What does Kyrie Irving’s future hold in the NBA? (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images That is of course if a title is a priority for Irving. It was reported before Irving was traded from Brooklyn that he was after a deal “in the neighborhood of” four years, $198.5 million ($A295m).
If there is one team that would be willing to take on the Kyrie Irving experience, it is the Lakers.
If not though, this post-season could also give the team’s front office a glimpse into just what they have to work with in the roster’s current shape.
For all the (largely warranted) criticism of L.A.’s supporting cast, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell flipped the script in a dominant display against Memphis on Monday.
If that trio can continue to produce consistently in the playoffs and Anthony Davis can stay healthy, this Lakers team could continue on without having to make any big splash over the summer.
D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves celebrate. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images There could be plenty of movement either way, with James, Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt and Max Christie the only Lakers players under contract for the 2023-24 season.
Reaves, for instance, will be a restricted free agent and according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, it would be “tough” for the Lakers to match potential offers between $60 ($A89m) and $70 million ($104m) for the shooting guard.
Reaves is just one of many free agents L.A. will have to make a call on this offseason and performances in the playoffs could help determine who the team prioritises.
DENVER NUGGETS
A reigning MVP, healthy core and wide-open West… there are no excuses
The Nuggets played the waiting game. Now, this is their time to make it count.
Back-to-back MVP seasons from Nikola Jokic helped keep Denver afloat and in the championship race, even when Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. weren’t healthy.
But heading into the 2022-23 season, the Nuggets had two clear goals. The first was to get Murray and Porter Jr. back on the court and reintegrate them into the offence.
The second goal, adding complementary pieces around them, would help achieve the first.
So, Denver went about adding Kentavious Caldwell Pope and Bruce Brown, both of which have consistently made winning plays on both ends of the floor.
There is a lot of pressure on the Nuggets. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP Then you add in Aaron Gordon, who was playing at an All-Star level this season, and guaranteed effort and hustle from plucky rookie Christian Braun.
This Nuggets team is capable of making a serious tilt at the title and this time around there are no excuses, no injured Porter Jr. or Murray to point to. In fact, the West is wide-open and theirs for the taking.
Of course, that will involve potentially getting the Suns or Clippers in the second round. But you’ve got to beat the best to be the best. And if this version of the Nuggets can’t get it done, what does it mean for the big three of Jokic, Murray and Porter Jr.?
There is plenty for both Murray and Porter Jr. to prove this post-season, with the former suiting up for playoff basketball for the first time since lighting it up in the bubble.
“Even though he does have his ‘guys’ back, there are still question marks over those guys,”
Tas Melas said on The Athletic’s ‘No Dunks’ podcast.
“Murray may not perform in the fourth quarters, Porter could be played off the floor at times and the narrative is, ‘He’s got his guys back so he should be performing’, so there’s that idea he’s got to be awesome all the time and on the court he’ll have to be awesome if those guys don’t perform. He’s battling narratives and on-court issues.”
Will Jamal Murray light up the playoffs in his return? Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP Speaking of Jokic, he may not end up winning MVP for a third-straight year but having dominated the regular season again, he too is under pressure to seize the moment.
“Just the fact that Murray is back and that Michael Porter Jr. is back and the team is whole, there’s pressure on Jokic to actually win now,” Trey Kerby said on the ‘No Dunks’ podcast.
“You can excuse the losses the past couple of seasons when they’re rolling on Facundo Campazzo and Austin Rivers in the backcourt. Now you’ve got a real team that played really well this season.”
Can the Nuggets extend that to the post-season? A 109-80 win over Minnesota was the perfect start.
Clippers and Nuggets take game 1 wins | 01:25
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Can Harden finally deliver in the playoffs… and if not, what happens next?
Few teams are under more pressure than the Sixers to go on a deep playoffs run.
It’s not that Philadelphia is expected to take care of Boston or Milwaukee. On the contrary, the Sixers would be underdogs in both those series.
But with James Harden’s future at the franchise up in the air and question marks over coach Doc Rivers’ playoffs adjustments and decision-making, there could be serious changes on the cards.
“There’s changes that could come after this offseason because you have a decision you have to make with James Harden, Joel Embiid’s new big $200 million ($A297m) contract starts to take over and do they have enough around them?” Tim Legler said on ESPN’s Get Up.
“If you pay attention to what everyone’s saying in Philly, you know Doc Rivers is someone all the fans there are talking about and chattering about. Can he get them to the promised land?”
James Harden needs to lift. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP But going back to Harden, ESPN first reported back in December that the All-Star guard is “seriously considering” a return to Houston in free agency if he doesn’t sign a new deal with Philadelphia.
The Sixers at least have a rising star in Tyrese Maxey, who put up 33 points against the Nets on Tuesday, as a reason for optimism should Harden jump ship.
But it’d be hardly ideal for an MVP-calibre season from Joel Embiid to be wasted and speaking of Harden, there is pressure on him personally to shake off his playoff demons.
“We know Joel Embiid is the cornerstone of the Sixers franchise but he needs help and he needs the help of James Harden,” Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take.
“We know that when James Harden is electrifying, any team he’s on is significantly better than he’s not. You talk about Milwaukee and Boston, Philadelphia has no shot without Harden. They need Harden to step up.”
Tyrese Maxey stood up on Tuesday in Game 2. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP The first half against Brooklyn was rough, as Harden scored just two points and turned the ball over four times.
Fortunately Maxey and Tobias Harris were there to make up for Harden’s lack of production but the Sixers will need the 33-year-old locked in on both ends of the floor to be a chance of beating the Bucks or Celtics.
“He doesn’t need to be the dude he was in Houston averaging 30 [points per game] but he certainly needs to be stellar,” Smith added.
“He can’t fold in the playoffs and have those moments like he’s had on a number of occasions in his career in the post-season.”
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Is the Golden era of the Warriors drawing to a close?
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson have won 93 playoff games together. But could this be the trio’s final post-season run — and by extension, Golden State’s last shot at glory?
“What happens if they just lose in round one?” Bill Simmons asked on his latest podcast with Brian Windhorst.
“This nucleus they’ve had basically since 2013, which is now 10 years. They just feel like they’re between two eras and I just wonder if they get their arse kicked in the playoffs, will that propel them to ease into the next era?”
What does the Golden State roster look like next year? (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images A pivotal summer awaits the Warriors, one which will force owner Joe Lacob to decide how badly he wants to keep the franchise’s core intact.
Green has a $27 million ($A40m) player option for next season but could have rival teams lining up to pay more and, in turn, force the Warriors to work out whether the 33-year-old is still worth it.
Then there’s Thompson, who has one year left on the five-year, $190 million ($A282m) max deal he signed in 2019.
The Warriors sharpshooter is eligible to sign an extension this summer and according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, there is an expectation he will get a new, max-level contract.
“There’s a tremendous amount at stake for this Golden State Warriors organisation in these Western Conference playoffs and starting in this series against the Sacramento Kings,” Wojnarowski said on ‘NBA Countdown’.
“And especially with Klay Thompson, who I’m told, has an expectation that he would be rewarded with a new, max-level contract extension this offseason… this is an inflection point for the Golden State organisation, with Klay Thompson, Steph Curry and then Draymond Green, who could opt into his deal at $27 million ($A40m).
“The Warriors could be facing a payroll and luxury tax over $500 million ($A742m). It remains to be seen whether Joe Lacob is going to pay that.”
The Warriors have big decisions to make. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images Only complicating matters for the Warriors is the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, which limits the financial flexibility of the highest-spending teams.
The Warriors, of course, are one of those teams. Wojnarowski reported the new deal will limit a franchise like Golden State from “running up salary and luxury tax spending while still maintaining mechanisms to add talent to the roster”.
“It’s definitely a CBA that was targeted against a team which won the title with a $350 million ($A520m) payroll and could approach $400 million ($A594m) in the short-term future,” Windhorst added on Simmons’ podcast.
“…If the Warriors stub their toe, they could be facing a crossroads. They still have Steph Curry who is still awesome and under contract, they still have Klay, Wiggins is a really good piece for them. They have some young guys that are interesting.
“They are not going anywhere, the question is are they going to go full-board, gas to the floor over the financial cliff because if it’s not a championship team, the questions get a lot more difficult in that regard.”
Put simply, enjoy this version of Warriors while you can because it won’t be forever and the end may be sooner than it seems.
Morant screams in agony after nasty fall | 00:41
BOSTON CELTICS
A historic duo’s chance to right the wrongs of a failed Finals bid
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum made history for the Celtics this year, becoming just the second pair in the franchise to average at least 25 points per game in the same season.
The last duo to do so? Larry Bird and Kevin McHale in the 1986-87 season. That version of the Celtics, like last season’s, made it all the way to the NBA Finals. They too fell short.
This isn’t necessarily Brown and Tatum’s final shot at title glory. But Brown’s future will be the biggest question mark hanging over the Celtics this offseason, should they fail to go all the way again.
The All-Star winger can become a free agent after the 2023-24 season and according to Windhorst, his fate at Boston could very well depend on whether he makes one of three All-NBA teams.
“The crazy thing here is and this is a simplistic way of putting it: If Jaylen gets voted All-NBA, he’s going to stay a Celtic… if Jaylen doesn’t get voted All-NBA, he’s going to be a free agent next year,” Windhorst said on ‘The Bill Simmons Podcast’.
“If he gets voted All-NBA, he’s super-max eligible and he can get offered $240 or $250 million ($356m or $371m). I cannot see the Celtics not offering it and I cannot see him turning it down. I just can’t see it.”
Jaylen Brown is going to get paid. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images You’d have to think Brown, who is averaging 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season, should gain selection for one of the All-NBA teams.
So really, there shouldn’t be anything for the Celtics to worry about. But with the majority of their core players locked in long-term, there is plenty on the line if he doesn’t earn that honour.
There was already external talk about breaking up the Tatum-Brown duo last season before Boston’s stunning turnaround.
Now expectations are even greater after last year’s run to the Finals and while it’s not title-or-bust, there is still a sense of urgency to make it count now with the current roster intact.
“When you have the kind of success they’ve had in their career there’s pressure to take the next step,” Trey Kerby said on the ‘No Dunks’ podcast.
“The next step for the Celtics is a championship. They had a lead in the Finals last year and ended up giving it up to the Warriors. I suppose there’s pressure and there’s always pressure on these guys because you look at Jaylen Brown and think he could easily be the number one guy on another team.
The Celtics have the ingredients to go all the way. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP “There’s always a little bit of media pressure of, ‘Are these guys ever going to split up? Are they going to go their separate ways?’. It’s much like when a boy band has success. You’re always wondering if the frontman is going to go solo.
“The clock is ticking a little bit… Jaylen Brown may make All-NBA which makes his contract only more expensive going forward and it gets harder to build a team when you have two gigantic contracts in Tatum and Brown.”
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Can Gobert repay the Timberwolves and flip the script on disastrous trade?
The conversation around the Rudy Gobert trade is only getting louder and perhaps ESPN’s Zach Lowe put it best.
“It was a disaster when it happened and it’s an even worse disaster now and there’s no way to sugarcoat it,” Lowe said on his podcast last week.
The Wolves went all-in on Gobert last year, trading four players and four first-round picks to the Jazz for the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
It was supposed to put them closer to a championship. But instead it had the Timberwolves self-destructing in their final game before the play-in tournament.
With one punch, Gobert put the spotlight back on that failed trade experiment and even cast doubt over his future at the franchise.
Gobert takes swing at teammate! | 00:24
Bill Simmons posed the question on his podcast last week, positing Minnesota could deem Gobert a “sunk cost” and consider dumping him to a desperate contender like Dallas.
The chances of that happening though appear slim, with it far more likely that the Timberwolves use this playoff series against the Nuggets to figure out how to make the partnership with Karl-Anthony Towns work sooner.
After all, Minnesota’s new-look frontcourt started to look a whole lot better the more time its two All-Star big men had on the court.
“The thing that happened with Gobert is they kind of cast their lot because they’re locked in in terms of players and picks,” ESPN’s NBA insider Windhorst said in response to Simmons.
“The only guy they have on their roster that’s got super value that isn’t one of their max guys is Jaden McDaniels, who they’re probably about to sign to a contract that’s going to be that level. Towns would be interesting because his contract is so locked in.”
But forget all the trade talk and speculation for a second. First, the aim for Minnesota will simply be evaluating how Gobert and Towns co-exist against Denver.
It will either give the Timberwolves some level of confidence that they aren’t too far away or it may just offer even more evidence that they need to blow it up sooner rather than later.
Rudy Gobert has to repay the Timberwolves. (Photo by Stephen Maturen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) Source: AFP MIAMI HEAT
Could another failed playoffs campaign force big changes at Miami?
It’s going to be hard for the Heat to topple the league-leading Bucks, although they made the perfect start to their series against the Eastern Conference champions with a Game 1 win.
A championship may not be the expectation for Miami this post-season, but with Jimmy Butler still in his prime the Heat can’t afford to just be going through the motions.
As a result, this post-season could serve as another reminder of just how far away Miami’s roster is from contending for a title. That, in turn, could motivate the Heat to take a big swing in the summer.
“The team I’m watching is the Miami Heat,” NBA insider Brian Windhorst said on ESPN last week, talking about a potential trade for Portland superstar Damian Lillard.
Could Miami make a play for Damian Lillard? Steph Chambers/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP “The Heat are ready to go to their next star window. This is what the Heat do — the Heat hunt stars. [Lillard’s] time would match with Jimmy Butler in terms of age. They have tradeable things that, potentially, the Blazers could want.
“I’m being a little premature, but that’s kind of what I see happening.”
It is consistent with reporting from the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, who is expecting the Heat to go after a big name (not specifically Lillard) this offseason.
“Heat will renew efforts to land a star this offseason,” Jackson tweeted.
“Only question is who (if anyone) would be big enough to make them consider dealing Butler or Bam. (Not talking about Lillard specifically). That’s the biggest question of [the] offseason, one they’ll need to seriously discuss.”
Moving on Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson may be part of their plans, although the former has a year and nearly $30 million ($A45m) on his current deal. Robinson, meanwhile, still has three years and almost $60 million ($A89m) left on the extension he signed in 2021.
Put simply, any team that would take on either of those contracts would want some level of compensation in return. But still, Windhorst reckons the Heat could work something out.
“It hasn’t been the most decorated run in Heat history but it’s in a decent marriage and he’s [Jimmy Butler] still got gas in the tank and they have tradeable contracts,” Windhorst said on ‘The Bill Simmons Podcast’.
“Tyler Herro comes in at that huge number. They have Duncan Robinson and obviously Duncan is not an asset but you can still use him in a big deal.
“So, when you’re starting to dream about Dame Lillard spots, Miami is on that list. Pat Reilly always thinks big and I expect him to be thinking that way if that’s what happens.”
Butler and the Heat play the Bucks in the first round. Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP ATLANTA HAWKS
Trae could force his way out… if Atlanta doesn’t try to get rid of him first
Plenty has changed in Atlanta. There’s a new general manager, assistant general manager and even a new head coach, with Quin Snyder appointed to the role in February.
Usually the changes don’t stop there, extending to a serious makeover to the playing group.
After all, if what was in place before didn’t work, why would a new regime want to persist with it when they have the chance to start afresh without any of the blame?
Well, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, Snyder “demanded significant influence over personnel decisions” during the months of negotiations in the lead-up to his hiring.
That could involve moving on star guard Trae Young, who has previously clashed with former coaches Lloyd Pierce and Nate McMillan. Young is still in Atlanta — for now.
TNT’s Chris Haynes reported in December Young could request a trade this summer if the Hawks don’t make “inroads in the playoffs”.
If that’s the case, Young may as well start packing his bags now because let’s just say it’s hard to see Atlanta doing much against Boston.
But that would suggest that Young himself, his reluctance to play off the ball and vulnerability on the defensive end, is not also part of the problem.
And with Snyder looking to introduce more motion concepts to Atlanta’s offence, Young will need to prove he can compromise and fit into that system. Otherwise, he may be out the door.
Trae Young’s future is up in the air. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images “If Trae embraces that and if they can find the best supportive pieces on defence with a rim protecting centre and wings, kind of like what the Cavs do… maybe it could work,” O’Connor said on ‘The Mismatch’ podcast.
“But that’s going to require Trae Young’s buy-in and if Quin Snyder and the Hawks feel like maybe they’re not going to get that, I do think it’s at least worth listening and quietly exploring what might be out there for Trae Young.
“You’ve got to be very cautious with him because he’s still an amazing talent. You can’t sell cheap on Trae Young but despite that though, it’s not like he’s untradeable.”
How much the Hawks could get for him in a potential trade could hinge on how he performs this post-season.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
With more injuries, is it time to forget the Kawhi-PG experiment?
There were great expectations in the fourth year of the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era and as has always been the case, health was going to be the key.
Leonard is starting to play some of his best basketball since returning from a torn ACL, putting the Clippers on his back with a 38-point statement in Game 1 against Phoenix.
But he had to put the team on his back because George was sidelined (knee), with his superstar teammate’s status for the remainder of the playoffs uncertain.
Fortunately for the Clippers, they got the best version of Russell Westbrook against the Suns on Monday, even if the 34-year-old had a poor shooting night.
Westbrook comes up big with clutch block | 00:42
Westbrook, who the Clippers signed on the buy-out market, made up for his 3-for-19 outing with plenty of defensive tenacity (three blocks, two steals) and playmaking (eight assists).
Despite that, if the Clippers don’t get past the first round there will only be more pressure to make a tough call on potentially bringing the Leonard-George era to an end.
As Tas Melas said on the ‘No Dunks’ podcast: “This is year four of the experiment in Los Angeles, they’ve gone to one Conference Finals but it just feels like their window is closing”.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
An ageing Bucks roster is title favourites… and they need to make it count
There isn’t that much external pressure on the Bucks to win a championship. Part of it seems to be because there is just an expectation that they’ll be there at the end.
Should that not end up happening, maybe the narrative will change? For now though, they’re the team to beat and having already won a title in 2021, it’s not like they need to win.
They should but careers aren’t on the line like they may be in Philadelphia or Denver for example.
The Bucks have a big chance to take out the title. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images In saying all that, there are suggestions this could be Milwaukee’s best chance at a championship before some of its veteran players move on.
Headlined by Khris Middleton (31) is a long list of key Bucks players who are only getting older: Jrue Holiday (32), Jae Crowder (32), Brook Lopez (35), Joe Ingles (35), Pat Connaughton (30), Wesley Matthews (36).
Middleton, who battled injuries in last year’s playoffs and in periods of this season, has a player option on his contract for the 2023-24 campaign. He’s not the only one.
From that above list, Lopez, Crowder, Ingles and Matthews are all unrestricted free agents while the same goes for Goran Dragic, Meyers Leonard and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
With that much uncertainty surrounding the team’s roster next season, this may be Milwaulkee’s final chance — at least for a few years — to be a leading title contender.
It may be flying under the radar but ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is certainly taking notice, bringing up the topic of the Bucks’ future on ‘The Bill Simmons podcast’.
Celtics marvel in Bucks demolition | 00:59
“Nobody is talking about this but Giannis has a contract extension option coming in September and his comments on that are going to be pretty important,” Windhorst said.
“If this doesn’t go well for the Bucks, they’ve got Middleton who’s a free agent potentially, he can opt out. They’ve got Brook Lopez, who is a free agent.”
It’s hard to see two-time MVP Antetokounmpo leaving anytime soon but some key other pieces of the roster will be in flux this off-season. Will they get a fairytale farewell?
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns have time on their side… but can they take it for granted?
There’s not too much pressure on the Suns to win a title right now. Sure, they are Western Conference favourites and anything outside a Finals appearance would be a disappointment.
But considering how little time the new-look Suns have had on the floor together, you could see why Phoenix can afford to just run it back and hope more chemistry is all it will take.
That, of course, will be reliant on Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul staying healthy next year and so in some ways it does also make sense to operate with a sense of urgency.
Should there be urgency in Phoenix? Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP “They made this huge trade for Kevin Durant,” Tim Bontemps said on ESPN’s ‘Get Up’.
“I know obviously they basically started playing on April 1st with this group and they’ve only played eight games total with KD… but when you trade all those picks for a guy in his mid-30s with the injury history KD has, with Chris Paul’s injury history and frankly Devin Booker’s injury history.
“This team is healthy right now, the West is wide-open, they’ve got to take advantage of this right now because who knows what they’re going to look like next year and beyond.”
If there is one player in particular who has plenty at stake this post-season it’s Paul, whose Hall of Fame career is only missing one thing — a championship ring.
At 37 years old and with two superstars alongside him, this will be his best chance. A Game 1 defeat to L.A. at home was not ideal.
