What happened in two snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
Basketball Wiretap
What happened in one snapshot in the NBA Playoffs on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
The Minnesota Timberwolves wore their white throwbacks for both Game 6 and Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets and received a waiver from the NBA to do so.
The NBA typically wants teams to avoid wearing throwback jerseys during the playoffs.
The Wolves wore their current white uniforms during Games 1 through 5.
The NBA has announced its 23-24 All-Rookie Teams headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren as unanimous selections. Brandon Miller received 97 out of 99 votes.
First Team
• Victor Wembanyama
• Chet Holmgren
• Brandon Miller
• Jaime Jaques Jr.
• Brandin Podziemski
Second Team
• Keyonte George
• GG Jackson II
• Dereck Lively II
• Amen Thompson
• Cason Wallace
The future of Julius Randle with the New York Knicks is uncertain as he could become a free agent in 2025 if he declines his player option and is eligible for an extension this offseason. If the Knicks trade for a big star this offseason, Randle could be included as an outgoing player.
"He's got a player option in 2025," said Shams Charania. "He's eligible for a four-year, $181.5 million contract extension this summer. Teams are monitoring this situation for sure, because how they handle that extension situation, if that is a conversation, what transpires. I think that will be interesting. If you think about movable assets, salaries, obviously Julius Randle has got a number if you make a big, big trade."
The Knicks lost Randle in January to a season-ending shoulder injury, but were still one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers are considering hiring J.J. Redick as head coach, but LeBron James is reportedly not driving that candidacy.
"I'm told LeBron James is not involved in the Lakers' head coaching search," said Shams Charania. "I reported on it last week: J.J. Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell are the lead initial targets.
"LeBron James James has made it clear that this is the organization's decision. He's had no conversions with the Lakers about JJ Redick, his podcast partner. He has had no conversations with J.J. about this position as well.
"I did speak to Rich Paul this morning. He said 'LeBron James and J.J. Redick do a podcast together. That does not mean that he wants J.J. Redick as his head coach.'
"But he is leaving it up to the organization. We'll see what LeBron James decides for his future. I'm told he's expected to play up to two more NBA season.
"The bottom line with LeBron James is this: if he was making the decisions for the Lakers, Ty Lue would have been the head coach in 2019. Kyrie Irving would be his point guard if he was running the team."
Charania went on to express the thinking that this coaching hire has as much to do with Anthony Davis as it does with James.
James could become a free agent this offseason, but he is widely expected to remain with the Lakers.
The New York Knicks are entering the 2024 offseason as the opportune time to trade for a big star, sources tell Fred Katz of The Athletic.
The Knicks have been patient in their efforts in trading for a star, such as the 2022 offseason when they couldn't agree on a deal with the Utah Jazz for Donovan Mitchell.
New York's roster will be more expensive a year from now as Julius Randle can become a free agent in 2025 and will probably receive a raise, as will Jalen Brunson. Brunson can sign an extension now, or wait until 2025 free agency to sign for a max.
The Knicks own all of their future first round picks, as well as the Dallas Mavericks' first round pick this June, and several protected picks from other teams.
The Denver Nuggets were a popular pick to repeat as champion, but they were ultimately eliminated in the second round by a Minnesota Timberwolves team with the requisite size and defense to slow down three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
While Anthony Edwards Karl-Anthony Towns, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid were in place before the arrival of Tim Connelly, the former Nuggets' executive traded for both Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley with the roster being particularly well suited to play against Denver.
"I mean, I think they're built to beat us," Jokic said. "Just look at their roster. They have basically two All-Stars, two probably first-team defensive players. Mike Conley is the most underrated player in the NBA, probably.
"From the bench, they have a Sixth Man of the Year. ... [They are] one team that they can do literally everything. They can be big, small."
Minnesota authors the largest-ever comeback in a Game 7 to oust the defending champs on the road. How did the Wolves pick themselves up off the mat in the series and in this game? What do we make of the Nuggets’ loss?
The Knicks’ dream season finally ran out of gas against the Pacers, who had perhaps the best offensive performance ever in a Game 7.
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Tom Thibodeau has been a lot place in his NBA coaching career. He knows when he wants to stay somewhere. Now, Thibodeau hopes to stay with the New York Knicks for a while longer.
“That’s something that my agent will take care of,” Thibodeau said about extending his contract. “The Knicks have been great to me. So, this is where I want to be.”
Thibodeau has one year remaining on the five-year deal he signed with New York ahead of the 2020-21 season. Sources expect that the Knicks will do what they can to extend Thibodeau this summer, likely on a deal in the range of $10 million per season.
Despite criticism that he plays his players too many minutes, several Knicks defended Thibodeau. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and others all expressed hope that New York would take care of their coach with a contract extension.