AMA: Basketball Historian and Author of “Who’s Who in Hoops History”, Zachariah Winterspring
Weekly Friday Self-Promotion and Fan Art Thread
[Charania] Just in: The Oklahoma City Thunder are trading sharpshooter Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.
[Amick] All-NBA forward Jalen Duren was underwhelmed by the Detroit Pistons’ initial offer in restricted free agency and is planning to explore sign-and-trade scenarios when they are permitted on Tuesday, league sources told The Athletic.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sold 4 championship rings, MVP award and other items for $2.8 million. All going to youth education programs. “When it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy, or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is simple. Sell it all”
As a lifelong Minnesota sports fan, I already know what’s going to happen.
Charania: The Boston Celtics are, in some cases, asking for at least four 1st round picks (Giannis went for 3).
[Stein/Fischer] The Nets have legitimate interest in trying to sign Mitchell Robinson away from the Knicks, according to league sources. The Lakers are also regarded as a likely suitor for the New York big man once free agency officially begins.
Victor Wembanyama received MVP chants at a club in Paris
[Highlight] Lamelo Ball hits the game-winning shot in his final home game as a Charlotte Hornet
Windhorst: Ja Morant is ‘Flagrantly Available. Like, couldn’t be more available.’
Prime DeAndre Jordan’s defense on unanimous MVP Steph Curry (2016)
Dan Gilbert on his letter to LeBron and his Comic Sans font: “I admitted that the letter was a stupid thing. And for me personally, at that time, if you Googled my name—I mean, I think I’ve done some other stuff in my career—and that would be the only thing that comes up. That was embarrassin
[Katz] Despite Dolan’s desires, [the Knicks’ front office] wants to go over the second apron, according to league sources, who were granted anonymity to speak freely. But so far, Dolan has not changed his mind.
[Krawcynzski] The Timberwolves had talks with the Boston Celtics about Jaylen Brown, but the Celtics were looking for a package including Gobert, Reid and similar pick compensation that went to Charlotte for Ball.
[Fischer] There’s also a potential backstop emerging for Boston’s Jaylen Brown trade discussions. Detroit is very much weighing the prospect of signing-and-trading restricted free agent Jalen Duren for Brown, sources say, if that option remains available once free agency opens on Tuesday evening.
Kids who were born when LeBron won his first MVP are now 17 years old. When will we start seeing prospects named after LeBron (other than his son)?
[Stein & Fischer] “One more fascinating scenario that we’ve been advised not to rule out completely: A possible sign-and-trade run at Boston’s perennial All-Star Brown. This would certainly require Detroit to be willing to part with restricted free agent big man Jalen Duren in a sign-and-trade”
[Lacett] I’m hearing that the Charlotte Hornets are one of teams actively pursuing Celtics F Jaylen Brown.
[Highlight] Jayden Quaintance said the Spurs cut him off from wearing 21: “As soon as I got drafted they were like “Here’s a couple number options that you’ll have.’ They killed that dream pretty fast”
[Krawczynski] LaMelo Ball reportedly scared the Timberwolves away during the draft process when he said he wanted to be the President of the United States.
Timberwolves Franchise Players on New Teams: 1) KG > Celtics, Champion. 2) Kevin Love > Cavs, Champion. 3) Andrew Wiggins > Warriors, Champion. 4) KAT > Knicks, Champion. 5) Naz “Naz Reid” Reid > Hornets, Champion?
Trading Aaron Wiggins and Isiah Joe (both ~\(10M/year contracts) just saved OKC nearly \)200M on their tax bill for this season.
[Iko] Coby White initially turned down the Hornets’ offer in pursuit of a starting role, but following the Ball trade, he gained definitive clarity on his future by signing a three-year, fully guaranteed contract with no options.
[Charania] BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033), sources tell ESPN.
Clippers Draft Pick Narcisse Ngoy Decides to Return to Auburn Instead of Playing for LAC
[Keith Smith] One note on potential Jalen Duren sign-and-trade scenarios: If Duren is anywhere near his max amount on a new deal, Base Year Compensation will kick in as part of a S&T. Keeping it simple: Makes it far easier for a cap space team to acquire Duren vs an over-the-cap team.
LeBron James Greets Pat Riley Following the Unveiling of His Statue
A Reddit post from 9 years ago was asking the sub if they’re rather take then-current day Boris Diaw or hypotentical 45 year old LeBron. The comments are…. well, just read them.
[Charania] Restricted free agent Mark Williams intends to sign a three-year, $38 million contract to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The deal is fully guaranteed for Williams, who averaged 11 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block in 23.6 minutes per game as the Suns starting center.
Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson’s live reaction to Jalen Brunson game 1
Blazers’ owner Tom Dundon expects taxpayers to foot entire bill for potential $600,000,000 Moda Center renovation, saying “simply keeping the NBA franchise in Portland was enough of a financial sacrifice.”
[Haynes] Detroit Pistons are conveying that Jalen Duren will not be moved and are solely focused on coming to terms on an agreement to keep their All-Star center, league sources tell me.
[Robbins] Dybantsa will wear No. 4 on his Wizards jersey. His preference would have been to wear No. 3, which he wore at St. Sebastian’s, Prolific Prep, Utah Prep and BYU, but Wizards teammate Trae Young already claimed that number.
[NBC4] Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels’ ride stolen at LA home
[Iko] Rival front offices believed that Charlotte’s new leadership, led by president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson, was opting for a pivot… Whispers of the Hornets being weary of the combination of Ball’s financials and his availability over the course of his time grew in volume.
[Stein] Sources close to the situation say that there are only two other teams that Kawhi Leonard would consider signing an extension with: Toronto and San Antonio. Sources insist that the Raptors have genuine interest in bringing Leonard back to Canada.
[Windhorst] The Boston Celtics have decided that Jaylen Brown probably needs to be traded for them to be competitive.
Now that the final piece of Paul George Clippers trade draft capital has been utilized, here’s everything the deal has become.
[Highlight] Mike Breen and Walt Frazier rips Carmelo Anthony (lack of effort). Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks 3/1/17
[Charania] Golden State’s Al Horford is declining his player option and intends to sign a new two-year, $14 million deal to stay with the Warriors, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater . Horford, 40, becomes only the 13th player in NBA history to reach 20 seasons.
[Krawczynski] After this trade was agreed upon, there was elation running through the Wolves headquarters, team sources told The Athletic… long believed Ball is the perfect complement to Edwards… Ball will be much more helpful for Rudy Gobert on offense than any teammate he has had in Minnesota
27 years ago the Spurs won their first title in their franchise history.
[Charania] Free agent guard Coby White intends to sign a three-year, $74 million deal to return to the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. White was a major priority for the Hornets and now steps into a new starting role in the backcourt.
Are there any players who are known to smoke weed before playing a game?
BYU shooting guard Richie Saunders, who was drafted 32nd overall by Memphis last night, is the great-grandson of the inventor of the tater tot.
OKC’s New Rookie “Aday Mara” is now tied at 2nd place for Tallest Nba Player (2026 - 2027 Season)
The kid version of the Globetrotters showing their dribbling and passing skills off at the 1961 All Star halftime.
Butler on new rookie Yaxel Lendeborg: “I know that guy be speaking his mind. I like that.” “He plays tough. He is tough. I bet he plays dominos, too. I’m gonna have to crack his head in that.”
What true superstar level player is / was the hardest to build a championship team around?