You know the fast-paced small-ball lineups that ruled the NBA in the 2010s? You can thank Don Nelson for those— a legend ahead of his time.

🎉 Happy birthday Ja Morant, Andre Drummond, Nikola Topic, and Tidjane Salaun! 🎉

Five rings as a player, 1,335 wins as a coach, one unforgettable legacy.

That was the career of Don Nelson, the league’s second-winningest HC all-time, who passed away over the weekend. Over 47 years on the court and on the sideline, Nelson was one of the NBA’s most memorable figures and played a pivotal role in shaping the game we know today.

In his playing days, Nelson made his mark as a member of the Celtics dynasty in the 60s and 70s, bringing home five championships between 1966 and 1976. A consistent double-digit scorer throughout his career, Nelson averaged 14 points a night in 1975 (his age 34 season) while leading the NBA in field goal percentage (53.9%).

Then, after a short-lived stint as a referee, Nelson turned to coaching, where he quickly became one of the league’s most successful and forward-thinking minds. Through stops in Milwaukee, Golden State, New York, and Dallas, Nelson racked up three Coach of the Year awards and instituted a free-flowing offensive style that helped revolutionize the game. His famed “Run TMC” attack in Golden State featured a fast-paced, three-guard lineup of Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin, and his use of 7-foot-6 Manute Bol as a three-point shooter preluded the modern stretch big.

Nelson was regarded as one of the league’s most unique minds, and in the end, he was grateful for it all, calling himself the “luckiest guy in the world” ahead of his Hall of Fame induction in 2012. Congrats on an incredible life, coach.

The Minnesota Lynx are already the best team in the WNBA. Now, they have its all-time best three-point performance.

On Sunday, Kayla McBride had the hot hand of a lifetime, cashing 10 three-pointers in Minny’s 103-90 win over Dallas. In a game that also saw the Lynx become the first team to clinch a playoff berth, McBride went 10/14 from three and 16/21 overall for one of the W’s most memorable performances of the season. Plus, she did it in 32 minutes.

Rookie sensation Olivia Miles added 20 PTS for Minnesota, while Paige Bueckers racked up 23 PTS and 8 AST for Dallas but also recorded 6 TOs. At 27-7, the Lynx have a three-game lead on the league’s top seed. But with a month and a half to play in the regular season, it’s still anybody’s game.

Most of the NBA’s free agents have found their next destinations, but a few notable names are still waiting for new colors. Let’s break down potential fits for three hoopers still on the market.

🐺 Jonathan Kuminga ➡️ Timberwolves?

A second straight summer of contract hassling may not be what Kuminga had in mind when he hit unrestricted Free Agency this offseason, but the 23-year-old forward still has a great chance to end up in a favorable situation. Minnesota offers a unique chance to contribute to an immediate contender, while Kuminga’s athletic burst could play well off Anthony Edwards and newcomer LaMelo Ball. Other suitors include the Lakers, who reportedly pursued Kuminga earlier in the offseason, and the Cavaliers.

⛰️ DeMar DeRozan ➡️ Nuggets?

The NBA’s 16th all-time leading scorer remains unsigned after being waived by Sacramento, but he’s still received plenty of interest, including from the Heat, Cavs, and Wizards. Another suitor we’d love to see him choose is Denver, who could put his unique shot-making skillset to use. Both DeRozan and Nikola Jokic share a passion for mid-range mastery, while the Joker’s playmaking could create easy buckets for DeRozan, who’s always known how to exploit defensive gaps.

🌴 Bradley Beal ➡️ Heat?

This union has been rumored for much of the offseason, but Miami needs all the shooting they can get around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Beal, even at 33 years old, can provide exactly that. His 38.6% clip from beyond the arc in 2025 would be a major plus in South Beach, and even a diminished version of the shot creation that made him a 30 PPG scorer just six years ago would pay dividends.

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, try to find joy in the small swings of life. It’s easy to wait for major changes, but many of the best things are hidden in between. See you soon!

Walker Carnathan