It’s rare to see a win-win trade at the NBA Deadline, but credit the Raptors and Trail Blazers for achieving just that with the Norman Powell deal. The Raptors approached the NBA Trade Deadline with quite a few decisions to make. One of their biggest calls was to decide whether or not Norman Powell was
In this week’s NBA Power Rankings, Poku is having a season, Russell Westbrook is kind and the Hornets are just fine without LaMelo Ball. Our new look NBA Power Rankings are back, a non-traditional structure for a non-traditional era of professional basketball. The world is no longer just about wins and losses and teams are
11:42 AM ET Free-agent center DeMarcus Cousins and the LA Clippers are discussing a 10-day contract, but no decision is expected until next week, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Cousins was released by the Houston Rockets last month, with sources telling ESPN’s Tim MacMahon the decision to part ways was mutual. Cousins, 30, a four-time
Though it may seem like forever ago, it has only been nine years since the Oklahoma City Thunder were playing in the NBA Finals. The young quartet of Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka was unable to stop the Miami HEAT’s “Big Three,” as the team captured their first of two consecutive
Jan 18, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) looks on against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Jayce Tingler gives fantastic update on Fernando Tatis Jr. by Braulio Perez 5 players 49ers should draft in the first round by Nicholas McGee
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Danny Green #14 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to pass as he is guarded by Dennis Schroder #17 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Staples Center on March 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO
6:46 PM ET LOS ANGELES — Andre Drummond will make his Lakers debut Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks and start at center in place of Marc Gasol, Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “I think the level of excitement for me is at an all-time high,” Drummond told reporters Tuesday over a videoconference call following his
In our second 2021 NBA Mock Draft, the Chicago Bulls jump the lottery to land the No. 1 pick and land the star of their dreams. We finally have a date for the 2021 NBA Draft — July 29 — but that’s is still a long way off. Meanwhile, we’ve had a chance to get
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images Did MLB expand the playoff format for the 2021 postseason? by Mark Powell Brian Windhorst made himself the main character on NBA Twitter today, with a tongue-in-cheek comment about LeBron and Steph Curry that’s been taken wildly out of context. You may notice ESPN’s Brian Windhorst trending today as a
The Denver Nuggets came out of nowhere to jump the Celtics and pull-off a surprise deal to land Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic. Pieces are being moved around the NBA ahead of today’s 3 p.m. EST trade deadline. Nikola Vucevic has just been sent to the Chicago Bulls and it looks like Orlando has
The Orlando Magic have been busy ahead of today’s NBA trade deadline and Terrence Ross tweeted the perfect gif to describe his mood. Before today’s 3 p.m. EST NBA trade deadline, the Orlando Magic have been unloading most of their young talent as they seemingly enter full-fledged tank mode. On Thursday, Orlando traded Aaron Gordon
5:50 PM ET ESPN News Services The Utah Jazz‘s team charter plane had to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff on Tuesday after striking a flock of birds that resulted in an engine issue. The Jazz were en route to Memphis, where they are scheduled to play the Grizzlies on Wednesday evening. No injuries
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 17: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 17, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and
Though it may seem like forever ago, it has only been nine years since the Oklahoma City Thunder were playing in the NBA Finals. The young quartet of Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka was unable to stop the Miami HEAT’s “Big Three,” as the team captured their first of two consecutive
Mar 21, 2021; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard John Wall (1) looks to drive around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Houston. Mandatory Credit: Michael Wyke/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports) Tyreek Hill reveals he denied Chiefs request to restructure contract
The Oklahoma City Thunder are shutting down center Al Horford for the remainder of the season. The NBA trade deadline passed this Thursday, but none of the big-name centers was moved to a new team. Instead, Andre Drummond and LaMarcus Aldridge were bought out of their contracts by the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs,
7:00 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN The NBA’s trade deadline is officially in the rearview mirror and most of the top players to hit the post-deadline buyout market have already landed with their new teams. That means the league’s collective attention shifts from player movement to movement in the standings, and how the key races will
The elements of art provide a common language for exploring the aesthetics of visual art. The aesthetics of basketball deserve a similar set of tools. Put a Jasper Johns painting next to a Roy Lichtenstein and try to find the connections. You can start with bright colors, but things diverge quickly after that. The subject
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports NBA trade grades: Raptors land clever replacement for Norman Powell by Rucker Haringey Raptors take the first step, trading Norman Powell to the Trail Blazers by Steven Kubitza The 76ers have landed veteran point guard George Hill in a three-team trade with the Thunder and Knicks ahead of today’s 3
James Wiseman could be an upgrade over Mitchell Robinson (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) Oklahoma basketball: Will Porter Moser replace retiring Lon Kruger? by John Buhler After recently returning from a broken hand, New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is now sidelined with a fractured foot. The New York Knicks were reportedly in the running
7:42 PM ET As the defending NBA champions have watched a superteam on the East Coast load up and stack former All-Stars to its roster, Los Angeles Lakers CEO and governor Jeanie Buss views what the Brooklyn Nets have done in a simple way: “Bring it on.” “It brings out the best in us,” Buss
It feels like ages ago but, for a short while, Austin Rivers was the most hyped prospect in the draft class of 2012. Sure, that came before a slightly underwhelming freshmen season at Duke. But he was the one. Despite failing to live up to the hype, Rivers still had a successful collegiate season. The
Pelicans star forward Zion Williams is on a run of dominance comparable only to Shaquille O’Neal’s best from 20 years ago. Zion Williamson is an absolute beast. An efficient one at that. The New Orleans Pelicans forward is now earning comparisons to Shaquille O’Neal after an impressive 20-game stretch. The sophomore star reached that benchmark
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. With Anthony Davis and LeBron James both out with injury, last night was Brandon Ingram’s time to shine. He led the Pelicans to a 128-111 win over the Lakers,
7:00 AM ET Which teams will make the 2021 NBA playoffs and the play-in round? Now that the trade deadline has passed, most rosters are set heading into this final stretch of the season. How will the additions of Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets), Victor Oladipo (Miami Heat) and Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls) change the playoff
Trading for Nikola Vucevic will help the Bulls make the playoffs this season, but they paid far too much for a veteran center who can’t protect the rim. The Bulls approached this year’s NBA Trade Deadline with a clear mandate to strengthen this year’s roster to make a playoff push. Unfortunately for fans in Chicago,
The sports world makes for a beautiful palette but individual images can get lost in the constant shuffle. Here are the best Getty Images sports photos from this week. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images Iowa Hawkeyes stand for the national anthem in the first-round game of the 2021 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament against the Central Michigan Chippewas at
On March 22, 2021, the worst fast break attempt in the history of the NBA occurred, thanks to Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Theo Maledon. He followed it up by turning the ball over. Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Theo Maledon will be roasted alive on his team’s next film session after completing the worst fast break attempt in the history
Mar 24, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas reacts during a timeout in the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Green Bay Packers were the biggest winner from 49ers trade by Josh Hill This season continues to be one to forget for
The NBA trade deadline is in the books. How big of an impact did it have on our latest Power Rankings update? What does it all mean ahead of Week 15? Here’s where our panel sees all 30 teams right now. Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez,