Scotto’s Latest: J. Smith, Toppin, Weaver, Hartenstein, Huerter, O’Neale, More

Early indications suggest that Pacers power forward Jalen Smith will decline his $5.4MM player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports in his latest aggregate mock draft. Sources tell Scotto that a final decision hasn’t been made, but Smith appears to be leaning toward testing the free agency waters. He has a June 29 deadline to opt in for 2024/25.

Smith, 24, appeared in 61 games this season and posted a career high in scoring at 9.9 PPG, along with 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 17.2 minutes per night. He was selected 10th overall by Phoenix in the 2020 draft and was acquired by Indiana at the 2022 trade deadline.

Scotto notes that rival teams are watching to see whether the Pacers will re-sign restricted free agent Obi Toppin. If the fourth-year power forward reaches a new deal, there’s a belief that Indiana might be willing to trade Jarace Walker, who was a lottery pick last June.

Scotto shares more inside information in his aggregate draft:

  • Washington is believed to be a potential destination for former Pistons general manager Troy Weaver, who recently parted ways with the team, Scotto writes, noting that Weaver was once part of Oklahoma City’s front office along with Wizards executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins.
  • Scotto talked with some NBA executives who believe the Magic should be considered a threat to sign Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein. Orlando could have close to $50MM in cap space to work with.
  • Executives also expect the Kings to explore deals involving Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes, Scotto adds.
  • The Raptors plan to work out an extension with Scottie Barnes this summer, sources tell Scotto. The versatile swingman made his first All-Star appearance this year.
  • Scotto echoes other reports in stating that Royce O’Neale is likely to reach a new contract with the Suns. The 31-year-old forward, who was acquired from Brooklyn at the trade deadline, is expected to receive about $10MM per year, according to Scotto.
  • Vice president of basketball operations Brent Barry isn’t expected to return to the Spurs next season, sources tell Scotto. The longtime NBA player has been an executive with San Antonio since 2018.
  • Assistant coach Jason Love will likely leave the Sixers and join Doc Rivers’ staff with the Bucks, Scotto states. Love previously worked for Rivers in Philadelphia.
  • The Hornets are assembling a staff of assistants for new head coach Charles Lee. Scotto hears it will include Lamar SkeeterJosh LongstaffChris JentRyan FrazierZach PetersonMatt Hill and Blaine Mueller.

2024 NBA Offseason Preview: Los Angeles Clippers

It has now been five years since word broke in the middle of an early-July night that Kawhi Leonard, fresh off a championship run in Toronto, would be signing with the Clippers and would be joined by Paul George, who was being traded from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles.

The Clippers’ results across those five years have been solid relative to the team’s dismal overall track record — three of the top six winning percentages in the franchise’s 54-year history have come in the past five seasons. But it has been a disappointing stretch on the whole, given the championship aspirations the club has had since the two L.A. natives returned home in 2019.

The Clippers have won just three playoff series with Leonard and George on the roster, making it beyond the first round only once, in 2021. Of course, making deep postseason runs is a challenge when one or both of your stars aren’t available. Leonard and George appeared in all 13 Clippers playoff games in 2020, but since then, at least one of them has missed some or all of every postseason.

Leonard tore his ACL during the 2021 playoffs, which cost him the entire following season and the 2022 postseason too. A knee sprain sidelined George for the 2023 playoffs, while Leonard was able to suit up for just two of five first-round games. This past spring, George was healthy, but Leonard was available for just two of six first-round contests vs. Dallas, and was hampered by a knee issue when he did play.

Leonard’s and George’s injury problems, which have affected their availability during the regular season as well, have put a cap on what the Clippers are able to accomplish. But even if both players – and former MVPs James Harden and Russell Westbrook – were fully healthy during this year’s postseason, it’s unclear whether this roster had legitimate championship upside.

As good as those four guys (especially Leonard and George) still are when they’re performing at the peak of their powers, they’re not at the same level they were in their respective primes. The youngest player of the quartet, Leonard, will be 33 later this month. Kawhi is also the only one under contract for next season, with George and Westbrook holding player options for 2024/25 while Harden is headed for unrestricted free agency.

As they prepare to step out from the shadow of their more accomplished Crypto.com Arena co-tenants and move into their extravagant new Inglewood arena, the Clippers will want to do all they can to keep their championship window cracked open. Simply running it back with a roster that hasn’t won a playoff series since 2021 doesn’t feel satisfactory, but upgrading this group won’t be easy, given the limited resources the front office will have at its disposal.


The Clippers’ Offseason Plan

After extending Leonard in January and head coach Tyronn Lue, the Clippers will be focused in the coming weeks on new deals for George, Harden, and Westbrook.

Since Leonard agreed to a three-year, $152MM deal that was below his maximum in terms of both years and dollars (he could’ve gotten four years and $221MM), there has been a belief that the Clippers wanted to reach a similar agreement with George, who has had made the exact same salary as Kawhi in each of the past three seasons. But if George were willing to sign for the same amount as Leonard, that deal would likely already be done, which suggests he’s either pushing for a maximum salary (approximately $160MM over three years) or a fourth year — or both.

If they’re determined to keep him, the Clippers probably can’t afford to get too coy with the George negotiations, since the Sixers are believed to have made the star forward their No. 1 target and have more than enough cap room to offer him up to approximately $212MM over four years.

Will the Clippers tack on that fourth year? If so, they could top Philadelphia’s offer by about $9MM in total (they can’t offer a fifth year due to the Over-38 rule), but maybe the idea of playing with two younger stars (Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey) in a less competitive Eastern Conference appeals to George. While Embiid’s injury history has been viewed as a possible red flag for premier free agents who are considering the Sixers, it doesn’t look all that bad when stacked up next to Leonard’s.

Los Angeles’ ability to retain George could have an impact on what the team is willing to offer Harden, since bringing back both players would almost certainly push the Clippers’ team salary above the second tax apron, whereas just retaining one likely wouldn’t.

When Harden accepted a two-year, $68.6MM deal from the Sixers in 2022, it was viewed as a “hometown” discount, since he turned down a $47MM+ player option to sign that contract. But if Harden is expecting to make up the money he feels he gave up two years ago, he may be in for a rude awakening. Unlike George, Harden doesn’t seem to have another suitor looming as a threat to push his price tag higher (he didn’t last summer either, which is one reason why he accepted his second-year player option with Philadelphia instead of testing free agency).

The Clippers would likely be more aggressive with their offer for Harden if George walks, but if PG13 is in the fold, how high will L.A. go? Maybe $60MM over two years? $75MM over three? Harden is still a dynamic scorer and play-maker, but he’s entering his age-35 season and isn’t the same player he was in his prime, so the club will have to be careful about the later seasons of any multiyear deal. At the same time, we saw how quickly things turned sour in Philadelphia when Harden believed he wasn’t being properly valued, so the Clips won’t want to low-ball him.

Westbrook’s case isn’t any simpler. The 35-year-old is coming off a $3.8MM salary and will presumably decline his $4MM player option now that the Clippers hold his Early Bird rights and can offer him the sort of raise they couldn’t a year ago. But Westbrook was somewhat redundant on this roster following the acquisition of Harden, so assuming Harden returns, how enthusiastic will the Clippers be about giving Westbrook that raise? There are probably better fits for that roster spot, and from Westbrook’s perspective, there may be better fits around the NBA for his skill set.

Having taken a look at these three players’ situations, I should circle back and clarify one point — Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is the richest team owner in North American professional sports. If Lawrence Frank and the front office convince him that bringing back George, Harden, and Westbrook at any cost is the right move from the franchise, I can’t imagine Ballmer would hesitate to sign the necessary checks.

But giving those three players lucrative new contracts may not be in the Clippers’ best interests from a roster-building perspective, both because it would limit their options to address the rest of the roster and because the Harden/Westbrook fit was far from seamless. They’ll have to be wary about being dragged into a bidding war for any of those three FAs.

Evaluating the Clippers’ options to fill out the rest of the roster hinges in large part on what happens with their stars, since having George on the books for $49MM+ or having him leave for nothing would put the club in two very different positions from both a talent and financial perspective. Ditto for Harden.

If we assume George and Harden return, the Clippers would only be able to offer minimum-salary contracts to free agent targets and wouldn’t be able to aggregate salaries or take back more salary than they send out in a trade. They also wouldn’t be able to trade cash, and most of their future first-round picks are tied up due to previous deals. They could move their 2030 first-rounder and a 2031 swap, as well as their 2030 and 2031 second-rounders.

Norman Powell is one of the NBA’s most underrated shooters, having made 42.3% of 4.9 attempts per game since joining the Clippers. The floor spacing he provides is important, so I expect he’ll return. Ivica Zubac and Terance Mann are valuable role players at their current price point (around $11MM) and should remain in L.A. too.

On the other hand, P.J. Tucker, who will pick up a player option that’s also in the neighborhood of $11MM, is no longer a valuable asset at age 39. The Clippers will presumably explore moving him, but even attaching a first-round pick to his expiring deal might not bring back a high-level rotation player, since trade partners will be seeking draft compensation simply to take on Tucker’s unwanted contract.

Bones Hyland wasn’t a regular part of the Clippers’ rotation during his first full season with the club, but could take on a larger role if Westbrook departs. If Westbrook remains in L.A., Hyland could become a trade candidate.

Backup centers Mason Plumlee and Daniel Theis will be free agents and the Clippers probably don’t need to re-sign both guys — only one was in the rotation at the time for most of 2023/24. Since Los Angeles holds Plumlee’s Bird rights, he could be brought back at a higher salary, which could end up being useful for trade purposes. But if the Clippers aren’t in position to aggregate salaries anytime soon, it might make more sense to save some money and re-sign whichever big man is willing to return for the veteran’s minimum.

From there, the Clippers could head out onto the free agent market and see which other players might be willing to accept minimum deals to play for a potential contender in Los Angeles.

If George doesn’t return, the Clippers would be in position to potentially operate below the first tax apron, which would create new transaction opportunities for the front office — the mid-level ($12.9MM) and bi-annual ($4.7MM) exceptions would be available, and the team would have far more flexibility in trades, including the ability to aggregate salaries and take back more salary than is sent out.

Of course, with no cap room available and only one tradable future first-round pick on hand, none of those options would be nearly enough to acquire a player capable of replacing George on his own.

Is there a scenario in which a roster built around Leonard and Harden – with a complementary supporting cast and some newfound financial flexibility – can have more playoff success than what the Clippers have accomplished in recent years? Maybe, but it would take some luck (and would require Kawhi actually being available in the playoffs). I don’t think that’s the direction the organization wants to go.

While the consensus among NBA fans is that the Clippers have missed their chance to capitalize on the Leonard/George years, management can take some solace in the fact that the team was very good this season when Leonard, George, and Harden all played together (44-24, per ESPN) and lost in the playoffs to a Dallas team that eventually won the West. Who knows what might’ve happened if Kawhi was operating at full strength.

During his end-of-season remarks to reporters, Frank addressed the team’s inability to stay healthy in the postseason by stating, “Just because it’s happened [four straight seasons] doesn’t mean it’s always going to happen next year.” While that may come off as naively positive spin, it’s easy to see – after running through the Clippers’ offseason options, or lack thereof – why attempting to stave off the injury bug may be the team’s best hope for short-term success.


Salary Cap Situation

Guaranteed Salary

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Dead/Retained Salary

Player Options

Team Options

  • Kai Jones ($2,196,970): Non-Bird rights
    • Note: Jones salary would remain non-guaranteed if his option is exercised.
  • Total: $2,196,970

Restricted Free Agents

Two-Way Free Agents

Note: Because they have finished each of the past two seasons on two-way contracts with the Clippers, the qualifying offers for Diabate and Moon would be worth their minimum salaries (projected to be $2,093,637 for Diabate and $2,168,944 for Moon). Those offers would each include a small partial guarantee.

Draft Picks

  • No. 46 overall pick (no cap hold)

Extension-Eligible Players

  • Brandon Boston (veteran)
    • Extension-eligible until June 30.
  • Amir Coffey (veteran)
  • Paul George (veteran)
    • Extension-eligible until June 30 (or beyond, if his player option is exercised).
  • Bones Hyland (rookie scale)
  • Terance Mann (veteran)
  • Norman Powell (veteran)
  • P.J. Tucker (veteran)
    • Player option must be exercised.
  • Ivica Zubac (veteran)

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, these players are eligible for extensions beginning in July.

Unrestricted Free Agents

Other Cap Holds

  • Rodney Hood ($2,093,637 cap hold)
  • Total (cap holds): $2,093,637

Note: The cap hold for Hood is on the Clippers’ books from a prior season because it hasn’t been renounced. He can’t be used in a sign-and-trade deal.

Cap Exceptions Available

Note: The Clippers project to operate over the cap and over the second tax apron. That means they won’t have access to the mid-level exception, the bi-annual exception, or their trade exception worth $559,782. If they move below the second apron, they would gain access to the taxpayer mid-level exception ($5,183,000). If they operate below both aprons, they could access the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($12,859,000), the bi-annual exception ($4,681,0001), and their trade exception.

  • None

Eastern Notes: Cavaliers, Nets, Bulls, Dawkins

In a conversation this week on the HoopsHype podcast, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype and Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reiterated several points that they and other reporters have made in recent weeks, telling listeners that there’s optimism in Cleveland about a Donovan Mitchell extension, the Cavaliers aren’t looking to trade any of their four core players, and James Borrego and Kenny Atkinson look like the top candidates for the Cavs’ head coaching job.

Addressing Mitchell’s contract situation, Scotto notes that the star guard might sign a shorter-term maximum-salary contract that would set him up to get his next deal in 2027 once he has 10 years of NBA service under his belt and qualifies for a maximum salary worth 35% of the cap instead of 30%.

Mitchell isn’t the only Cavalier who could sign a big-money extension this offseason. Within a discussion about a potential rookie scale extension for Evan Mobley, Fedor predicts that the Cavs will put a maximum-salary offer on the table for the big man.

“He hasn’t played to that (max) level yet, but there’s so much belief in Evan as a person and him as a player inside this organization,” Fedor said. “… They understand that he’s already one of the elite defensive players in the NBA. That’s already where he’s at, and they believe he can get to a point offensively where he becomes the unicorn type of player they’ve talked about him being since he came into the NBA. I don’t think the Cavaliers are going to hesitate to offer him the max extension.”

Even if Mitchell and Mobley are extended, the Cavaliers would likely have to be “blown away” to consider moving Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen, according to Fedor. While the Pelicans have been widely viewed as a potential trade partner Cleveland, Scotto says he doesn’t get the sense Cleveland is all that excited about the idea of trading for Brandon Ingram and then having to sign him to a lucrative new contract.

Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:

  • Despite not having any picks in the 2024 draft and no cap room this offseason, the Nets have several important decisions to make, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required), who examines Nic Claxton‘s free agency, Mikal Bridges‘ future, and the possibility of trading into the draft. According to Lewis, the Nets aren’t interested in acquiring a draft pick just to have one, but they figure to monitor specific targets and prepare to pounce if any of those targets drop past their expected draft range.
  • Given how many different directions the Bulls‘ offseason could take, there’s no shortage of prospects who might make sense for the team with the No. 11 pick in the draft, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Cowley examines several of those options, including Ron Holland, Cody Williams, and Dalton Knecht. He also mentions center Donovan Clingan, citing a source who says the Bulls have discussed the possibility of trading up from No. 11.
  • Wizards general manager Will Dawkins spoke to Marc J. Spears of Andscape about being accused of shoplifting at a Saks Fifth Avenue in Miami last fall. Dawkins was briefly detained by a security guard and local police before they realized they had the wrong person. Saks issued a formal apology to Dawkins on Thursday.

And-Ones: White, Leonard, Embiid, Haliburton, 2024 Free Agency, More

Derrick White is a real contender to replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA for this year’s Paris Olympics if Leonard is unable to suit up, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter video link via Clutch Points’ Tomer Azarly).

White’s emerged as one of the league’s best defensive players over the past few seasons and he’s been a large part of Boston’s championship aspirations. This season, White averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steal per game in the regular season while being named to the All-Defensive Second Team. Through 18 playoff games, White is averaging 16.9 PPG.

Leonard was named to the 12-man Olympic roster but battled through knee inflammation toward the end of this season, which kept him out of the Clippers’ final three playoff games. When healthy, Leonard averaged 23.7 points and 6.1 rebounds in 68 games for the Clippers this season.

We have more from around the basketball world:

  • Sixers superstar center Joel Embiid was hobbled through the playoffs and missed more than half the regular season but he’s still on track to suit up for Team USA starting next month, according to ESPN. “I’m doing great. Just getting ready for the Olympics,” Embiid said on ABC on Friday night. “It’s going to be big for me because I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a kid.” Embiid chose to play for the United States over France and Cameroon.
  • Like Embiid, Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton expects to be healthy by the time he suits up for the U.S., according to IndyStar’s Dustin Dopirak. “The hamstring is good,” Haliburton said. “… Today I ran for the first time full speed. I got another three weeks before USA. I feel good. I’m really excited to get out there and do that.” Haliburton missed 10 games in January with his hamstring injury, then re-injured it during the Eastern Conference finals.
  • The NBA offseason has begun for 28 teams, and with no more than three games left in the season, we’re starting to have a clearer idea of what decisions teams will be making this summer. Bobby Marks of ESPN (ESPN+ link) breaks down some of these key decisions and potential contract details in a 2024 free agency/offseason primer. Some of the most important decisions impacting the course of the offseason include what the Hawks do at No. 1 overall in the draft, whether or not Donovan Mitchell extends with the Cavaliers and what LeBron James‘ next contract looks like.
  • Several teams are flush with cap space this offseason, including the Sixers — a team with two stars under contract that now has ample spending power. In an article predicting the biggest moves of the 2024 offseason, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report speculates that Philadelphia winds up signing Paul George to a max contract. In addition, Pincus predicts Klay Thompson, Malik Monk and Tobias Harris head to Orlando and Isaiah Hartenstein signs with Oklahoma City.

Mavericks Notes: Game 4, Adjustments, Doncic, Kidd

The Mavericks came away with the third-largest victory in a game in NBA Finals history on Friday, defeating Boston 122-84 to cut the Celtics’ series lead to 3-1, Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com writes.

We had to play our A game,” coach Jason Kidd said. “It was this or we go on vacation. I thought the group did a great job of not pressing, letting the game happen. We made a stand. We were desperate. We got to continue to keep playing that way. They’re trying to find a way to close the door. The hardest thing in this league is to close the door when you have a group that has nothing to lose. Tonight you saw that. They let go of the rope, you know, pretty early.

Luka Doncic put up a strong first half with 25 points, helping the Mavericks build a big early lead that they never surrendered. Doncic had spoken after Game 3 about wanting to have fun on the court again, and it certainly seemed like that was the case in Game 4, Sefko writes.

It doesn’t change anything,” Doncic said. “It’s first to four. And we’re going to believe until the end. So we’re just going to keep going. I have big belief in this team.

We have more from the Mavericks:

  • The Mavs finally made their opponent think by making some critical adjustments, The Athletic’s Tim Cato writes. Dallas has historically done well in the playoffs after falling into a deficit under Kidd, and Game 4 was no exception. Dereck Lively II looked comfortable and Dante Exum saw more action, scoring 10 points off the bench and proving he can contribute. “We waited until Game 4 to ultimately play our best game,Kyrie Irving said. “But we have another opportunity to extend the season. That’s all we can ask for. We handled our business tonight. But the job is still an uphill battle, and we understand that.
  • Doncic showed the basketball world that he’s willing and ready to take a step with his game, Sam Amick of The Athletic writes. Doncic apologized for his Game 3 actions involving referees and then was more composed in Game 4. Amick writes that Doncic’s three steals also signal his willingness to improve as a two-way player.
  • Kidd defended Doncic prior to Game 4, Joe Vardon of The Athletic observes. “For whatever reason, there have been some personal attacks on him, but he will learn from them and he will be better when he comes back from it,” Kidd said ahead of Friday’s game. Kidd said Doncic deserves a break but also pointed out that some of the league’s greatest have taken this sort of criticism before finding long-term success.

Charles Barkley Says He’s Retiring From TV After 2024/25 Season

Charles Barkley, an NBA Hall of Famer and one of the stars of TNT’s Inside the NBA studio show, said he’s retiring from television following the conclusion of next season, as noted by ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.

I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT,” Barkley said on NBATV following during Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night. “But I have made the decision that no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television. And I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You guys have been great to me. My heart is full with joy and gratitude.

The future of Inside the NBA has been up in the air, given the NBA’s ongoing media rights negotiations. As Youngmisuk notes, Disney (ABC/ESPN), Amazon, NBC and Warner Bros. Discovery (TNT) are all hoping to secure broadcast deals with the NBA. However, if WBD is left out, it would mean the end of Inside the NBA and all games on TNT.

[RELATED: TNT Remains In Talks For Possible Fourth NBA Rights Package]

Barkley has decided to avoid any uncertainty about his future by announcing his impending retirement now.

I hope the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you guys to hear it from me … I wanted to tell my NBATV and TNT family that I’m not going to another network, but I’m going to pass the baton to either Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter or you, Steve (Smith),” Barkley said. “But next year, I’m going to just retire after 25 years, and I just wanted to say thank you. And I wanted y’all to hear it from me first.

Barkley’s served as a TV analyst for TNT since 2000. He has hosted Inside the NBA alongside Ernie Johnson (who’s hosted since 1990), Kenny “The Jet” Smith (since 1998) and Shaquille O’Neal (since 2011). Barkley has also co-hosted every NCAA Final Four since 2011.

California Notes: Lyles, Lakers, Redick, Buss

Kings power forward Trey Lyles is set to be in training camp with Team Canada this July, and will compete for a spot on this year’s Paris Olympics squad, per Mark Jones of ESPN (Twitter link).

According to Jones, Lyles would have suited up in the FIBA World Cup last season, but wanted to preserve his body to avoid injury during a free agent summer. He’s not a lock to make the Canadian roster, but could provide valuable floor spacing from the frontcourt.

There’s more out of California:

  • The Lakers are considering several candidates for their No. 17 first round pick in this year’s draft, according to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Time. Providence guard Devin Carter, USC guard Isaiah Collier and Duke guard Jared McCain are all intriguing potential fits for a team that could use some backcourt depth, says Woike.
  • Longtime NBA sharpshooter J.J. Redick, now an ESPN commentator and podcaster, is seen as a top contender to be hired as the Lakers‘ next head coach. If he’s offered the Los Angeles gig, he’ll need to truly weigh the pros and cons of leaving his current media position, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN (YouTube video link). “I have no doubt that J.J. is going to have a strong performance because he’s been preparing for this for a long time,” Windhorst said. “I think the question that’s being asked here is how much should J.J. really want this job? And that’s one of the reasons why I think there’s people in his life, in fact, I know there’s people in his life, who have said ‘Are you sure this is the opportunity you want? That this is what you want to leave for? Because this is such a challenging job.'”
  • Lakers majority owner Jeanie Buss has been receiving blow-back recently after the team missed out on hiring Dan Hurley as the team’s head coach, as well as what many perceived as a muted response to the passing of L.A. legend Jerry West, writes Jim Alexander of The Orange County Register.

Atlantic Notes: Carter, Payne, Nets, O’Connell

In a wide open draft, the Sixers will have an intriguing choice to make with their No. 16 first round draft pick. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports makes the case for Providence point guard Devin Carter, one of the elite defenders in the NCAA during 2023/24.

A junior last season, he averaged 19.7 points on a .473/.377/.749 shooting line, along with 8.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Philadelphia could use a major influx of athleticism next season, and Neubeck contends that, given Carter’s experience, he should be able to earn rotation minutes right away.

There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:

  • Sixers reserve point guard Cameron Payne was arrested in Arizona after he made a false report and would not identify himself, reports Zach Buchanan of The Phoenix New Times. Both offenses are misdemeanors. Splitting his time between Milwaukee and Philadelphia last season (he was flipped for veteran Patrick Beverley midway through the year), Payne averaged a cumulative 7.4 points per game on .432/.390/.866 shooting, plus 2.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 0.5 steals.
  • The Nets face a fascinating offseason this summer, and will have some big decisions to make about two key starters, states longtime basketball insider Yossi Gozlan (YouTube video link). Center Nic Claxton is an unrestricted free agent, and is looking for a major raise coming off a two-year, $17.3MM deal with Brooklyn. In October, star forward Mikal Bridges will become eligible to ink a three-season, $113MM contract extension with the club. Gozlan notes that Brooklyn could make a move to trade for a star player now, or could explore a more thorough rebuild.
  • During a recent Knicks free agent minicamp, former Duke shooting guard Alex O’Connell led about 20 players in scoring, reports Ian Begley of SNY.tv (via Twitter). New York possesses the G League rights to O’Connell, who spent the 2023/24 season playing for Italian club Reyer Venezia.

Celtics Notes: Horford, Tillman, Mazzulla

Celtics center Al Horford has served as a key component to helping Boston potentially achieve its championship aspirations, opines John Hollinger of The Athletic.

Boston currently leads the Mavericks 3-0 in its NBA Finals series. Since being reacquired by the Celtics in 2021 via trade, Horford has helped guide the club to a pair of Finals appearances across the last three seasons.

This season, the 38-year-old has carved out a definitive role as Boston’s sixth man, backing up starting center Kristaps Porzingis and All-NBA starting power forward Jayson Tatum.

Horford has started 13 of Boston’s 17 playoff games, while Porzingis has alternately been sidelined due to injury or has been working his way back from injury.

A former five-time All-Star and All-NBA Third Teamer, the 6’9″ big man is averaging 9.5 points on .473/.352/.750 shooting splits, plus 7.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.7 steals per night.

Horford’s abilities to effectively defend at a high level and to stretch the floor have helped him become a uniquely effective role player for this five-out club’s emphasis on long-range sniping and switchable defense, Hollinger notes.

There’s more out of Boston:

  • Celtics reserve big man Xavier Tillman has been grappling with the unexpected death of his father, Roosevelt, during these playoffs, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Roosevelt passed away at his Grand Rapids, Michigan home on May 19, aged 58. “It was very, very hard, especially because I love basketball and everything that it’s allowed me to do,” Tillman said of his father’s death. “But at the same time, my heart was hurting every day.”
  • Young second-year Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has totally reconfigured his league-wide reputation thanks to his team’s dominant 15-2 playoff run so far, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Last season, after being thrust into the head coaching role just before training camp, Mazzulla led the team back to the Eastern Conference Finals, where it eventually fell in seven games to the Heat. “Just being in the interim role was tough [for Mazzulla],” All-Star wing Jaylen Brown reflected. “Even though we weren’t making any excuses, but him inheriting that position, it was a little bit more of uncertainty about what we were doing going forward. It wasn’t his [coaching] staff.”
  • As The Ringer’s Seerat Sohi observes, Mazzulla’s at-times unorthodox approach to his job has often befuddled his detractors, but it seems, in his second season, as if he’s proving his doubters wrong one by one. “If you’ve ever been in a fight with someone and you think you’re about to beat them, you usually get sucker punched,” Mazzulla said. “The closer you are to thinking you’re going to beat them up, the closer you are to losing.”

Kristaps Porzingis Available For Game 4

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla announced that starting center Kristaps Porzingis‘ status upgraded to available for Game 4 of the NBA Finals against Porzingis’ old club, the Mavericks, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN (Twitter link). The action is set to tip off on Friday night.

Mazzulla cautioned that Porzingis would “only be used in specific instances, if necessary.”

Boston has survived just fine without its starting center for much of the playoffs, though when he can play he has shown off an incredible two-way ability to both protect the rim and knock down jumpers.

Porzingis has only been healthy for five contests in this postseason run, but the Celtics have gone 11-1 in the games he’s missed, with sixth man Al Horford picking up the slack in his absence. Horford has started in all three Finals games, even when Porzingis was deemed healthy to play during the first two contests.

The 7’2″ big man was ruled out for Game 3 of the series due to a posterior tibialis dislocation in his left leg. Boston won anyway, 106-99, building out an intimidating 3-0 advantage. Never in league history has any team, in any round, climbed out of that kind of hole.

During the playoffs, Porzingis has averaged 13.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 1.3 APG and 0.8 SPG in 24.8 MPG.