Team USA Locks In 11 Of 12 Olympic Roster Spots

The Team USA men’s basketball program has determined 11 of its 12 roster spots for this year’s Paris Olympics, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Woj suggests that the final roster opening could remain open for a while. Sources inform Wojnarowski that Hall of Famer Grant Hill, Team USA’s managing director, is waiting for a July training camp and some Las Vegas exhibition games before finalizing that 12th spot.

10 of the 11 players were honored as All-Stars this season, while the 11th was a key two-way force on the 2021 gold medal-winning team, which is officially considered the 2020 Olympic team.

Here are Team USA’s 11 players:

So far, three NBA teams – the Lakers, Celtics, and Suns – will feature multiple U.S. Olympians.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, serving again as the leader of Team USA this summer, will have just one current familiar face in All-Star point guard Curry, who will be making his Olympic debut. Among the other players listed, four others will be making their debuts with the program on this stage: reigning league MVP Embiid and young All-Star guards Edwards and Haliburton.

As Woj notes, 35-year-old Durant is one of just two players to have won three gold medals in Olympic history, along with future Hall of Fame forward Carmelo Anthony. James is playing in his first Olympics since 2012. James and Anthony were also members of Team USA the last time it didn’t win gold at the tournament, in 2004.

Southwest Notes: Rockets, Green, Pelicans-Lakers, Popovich

The Rockets’ 2023/24 season, their first under new head coach Ime Udoka, is now in the books. Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle breaks down how the team showed plenty of promise en route to a 41-41 finish, diminished slightly by the lack of a playoff or play-in berth. The Rockets finished as the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference.

“Happy wouldn’t be the word,” Udoka said. “We are disappointed we didn’t meet our goal. When you are a few games behind, you think of all the tough … games we’ve given away, we understand where we could have been. The goal always was to make the playoffs and the play-in and have that experience for our guys.”

Center Alperen Sengun and shooting guard Jalen Green, who both enjoyed breakout seasons this year, are both set to be extension-eligible when the new league year begins in July.

There’s more out of the Southwest Division:

  • Pelicans head coach Willie Green‘s contract was reportedly extended last year, per Christian Clark of NOLA.com. Sources inform Clark that New Orleans also extended the contracts of New Orleans executive executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin and general manager Trajan Langdon. Green, a former journeyman NBA guard as a player, is in his third season with New Orleans and boasts a 127-119 record with the club so far. He has led the Pelicans to three consecutive postseason appearances, though the team was eliminated in the play-in tournament a year ago.
  • The Pelicans struggled to do much of anything against the Lakers in a critical season finale matchup on Sunday, as Rod Walker of NOLA.com details. In falling 124-108 to Los Angeles, New Orleans fell into the play-in tournament with a 49-33 record — the Pels are the West’s No. 7 seed and have a rematch on tap with the eighth-seeded Lakers on Tuesday.
  • Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich suggested that he expects return to coach probable Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama for his second season, writes Tom Orbsorn of The San Antonio Express-News. The 75-year-old Popovich inked a five-year deal worth upwards of $80MM to stick with San Antonio last summer. “He made it very clear day one he cares about his guys as people first,” Wembanyama said. “He is there to poke on us sometimes or to correct us. But the way my teammates and I have responded to all the advice it’s just been great and the dynamic is very good.”

Grizzlies Notes: Morant, Rose, Draft Pick, Kennard, More

Although the Grizzlies dealt with a ton of injuries this season, particularly down the stretch, there aren’t many long-term concerns among that group of injured players, according to head of basketball operations Zach Kleiman, who told reporters today that Ja Morant (right shoulder surgery) is the only one expected to have more than a month of recovery time, per Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.

“I would say he is expected to be fully cleared for basketball activities maybe halfway through the offseason,” Kleiman said of Morant, who is expected to be in Memphis rehabbing for most of the summer. “… He’s been very diligent with his work. He’s been around the team pouring into that everyday.”

Another Grizzlies point guard who missed much of the 2023/24 season for health reasons, Derrick Rose said on Monday that he has no plans to retire and expects to be back in Memphis next season, according to Cole. Rose is under contract for a guaranteed salary worth approximately $3.4MM.

“Yes, I’m coming back,” Rose said. “I talked to Zach, I talked to coach (Taylor Jenkins). … This summer, it’s all about attacking my rehabs, my workouts and continuing to be disciplined.”

The Grizzlies signed Rose and traded for Marcus Smart last summer, envisioning the veteran guards serving as mentors and veteran leaders for Morant during and following his 25-game suspension. However, Rose appeared in just 24 games, Smart played in 20, and Morant suited up for only nine.

Here’s more out of Memphis:

  • While the Grizzlies used Jaren Jackson Jr. at the five frequently this season and will likely continue to do so, Kleiman wasn’t coy about the fact that Memphis intends to add at least one center to its roster this offseason, according to Cole. “I envision we’ll add at least one big,” he said. “Whether that’s a starting big or a rotation big, I think we have some work to do on the roster there. … We’re not trying to hide the ball on that.” The Grizzlies traded away centers Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman at February’s deadline.
  • Memphis projects to have a top-10 pick in this year’s draft, but hasn’t decided yet whether it will keep or trade that first-rounder, Cole writes. “I think we’re going to be open-minded on what we can do with that pick,” Kleiman said. Obviously, no decisions will be made until sometime after May’s lottery, since the team’s plans for a No. 1 or No. 8 overall pick could look very different.
  • Kleiman was noncommittal on the Grizzlies’ plans for Luke Kennard, whose contract includes a 2024/25 team option worth about $14.8MM. “Luke is someone we continue to feel strongly about,” Kleiman said. “Someone who is important for this team and this NBA. We have decisions that we have to make on him coming up.”
  • As Cole relays, Kleiman lauded second-year shooting guard Vince Williams for what he provided the Grizzlies this season and said Williams will be an important part of the club’s plans going forward: “He is someone that we have confidence in to play a significant role. He can play different kinds of roles, but it will be significant next season.”

Cronin: Blazers Committed To Billups As Head Coach

Speaking today to reporters, Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin confirmed that the team is committed to Chauncey Billups as its head coach and indicated that the plan is to have Billups return for the 2024/25 season (Twitter links via Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report and Bill Oram of The Oregonian).

Cronin referred to Billups as “an incredible leader in this organization,” per Oram.

There had been some speculation that Billups was on the hot seat in Portland after a third consecutive disappointing season for the Blazers. Since he took over for Terry Stotts in 2021, Billups has led the club to an 81-165 (.329) regular season record, with no more than 33 wins in any season.

Portland submitted a 21-61 record in 2023/24, the worst mark in the Western Conference. The club finished the season ranked 29th in offensive rating (107.6) and 23rd in defensive rating (116.6).

Still, those disappointing results can’t be entirely attributed to Billups. The Blazers have traded away several veteran starters since he was hired, including Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, among others.

Additionally, Portland has had bad injury luck in recent years and has been without multiple key contributors in each season — in 2023/24, Scoot Henderson, Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, Malcolm Brogdon, Shaedon Sharpe, and Robert Williams all missed at least 20 games.

When the Blazers hired Billups in 2021, they agreed to a five-year contract that included four guaranteed seasons, so he’ll be entering his final guaranteed year in 2024/25, with the club holding an option for ’25/26.

Nikola Jokic, Jalen Brunson Named Players Of The Week

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been named the Western Conference’s final Player of the Week for the 2023/24 season, while Knicks guard Jalen Brunson has won the award for the Eastern Conference, the NBA announced today (via Twitter).

It’s Jokic’s second Player of the Week win of ’23/24 — the first came all the way back in October. The Nuggets star put a bookend on what will likely be his third MVP season by averaging 26.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 3.0 steals in 35.5 minutes per game as Denver enjoyed a 3-1 week and secured the West’s No. 2 seed. Jokic shot an eye-popping 68.8% from the field, including 83.3% on three-pointers, for the week.

Brunson, who figures to earn MVP votes this spring as well, won his fourth Player of the Week award of the season, matching Luka Doncic for the most by any player in 2023/24.

In Brunson’s final four games of the regular season – all Knicks wins – he averaged 38.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in 37.5 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .510/.500/.917. Since the week ran from April 8-14, those figures don’t include the 43-point game he had against Milwaukee on April 7.

Bradley Beal, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, CJ McCollum, and Jokic’s teammate Jamal Murray were also nominated for the Western Conference award, according to the league (Twitter link). Brunson beat out fellow nominees Jarrett Allen, DeMar DeRozan, Tyler Herro, and Myles Turner in the East.

Thunder’s Mark Daigneault Wins Coaches Association Award

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has won the Michael H. Goldberg award for the 2023/24 season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reports that Daigneault has been named the National Basketball Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year.

This award, introduced in 2017 and named after longtime NBCA executive director Michael H. Goldberg, is voted on by the NBA’s 30 head coaches, none of whom can vote for himself.

However, it isn’t the NBA’s official Coach of the Year award, which is voted on by media members and is represented by the Red Auerbach Trophy. The winner of that award will be announced later this spring.

J.B. Bickerstaff (Cavaliers), Chris Finch (Timberwolves), Joe Mazzulla (Celtics), and Jamahl Mosley (Magic) also received votes from their fellow coaches for this year’s NBCA award, per Wojnarowski.

Daigneault, who is just 39 years old, has overseen the rebuild in Oklahoma City since 2020. After winning just 22 games in his first year on the job, the Thunder increased that total to 24 in 2021/22, 40 in ’22/23, and 57 in ’23/24. That 57-25 record this season made the Thunder the improbable No. 1 seed in the West in their first trip to the playoffs during Daigneault’s tenure.

As Wojnarowski points out, Oklahoma City was one of just two NBA teams this season – along with Boston – to finish in the top five in both offensive and defensive rating. The Thunder’s 118.3 offensive rating ranked third in the NBA, while their 111.0 defensive rating was fourth.

The NBCA Coach of the Year award has frequently been a bellwether for the NBA’s Coach of the Year honor, which bodes well for Daigneault. In five of the seven years since the award’s inception, the winner has gone on to be named the NBA’s Coach of the Year.

Pacific Notes: Davis, Lee, Allen, Kawhi, Kings, Warriors

Anthony Davis missed the final six minutes of Sunday’s victory over New Orleans due to back spasms, but he’s confident he’ll be ready to go on Tuesday when the Lakers and Pelicans meet again in the play-in tournament, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“No doubt that I’m going to play,” Davis said after Sunday’s game.

Davis’ injury occurred with 5:52 remaining in the fourth quarter when he was attempting to grab a rebound and was pushed in the back by Pelicans big man Larry Nance Jr. (video link). According to McMenamin, Davis said the contract resulted in hyperextension when he landed and that his back “just locked up.”

“I was in the air,” Davis said. “Obviously it’s a dangerous play. I know he’s not a dirty player.”

Here’s more from around the Pacific:

  • Suns wing Damion Lee admits that he went through some “dark days” during the lengthy recovery process from an October meniscus surgery that sidelined him for the entire regular season, as Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic relays. However, Lee is in a better place now as he nears the end of that recovery process — he also hasn’t given up on the idea of returning this spring. “To be determined,” Lee said. “I’ll just leave it at this. I feel like the longer we go in the postseason, the more likely there is a chance. No timetable necessarily. It’s all feel based. You saw me out here shooting, jumping. Running.”
  • Grayson Allen gave up a little money to sign an extension with the Suns, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link), who says the veteran swingman could have secured $80-85MM on the open market. Allen has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $70MM deal with Phoenix.
  • The Clippers continue to be evasive about Kawhi Leonard‘s outlook for the start of the playoffs, writes Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. Asked on Sunday whether Leonard has been doing workouts, head coach Tyronn Lue said he’s “been doing a little something,” but Lue declined to say whether or not he expects the star forward to be available in the postseason.
  • It won’t be an easy path to the playoffs for the Kings or Warriors, who will each have to win two play-in games just to claim the No. 8 seed in the West. Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee takes a look at the challenge facing the Kings, while Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic checks in on a Golden State team in “March Madness mode.”

Checking In On NBA’s 2024 Lottery Standings, Projected Draft Order

The 2023/24 NBA regular season is officially over, but the draft order for this June has not yet been set.

A handful of factors, including the play-in results, random tiebreakers, and – of course – the lottery results themselves will ultimately determine what the 58(*) picks in the 2024 NBA draft look like. But with the season in the books, there’s plenty we do know.

(* Note: The Sixers‘ second-round pick and the Nuggets’ second-round pick, which was acquired by the Suns, are forfeited due to free agency gun-jumping violations.)

Let’s dive in and check in on a few key aspects of the lottery standings and projected draft order…


Tentative lottery standings/odds

So far, only 10 of the 14 teams involved in the draft lottery are known — the four teams eliminated in the play-in tournament will join them.

With the help of data from Tankathon, here’s a tentative breakdown at what the lottery odds would look like if the play-in favorites (the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds) advance through the tournament and secure playoff spots. Odds are rounded to one decimal place.

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
DET 14 13.4 12.7 12 47.9
WSH 14 13.4 12.7 12 27.8 20
CHA 13.3 12.9 12.4 11.7 15.3 27.1 7.4
POR 13.2 12.8 12.3 11.7 6.8 24.6 16.4 2.2
SAS 10.5 10.5 10.6 10.5 2.2 19.6 26.7 8.7 0.6
TOR* 9 9.2 9.4 9.6 8.6 29.8 20.6 3.7 0.1
MEM 7.5 7.8 8.1 8.5 19.7 34.1 12.9 1.3 >0
UTH* 6 6.3 6.7 7.2 34.5 32.1 6.7 0.4 >0
BKN* 4.5 4.8 5.2 5.7 50.7 25.9 3 0.1 >0
ATL 3 3.3 3.6 4 65.9 19 1.2 >0 >0
CHI 2 2.2 2.4 2.8 77.6 12.6 0.4 >0
HOU* 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 86.1 6.7 0.1
SAC 0.8 0.9 1 1.1 92.9 3.3
GSW* 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 96.6

(* Asterisks denote traded picks)

Two pairs of teams here finished with matching records: the Hornets and Trail Blazers and the Kings and Warriors. Random tiebreakers will be completed to determine their exact lottery positioning, so their lottery odds, in italics, are just tentative so far. If the Trail Blazers were to win their tiebreaker with the Hornets, for example, the two teams would be flipped in the chart above.

Depending on which play-in teams make the playoffs, these lottery odds could fluctuate and different tiebreakers may be necessary. For example, the Hawks and Bulls both had worse regular season records than the Rockets, but if one of those teams advances to the playoffs and the Sixers or Heat end up in the lottery, Houston would move up a spot in the lottery standings and Philadelphia or Miami would check in at – or near – the bottom of the lottery.

The Heat finished with the same 46-36 record as the Kings and Warriors, so if all three teams end up in the lottery, a three-team tiebreaker would be necessary. On the other hand, if, say, Miami and Golden State both make the playoffs and Sacramento misses out, only the Kings would be a lottery team, so no tiebreaker would be required for lottery purposes.

The different colors in the chart above reflect that those teams could lose their picks. The Nets‘ first-round pick will be sent to the Rockets unconditionally, but the other four traded lottery picks include some form of protection.

The Spurs will receive the Raptors‘ pick if it lands outside the top six (54.2%), whereas Toronto would keep it if it stays in the top six (45.8%).

The Jazz‘s pick features top-10 protection, so there’s a 99.6% chance they’ll hang onto it and only a 0.4% chance that the Thunder will get it.

The Rockets‘ pick is top-four protected, so they have a 7.2% chance to keep it with some lottery luck, but there’s a 92.8% chance it will go the Thunder. Those odds would be adjusted to 9.6% and 90.4%, respectively, if either Atlanta or Chicago makes the playoffs.

The Warriors‘ pick is also top-four protected, so if Golden State misses the playoffs, then moves into the top four, they’ll keep it — these odds could range from 2.4% to 4.7%, depending on whether a tiebreaker is needed and the results of that tiebreaker. Otherwise, the Trail Blazers will receive it (95.3% or 97.6%). Portland would also be assured of receiving the pick if the Warriors make the playoffs.


The play-in factor

The teams eliminated in this week’s play-in tournament will end up in the lottery, sorted by record (worst to best), while the teams that earn playoff spots won’t pick earlier than No. 15. Here are the eight play-in teams:

  • Atlanta Hawks (36-46)
  • Chicago Bulls (39-43)
  • Golden State Warriors (46-36)
  • Sacramento Kings (46-36)
  • Miami Heat (46-36)
  • Los Angeles Lakers (47-35)
  • Philadelphia 76ers (47-35)
  • New Orleans Pelicans (49-33)

Based on their 49-33 record, the Pelicans could end up with a pick as low as No. 23 in the first round of the draft (depending on tiebreaker results). However, if they lose two play-in games this week and don’t make the playoffs at all, they’d hold the No. 14 spot in the lottery instead.

The Warriors, Kings, and Heat finished with matching 46-36 records, while the Lakers and Sixers were each 47-35, so if multiple teams in any of those pairs are eliminated in the play-in tournament, a tiebreaker will be required to determine their spots in the lottery standings.

On the other hand, if – for example – Philadelphia makes the playoffs and the Lakers don’t, no tiebreaker would be necessary for those two teams, since L.A. would be in the lottery and the Sixers wouldn’t.


The tiebreakers

Many tiebreakers will be required to determine either lottery positioning or a team’s specific draft pick. Here are all the teams that finished with identical records, creating a situation where a random tiebreaker will (or may) be required:

  1. Charlotte Hornets / Portland Trail Blazers (21-61)
  2. Golden State Warriors / Miami Heat / Sacramento Kings (46-36)
    • Note: A three-way tiebreaker would only be required if all three teams miss the playoffs. All three teams cannot make the playoffs. However, there are multiple scenarios in which this tiebreaker could involve just two teams and could be for a different pick.
    • Note: The Warriors’ pick will be sent to the Trail Blazers if it lands outside the top four.
    • Note: The Kings’ pick will be sent to the Hawks if it lands outside the top 14.
  3. Indiana Pacers / Los Angeles Lakers / Orlando Magic / Philadelphia 76ers (47-35)
    • Note: The Lakers and/or Sixers would not be involved in this tiebreaker if they don’t make the playoffs.
    • Note: The Pacers’ pick will be sent to the Raptors.
    • Note: The Lakers’ pick may be sent to the Pelicans (New Orleans has the option to defer it to 2025).
  4. Milwaukee Bucks / New Orleans Pelicans / Phoenix Suns (49-33)
    • Note: The Pelicans would not be involved in this tiebreaker if they don’t make the playoffs.
    • Note: The Pelicans have the ability to swap first-round picks with the Bucks.
  5. Dallas Mavericks / New York Knicks (50-32)
    • Note: The Mavericks’ pick will be sent to the Knicks.
  6. Denver Nuggets / Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25)
    • Note: The Thunder’s pick will be sent to the Jazz.

The playoff teams that win the tiebreakers will get the higher pick in the first round and the lower pick in the second round. For instance, let’s say the Pelicans make the playoffs and then win their three-way tiebreaker and assume the Suns are the runner-up in that tiebreaker, the first-round order would be New Orleans at No. 21, Phoenix at No. 22, and the Bucks at No. 23; the second-round order would be Milwaukee at No. 50, Phoenix at No. 51, and New Orleans at No. 52.

However, the second-round order for tied lottery teams isn’t determined until lottery night. For example, if Charlotte wins its tiebreaker with Portland, but the Trail Blazers win the No. 1 pick in the lottery, the Hornets would receive the higher second-round pick, since they’d have the lower first-round pick despite winning the tiebreaker.

These tiebreakers will be conducted sometime after the playoff field is set. In each of the past two years, they’ve been completed on the Monday eight days after the regular season ended.


The traded first-round picks

Here’s a breakdown of the traded first-round picks for the 2024 NBA draft:

Picks that will change hands:

  • Rockets acquiring Nets‘ pick.
    • This pick has about a 50/50 chance of landing at No. 9. It could also move into the top four or slip into the 10-13 range, depending on the draft lottery results.
  • Raptors acquiring Pacers‘ pick.
    • This pick will land anywhere from No. 16 to 20, depending on play-in and tiebreaker results.
  • Knicks acquiring Mavericks‘ pick.
    • This pick will be either No. 24 or 25, depending on tiebreaker results.
  • Wizards acquiring Clippers‘ pick.
    • This pick will be No. 26.
  • Jazz acquiring Thunder‘s pick.
    • This pick will be either No. 28 or 29, depending on tiebreaker results.

Picks that won’t change hands:

  • Knicks acquiring Pistons‘ pick (top-18 protected).
    • This pick can’t end up lower than No. 5, so it will fall in its protected range. The Pistons will instead owe the Knicks their 2025 first-round pick (top-13 protected).
  • Knicks acquiring Wizards‘ pick (top-12 protected).
    • This pick can’t end up lower than No. 6, so it will fall in its protected range. The Wizards will instead owe the Knicks their 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected).
  • Spurs acquiring Hornets‘ pick (top-14 protected).
    • This pick can’t end up lower than No. 8, so it will fall in its protected range. The Hornets will instead owe the Spurs their 2025 first-round pick (top-14 protected).
  • Bulls acquiring Trail Blazers‘ pick (top-14 protected).
    • This pick can’t end up lower than No. 8, so it will fall in its protected range. The Trail Blazers will instead owe the Bulls their 2025 first-round pick (top-14 protected).
  • Wizards or Grizzlies exercising swap rights with Suns.
    • The Wizards had the right to swap first-round picks with the Suns, and the Grizzlies subsequently had the right to swap their own first-round pick for whichever pick the Suns held. However, the Suns’ pick will land in the 21-23 range, while the Wizards and Grizzlies have lottery picks, so neither team will take advantage of its swap rights.

Picks that might change hands:

  • Spurs acquiring Raptors‘ pick (top-six protected).
    • There’s a 45.8% chance that this pick will land in the top six, in which case it would be kept by the Raptors. There’s a 54.2% chance it will land in the 7-10 range, in which case the Spurs would receive it.
  • Thunder acquiring Jazz‘s pick (top-10 protected).
    • There’s a 99.6% chance that this pick will land in the top 10, it which case it would be kept by the Jazz. There’s a 0.4% chance it will land at either No. 11 or 12, in which case the Thunder would receive it.
  • Thunder acquiring Rockets‘ pick (top-four protected).
    • There’s a 7.2% chance that this pick will land in the top four, in which case it would be kept by the Rockets. There’s a 92.8% chance it will land in the 12-14 range, in which case the Thunder would receive it.
    • Note: If either Atlanta or Chicago makes the playoffs, there would be a 9.6% chance that this pick lands in the top four and a 90.4% chance it ends up in the 11-14 range.
  • Trail Blazers acquiring Warriors‘ pick (top-four protected).
    • If the Warriors make the playoffs, the Trail Blazers will be assured of this pick. If Golden State misses the playoffs, the exact odds will be determined by play-in and tiebreak results. The odds of the pick moving into the top four, in which case the Warriors would keep it, would range from 2.4% to 4.7%. The odds of it ending up in the 12-14 range and being sent to the Trail Blazers would range from 95.3% or 97.6%.
  • Hawks acquiring Kings‘ pick (top-14 protected).
    • The Hawks will receive this pick if the Kings make the playoffs. If the Kings lose in the play-in tournament, they’ll instead owe the Hawks their 2025 first-round pick (top-12 protected).
  • Pelicans acquiring Lakers‘ pick (option to defer to 2025).
    • The Lakers’ pick could technically land as high as No. 1 (if they miss the playoffs and win the lottery) or as low as No. 20 (in certain play-in/tiebreak scenarios). The Pelicans will have the option to acquire this year’s pick or acquire the Lakers’ 2025 pick instead.
  • Pelicans exercising swap rights with Bucks.
    • If the Pelicans make the playoffs, their own pick and the Bucks’ pick will land in the 21-23 range. If Milwaukee’s pick is the higher of the two, New Orleans will exercise its right to swap picks.

Potential No. 1 Pick Nikola Topic Enters NBA Draft

Nikola Topic has decided to put his name into the NBA draft, agent Misko Raznatovic announced (via Twitter).

In a year without a clear No. 1 pick, the 18-year-old Serbian star could be in contention for the first selection. He’s ranked fifth in ESPN’s latest list of the top 100 prospects and would fill a need for a team looking for a skilled ball-handler. The 6’7″ Topic’s creativity and his ability to break down defenses aren’t in question, but there are concerns about his three-point shooting and intensity on defense, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Topic was off to a strong start with Crvena Zvedza in Belgrade before suffering a knee injury that has kept him out of action since January 4. He was still named the ABA League’s Top Prospect and was voted onto the all-league team after averaging 17.9 points and 6.8 assists during the time he was able to play.

Topic received MVP honors while capturing a gold medal with Serbia at the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship, according to Eurohoops.

Central Notes: Cavaliers, DeRozan, Dosunmu, Drummond, Rivers, Giannis

The boos that the Cavaliers heard as they left the court after Sunday’s loss to Charlotte weren’t directed at the players, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. There was an organizational decision to rest several rotation members rather than prioritize a win that would have earned the team the No. 2 seed and avoided a potential second-round matchup with the league-leading Celtics. The result was embarrassing, as Cleveland was outscored 18-2 to end the game and will face Orlando in the first round after falling to fourth place.

Vardon notes that the loss of Craig Porter Jr. to a sprained ankle in the first quarter left the Cavs short on ball-handlers. With Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Caris LeVert all sitting out, there was no one to run the offense as the lead slipped away.

“It was difficult (to watch), but we had our plan in place with what we were gonna do with our guys,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “(Our starters) were gonna play those three quarters, and then Craig not being out there made it a little difficult to organize and score in the fourth quarter, but we wanted to stick to our plan, and no matter what was going to happen, we were going to give our guys an opportunity to play.”

There’s more from the Central Division:

  • Thirty-four-year-old DeMar DeRozan finished the season as the NBA’s leader in minutes, per Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. The Bulls swingman was on the court for 2,988 minutes, his highest total in a decade, as he became the first player over age 30 to league the league in that category since LeBron James did it six years ago. “And he doesn’t miss practice. He doesn’t miss shootaround,” Coby White said of DeRozan. “He’s early to everything. Those are the things I notice. He’s always on time. He’s always one of the first ones there. You know how some guys can be. And for him, it’s just his professionalism day in and day out never changes.”
  • The Bulls have some injury concerns heading into Wednesday’s play-in game, notes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Ayo Dosunmu has a bruised quad and Andre Drummond is dealing with a sprained left ankle, and neither is certain to play against Atlanta. ‘‘Ayo is having issues with the running and the starting and the sprinting and the stopping,’’ coach Billy Donovan said. ‘‘There’s been some discomfort there for him. He has to get over that hurdle. I think there is hope he can clear those hurdles.’’
  • Bucks coach Doc Rivers is looking forward to a playoff matchup against Indiana, which was 4-1 against Milwaukee this season, according to Jamal Collier of ESPN. They haven’t faced each other since January 3, which was before Rivers took over the team. “Indiana has had our number all year, so perfect opponent,” Rivers said. “They’ve played great against us. They have great confidence against us. We’ll have great focus because we’re going to have to.”
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo may not be available for the start of that series, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). The Bucks star hasn’t played since Tuesday when he suffered a soleus strain in his left calf, and Rivers confirmed over the weekend that there are doubts about his status for the opener.