We’re getting to that sweet spot in the NBA Playoffs where we have games just about every night AND the offseason rumors are starting to pick up!
Indeed, that’s very much the case right now as the Eastern Conference Finals tipped off last night with a nailbiter in Boston. The Pacers let one slip away, will that end up costing them the series too? Meanwhile, some superstar names headline the rumor mill as we inch closer to free agency and the draft. Let’s go around the NBA.
Around the NBA
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
For the past few months, things in Cleveland have trended toward a Donovan Mitchell departure this offseason. The star guard’s contract has just one year left, and many don’t think Mitchell will want to pass up a chance at free agency. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Cavaliers seem to feel different. Windhorst says Cleveland decision-makers remain “optimistic” that a deal can get done with their star guard.
"The Cavs remain optimistic that Donovan is signing. They believe he's gonna and I think a lot of their offseason planning is with the strong belief that they're keeping him," – @WindhorstESPN on Donovan Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/cbVjsd9BSZ— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 21, 2024
Could that feeling just be the Cavs holding out hope? Sure. Also, if they did indeed plan on trading Mitchell, outright saying from the jump that they want to move wouldn’t do much for their leverage. However, Cleveland will likely try anything and everything to lock Mitchell up this offseason long-term. It’s not like there’s really any bad blood there, so Mitchell probably should listen. But, in the end, I just don’t see him passing up the chance at free agency or potentially the opportunity to go home to New York (like he’s been rumored to want to do).
If Cleveland does bring back Mitchell or decide to shake up their roster a bit, Darius Garland has been rumored to be a candidate to move. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, teams around the league would actually prefer Garland as opposed to Trae Young of the Hawks whose name has been floating around trade rumors for the past year or so. Garland can bring more defensively than Young can, and he brings along similar playmaking skills, as well as the ability to shoot efficiently from long range. The Hawks got along just fine without Young for the last few weeks of the season, and I wonder if that created some similar feelings around the league to that of Zach LaVine’s struggle to impact winning in Chicago.
According to NBA Insider Kevin O’Connell, the Sixers will be a serious candidate to lure Paul George away from the Clippers this summer. Philly has enough cap space available to offer George a max contract, and the ability to create a big three of George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey would certainly be tempting. Philly could offer PG a four-year, $212.5 million extension. The Clippers are eligible to extend the 34-year-old forward to a three-year, $152 million extension like Kawhi Leonard signed last year.
To me, an extra $50 million and the ability to play with Embiid and Maxey would be too good to pass up. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are great running mates, but the consistency just isn’t quite there, and neither is the cap space or flexibility to do much more than run back last year’s team. This is George’s last chance at a max deal, so making huge money and playing with that big three could be too good to pass up.
Philadelphia can afford George on a max contract this summer to pair alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. pic.twitter.com/J9lL77zzfW— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 22, 2024
Last night’s Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals was an awesome one. It felt like the Pacers were about to steal one, but with a three-point lead and under 30 seconds to play, they turned the ball over TWICE and allowed Boston to tie to force OT. Indiana at least showed that they’re a good basketball team and belong where they are, but in the postseason against teams as good as the Celtics, you just can’t give away wins like that, especially on the road. Everyone has been talking about how easy Boston’s journey here has been, and if Indiana goes in and wins Game 1 on the road, the whispers about how good Boston is get louder. It’s a long series, but last night felt like Indiana’s chance to land a big punch, but it ended up being a massive missed opportunity.
A report from Newsday suggests that Jalen Brunson could actually sign an extension with the Knicks this summer worth four years and $156 million. That deal would remove the final year of his deal (2025-26) and guarantee his contract for five more seasons. Brunson, however, could actually make more if he waited until next summer when he’d be eligible for a five-year, $270 million extension. It seems, though, that Brunson is ready to sign on the dotted line now.
Honestly, I think it’s a great move. Yes, he loses some money, but he also guarantees himself $181 million ($156 million + $25 million from his 2024-25 salary) by getting it done this summer. Given how banged up he was during the playoffs and how hard Tom Thibodeau plays his stars, I think passing up on the deal now wouldn’t be wise. I’m not saying he’ll get hurt next year, but he’s also in a situation that certainly ups the risk. I can’t blame him if he waits until next season, but a guaranteed $181 million is also hard to pass up.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Celtics are targeting a Game 4 return for starting center Kristaps Porzingis, via ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Porzingis hasn’t played since suffering a calf injury in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs against the Heat. Porzingis’ looming return is yet another reason why Game 1 feels like a missed opportunity for the Pacers. Getting him back certainly won’t make the Celtics easier to beat. Boston has lost Game 2 in each of their playoff series thus far this year, so we’ll see if the Pacers can continue that trend.
Reporting for ESPN NBA Countdown on Kristaps Porzingis’ looming return for the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals pic.twitter.com/xKSIPQpR48
In some not-so-fun news, it appears to be trending toward next season being the last for Inside The NBA on TNT. Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith have combined to create what’s widely considered the best sports show on TV. However, the NBA is reportedly close to an agreement with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon in their new media rights deal which would leave TNT out. I truly hope there’s some sort of last-second deal to include TNT and save this amazing show, but without a last-gasp effort it feels like next year will be the last for Inside The NBA. As Billy Madison once said, “Cherish It.”
The NBA will reportedly finalize new media rights deals with ESPN, Amazon, and NBC later this week
The 2024-2025 NBA Season will be the last for TNT’s ‘INSIDE THE NBA’ with Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley
Let’s end on a lighter note. The Western Conference Finals gets going tonight in Minnesota, and I think we’re in for an awesome series between the T’Wolves and Mavericks. Going along with all the excitement prior to Game 1, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared Wednesday, May 22 “Wolves Back Day.” And in his official State Proclamation, he left a very special hidden message.
The governor of Minnesota hid a special message in the 'Wolves Back Day' Proclamation. 🤣🤣
Matt is from the Chicagoland area and has been working in Chicago sports since 2015 with stops at WGN Radio, the Chicago Blackhawks, Stadium, and NBC Sports Chicago prior to landing at Betsperts. Matt covers just about everything for Betsperts and Bleacher Nation but focuses on the NHL and college football.
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