Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images It was a painful summer for Oklahoma Thunder. They parted ways with resident superstar Russell Westbrook in the wake of two blockbuster trades that featured Paul George going back to his California roots with the Los Angeles Clippers. Thunder general manager Sam Presti found himself on a one-way street; he had no choice but to gut the team, quickly setting in motion a wildly unexpected rebuild. He stockpiled young assets and draft picks

Yahoo! Sports One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That’s the case for the Washington Wizards’ rising big man Thomas Bryant. When Bryant entered the league in 2017, he was an intriguing prospect but still raw for the NBA game. The Lakers, who are always busy stargazing, never had the patience to polish rough diamonds. For a second round pick like Bryant to carve a niche in the star-driven league, it has to be a confluence of hard work and luck. Fortunately for him, the

NBA.com Bradley Beal shocked the NBA when he signed a two-year extension worth $72 million essentially locking him up in Washington for at least the next three seasons (the second year of the extension being a player option). At a time when almost every superstar is forcing their way out to join other stars in to become a contender, Beal stayed true to his word and chose loyalty and perhaps money over winning, curiously, during his prime years. So what does this signing reall

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports Attached to the promise of a new dawn for the maligned Washington Wizards comes the very real risk of the unknown. Wizards ownership fired long-time general manager Ernie Grunfeld last April in an attempt to finally end its decades-long mediocrity. “Monumental basketball” Wizards owner Ted Leonsis affectionately called this new Wizards era of “monumental basketball” his “new baby.” Founded on a collaborative and executive leadership, Leonsis and Co

Dairyland Express Buried underneath the avalanche of celestial movement in the NBA galaxy this wild free agency frenzy were a lot of low-key signings; underrated players signed on great value deals, who could make a real impact by potentially boosting playoff hopes and bolstering championship aspirations. Here are five of the best low-key signings that (if they work out as well as one might hope) could spell the difference in a wide open title race next season. Jordan Bell (M

Lakers Nation What’s the deal? Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Jared Dudley has agreed to a one-year, $2.6 million deal. What does Jared Dudley bring to the Lakers? Dudley was a key contributor both on and off the court in the Brooklyn Nets’ playoff surge last season that paved the way to attract superstar free agents Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. With the Nets reluctant to bring Dudley back, he reportedly pitched himself to the Lakers but secured LeBron James’ blessings fi

Getty Images What’s the deal? Adrian Wojnarowski reported that veteran Khris Middleton has decided to return to Milwaukee with a five-year, $178-million deal. Middleton, who was eligible to get $190 million max money, took less to help the Bucks bring back some of their core. What does Khris Middleton bring back to the Bucks? Middleton is coming off his first All-Star selection after emerging as the Bucks’ second best option next to the league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He i

AP Photo/Aaron Gash Max Space: $34,701,788 Projected Cap Space: $19,549,620 1. Khris Middleton For obvious reasons, Khris Middleton is the Milwaukee Bucks’ top priority this summer. The All-Star wingman has been their Robin to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Batman. It’s a no-brainer for the Bucks to give the 27-year old Middleton, who is about to enter his prime years, the max deal ($190M/5years) since they’re allowed to go over the cap to re-sign him as they own his Bird rights. Le

Courtesy of NBAE/Getty Images Derrick Rose was one of the feel-good stories of the past NBA season. After battling injuries and depression for an extended spell, he rediscovered his old self in Minnesota in the company of some of his former Chicago Bulls teammates, under his old (and, at the time, new) coach Tom Thibodeau. Rose’s throwback season reminded everyone why he became the league’s youngest-ever MVP in 2011. This year, he played in a 51 games; his most in the last fo

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports Lost in the din of Andre Igoudala’s late-game heroics that saved the Golden State Warriors from going down 0-2 in the Finals was DeMarcus Cousins’ big game in his second game back from a quad injury. Cousins was Steve Kerr’s trump card in Game 2 as the former All-Star big man put his stamp on this series in his first career start in the Finals. After warming up for an 8-minute, off-the-bench stint in Game 1, Cousins got the starting nod and rewar

NBAE/Getty Images Kyrie Irving’s path to greatness was already laid out in Cleveland when LeBron James returned. After a successful internship with Pat Riley in Miami where he collected his first two NBA rings, James fulfilled his legacy in Cleveland making true to his promise of winning a championship for his home state. Under James’ leadership, Irving grew into an All-NBA guard. In the grand scheme of things, the endgame of James’ second act in Cleveland was supposed to pla

AP/Morry Gash After being “punched in the mouth” in Game 1, the Milwaukee Bucks responded with their own haymaker, and punched the Boston Celtics to the gut in a 123-102 win in Game 2. The series is tied at one game apierce. Bud’s Bluff While all eyes are on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyrie Irving in this series, the coaching battle has quickly become the next best matchup to watch. In Game 1, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens threw the gauntlet on Antetokounmpo, shackling the l

Steve Dykes / Getty Images Russell Westbrook may have successfully evaded The Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel’s questions with his infamous “next question” response. But after another disappointing first round exit, the polarizing guard and the Thunder are now confronted with a question that must have an immediate answer this summer: What’s next? Back in February, the Thunder were sitting at third in the West before the All Star Break. They were 37-20, just a couple of games

Despite everything, Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers are moving on. Dame’s endured All-Star snubs, back-to-back first round series sweeps, ‘Jenny tweet’ memes, Westbrook’s ‘too small to defend me’ & his rock-the-baby taunts, and more, Still, Lillard is advancing to the next round following a pulsating 118-115 victory over Oklahoma Thunder Tuesday night. Portland’s 28-year old Portland superstar humiliated one of the game’s biggest personalities to earn what is a

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Just a few days removed from Tiger Woods’ epic comeback at The Masters, the Los Angeles Clippers gave us another bone-chilling magical sports moment. They mounted an impossible 31-point comeback on the road against the heavily favored Golden State Warriors. LA tied the series at one game a piece. Most fans may have already turned off their TV and went to bed when the Warriors erected a 94-63 lead with 7:24 left in the third quarter. It looked like the g

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images Season Recap The reboot in Milwaukee came faster than what many expected. Mike Budenholzer succeeded where Jason Kidd failed. With basically the same core, Budenholzer was able to unlock the team’s potential by providing space for Giannis Antetokounmpo to wreak havoc. The initial results – first 60-win season since 1981, the best regular season record and home court advantage all throughout the playoffs – have emboldened their title aspirations. As t

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images The Sacramento Kings have been a revelation this season. They came close to making it to the playoffs in the vaunted Western Conference despite having a relatively young core. As a consolation, they would finish with their best record since their 38-win total in the 2007-08 season. Let’s take a look at the players who fast-tracked the Kings’ rebuilding process in our annual Off The Glass NBA awards. Sixth Man of the Year: Bogdan Bogdanovic Bogdanovic e

USA Today Sports New York Knicks’ forward Mario Hezonja added another highlight to his growing legend in Madison Square Garden with his game-winning block against LeBron James on Sunday. The Knicks basked in a brief moment in the sun. While it may not be enough to erase the stigma of James Dolan’s headline-grabbing encounter with an unhappy Knicks fan earlier this month, it was refreshing news nonetheless, one the franchise hopes will spill over to another make-or-break summ