Sun Jun 8 11:21pm ET
Field Level Media
Basketball Hall of Famer Don Nelson was presented with a lifetime achievement award Sunday night and then trashed one of his former franchises for trading Luka Doncic.
Nelson played 14 NBA seasons from 1962-76, ranks second in NBA history with 1,335 regular-season coaching victories over 31 seasons and guided his teams to 18 playoff appearances before retiring in 2010. He held the victories record until Gregg Popovich passed him in 2022.
Those accomplishments helped the 85-year-old get presented with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday night in Oklahoma City. The award is given out by the National Basketball Coaches Association.
"History has already reflected Don Nelson's staggering contributions as a cutting-edge innovator and visionary of the NBA game," Indiana Pacers coach and NBCA president Rick Carlisle said in a news release. "Back in the '80s and '90s, he made teams adjust to historic pace, liberal 3-point shooting, inverted offense and disruptive defensive schemes. All this while establishing himself as one of the most compelling personalities in all of professional sports."
Nelson had more than the award on his mind. One of his former teams, the Dallas Mavericks, made the highly criticized move of Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the trading deadline.
The trade upset Nelson and he picked his footwear to honor Doncic, who nearly single-handedly led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals.
"As a matter of fact, I want everybody to know I'm wearing Luka's shoes, his new shoes from Nike that just got on the market," Nelson said during a press conference before Game 2 of the NBA Finals. "I'm wearing them in protest for the trade from Dallas. Tremendous mistake by the Dallas franchise to trade him, and I want everybody to know that."
Nelson said his philosophy on star players was something that was developed during his playing career. He won five NBA titles while watching how Hall of Famer Red Auerbach put together and kept together the star-studded Boston Celtics, who were led by five-time MVP Bill Russell and 13-time All-Star John Havlicek.
"His philosophy was when you have a great player -- Bill Russell, Havlicek, Sam Jones, you name 'em -- you don't lose that player," Nelson said. "You keep him for a lifetime. You put his number up, and you honor that player. That's been my philosophy."
Nelson coached the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors for 11 seasons apiece. After a 59-game stint with the New York Knicks in which he was fired in 1995-96, Nelson was coach and general manager of the Mavericks from 1997-2005. He later coached the Warriors for another four seasons.
Accolades aside, Nelson was honored to earn an honor named after the late Daly, who won back-to-back NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons in 1988-89 and 1989-90.
"Chuck was an absolute genius in all facets of the game and life," Nelson said. "I'm glad I had the opportunity to coach against him, learn from him and benefit from his knowledge. To say that I'm deeply touched to receive an award that bears his name would be an understatement. This is special."
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was the team's top scorer in a lopsided 123-107 loss in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder's defense was on full display as Haliburton and company struggled all night long. The dynamic point guard finished the game with 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the floor and 3-for-8 from downtown. He also added six assists, three rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and five turnovers. The good thing for the Pacers is that Haliburton has been noticeably better at home as he averaged 20.2 points, 9.9 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game with shooting splits of .499/.415/.862 across 37 contests. Game 3, on Wednesday, will be the first NBA Finals game in Indiana in 25 years to the day.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved why he was named the NBA's MVP this season after leading all scorers in the dominant 123-107 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 2. He finished with 34 points, eight assists, five rebounds, four steals, and one block while shooting 11-for-21 from the floor and 11-for-12 from the charity stripe. This was his second consecutive game with 30 or more points, which further pushes his lead for most points this postseason (548). Gilgeous-Alexander also boasts the highest number of win shares in the playoffs, with 3.5, as the series shifts to Indiana for Game 3 on Wednesday.
According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, the Nuggets may keep forward Michael Porter Jr. on the roster, at least for one more season. While Durando didn't rule out the possibility of MPJ getting moved this offseason, vice chairman Josh Kroenke has expressed a desire to keep the team's core together. With that said, the Nuggets' payroll continues to increase, and it is expected to rise even more if forward Christian Braun agrees to a contract extension in the coming months. Yet, finding a suitor for Porter may not be realistic. Although that should change after this season, when he'll have one year left on his current contract. The 26-year-old will certainly draw interest from teams around the National Basketball Association. While he had issues staying healthy at the start of his career, he's appeared in 158 games in the last two seasons. Porter is also coming off one of the best years of his career, ending the 2024-25 campaign by averaging 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 39.5% shooting from behind the arc. Assuming he can stay on the floor and off the injury report, he should remain as productive, regardless of what uniform he is wearing in 2025-26 and beyond.
Bennett Durado of The Denver Post believes Nuggets guard Christian Braun is expected to be offered a new deal ahead of the 2026-27 season, possibly as early as this fall. The 24-year-old is nearing the end of his rookie agreement. However, he's easily coming off the best season of his career, averaging 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 39.7% shooting from downtown, meaning retaining him is certainly in the team's best interest. The Nuggets will likely try to avoid entering the second round, so who will remain on the roster in the coming years is unknown. Yet, the anticipated movement of certain players moving forward means Braun has an excellent chance to see more scoring opportunities, making him an ideal dynasty stash for fantasy managers.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (ankle) sustained another left ankle injury during a recent workout. Unfortunately, he will need surgery and is expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 campaign. The 23-year-old appeared in 66 games in his inaugural season, averaging 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. However, now that he will undergo a procedure to stabilize the ankle, it's unknown when he'll be back on the floor. While Edey is out of commission, Jay Huff, who averaged 10.0 points, 3.0 boards, and 1.5 blocks in two starts last season, should take on a bigger role in the rotation. The same can be said for Brandon Clarke (knee), assuming he's healthy.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland may be available "under the right circumstances." There was once a point where it appeared Garland was on his way out of Cleveland. However, a deal never transpired. Yet, it seems now the topic could be revisited. Garland had a quality season in 2024-25, averaging 20.6 points and 6.7 assists. He also shot 40.1% from deep and appeared in 75 contests, both career-highs. It's unknown what kind of deal it will take for the Cavs to move on from Garland. However, if he is traded this offseason, the team may think more about keeping Ty Jerome, who is an unrestricted free agent.
Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser is a player who could be on the move this offseason, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix. The direction of the franchise is at a crossroads, with superstar forward Jayson Tatum (Achilles) not expected to suit up next season. As a result, the Celtics may look to shed some salary in an attempt to get out of the dreaded second apron while maintaining roster flexibility for Tatum's return. The 27-year-old, who agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension in July of 2024, has been a reliable option from off the bench while also getting some work with the starters along the way. He's appeared in 256 regular-season games for the Celtics since entering the league, averaging a respectable 7.4 points and an impressive 42.0% shooting from behind the arc. Hauser is someone to watch this offseason, especially if he gets more minutes on a new team. His departure could also open the door Baylor Scheierman to earn a routine spot in the Celtics' rotation come the 2025-26 campaign.
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (finger) said he's doing well after undergoing season-ending surgery on his left pinkie finger in March. "I'm doing well," said Fox. "I've been cleared, so I played a little five-on-five, and I've done contact stuff, so I'll be ready for next year." The 2017 No. 5 overall pick spent his entire career in Sacramento before he was traded to San Antonio ahead of last season's deadline. He appeared in 17 contests for the Spurs before his year ended abruptly, averaging 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while shooting a career-low 27.4% from behind the arc. With that said, the tendon damage in Fox's pinkie could have been the cause of his struggles, so there's a good chance he'll get back on track. He is also eligible to sign a four-year, $229 million extension come August, which would keep him paired with superstar center Victor Wembanyamafor years to come.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso was excellent in his team's Game 1 loss to the Pacers in the NBA Finals. While playing 28 minutes to lead the Thunder's second unit, he finished with 11 points, six rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and two assists. He would have been hailed as one of the heroes for the Thunder if the game hadn't gotten away from them in the closing minutes. Caruso's multi-faceted role will continue to be critical for the Thunder as they look to bounce back and win on Sunday to tie the series before it shifts to Indiana. Caruso's value on both ends of the floor is huge for OKC, so he should continue to log plenty of minutes off the bench.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace moved into the starting five in place of Isaiah Hartenstein for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, as the team went with a smaller look. Wallace played 33 minutes, compared to just 17 for Hartenstein, and finished with six points, two rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block. He missed all three of his three-point attempts but still had a solid overall game since he got so many minutes. For DFS contests, Wallace will bring good value if he continues to start and play so many minutes, so keep an eye of if he gets the call again in Game 2 or if the team goes back to Hartenstein in the starting lineup.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Luguentz Dort finished with 15 points in Game 1 against the Pacers, finishing as the team's third-highest scorer behind only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. All 15 of his points came on three-pointers, as he went 5-for-9 from long range and also added four steals, four rebounds, two blocks, and an assist. His non-scoring numbers are always solid, but he'll be a key contributor for the Thunder and fantasy managers if he stays so involved in scoring as well. The 26-year-old has double-digit points in seven of his 17 games this postseason while averaging 8.2 points per contest.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 38 points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, but his Thunder couldn't hold on to defeat the Pacers. SGA missed a shot with 11.0 seconds remaining, and Tyrese Haliburton knocked down the game-winner to give the Pacers an upset, 111-110 victory on the road. It was another huge game for Gilgeous-Alexander, who has posted great numbers throughout the playoffs and added five rebounds, three assists, three steals and just two turnovers in his game-high 40 minutes. He and the Thunder will look to bounce back and level the series in Game 2, which is scheduled for Sunday night at the Paycom Center.
Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith had 10 points and a team-high 12 rebounds in 31 minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. He was one of three Pacers with a double-double on the night, joining Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton. Nesmith knocked down three three-pointers and added an assist and a blocked shot while also finishing with five turnovers. Nesmith's supporting role will continue to be extremely important for the Pacers in the Finals, and it looks like he'll continue to get plenty of minutes and opportunities from his spot in the starting five.
Indiana Pacers forward/center Obi Toppin played an extremely important role off the bench for his squad in their Game 1 win over the Thunder in Oklahoma City. He knocked down five three-pointers and finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and two assists in his 25 minutes. He finished with the second-most points on the team and played the most minutes of any player in Indiana's second unit. Toppin hit multiple key three-pointers to keep the Pacers within striking distance, and ultimately, his team stormed back and took the lead on Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning jumper. Toppin is set to be a key piece off the bench for Indiana in the NBA Finals, and he'll look to help his team take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series on Sunday night.
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam scored a team-high 19 points on Thursday night to help the Pacers secure a road win in the first game of the NBA Finals. Siakam added 10 rebounds to finish with a double-double and also chipped in three assists and a blocked shot. Siakam led a balanced scoring attack that featured six players with double-digit points, but no one with 20 points or more. He led the team with 15 field goal attempts as well. After winning MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals, the 31-year-old will continue to play a critical role for the Pacers as they look to claim the championship with three more wins. Siakam
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton emerged as the hero once again for his team in a thrilling Game 1 victory in Oklahoma City. The Pacers trailed most of the game and by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter, but outscored the Thunder by ten points in that final quarter to claim a 111-110 win in the first game of the NBA Finals. Haliburton's game-winner with 0.4 seconds left gave him 14 points on the night to go with 10 rebounds, six assists, two three-pointers, and three turnovers. After seizing home court advantage, he and the Pacers will look to take a commanding 2-0 lead on Sunday, when Game 2 is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns (finger, knee) has received treatment for his bruised left knee and ligament damage in his left finger. It's unknown what kind of treatment KAT has received. It's also not clear if this will impact him heading into training camp. However, Towns was able to play through the ailments during the playoffs, so he'll likely be ready to go when the new season commences in October. The 29-year-old had an excellent campaign, his first in New York, averaging 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 42.0% shooting from downtown. Fantasy managers shouldn't overreact to the news, although some might question things if the team doesn't provide more clarity on Towns' condition during the offseason.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the New York Knicks reportedly made an offer for Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant ahead of the trade deadline. Of course, that didn't happen. Still, with Durant not a lock to remain in Phoenix this offseason, it's possible both sides may revisit things. The 36-year-old is still playing at an All-Star level, finishing the 2024-25 campaign by averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks while shooting an impressive 43.0% from behind the arc. This probably won't be the last time Durant's name is mentioned in the coming months. However, it's unknown how the Knicks would acquire the multi-time All-Star in a trade, although it's safe to assume Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns won't be included.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum will likely spend another campaign with the team. According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the Clippers expect the French veteran to return for next season. Batum, who will celebrate his 37th birthday in December, has a $4.9 million player option for 2025-26. This season, Batum averaged 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 17.5 minutes. While his fantasy value is at an all-time low, the Clippers appear to value Batum's veteran presence highly and want to keep him around for a little longer. In a recent interview with BeIN Sports, Batum mentioned that "there's a very good chance" next season will be his last in the NBA.
Phoenix Suns point guard Tyus Jones may once again be on the move this offseason. Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reports that the Sacramento Kings are keeping tabs on Jones, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Jones reportedly sacrificed money and term last summer to sign with the Suns in hopes of contending for a championship. Unfortunately, reality turned out to be completely different. He's had three teams in three seasons and seems poised to move on again. The 29-year-old appears to be a good fit for the Kings, who lost their point guard De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs midseason. Jones has provided solid value to fantasy managers, averaging 10-plus points for three consecutive seasons. He also recorded 2.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season, while shooting 41.4 percent from downtown on 5.0 attempts.
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