals, what does Trae Young have in store for an encore? Trae Young might be the NBA’s next great villain. Like any good wrestling heel, Young seems to revel in infuriating fans. After hitting a game-winning floater in Game 2 of the Atlanta
5:42 PM ET Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell was not wearing his normal No. 45 jersey at practice Saturday. Instead, Mitchell wore No. 22 to pay tribute to Utah Utes football players Aaron Lowe and Ty Jordan. “I wanted to pay my respects,” Mitchell, entering his fifth season with the Jazz, said after the practice,
With the Minnesota Timberwolves mixing things up with the front office on Wednesday, Karl-Anthony Towns can’t believe what’s going on. The Minnesota Timberwolves have stunned so many folks in the basketball world, as they stole the show news wise on Wednesday. In case you missed it, the organization decided to fire President of Basketball Operations
Last week, the Minnesota Timberwolves fired GM Gersson Rosas. It was the latest move to showcase the franchise’s instability, but could it be a blessing in disguise? The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a state of disarray. This is not particularly newsworthy on its own since that has been the standard state of the franchise since
Ben Simmons continues to troll the 76ers — yhis time he does it by liking an Instagram post about how much the team can fine him if he continues to hold out. There are so many takes on the Ben Simmons and Philadelphia 76ers rift but if you fancy some petty humor, then it might
6:43 PM ET SAN DIEGO — Kevin Durant celebrated his 33rd birthday on Wednesday in San Diego complete with birthday cake and the Brooklyn Nets‘ rookies serenading the star. Now in his 15th season, Durant says he is “growing every single day” and understands the game more as he adapts and evolves to the changes
May 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) warms up before the NBA play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports 3 Urban Meyer replacements the Jaguars should already be considering by Brad Berreman Draymond Green is never afraid to say
6:26 PM ET The NBA has reached a 95% vaccination threshold of its players, reflecting a steady rise since the opening of training camps this week, league sources told ESPN on Thursday. That uptick — which includes players who’ve minimally received one vaccination shot, sources said — comes as unvaccinated players prepare for losses of
Bam Adebayo has quickly become one of the most dynamic centers in basketball, and the 24-year-old’s growth will be key to Miami’s pursuit of an NBA title. A full appreciation of Bam Adebayo begins with the understanding that he isn’t a first option. The Heat’s 24-year-old Swiss-Army knife center doesn’t singlehandedly lift his team into
Already a generational scoring talent, Zion Williamson may only be scratching the surface of his potential as a player. Even in an era when young stars take less time than ever to ascend, Zion Williamson’s rise is exceptional. With fewer than 100 NBA games under his belt, the 21-year-old has already established himself as one
7:36 PM ET EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Nineteen seasons into his NBA career and with a slew of accomplishments to show for his tenure, Carmelo Anthony‘s résumé would suggest an automatic featured role for this season’s Los Angeles Lakers. However, Anthony, 37, is open to whatever his new team asks of him as he continues
Heading into a contract year, can Jaren Jackson Jr. re-establish himself as a core piece of the Memphis Grizzlies alongside Ja Morant? One year ago, Jaren Jackson Jr. appeared to be headed toward a max contract extension. He was fresh off a sophomore season in which he averaged 17.4 points while shooting 39.4 percent from
Memphis has always been a city of music. Here are three songs that sum up the city’s newest young star, Ja Morant. Great NBA players have a tell, some signature tic or stylistic element that makes them who they are. Observant viewers could see a silhouette of Kevin Durant’s jumper or of Chris Paul bringing
With the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum has already cemented himself as one of the best players in the league. What happens next may be out of his control. Jayson Tatum has been places. Not just any places. Members-only, behind-the-velvet-rope, you-must-be-this-tall-and-successful-to-enter places. He’s been to so many places it’s hard to remember he’s still only 23.
3:40 PM ET Tim Bontemps Brian Windhorst Close ESPN Senior Writer ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010 Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years Author of two books The Philadelphia 76ers did not pay Ben Simmons the $8.25 million — 25% of his contract — that he was owed Friday and placed that money into an escrow
While NBA news has been overtaken by players who are unvaccinated, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James says why he chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Kyrie Irving, Andrew Wiggins, Bradley Beal, Jonathan Isaac. What do those four names have in common? They’re some of the top players in the NBA who remain unvaccinated. During
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 08: Kendrick Nunn #25 of the Miami Heat in action against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on March 08, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms
How can we measure Luka Doncic’s greatness against expectations when he just keeps smashing them each season? Much of an NBA player’s reputation rests on what is expected of them, and whether or not they meet those expectations. If fans assume a player will offer very little and they then display consistent competence, it may
8:12 PM ET SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said Thursday that he does not feel like it’s his place to push the COVID-19 vaccine on teammate Andrew Wiggins. Speaking for the first time since training camp began, Green made it clear that even as a leader of the Warriors, he is
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid had a fiery response to recent Ben Simmons reports. With the ongoing saga between the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons, All-Star center Joel Embiid has remained relatively quiet. He made his first public comments on Monday during the teams media day. Majority of what Embiid said then was just him
12:25 AM ET EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As exhausted as LeBron James appeared after the Los Angeles Lakers‘ second day of training camp — plopped down on a chair in the interview room, sneakers unlaced and sweat dripping from his forehead — the Lakers star explained Thursday that it actually was a sign of fire
Despite what many perceived to be a tumultuous rivalry between Rajon Rondo and LeBron James during the first half of the 2010s, the two have grown to be extremely fond of one another. Of course, that bond was molded through the fire, especially when they, alongside Anthony Davis, played pivotal roles in leading the Los
6:29 PM ET Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid called the situation with his disgruntled co-star Ben Simmons “disappointing” and “borderline kind of disrespectful” to the rest of the team. The comments came following a report by The Athletic that Simmons feels his partnership with Embiid has “run its course.” Simmons has yet to report to
Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. is officially listed at 6-foot-6, but he acknowledged how much his hair adds to his height. As the Houston Rockets continue a rebuild, Kevin Porter Jr. has become a key piece of the equation. After a rough one-plus season run with the Cleveland Cavaliers, much if not all of
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Kevork S. Djansezian/Getty Images) 5 bold predictions for Browns against Vikings by John Buhler No feelings were spared in a harsh post from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar concerning anti-vax players in the NBA. Los Angeles Lakers great and NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had some stern words for NBA players who
7:52 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Instant replay of out-of-bounds violations in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime of NBA games this season will be initiated by a coach’s challenge rather than by referees. The NBA’s Board of Governors approved the change Wednesday on a one-year trial basis. Under the previous
Warriors star Steph Curry responded to questions concerning teammate, Andrew Wiggins’ vaccination status and what the implications could be for his Golden State during media day. For players in the NBA, the decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine or not has been deemed a “personal decision.” But oddly enough, during today’s media day, players were
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports New disturbing details have emerged following Jon Jones’ domestic violence arrest by Curtis Calhoun If you’ve ever dreamed about being invited to ride on Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson’s boat, there are three rules that you must be able to follow. Now that Golden
Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Is Richard Sherman the answer to the Buccaneers defensive struggles? by Jaleel Grandberry Russell Westbrook is entering his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers and wanted nothing to do with the Los Angeles Clippers during the offseason. There’s only one team that plays
1:06 AM ET METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and team officials revealed the teams’ long-term succession plans in detail for the first time on Wednesday, telling The Times-Picayune and WVUE-TV that they would be sold with the goal of keeping the teams in New Orleans and distributing the proceeds
Cade Cunningham is a franchise-changing talent. But the Detroit Pistons will need to be patient with him as he grows into himself. The night Cade Cunningham went first in the draft to the Detroit Pistons, Kendrick Perkins called him the most complete draftee since LeBron James. Anthony Davis and Luka Dončić may disagree, but simply
Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images The Lakers made a lot of smart moves this offseason, but these three mistakes could cost LeBron James and Anthony Davis a shot at another NBA title. The presence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers‘ roster gives Los Angeles a legitimate chance to win an NBA title
6:49 PM ET EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Following their first official practice together as teammates, Russell Westbrook dubbed Anthony Davis as “the ultimate weapon” and vowed to maximize the big man’s impact for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. “He’s one of a kind,” Westbrook said of Davis on Wednesday. “There’s nobody like him who
For the first part of this season, Jamal Murray will be an inanimate object for the Denver Nuggets. What happens when he comes back to life? These injury timetables are like forgettable Wyclef Jean songs. You’re gone until you’re not. Everyone is lucky if it’s only until November. But the Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray will
Can Michael Porter Jr. cement himself as one of the NBA’s top up-and-coming scoring dynamos in 2021-22? Michael Porter Jr. is a walking bucket. During his first season as a full-time starter with the Denver Nuggets, he averaged 19.0 points on 54.2 percent shooting. He was one of only two players leaguewide who knocked down
Lonzo Ball hasn’t ascended to stardom, but the 24-year-old is one of the smartest players in the NBA and only getting better. Lonzo Ball is not a star, and each facet of his game is grounded in that fact. Where many NBA players stretch themselves beyond their limits, Ball seems to work under no delusions
8:03 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN The NBA informed its teams Tuesday night that it is finalizing an agreement with the National Basketball Players Association on a set of health and safety protocols for the upcoming regular season, according to information in a memo obtained by ESPN. The protocols will require unvaccinated players to be under
Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) College football conference power rankings: ACC’s golden goose is cooked by Nick Villano 5 best fantasy football matchups to exploit for Week 4 by Frankie Licausi During Warriors’ media day, Klay Thompson hilariously photobombed Steph Curry. As stated by Golden State Warriors general
7:17 PM ET SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors swingman Klay Thompson is starting to look more like his old basketball self amid his rehabilitation from a torn right Achilles injury. Participating in his first official team practice since suffering the injury in an offseason workout Nov. 18, 2020, Thompson knocked down shots from all
Collin Sexton has already proven he can put up big numbers in the NBA. Now it’s time to prove he can use those numbers to help the Cleveland Cavaliers win. Is Collin Sexton good at basketball? The answer has to be yes, right? This is a man who is not only in the NBA, but
New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports Leigh Steinberg: From Steve Bartkowski to Patrick Mahomes by John Buhler Is Nick Sirianni trying to make Jalen Hurts look bad? by John Buhler New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose deferred to Kemba Walker as the starting point guard. With many NBA teams
3:56 PM ET EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — LeBron James said he initially felt “skepticism” regarding the COVID-19 vaccine but ultimately decided to get it for the well-being of himself, his family and his team. “You’re always trying to figure out ways that you can just be available and protect one another and put yourself in
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Media day is the unofficial start of the new NBA season. Right before training camps open, players take a few hours to sit for interviews, take photos, and do
9:51 AM ET Indiana Pacers guard Caris LeVert has a stress fracture in his back, but there’s optimism that it could only be a minor setback and he could return sometime around the start of the season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday. LeVert, who was traded to Indiana from Brooklyn as part of
In what seems to have been a whirlwind of speculation, the Golden State Warriors have shared the clearest revelation of when star guard Klay Thompson could return to the court. The Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson has not played in an NBA game in over two years and for the Golden State Warriors, having
7:37 PM ET Jamal Collier MILWAUKEE — It’s been a little more than two months since the Milwaukee Bucks won the 2020-21 NBA championship, but star Giannis Antetokounmpo still wants to maintain the chip on his shoulder that helped bring them that title. “Are we satisfied? I’m not satisfied. I’m not even close to being
Before being traded to the Lakers, Russell Westbrook attempted to urge then-teammate Bradley Beal to request a trade to get away from the Washington Wizards. Fans all over the league have been urging Bradley Beal to get free from the Washington Wizards but time after time, he has reasserted his commitment to the organization. On
First Take commentator Stephen A. Smith claims the Brooklyn Nets wanted to swap Kyrie Irving for Ben Simmons, but Kevin Durant got in the way. Stephen A.’s NBA sources can be trusted in some cases, especially in Philadelphia, where he was a reporter and columnist for decades. So, as far as Ben Simmons trade talk,
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Georgia injury report: Dawgs gets great updates on injured starters ahead of Arkansas showdown by Ethan Lee Joel Embiid took time during the Philadelphia 76ers’ media day to address the ongoing Ben Simmons saga. All-star point guard Ben Simmons has dominated most of the NBA off-season talk. It was
11:43 AM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson suffered a broken right foot during the summer but should be available for the regular season, New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said Monday. During his remarks at media day, Griffin said Williamson injured the foot early in the offseason
8:00 AM ET Media days kick off Monday, officially ushering in the start of training camps around the NBA. The dust has finally settled from free agency, and September training camp kickoffs will mark the first normal schedule in two years. The biggest news surrounding training camp comes out of Philadelphia, where Ben Simmons has
12:16 PM ET Four-time NBA champion Manu Ginobili — one of the greatest international players in basketball history — is returning to the San Antonio Spurs as a special advisor to basketball operations, sources told ESPN. Ginobili, 44, will work in a player-centric role focusing on the on-and-off court development of a young Spurs roster,
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Seahawks vs Vikings NFL live stream reddit for Week 3 by Jummy Owookade Amidst the ongoing Ben Simmons/Philadelphia 76ers offseason saga, a beat writer for the team revealed what Philadelphia could get in a Simmons trade. This week kicks off training camp for the Philadelphia
4:38 PM ET Associated Press PHOENIX — Suns guard Devin Booker will miss the start of training camp after being placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. The Suns said Sunday that the two-time All-Star won’t participate in Monday’s media day. The team said it would have no further updates until he’s ready for
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. There was no actual NBA basketball to watch Wednesday night but fans were still glued to their screens as the Minnesota Timberwolves appeared to meltdown in real-time. In the
2:36 PM ET Associated Press CHICAGO — Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams has a severe left ankle sprain that could cause him to miss the start of the season. The news announced Friday is a blow for a team hoping to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference after some major offseason moves. The Bulls
The NBA has denied Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins’ religious exemption request from San Francisco mandate requiring COVID-19 vaccination. After submitting a religious exemption from the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s order that requires the COVID-19 vaccination at large indoor events for people 12 and older, the NBA denied Golden State Warriors‘ Andrew Wiggins’
2:47 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN GREENBURGH, N.Y. — New York Knicks general manager Scott Perry said Friday afternoon that the organization — including all players, coaches and staff — is fully vaccinated, meaning the Knicks will have no issues with New York City’s vaccine mandate this season. “I think it’s a credit to our players,
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The WNBA playoffs kicked off last night with a pair of single-elimination games. The Chicago Sky pounding the Dallas Wings and the Phoenix Mercury barely survived without Diana Taurasi
3:55 PM ET Rui Hachimura will miss the start of Washington Wizards training camp because of personal reasons, the team announced Saturday. The Wizards announced Hachimura’s excused absence and said there will be “further updates when appropriate.” The Wizards have high expectations for the forward, who is projected to start and will be counted on
Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers, vaccination rate Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Cardinals: Edmundo Sosa takes scary HBP on wrist, leaves game (Video) by Mark Powell The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to enter opening night with a fully-vaccinated roster, according to Rob Pelinka. The Los Angeles Lakers will have a huge off-court
6:03 PM ET Lawrence Frank reiterated that Kawhi Leonard has a “significant rehab” from his ACL injury and that “no one knows” the time frame for when the LA Clippers star will return and whether he will play this season. Leonard underwent surgery to repair a partial tear in his right ACL on July 13
With two exhilarating games last night, the WNBA playoffs got of to a great start. Here’s a look at how both games went. The WNBA Playoffs got off to a fiery start last night with a Round 1 doubleheader. The Chicago Sky beat the Dallas Wings in the first game while the Phoenix Mercury won
8:08 PM ET ESPN News Services GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The NBA has denied Andrew Wiggins‘ request for a vaccination exemption, leaving the Golden State Warriors swingman ineligible to play home games until he meets San Francisco’s vaccination requirement. The ruling was announced Friday hours after the New York Knicks said their entire roster is vaccinated,
With Andrew Wiggins refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, he will have to miss at least half of the season. What are the Golden State Warriors’ options with Wiggins? On Sep. 1, a memo was sent to all NBA teams that unvaccinated players playing in cities that require vaccination to enter large indoor establishments, namely
8:00 AM ET NBA Insiders NBArank 2021 has reached its thrilling finish, with Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant edging out the Milwaukee Bucks‘ reigning NBA Finals MVP and champion Giannis Antetokounmpo for the No. 1 spot in Friday’s countdown of the top five NBA players for the upcoming season. Overall, there was a ton of
Ben Simmons’ future as a 76er has dominated the NBA news cycle all offseason, but this week it finally reached a point of no return. There’s hardly anything new to say about The Ben Simmons Situation at this point. Uncertainty over the 25-year-old’s future with the 76ers has dominated the NBA news cycle since the
Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons, Doc Rivers Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Where to watch WNBA Playoffs Round 1: Liberty vs Mercury by Jummy Owookade Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers speaks out publicly on ESPN to say that the organization wants Ben Simmons to stay. What will be the next team that Ben Simmons plays
Andrew Wiggins has opted not to get the COVID-19 vaccine and that could have huge implications on his career with the Warriors. The NBA has decided not to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for players, but players will have to adhere to the city and state guidelines of their team’s respective markets. For Andrew Wiggins, who
Sep 23, 2021 Our NBArank countdown is back for its 11th season. And after unveiling players Nos. 100-51, Nos. 50-26 and Nos. 25-6 throughout the week, we’ve finally reached the top five. We’ve already stated the cases for each superstar, but who was voted in as the league’s best player? Will LeBron James retain his
Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans’ front office can’t seem to get on the same page. The New Orleans Pelicans have been extremely fortunate over the last decade. They were able to win two NBA draft lotteries and pick two generational talents at No. 1 overall. Anthony Davis in 2012 and Zion Williamson in
7:30 PM ET LOS ANGELES — When the curtain comes up on the new NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers expect all of their performers to be on stage. “On opening night when we play the Golden State Warriors, all of the players that are currently signed on our roster, on that night, will be
With the WNBA playoffs kicking off tonight, here are the five stars who could dominate this postseason. The 2021 WNBA season was jampacked with a plethora of storylines, it being the first full season since the pandemic hit. This season we saw the resurgence of many stars who missed the W Bubble, iconic Twitter moments
2:20 AM ET SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins said earlier this year that the only way he would get a COVID-19 vaccine is if he were forced to do so. Now, as the start of the 2021-22 season nears, the organization is dealing with an ongoing headache behind the scenes because
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Ben Simmons (or someone in his camp) delivered another emphatic message to the Philadelphia 76ers yesterday through ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, saying he would never play another game for the
8:00 AM ET Our NBArank countdown is back for its 11th season. Which players are beginning their ascent up the league’s hierarchy? Who finished just shy of a place among the top five superstars in the NBA? To get the final NBArank prediction, we asked our expert panel to vote on pairs of players: Kevin
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images A Ben Simmons trade is a foregone conclusion, but as the 76ers’ options dwindle we’re digging deep to look for other fun possibilities. The 76ers are eventually going to make a Ben Simmons trade — that much has seemed certain for weeks. But exactly what they’ll get and where he’ll
3:25 PM ET Gersson Rosas is out as the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ president of basketball operations. In a statement announcing the move Wednesday, team owner Glen Taylor said the Wolves “remain committed to building a winning team that our fans and city can be proud of.” Minnesota hired Rosas, a former Houston Rockets executive, in May
In an interview on Tuesday, Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob made it clear that the Warriors were not looking to trade for Ben Simmons. One thing is for certain, Ben Simmons will never play for the Philadelphia 76ers again. He’s made that much very clear. He also won’t be suiting up in a Golden
The Minnesota Timberwolves have become the favorite to land point guard Ben Simmons. It looks as if Ben Simmons had played his last game with the Philadelphia 76ers. That was assured to be the case after reports surfaced saying Simmons “intends to never play another game” for the team. With that cleared up, the question
It’s a weird time to make a major front office change, but the Minnesota Timberwolves have done it anyway. With training camps approaching around the NBA, it would be odd to fire a coach or make a major front office change right now. On Wednesday the Minnesota Timberwolves made just such a significant move, announcing
James Wiseman, Golden State Warriors. (Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports) After a shaky past two years, here’s a look at three Golden State Warriors’ players who may not be on the roster by the end of the season. It’s less than a month until the start of the 2021-22 NBA season and the Golden
8:00 AM ET Our NBArank countdown is back for its 11th season. Which players are beginning their ascent up the league’s hierarchy? Who is on the verge of breaking into the superstar tier? To get the final NBArank prediction, we asked our expert panel to vote on pairs of players: Kevin Durant vs. James Harden,
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. J.J. Redick, who announced his retirement Tuesday morning after 15 NBA seasons, will be remembered first and foremost as a shooter. His 41.5 career 3-point percentage is the sixth-best
4:28 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN If his team had to practice today, Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks said some players would be unable to participate because of New York City’s vaccine mandate. “Regarding if they could play today, I can’t comment on who could play and so forth,” Marks said Tuesday in the team’s
After injuries held him out in back-to-back seasons, Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors is on track to make a return to the court this coming season. It has been roughly 830 days since Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson played in an NBA game. The last time he saw the heat of battle
9:31 AM ET Associated Press JJ Redick, the sharpshooter who was The Associated Press Player of the Year at Duke before embarking on a 15-season NBA career, announced his retirement Tuesday. Redick, 37, played with six NBA teams — the Magic, Clippers, 76ers, Pelicans, Bucks and Mavericks. He averaged 12.8 points in 940 regular-season games,
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Where to watch WNBA Playoffs Round 1: Wings vs Sky by Jummy Owookade The Los Angeles Lakers jerseys will now feature a Bibigo patch as part of a new sponsorship deal. On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers announced a marketing partnership with Bibigo that will
11:49 AM ET Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons will not report to the opening of training camp next week and intends to never play another game for the franchise, sources told ESPN. Simmons hasn’t spoken to the team since a late-August meeting when he communicated this message to Sixers officials. Simmons is clearly aware of
Kenneth Faried Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright trolls Mets over 2006 NLCS loss by Jordanna Clark The Lakers are working out free agent Kenneth Faried, and many are wondering why? The Los Angeles Lakers are continuing their pursuit of veteran free agents by bringing in Kenneth Faried for a workout. The
Sportsbooks have pegged the Los Angeles Lakers as the clear favorite in the Western Conference heading into the 2021-22 season, but should they be? After acquiring Russell Westbrook and overhauling their supporting cast, the Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2021-22 season as the clear betting favorite in the Western Conference. WynnBet has the Lakers as
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Look: John Harbaugh let Lamar Jackson make the call on crucial fourth down by Josie Rohach LeBron James has officially sold one of his Brentwood mansions, albeit for a financial loss. It is official. LeBron James now has one less Brentwood mansion in the Greater
8:00 AM ET Our NBArank countdown is back for its 11th season. Which rookies are making their debuts on our annual list? Which young stars are beginning their ascent up the league’s hierarchy? Which players dropped after disappointing 2020-21 campaigns? Here’s who made the cut as we break down the league’s top 100. To get
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Carmelo Anthony, Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Chiefs players messing around with Sammy Watkins before last night’s game by Jordanna Clark The Los Angeles Lakers have LeBron James to thank for recruiting his longtime friend Carmelo Anthony with a phone call LeBron James is determined to
8:16 PM ET Golden State Warriors swingman Klay Thompson is making “good progress” in his rehabilitation from a right Achilles injury and will participate in “controlled drills” during training camp, but his return within the season will be made at a later date, the team announced Monday. Thompson, who tore his left ACL during Game
Kevin Durant, LeBron James, MVP Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports LeBron called Carmelo Anthony directly to ask him to join the Lakers by Josie Rohach Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant is the MVP favorite for the 2021-22 NBA season, but should LeBron James be counted out? It’s almost exactly a month until the NBA
Sep 15, 2021 Andre SnellingsESPN The storylines this season are almost endless. Giannis Antetokounmpo is on a career path rivaling the best players in NBA history, including both “His Airness” as well as “King James,” yet somehow no one seems to realize it. I’ve been predicting and noting his progress for years, but the majority
With Ben Simmons‘ future up in the air right now, the Philadelphia 76ers reportedly plan to fine him if he doesn’t show up to camp. The offseason drama between the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons really won’t quit, will it? While trade rumors continue to swirl surrounding the star player, Philadelphia has made it more
Ryan Arcidiacono #51 of the Chicago Bulls.(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Why in the world are the Lakers working out Kenneth Faried? by Jaleel Grandberry The Golden State Warriors worked out guard Ryan Arcidiacono for their last roster spot. For the last half-a-decade, the Golden State Warriors front office modus operandi has been to surround
Twitter roasts Thunder star Shai-Gilgeous Alexander for calling himself “the Black Steve Nash” in a new GQ interview. When an NBA legend says something alongside the lines of “so-and-so reminds me of me,” fans and media pundits tend to scrutinize the take like vultures until there’s nothing left hanging on the bone. But when a
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 24: A view of Barclays Center during the game between the New York Liberty and the Chicago Sky on June 24, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) This Tom Brady update will make Buccaneers fans incredibly happy to hear (Video) by Aryanna Prasad 3 Lakers
With NBA training camp around the corner, here are 3 Los Angeles Lakers who won’t be on the roster by the end of the season. Even though NBA training camp doesn’t start until Sept. 28, speculative roster cuts are already in the mix, with many in NBA world discussing who will be playing wearing the
Trae Young and Spencer Rattler could not believe D.J. Graham made the interception of the century. When D.J. Graham made the greatest play of his life, Oklahoma football star Spencer Rattler and former Sooners basketball sensation Trae Young could not believe what just happened. The Atlanta Hawks point guard was on the sidelines watching his favorite
Many different teams have been floated as potential landing spots for Ben Simmons. But where would watching him be the most fun? With the 2021-22 season quickly approaching, Ben Simmons remains a Sixer. Though there have been rumors of a potential hold-out if he is not traded before the season begins, the team’s sense of
A John Wall trade to the Los Angeles Clippers is unlikely according to one NBA insider. With John Wall and the Houston Rockets working to find Wall a new destination, many speculated the Los Angeles Clippers could be a possible landing spot. They’ve been in the market for a facilitating point guard for the past
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. I have to admit, I am fascinated by Basketball-Reference’s Hall-of-Fame probability model. If you’re not familiar with it, the model uses several key stats to measure the likelihood of
12:08 PM ET William Ricks In a hot real estate market countrywide, Orlando, Florida, home prices continue to surge. That is unless, apparently, the home was customized for a 7-foot-1 Hall of Fame center, 15-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat — Shaquille O’Neal, whose Orlando-area mansion was
Isaiah Thomas has worked out for a handful of teams this offseason but hasn’t found a spot. The Warriors are giving home one more chance. Free-agent guard Isaiah Thomas was invited to work out with the Golden State Warriors next week. The road back into an NBA lineup has been a bumpy one for former
2:26 PM ET William Ricks Portland Trail Blazers guard, and hip hop artist, Damian Lillard, who performs as Dame D.O.L.L.A. released the new music video for his song “Him Duncan” on Friday. 2 Related The title of this song is a play on NBA legend Tim Duncan’s name but isn’t the only reference he uses.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. reflects on his pre-draft journey and how close he was to being written off from the NBA. Within the first two minutes of his collegiate debut with the University of Missouri in 2017, Michael Porter Jr. suffered a lower back injury that required surgery. It was a tough blow
8:15 AM ET LA Clippers chairman Steve Ballmer initially was content to play at Staples Center — in the same building as the Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings — when he bought the franchise for $2 billion in 2014. But within a year, Ballmer said he realized the Clippers needed to
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The dwindling offseason was hit one with one more ripple when it was announced that John Wall and the Houston Rockets were working together to find a trade for
Carmelo Anthony (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) DraftKings NFL 2021: Best fantasy football lineup for Week 2 by Bradley Sylvester Carmelo Anthony signed with the Los Angeles Lakers during free agency and there’s one thing on his mind — winning a ring. Carmelo Anthony has a storied career that seemed as if it was over
9:28 PM ET Associated Press DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks signed free agent Frank Ntilikina on Thursday, adding the guard picked one spot before their selection of Dennis Smith Jr. in the top 10 of the 2017 draft. Ntilikina spent four years with the New York Knicks, who drafted him eighth overall four years ago.
Michael Porter Jr. is confident a healthy Denver Nuggets team is ready to win an NBA championship in 2021. Michael Porter Jr isn’t going anywhere. Well, if you ask him he plans on going up — as in winning an NBA title — but he doesn’t expect to do that anywhere other than with the
2:22 PM ET Associated Press ATHENS, Greece — NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo was in Greece for a meeting with the country’s prime minister Thursday and a special ceremony to bestow Greek citizenship on his mother, Veronica, and younger brother Alex. Antetokounmpo, who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA championship in July, attended the ceremony
Carmen Mandato/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports John Wall and the Houston Rockets agreed to find the veteran a new team. Which teams would actually be interested in taking him on? On Sep. 14, John Wall and the Houston Rockets mutually agreed to find a new team for Wall, according to a report from The Athletic. However, for
9:11 PM ET Brianna Williams Dennis Schroder made headlines when he signed with the Boston Celtics, but it wasn’t about the money he gained. It was for the money he lost. Last season, the guard turned down a four-year, $84 million contract extension offer from the Los Angeles Lakers in order to become an unrestricted
Nets guard Kyrie Irving. (Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) Week 2 NFL upset picks to watch this week by John Buhler Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving allegedly will retire if he is ever traded to another team. Kyrie Irving has found his forever home with the Brooklyn Nets and has no intentions on playing for any other
6:40 PM ET ESPN News Services The Milwaukee Bucks have named Lisa Byington as the team’s new television play-by-play announcer on Bally Sports Wisconsin, making her the first woman to handle full-time TV play-by-play duties for a major men’s professional sports team. Byington replaces longtime Bucks announcer Jim Paschke, who retired after the 2020-21 season
Gilbert Arenas has been talking about the 2001 NBA Draft and he has some very interesting theories about why he may have slipped to the second round. Gilbert Arenas’ career was cut short by injuries but in the span of 11 seasons, he established himself as one of the greatest second-round picks in NBA history.
5:15 PM ET Eric GomezMexico writer The NBA G League announced its first Latin American expansion team, the Mexico City Capitanes, will debut this November amid a format change to the competition’s schedule. Because of concerns stemming from international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Capitanes will play their home games in Fort Worth, Texas.
Fans of the German soccer team Hannover 96 trolled new Celtics’ guard Dennis Schroder after he asked fans to help decide his new number. When Dennis Schroder decided to ask fans to help him to decide his next jersey number with the Celtics, he probably didn’t imagine it backfiring on him so comically. In March,
1:37 PM ET Baxter Holmes Close ESPN Senior Writer Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) is a senior writer for ESPN Digital and Print, focusing on the NBA. He has covered the Lakers, the Celtics and previously worked for The Boston Globe and Los Angeles Times. Adrian Wojnarowski Close Senior NBA Insider Host of The Woj Pod Joined
Jan 2, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets controls the ball during the fourth quarter of a game against the Sacramento Kings at Toyota Center on January 02, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports Purdue vs. Notre Dame odds and prediction for NCAA Week 3
4:29 PM ET Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract extension, his agent, Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports, confirmed to the Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears Tuesday. The deal, which was first reported by The Athletic, includes a player option for the fourth year in 2025-26, his agent told ESPN.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports Warriors working out Ryan Arcidiacono for final roster spot by Jummy Owookade What was the last great game for each of the members of the 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame class? On this episode of Over and Back, Jason and Rich bring back the popular Last Great Game series for the
2:24 PM ET The Houston Rockets and John Wall have agreed to work together in an attempt to find a trade destination for the veteran point guard, as the franchise is committed to moving forward with Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green as its starting backcourt, sources told ESPN. The commitment to the 20-year-old Porter
After signing DeAndre Jordan, trading Marc Gasol to Memphis, the Lakers are adding the finishing touches to their roster. What will the open day roster look like? It’s funny how history tends to repeat itself. In 2007, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Spain’s Marc Gasol with the No. 48 pick of the draft and about a
8:40 PM ET Tory BarronESPN Editor Close Tory Barron is a Bristol-based writer and editor for ESPN.com. After retiring from playing lacrosse at UConn, the DC native decided to try her hand at writing about people playing sports. The Met Gala, which typically happens on the first Monday in May, was canceled in 2020 due
Golden State Warriors’ employees lost their health care for the month of May following a LeBron James three-pointer. As if trying to navigate life during a pandemic isn’t tough enough, Chase Center concession workers lost their health care for the month of May after the Golden State Warriors lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in
4:50 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN Former NBA All-Star and Slam Dunk Contest champion Cedric Ceballos tweeted Monday that he’d been moved out of isolation and was “COVID-19 free” but was still in the intensive care unit and dealing with several things relating to the virus. Thanking those wishing him well in recent days, Ceballos said
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Isaac Okoro is overshadowed by the depth of young talent on the Cavaliers roster, especially after an extremely active offseason for the team. But figuring out how to help
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James doesn’t look normal in NBA 2k22, as he’s the latest NBA player to receive a bizarre virtual ‘upgrade’. In 2k21, LeBron looks like a far younger man. It’s almost like he knew someone in the design process, asking them to help him avoid going through a mid-life crisis. Come
Oregon Ducks star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux trolled the team’s doubters and LeBron James following the team’s 35-28 upset win. The Oregon Ducks had never defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes in nine games the two teams were pitted against each other. Oregon’s chances did take a hit after star pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux was ruled
Despite not being as deep from top to bottom as the Eastern Conference, the West is still loaded with championship contenders. The Los Angeles Lakers have reloaded with Russell Westbrook at point guard. The Utah Jazz earned the best record in the league last year and return with the same roster. The Golden State Warriors
Skip Bayless trolled LeBron James after the Ohio State football team’s home loss to Oregon. Skip Bayless made sure he knew LeBron James‘ two favorite football teams lost this weekend. Though they both love America’s Disappointment known as the Dallas Cowboys with a fiery passion, Bayless went out of his way to troll the Los Angeles
After receiving approval from the Canadian government, the Raptors are back to playing home games in Toronto; this latest Raptors news is sending a positive message to “We The North” faithful. Their first preseason game at home is against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 4. The first home regular season game is versus the Washington
11:46 PM ET Associated Press Nine teams passed on Paul Pierce in the 1998 NBA draft, and if you think he doesn’t remember each and every one of them, then you don’t know Paul Pierce. The newly inducted Basketball Hall of Famer called out by name — in order — the teams with the first
5:20 PM ET Indiana Pacers guard Edmond Sumner tore his left Achilles tendon during an offseason workout on Thursday and will be out indefinitely, the team announced. Sumner, 25, was a second-round draft pick in 2017. He played the most games of his NBA career last season for the Pacers, averaging 7.5 points in 16
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 29: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts to a Clint Capela #15 basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at State Farm Arena on June 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,
4:46 PM ET Associated Press TORONTO — The Raptors have gotten approval from the Canadian government to play games at their home arena this season, a team spokesperson said Friday. Toronto played last season in Tampa, Florida, because of travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s not clear whether the team will be allowed
Ben Simmons’ glaring refusal to shoot makes it nearly impossible to have a good-faith conversation about him. Ben Simmons might be the most polarizing player in the NBA. His strengths (defense, playmaking) have earned him three straight All-Star nods. But his primary weakness (shooting) has been repeatedly exposed in the playoffs, never more so than
7:19 PM ET Restricted free agent forward Jarred Vanderbilt has agreed to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a new three-year, $13.8 million contract, his agent Kevin Bradbury of Rep1 Sports tells ESPN. Vanderbilt, 22, played his first injury-free season since his junior year of high school for Minnesota last season. After playing only 28
On Thursday, the Connecticut Sun are playing against the Los Angeles Sparks inside the Staples Center tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET; WNBA expert picks are available. This contest can be watched live on NBATV. The Sun are projected to beat the Sparks by at least 10 points. They are 9.5-point favorites. In the previous ten
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Every NBA fan has their own formative players, not just the ones they loved or admired but the ones who opened their eyes to what basketball could be. Chris
3:35 PM ET The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to trade Marc Gasol, a 2024 second-round pick and cash to the Memphis Grizzlies, who plan to work on waiver and release to allow Gasol to remain in Spain with his family, sources told ESPN. The Lakers will save approximately $10 million in salary and luxury tax
According to recent Cavaliers rumors, the Eastern Conference team is interested in trading for Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons. Mark Stein insinuated on Tuesday that Lauri Markkanen could in due course swap teams with Simmons during the 2021-22 NBA season. Of course, Cleveland drafted Evan Mobley third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, and
With their latest additions, the Brooklyn Nets have beefed up the supporting cast around their Monster Big 3. But what does their depth look like now? Last season, the Brooklyn Nets had just a few complications: The health of their Big 3, their depth and their defense. While the trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and
3:36 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN A group of former New Orleans Pelicans players is making donations to the communities in the areas of Southeast Louisiana affected by Hurricane Ida last month, with Jrue and Lauren Holiday leading the charge. The Holidays, Langston Galloway, Jahlil Okafor and Frank Jackson have committed to sending four truckloads of
According to MyBookie oddsmakers, the Minnesota Timberwolves are favored to trade for Ben Simmons. The sportsbook is now displaying +225 odds, regarding the team trading for the 25-year-old point guard from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sacramento Kings have the second-best odds (+400) of trading for the three-time All-Star, followed by the Golden State Warriors (+650)
Self-generated scoring is the most visible on-court component of basketball, but how important is it to a player’s overall value? The start of a new NBA season is just over five weeks away, which means we’re even closer than that to another long-held basketball tradition: ranking the best players in the league (and inevitably fighting
8:24 PM ET When DeAndre Jordan signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, he came as part of a package deal with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, with the two megastars both signing for less than max contracts to preserve cap space to sign the former All-Star center that summer. Two years into the four-year,
According to oddsmakers via Bovada, the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are favored to meet in the 2022 NBA Finals; the exact outcome odds are available. This potential matchup has +380 odds of occurring. Ranking second, the Golden State Warriors have high odds of reaching next season’s NBA Finals. A Nets-Warriors matchup shows +800
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Toronto Raptors in the second half during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. This summer, Damian Lillard has repeatedly stated his commitment to winning with the Portland Trail Blazers but the obvious elephant in the room is the roster around him. The
8:00 AM ET Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers remain at an impasse, as the two sides have been since Philadelphia was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks in June. Simmons, who is under contract for four more seasons, would like to be traded. The 76ers would like to
Free agent center Harry Giles has agreed to a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. In the 2020-21 NBA season, the center averaged 2.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and nearly one assist per game in 38 games played. Giles shot 43.3 percent from the field last season and 34.8 percent from three-point range.
A previously underreported twist in Kobe Bryant’s 2003 sexual assault case was illuminated by a new batch of documents just released by the FBI. The 2003 sexual assault allegations against Kobe Bryant, and the subsequent trial, are a piece of his personal history that’s generally left out or glossed over. At the time Bryant admitted
8:00 AM ET THEY STOOD SIDE to side in the center circle, waiting for referee Joey Crawford to loft the ball in the air to kick off the 2004 NBA Finals. On one side was Shaquille O’Neal, the gargantuan almost myth of a man, 7-foot-1 and some 330 pounds of pure power and force. And
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love celebrated his 33rd birthday on Tuesday with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Kate Bock. Earlier this year on January 30th, Bock’s 33rd birthday, Love proposed to her. She announced yes to the general public on Instagram. His Canadian fiancée made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2013. On Bock’s Instagram, she shared
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Tyrese Maxey burst out of the gate as a rookie, soaking up minutes as the Philadelphia 76ers tried to assemble a full roster around quarantines and COVID protocols early
According to oddsmakers at Bovada, the Philadelphia 76ers are the frontrunners to retain their point guard, drastically altering Ben Simmons’ trade odds for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season. Philadelphia have +200 odds of keeping the three-time All-Star—the best odds available. Now, what’s to say the 76ers refuse to trade him before training camp and decide
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images Clemson football: 3 things Dabo Swinney needs to fix to save the season by John Buhler Mac Jones’ girlfriend helping him learn Patriots playbook by John Buhler Kyle Kuzma shares his thoughts and experiences after being traded from the Lakers to the Wizards in a summer blockbuster deal for Russell
9:37 PM ET ESPN News Services CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers signed point guard Kevin Pangos to a two-year deal, his agency announced Wednesday on Twitter. The contract is worth $3.5 million, agent Zach Kurtin of Priority Sports told ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Pangos’ first-year salary of $1.67 million is fully guaranteed. The 28-year-old Canadian spent the
Per oddsmakers at Bovada, seven-time All-Star Stephen Curry is the number one favorite to lead the NBA in three-pointers made per game in the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season. Possessing -165 odds, the Golden State Warriors guard is the frontrunner on the projected statistics board, followed by Damian Lillard (+250), Buddy Hield (+500) and Duncan Robinson
The Cleveland Cavaliers signed Boston Celtics fan favorite Tacko Fall to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal. The Cleveland Cavaliers were far from quiet during the offseason. They re-signed Jarrett Allen to a five-year, $100 million contract, drafted USC’s Evan Mobley with the third-overall pick and completed a sign-and-trade for Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen. If you
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images 5 players the Browns need to play well to beat Chiefs by John Buhler The Cleveland Cavaliers have been active this offseason and rumors are they’re still pursuing one more trade, for the Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons. At this point, we’ve heard just about every possible permutation of a Ben
Aug 22, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren (1) dribbles against the Miami Heat during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Michigan football depth chart: Who replaces Ronnie Bell in starting lineup? by John
7:09 AM ET IN HIS 30 YEARS in the spotlight, Chris Webber has rarely allowed anyone outside his circle to know exactly who the real Chris Webber is. It’s not surprising. Despite a decorated career — first as a high school All-American, then as a member of the Fab Five at Michigan, a five-time NBA
In Wednesday night’s WNBA games, the Phoenix Mercury are playing against the Atlanta Dream and the Minnesota Lynx are facing the Las Vegas Aces; free WNBA picks today are available. All table odds were retrieved from Bovada. The Mercury-Dream matchup begins at 7 p.m. ET inside the Gateway Center Arena. Phoenix are nine-point favorites. For
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban revealed that he almost acquired Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce. Paul Pierce, who is set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend, spent the majority of his 19-year career with the Boston Celtics, the team who drafted him and the organization he helped win the
Varese vs. Sassari is the 2021 Italy Super Cup matchup, and the game begins Wednesday, Sept. 8th at 1 p.m. EST. According to oddsmakers at Bet365, Sassari are 4.5-point favorites over Varese in tomorrow’s thriller inside Enerxenia Arena. The total is also set at 166.5. Additionally, Sassari have a projected first-half spread of 2.5. Yesterday,
After years as the inferior conference, there seems to be some optimism that the East may be deeper than the West this season. After a fast and furious summer that included trades, the draft and free agency, the landscape of the league has changed quite a bit in the span of just a couple of
10-time All-Star and retired Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce was fired from his ESPN analyst job earlier in May. After Pierce was caught filming strippers at a house party during an Instagram live stream while drunk and high on drugs, that was the final straw for the sports network. Leading up to this event, the
Free agent forward Stanley Johnson is signing a contract with the Chicago Bulls. In the 2020-21 NBA season, the 25-year-old averaged 4.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in 61 games played on the Toronto Raptors. This was an improvement over his 2.4 points-per-game average in the 2019-20 season. Shooting-wise, he averaged a
6:22 PM ET Free-agent forward Alize Johnson has agreed on a two-year, $3.6 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, his agent, George Langberg, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday. The loss of Thaddeus Young and Lauri Markkanen this offseason created a need for frontcourt depth and an opportunity for Johnson to crack the Bulls’ rotation.
NBA executives are discussing the possibility of awarding forfeited draft picks to various competitors, such as top contenders. The goal here is to help struggling young players. Similar to the new draft lottery system, this will open the door to many changes—whether positive or negative for some teams—across the league. Needless to say, it will
As the Lakers move toward officially adding DeAndre Jordan, what does it mean for Marc Gasol? The Los Angeles Lakers are building a lineup of big names this offseason (Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo), with age nothing but number in the pursuit of titles. Now, after the Nets traded him to the
8:00 AM ET After electing a star-studded Class of 2020 — led by NBA legends Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and the late Kobe Bryant — the Basketball Hall of Fame will officially enshrine two classes in 2021. The full Class of 2020 was unveiled on April 4, 2020. The nine new members of the Basketball
Per sources, the Brooklyn Nets have traded center DeAndre Jordan, four second-round draft picks and $5.78 million to the Detroit Pistons for Jahlil Okafor and Sekou Doumbouya. The Pistons are planning to work out a contract buyout for the remaining two-years, $19.7 million owed to the 33-year-old. He was set to earn $9,881,598 next season
On April 15, 2021, Arizona state legislators passed House Bill 2772, ratifying the legalization of sports betting for retail and online access. Governor Doug Ducey signed the bill into law for gambling expansion within the state. For those interested, scheduled sign-ups for sportsbooks are available. The sports betting law allows a maximum of 20 sportsbooks
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. On Wednesday, it was announced that the Memphis Grizzlies have planned jersey retirement ceremonies this season for both Tony Allen and Zach Randolph. These two jersey retirements, and the
Anthony Davis, Dennis Schroder, Los Angeles Lakers. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: Who will win more this season? by Clemente Lisi Anthony Davis may have played a role in the Los Angeles Lakers not bringing back Dennis Schröder on a new contract this offseason. Anthony Davis and the rest of
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. As NBA offseason news slows to a trickle, one of the most fun stories to follow has been the comeback quests of a handful of veteran guards. Darren Collison,
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Damian Lillard is committed to the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s been repeating this fact for months, using different words and different degrees of intensity but the core message has
Regarding the mounting Ben Simmons trade rumors across the NBA, Joel Embiid has finally broke his silence. “I love playing with Ben,” Embiid posted on Twitter. “Stats don’t lie. He’s an amazing player and we all didn’t get the job done. It’s on me personally.” That last part was a surprising comment. “I hope everyone
The Los Angeles Lakers already have their eye on DeAndre Jordan, who is likely heading for a buyout after being traded from the Nets to the Pistons. DeAndre Jordan could be on his way back to Los Angeles very soon, this time as a Laker. The Nets just traded the forward and four second-round NBA
1:28 PM ET Bryson Warren, the No. 14 basketball prospect in ESPN’s Class of 2023, has signed with Overtime Elite, the league told ESPN on Thursday. Warren is the eighth five-star recruit to sign with the upstart league. Considered one of the top guard prospects in the class, Warren shunned offers from Arkansas, Tennessee, Kansas,
According to oddsmakers via BetMGM sportsbook, the Golden State Warriors are now the official favorites to trade for Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers. Even the San Antonio Spurs could pursue a trade; the odds have now been updated. For a reminder, all bets are void if Simmons returns to the 76ers. However, that scenario
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images College football scores: North Carolina on upset alert against Virginia Tech in raucous Blacksburg by Alicia de Artola Dodgers vs Giants MLB live stream reddit for NL West showdown by Mark Powell The Lakers signed 33-year-old DeAndre Jordan after he was traded to the Pistons and subsequently waived, further adding
12:53 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN The Memphis Grizzlies agreed to trade forward Juancho Hernangomez to the Boston Celtics on Friday in exchange for guards Carsen Edwards and Kris Dunn, as well as a swap of 2026 second-round picks, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal cannot be completed until September 15, when Dunn can be
Power forward Paul Millsap has agreed to a deal with the Brooklyn Nets. The 15-year veteran was also considering the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls as well. In the 2020-21 NBA season, the four-time All-Star averaged nine points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in 56 games played. Last season,
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images Richard Seymour and other ex-Patriots react to sudden death of David Patten by Josh Hill In this episode of Over & Back, Jason Mann and Rich Kraetsch look at the quaint early days of NBA free agency. NBA free agency is an industry all to itself these days but
5:07 PM ET After retiring with heart concerns five months ago, seven-time All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge is returning to the Brooklyn Nets on a one-year, $2.6 million deal, his agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, told ESPN on Friday. Aldridge, 36, has been medically cleared by a number of doctors — including those both independent
Marcus Garrett has signed a two-way deal with the Miami Heat. On July 30, 2021, he originally signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the organization. After playing two games in the 2021 California Classic Summer League, the point guard averaged 10.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.9 blocks and a 77.8 field goal percentage. He led
UFC Vegas 36: A brief timeline leading Paddy Pimblett to the UFC by Curtis Calhoun It’s hard to determine what was better about the new Drake music video, Way 2 Sexy, featuring Kawhi Leonard — the memes or the tweets? It was a very good Friday for folks hoping to break up the Twitter doom
4:35 PM ET DeAndre Jordan intends to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers upon completion of a buyout with the Detroit Pistons, sources told ESPN on Friday. Jordan was traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the Pistons earlier Friday along with four second-round picks and $5.78 million for Jahlil Okafor and Sekou Doumbouya, sources said.
Seven-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge has been medically cleared to play for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season. The 36-year-old retired from the Brooklyn Nets in April after dealing with an irregular heartbeat. On April 15, 2021, the player left a comment after his retirement: “Though I’m better now, what I felt with my heart that night
Jun 1, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4). Warms up before the game five against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports Yankee Stadium underwater after remnants of Hurricane Ida hit New York City by John
Nerlens Noel turned down a significant contract offer a few years ago, and now he’s suing former agent Rich Paul for some significant lost earnings. Rich Paul and is firm Klutch Sports has some high-profile clients he has served well (LeBron James, Ben Simmons, etc). But, per Darren Heitner of Sports Agent Blog, New York
8:00 AM ET All of them left the Lakers. And all five of them came back to Los Angeles. One of them is back for a second time. One took a decade to return. Three of them were champions with the franchise. All of them had unfinished business in L.A. Lakers vice president of basketball
Every player in the NBA has had a down year. If they haven’t, it is likely only a matter of time. It could be that they were trying to find their fit on a new team, battling injuries, or simply trying to do too much under immense pressure. Regardless of the reason, a season-long slump
What hasn’t Klay Thompson done this summer? The Golden State Warriors star is just enjoying his time by the Bay. Thompson is recovering from yet another season-ending injury, but should be ready to go once the season rolls around in October. For now, though, he’s taking it easy and taking in a San Francisco Giants
12:03 PM ET Brian Windhorst Close ESPN Senior Writer ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010 Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years Author of two books Tim Bontemps Unvaccinated NBA players will have lockers as far away as possible from their vaccinated teammates and will have to eat, fly and ride buses in different sections as part
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