5:39 PM ET ESPN News Services Steve Clifford has agreed to a deal to return as the Charlotte Hornets‘ coach, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The 60-year-old Clifford spent five seasons coaching the Hornets, compiling a 196-214 record with a team that included Kemba Walker. He led the Hornets to two playoff appearances prior to
Jimmy Butler nearly carried the Heat to a victory over the Celtics in Game 7 but his late three-point attempt fell short. He is standing by that shot. There are plenty of what-ifs for the Miami Heat coming out of Sunday’s Game 7 loss at home to the Miami had finally made it a one-possession
Russell Westbrook’s future with the Los Angeles Lakers is looming as free agency approaches. In the coming days, Russell Westbrook will have to decide whether to either opt in or opt out of the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has a player option for the 2022-23 NBA season worth over $47 million.
10:10 PM ET The Detroit Pistons acquired veteran guard Kemba Walker from the New York Knicks as part of a three-team trade involving the Charlotte Hornets that also saw the Pistons acquire the draft rights to Jalen Duren on Thursday night. Walker and the Pistons are expected to discuss a contract buyout that will allow
NFL free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. joined up with Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to partake in Ja’s summer offseason party. Ja Morant’s Instagram timeline portrays a polished NBA lifestyle: there’s photos with the family, a few stylish photos with friends during a night out, and plenty of posts proving Ja is putting
Draymond Green vs. Ja Morant is the new Twitter feud we never knew that we all needed. As Draymond Green gets ready for NBA championship parade No. 4, the Golden State Warriors star went after Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies franchise on Twitter late into Saturday night. Golden State was able to get past
The Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks combined for a ridiculous trade on NBA Draft night, which sent Kemba Walker and Jalen Duren to the Motor City. Did the Pistons just win draft night? Honestly, it’s starting to seem that way. Detroit drafted Jaden Ivey, arguably the most high-profile guard in this draft
Montverde Academy’s Dariq Whitehead (0) reacts after forcing a turnover during the second half of the GEICO Nationals quarterfinal between AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) and Montverde Academy (Fla.), Thursday, March 31, 2022, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.Montverde Academy defeated AZ Compass Prep 72-63.GEICO Nationals 2022: AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) vs. Montverde
2:01 AM ET NBA Insiders With the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, the Orlando Magic selected Duke forward Paolo Banchero. The move came as something of a surprise, given that Banchero never met with the Magic and the consensus around the league was that Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr. would be headed to
As NBA rumors swirl around Kyrie Irving and the Nets, could a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers actually materialize for the star guard? Kyrie Irving and the Nets may be heading for a break up, which means the Nets and at least one other team could be heading for a huge shake up. What
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 05: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) If the Los Angeles Lakers want to
Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Jalen Duren trade details: All of the Knicks-Pistons chaos, explained by Mark Powell Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai’s recent Twitter activity seemingly sends a message to Kyrie Irving. The Brooklyn Nets’ super team may be on the verge of ending, as the team and Kyrie Irving
8:11 PM ET The Orlando Magic selected Duke’s Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft on Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. “I dont even know what to say,” Banchero said on ESPN’s draft broadcast. “I can’t believe what just happened. Honestly.” A 6-foot-10 forward, Banchero helped
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Player comparisons are an inevitable part of the NBA Draft conversation, a handy shorthand for communicating a large amount of information about a player’s physical tools, skills, possible NBA
8:00 AM ET HOUSTON — Christian Wood keeps swishing 3-pointers and smiling, the skilled big man showing off his shooting range and seemingly responding whenever the other team gets within striking distance. It’s June 13, and Game 5 of the NBA Finals tips off in eight hours, but metaphorically, this pickup game takes place as
The latest intriguing Lakers rumors have LeBron James talking to Nets star Kyrie Irving behind the scenes about a reunion in Los Angeles. Could LeBron James and Kyrie Irving really hook back up with the Lakers? That’s the talk around the internet right now as Irving’s contract dispute with the Nets continues. Marc Stein reported
4:35 PM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — At one point early in the NBA playoffs, Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and head coach Steve Kerr had a conversation about how they didn’t feel their team was championship caliber. They saw themselves as a Western Conference finals team, maybe, but compared with the
You can’t blame the Lakers for trying but it’s no surprise the Pacers weren’t interested in the questionable Russell Westbrook trade package they offered. The Los Angeles Lakers have been signaling their willingness to keep Russell Westbrook into next season but that may be, in part, because they have precious few options for moving him.
The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Pistons forward Jerami Grant the day before the 2022 NBA Draft, and didn’t give up much in immediate assets. Grant has flourished in his time with the Pistons, in part due to the saying, “Well, someone has to score.” But Grant is a capable wing, and has been on the
6:13 PM ET The Detroit Pistons are trading forward Jerami Grant to the Portland Trail Blazers for a 2025 first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The 2025 first-round pick via Milwaukee is protected Nos. 1-4, sources said. Detroit sends Grant into a $21 million trade exception, and the Pistons now
The Golden State Warriors held their NBA Championship parade on Monday. Here are three of the funniest moments from the event. The Golden State Warriors are NBA Champions for the fourth time in eight years after they defeated the Boston Celtics in six games. With that, a parade in the Bay Area was set for
Kevin Durant responded to Charles Barkley’s claim that he needs to be “the bus driver” of a championship team to earn respect from “the old heads.” The Golden State Warriors are once again NBA Champions, which means that Kevin Durant will be discussed ad nauseam. Why? Because he left the Warriors in 2019 to join
The NBA playoffs have come and gone, but an important question remains: What are the top 10 power dunks of the 2021-22 playoffs? The NBA’s 75th Anniversary season has drawn to a close with the Golden State Warriors hoisting their fourth Larry O’Brien trophy in the last eight years, the last team standing once again
12:00 PM ET Former National Player of the Year Jimmer Fredette and potential top-10 NBA draft picks Ausar and Amen Thompson headline the 2022 field for The Basketball Tournament. The 64-team TBT bracket, which was released on Wednesday, features a record 71 players with NBA experience as well as 29 college alumni teams. For the
May 25, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) talks with guard Duncan Robinson (55) during the fourth quarter of game five of the 2022 eastern conference finals against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports The Heat came up just short against the Celtics in this
4:57 PM ET Houston Rockets guard John Wall exercised his $47.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Rockets will continue to seek trade scenarios in the coming weeks, but are expected to work with Wall on a contract buyout if a swap can’t be found, sources said. Wall,
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports The Warriors are set to be one of the most expensive teams in NBA history next year. Landing a cheap first-round talent is crucial for Golden State. No one in Golden State is complaining about the team’s high-priced payroll in the wake of winning this year’s NBA title. That doesn’t mean
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports Packers: Marcedes Lewis on track to set major tight end record by Eric Treuden LIV Golf rumors: Collin Morikawa denies he’ll follow Brooks Koepka by Drew Koch NBA Draft rumors have pegged several NBA teams as trying to trade down in the top 10. Now the New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly
6:19 PM ET NBA free agency doesn’t begin until June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, but the news is already rolling in from around the Association. Much of the early buzz is coming out of New York, where Kyrie Irving‘s contract status has pundits and fans speculating about the future of the Brooklyn Nets‘ star
The Charlotte Hornets might make some moves ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft before hiring their next head coach because that is just who they are as a basketball franchise right now. After being left at the altar by Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, the Charlotte Hornets are not only soldiering on in their long-drawn-out coaching