Top Rumors
Yuta Watanabe plans to return to Japan next season
Takeshi Shibata: Former Raptors shooter Yuta Watanabe via his Instagram Live just revealed his plan to go back to Japan for the 2024-25 season, ending his 6-year NBA career. Best wishes for him! To my basketball friends in North America, please send your encouragements to Yuta!
LeBron James on Nikola Jokic: 'He's one of the best players to ever play this game, it's that simple'
Michael Scotto: LeBron James on Nikola Jokic: “He’s one of the best players to ever play this game. It’s that simple. He does everything. The most important thing is he changes the way his teammates think about their own play. When you’re able to inspire your teammates to play at a level that sometimes they don’t even feel like they can play at, that’s a true testament of a great one.” (🎥 @jovanbuha ) pic.twitter.com/C3pcHxZh89
Woj: Heat in position to use assets to acquire All-Star in summer
Barry Jackson: Woj says he believes Miami “will be in position to use the assets they have” to add an All-Star. Makes the point that players with only 1 or 2 years left on contract are in better position to force trade to Heat (as opposed to Lillard, who had four years). But that player must be willing to get down and dirty and say they’re only accepting Miami. Tough ask.
Kelly Oubre on MSG celebrity row: They got celebrities there with courtside seats just to be there and not care about the game
“The fans are pretty crazy,” laughed Oubre. “They have a really good culture of being wild and loving basketball to the root and the core of it. They call it the Mecca of basketball for a reason. The lights are super bright. They’re going to give celebrities those $100,00 free tickets just to be there and not care about the game, but that’s what they do. It’s going to be super fun and I look forward to it. It’s one of my favorite places to play.”
Klay Thompson, Warriors monitored Jrue Holiday extension with Celtics?
BASKETBALL ON 𝕏: Klay Thompson, Warriors ‘Took Note’ of Jrue Holiday’s $135M Contract “ Klay is going to draw interest around the league.He’s gonna want a fair salary. I can tell you for sure, both sides took note of that Jrue Holiday extension with the Celtics four years 135 million” – @ZachLowe_NBA
Mike Conley on Wolves-Suns series: I don't think there's anybody on either team that wants it more than me
Jorge Sierra: Mike Conley: “I don’t think there’s anybody on either team that wants it more than me. I told the guys that, selfishly, do it for me, man. Help me out. Meet me at my level right now because I don’t got long. Y’all got forever.”
Damion Lee to return during playoffs?
Duane Rankin: Frank Vogel said everyone is healthy and ready to go outside of Damion Lee (knee), whose is OUT but has said the deeper the Suns playoff run, the better chance he has of playing. Game 1 vs. Timberwolves Saturday at Target Center. #Suns
Hawks hire Onsi Saleh as assistant GM
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: Atlanta is hiring Golden State’s Onsi Saleh as an assistant general manager. Saleh — who had been VP of Basketball Strategy and Team Counsel with the Warriors — has worked closely with Bob Myers and Mike Dunleavy Jr., and previously with Spurs CEO RC Buford.