Game 3 of the NBA Finals tips off tonight, but we haven’t had any new games since our last newsletter…

We won’t leave you hanging, though! Let’s talk ball.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday to Sharife Cooper and Chuck Hayes! 🎉

NBA Rumor Roundup 👀

KD trade rumors intensify, linking former MVP with New York and San Antonio

Kevin Durant is all but locked into a move this summer, and two teams are leading the charge.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says New York actively pursued KD at the trade deadline and remains firmly in the mix now that the Suns are expected to move him “in the coming weeks.”

Meanwhile, Sam Amico reported that KD’s preferred destination is San Antonio, where he'd join Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox and give the West another insanely stacked team.

Giannis planning on playing for Bucks in 2025-26

“I hope to be back soon.” 

Those were the words from Giannis Antetokounmpo in a recent interview, which poured a little cold water on his trade machine that’s been overheating all summer. Add in Brian Windhorst saying there’s been zero talks with potential suitors involving the Greek Freak, and it’s looking more like a quiet offseason in Milwaukee than a blockbuster break-up.

Darius Garland → Sacramento?

After shipping both Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox out, the Kings might be flipping the script—this time by trading for a star guard. According to recent reports, Sacramento has real interest in Darius Garland as Cleveland considers a retool around Donovan Mitchell.

Garland (20.6 PPG, 6.7 AST) would bring some much needed playmaking to Sacramento, but what would the Cavs want back? A scorer like DeMar DeRozan? A more diverse package built around Keegan Murray and Malik Monk? Either way, the Kings are clearly ready to rewrite their 2020s point guard narrative.

Draft Gems 💎

The 2025 NBA Draft is in two weeks! Whether you don’t consider yourself a great scout or you just need a little help tweaking your latest mock draft, here are three names we think could be sleepers later down on consensus draft boards.

Hansen Yang

We get it. The history of Chinese big men in the NBA post-Yao Ming hasn’t been much to write home about. But something about Hansen Yang just feels different.

A two-time CBA All-Star and 2024 DPOY winner with the Qingdao Eagles, Yang has definitely proven himself domestically. At 7’2” and 249 lbs, he is an absolute mountain of a man who can set bone-crushing screens, gobble up boards, and swat plenty of shots.

But there’s no doubt that the skill that has many people raving about his next-level potential is his passing, which he showed off during an excellent draft combine showing in Chicago.

Not even 20 years old, Yang is a superb upside pick for any team looking for a big man built in the mold of Ivica Zubac or Isaiah Hartenstein.

Koby Brea

When drafting in the second round, “why overthink it?” is a good mantra. And the fact of the matter is that Koby Brea can flat-out shoot the rock.

After leading the nation in three-point percentage at Dayton in 2023-24, Brea once again finished in the top ten nationally while navigating an absolute gauntlet of a schedule at his new school, Kentucky.

Brea’s selling point for us? His performance in big games. He showed a serious sense for “the moment” throughout the season, including dropping seven threes in a win over the eventual national champion Florida Gators, 18 points on 100% shooting in a dub over a top-10 Tennessee team, and 23 in a second-round win over Illinois in the NCAA tournament.

Neoklis Avdalas

Coming out of the same Greek Basketball League that gave us Giannis Antetokounmpo, young Neoklis Avdalas may not have put together the most insane stats last year. But watch the tape, and you’ll start to see a prospect who has serious star upside, even if it might take him a while to put all the tools together.

On film, Avdalas’ ability to create his own shot off the dribble stands out almost immediately. Whether it’s a Harden-esque sidestep into a three or a crossover on the way to the cup, the Greek youth international has a combination of size and handle that might be impossible to pass up on for those teams willing to wait.

Rumor has it, this guy might go to college in the States if no team will offer him a guaranteed roster spot. But whether it’s this year or next, Avdalas is a name to look out for.

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Three in the Key

Signing Off

Thanks for reading, y’all! As we start having more days without NBA basketball, spend the time you would be watching hoops doing something else you love. Whether it’s hanging with friends, getting active, or working on a project, it’s important to book time for the things that make you happy.

Talk soon,

Spencer Poole