7:21 PM ET Associated Press AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Dwane Casey had nothing but positive things to say about the fact that his former team just won the NBA title. Casey coached the Toronto Raptors for seven seasons but was fired last offseason — even though he’d just guided the Raptors to a team-record 59
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 17: Shamorie Ponds of St John’s works out during the 2019 NBA Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. 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
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 12: Draymond Green, Head coach Steve Kerr and President of Basketball Operations, Bob Myers of the Golden State Warriors speak during media availability as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 12, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading
TORONTO, ON- JUNE 17 – Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) as the Toronto Raptors hold their victory parade after beating the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals in Toronto. June 17, 2019. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) South Korea scored via back-heel nutmeg assist (Video) by Kevin Parvizi Beloved Toronto Raptors fan
1:47 AM ET Associated Press TOKYO — Japanese basketball officials, fans and media hailed the selection of Rui Hachimura in the 2019 NBA draft, saying the move will usher in a new era for the sport in Japan. Hachimura became the first player from Japan to be chosen in the first round of the NBA
With the 2019 NBA Draft completes, let’s take a look back at the 2016 NBA Draft and see what each first-round pick was expected to be and where they are now. In 2016, the draft was headlined by two polarizing prospects, Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. One was a once-in-a-generation talent that had been projected
The 2019 NBA Draft started off with more trade activity than expected as most experts even predicted a record-breaking night as far as trades were concerned. With many big-name stars on the move pre-draft, rumors galore and the pending free agency period, all 30 teams were looking to maneuver in a way that best suited
5:29 PM ET ESPN News Services Former Duke teammates Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett are slated to make their NBA summer league debuts against each other. The NBA said Friday that Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans will face off against Barrett and the New York Knicks on July 5, the first day of the
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – FEBRUARY 16: De’Andre Hunter #12 of the Virginia Cavaliers shoots over D.J. Harvey #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 16, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) 2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group F
10:40 AM ET Naismith Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino has turned down an offer to return as president and coach of Panathinaikos, the franchise he led to a Greek League championship this season, Pitino told ESPN on Friday. Pitino wants to return to a full-time pursuit of a job in the NBA — coaching,
With the 30th overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers have selected USC freshman guard Kevin Porter Jr. They acquired the selection from the Detroit Pistons via the Milwaukee Bucks in the Tony Snell trade earlier this week. Porter is a player in this draft that could have easily been taken in the
9:08 PM ET ESPN.com Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email print Which NBA players and picks are on the move? The 2019 draft is here and free agency (June 30) is quickly approaching, and plenty of teams could make deals. Trade season got started in full on June 6, when the Brooklyn Nets traded Allen
The New Orleans Pelicans kept dealing in the hours leading up to the draft, sending the No. 4 pick acquired from the Lakers to offload Solomon Hill’s deal. Vice president of basketball operations David Griffin continues to put his stamp on the New Orleans Pelicans, on Thursday swapping the No. 4 pick acquired from the
Coby White’s father lives on through him in everything he does. Losing a parent at any age is devastating, but NBA Draft prospect Coby White is keeping his father’s memory alive whether it’s on the court or how he lives his life. “He showed me how to be a man and that I have to
PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 08: TJ Warren #12 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the NBA game against the Boston Celtics at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 8, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Celtics defeated the Suns 116-109 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and
6:34 PM ET The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired the sixth pick in Thursday’s NBA draft for the 11th selection and Dario Saric, league sources told ESPN. Minnesota president Gersson Rosas had been trying to move up to No. 4 or 5 before finally getting No. 6, sources said. ESPN projects Texas Tech shooting guard Jarrett
Will Jimmy Butler’s headstrong reputation limit his free-agent market this summer? In mid-May, Philadelphia 76ers swingman Jimmy Butler expressed confidence in his ability to land a massive payday this summer. “Technically, I think, knock on wood, I’ll get a max contract anywhere I choose to go,” the four-time All-Star told reporters following the Sixers’ second-round
For the last seven weeks, four of Basketball Insiders’ top writers have been breaking down the latest news and notes surrounding the 2019 NBA Draft. Each week they provided an updated mock draft that reflected how each writer saw the draft landscape based on the latest news, workouts, and information from the pre-draft process as
10:34 AM ET Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has been released from the hospital as he continues to recover from a stroke suffered last month. Quicken Loans CEO Jay Farner said in a statement Thursday that Gilbert was discharged Wednesday and would continue his recovery at an in-patient rehabilitation center. “Dan is looking forward to
Player movement dominates the NBA more each summer as contracts get shorter and players control their destiny, setting up 2019 NBA free agency to be crazier than any in recent memory. Limiting this list to 20 almost feels like a disservice to the playoff rotation-caliber talent cut off of our power rankings here, but we
The writing appears to be on the wall that Kyrie Irving is leaving the Celtics this summer, probably for the Nets. How’s that going to work? All signs seem to be pointing to Kyrie Irving putting on a Brooklyn Nets uniform next season. The mercurial point guard is always one of the NBA’s best quotes
6:58 AM ET The NBA comparison game is tricky in any draft. No two players are identical, and it’s easy to talk yourself into or out of a prospect just because he reminds you of someone else. But for a player as unique as Duke’s Zion Williamson, comps are even more challenging. Williamson is this
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 16: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the
Popeyes is doing something gigantic to celebrate the New Orleans Pelicans likely drafting Zion William No. 1 in the 2019 NBA Draft. Whether or not this is a ploy to sign Zion Williamson to an endorsement deal remains to be seen, but Popeyes is selling a 6-foot-10-inch box of chicken to honor the presumptive No.
4:45 PM ET In trading for Mike Conley, the Utah Jazz announced themselves as a legitimate contender to make the Finals next season and swiped the first domino in what is set up to be an interesting and unpredictable point guard market. To review: Utah traded Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, Grayson Allen, the No. 23
After declining his $30.1 million player option, Al Horford appears ready to leave the Boston Celtics this summer. Where will he land? The Boston Celtics’ offseason went from bad to worse Tuesday. In the morning, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Al Horford will decline his $30.1 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent. He
When it was announced Diana Taurasi would miss (at least) 10-12 weeks of the 2019 season with a back injury, the Phoenix Mercury scrambled to plug the (temporarily) glaring hole. Keeping in mind there was no exact replacement for the franchise’s all-time leader in points and assists, the Mercury drafted guards Sophia Cunningham and Arica
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates a basket against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) So, what
8:52 AM ET Doug Kezirian Zion Williamson’s star is too bright for setting odds on his position in Thursday’s NBA draft. “It’s an ‘out price.’ There is no price. It’s like offering in-running (moneyline) in a soccer match in the 80th minute when the score is 6-0,” Caesars Sportsbook head of risk Jeff Davis told
Masai Ujiri has accomplished quite a bit in his short time with the Toronto Raptors. Named Executive of the Year with the Denver Nuggets in 2013, Ujiri was shortly thereafter named General Manager of a Raptors team that looked destined for rock bottom. But, undeterred, Ujiri cobbled together a roster that ended a then five-year,