Free agency doesn’t fully begin until June 30th. With the Giannis trade now in the past, the floodgates have opened.
Welcome to the offseason, Enjoyers!
Today’s Lineup
🤝 Trade Season Continues!
Check out the latest moves from around the league.
💰 Back up the Brink’s Truck!
Austin Reaves returns to LA on a four-year, $185 million max contract.
🔥 History in Toronto!
Marina Mabrey ties WNBA-record for points and threes in a single game!
🎉 Happy birthday Rudy Gobert, Yang Hansen, Duop Reath, and Deron Williams! 🎉
Trade Season Continues
🐺 🐝 Timberwolves, Hornets agree to a deal that sends LaMelo Ball to Minnesota, Naz Reid to Charlotte
This one sprung up on us pretty quickly! Here are the full details, per Shams.
Minnesota Receives:
LaMelo Ball
Josh Green
Charlotte Receives:
Naz Reid
2033 first round pick
Three first round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030)
Three second round picks (2029, 2032, 2033)
$40.7 million trade exception
Let’s talk about it:
For Minnesota: After a resilient playoff run (preceded by two straight WCF appearances) and with Donte DiVincenzo sidelined by an Achilles injury, it became pretty clear the Timberwolves needed another ball-handler and playmaker to support Anthony Edwards et al. This is exactly what LaMelo Ball brings to the table. He's placed in the top three in the NBA in assist percentage in each of the last two seasons, and will provide the creativity needed to sustain Minnesota's high-powered offense. Ball has also never met a shot he didn't like and will give the T-Wolves another late-game creator when possessions get tight.
This will be the first time in LaMelo's NBA career that he'll suit up for a legitimate contender, and it'll be fascinating to see how he responds. Ball and Edwards immediately become one of the NBA's must-watch backcourts. Minnesota is also betting on Jaden McDaniels, Joan Beringer, and the rest of its young talent to help offset the departures of Julius Randle and Naz Reid.
For Charlotte: It's a little harder to see the vision, especially after the Hornets showed encouraging signs with LaMelo, during the second half of last season. That said, many believe the Hornets are simply selling high. Ball is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, but also one of his healthiest. Last season marked the first time he'd played more than 50 games since his All-Star campaign in 2021-22.
Naz Reid is no slouch, either. He brings an exceptionally unique skill set for a big man and is capable of thriving at either the four or the five. And don't forget about the $40.7 million trade exception Charlotte just generated (the largest in NBA history, according to Bobby Marks). Charlotte may not be done making moves this offseason!
We'll have to wait and see which side ultimately comes out ahead, but one thing we can guarantee is that the roads of Charlotte just became a little safer!
🏀 🏀 🏀
🏀 🐻 Detroit sends Isaiah Stewart to Memphis for three future second round picks.
A Pistons fan (me) just fell to his knees in Walmart.
Memphis Receives: Isaiah Stewart
Detroit Receives: Three future second round picks
For Memphis: One of the most Grit-N-Grind players in the NBA is headed to the FedExForum. Stewart should fit in seamlessly as a rotational big behind Zach Edey and rookie Cameron Boozer. He was one of the NBA's best defensive bigs off the bench last season and will immediately become a respected enforcer if anyone tries to mess with the Grizzlies’ young core.
For Detroit: After using three second-round picks to move up from No. 21 to No. 17 and select Ebuka Okorie, the Pistons get those picks right back from Memphis. Losing Beef Stew will likely be a significant blow to the team's culture and identity, but the deal also creates additional cap flexibility and generates a $15 million trade exception. Perhaps Detroit isn't done making moves this offseason?
Around the Association
💰 Welcome Back, Gents!
While some players head to new locations, here are some guys who are staying put ⬇️
Lakers and Austin Reaves agree to a four-year, $185 million maximum contract. Reaves entered this offseason as one of the most highly-coveted free agents, and drew interest from across the league.
Hornets and Coby White agree to a three-year, $74 million deal. Charlotte has found its Melo replacement for the time being.
Suns and Mark Williams agree to terms on a three-year, $38 million deal. Phoenix continues locking up their young guys on some great value contracts.
Warriors and Al Horford agree to a two-year, $14 million deal. This will keep Big Al on the books until he’s 42!
😴 Second Round Sleepers
While we tend to brush over the second round, you never know who you might find. Perhaps a future MVP, a captain, or even a future ROY?
34th (CLE) - Meleek Thomas: A true microwave capable of providing some instant offence. As the secondary scorer to Darius Acuff at Arkansas, Thomas averaged 15.6 PPG on 42% 3PT, on a 2.5 AST/TO ratio. He may have to fight for minutes on a loaded Cleveland roster, but Thomas will be one of the most entertaining players to look out for in this year’s Summer League.
35th (DEN) - Trevon Brazile: Another Razorback makes the watch list! Brazile is an elite athlete, who at 6’10” protects the rim, thrives as a lob threat and can hit the three. His length and mobility make him an excellent switch defender against smaller guards. Pairing him with Nikola Jokic should lead to plenty of highlight-reel lobs, and maybe a trip to the dunk contest?
50th (TOR) - Jaden Bradley: A true leader of men, physical, and a grinder on the offensive and defensive end. Bradley is coming off a Big 12 Player of the Year season on a stacked Arizona roster. Most notably, he was the only player selected in the second round with a pick that wasn’t traded!
52nd (ATL) - Henri Veesaar: Who would’ve thought the Hawks could land Veesaar so late in the draft? He’s a stellar offensive talent, who has the ability to stretch the floor (43% 3PT), run 4/5 pick and rolls, and finish at the rim. His slide appeared to be manufactured so he could avoid a two-way contract, but his skills will fit in well with this rising ATL roster.
🧠 Daily Trivia 🧠
What’s Good in the W?
💨 Tempo’s Marina Mabrey ties WNBA record with 53 points vs LA Sparks in 125-97 win.
Have a night, Chef Mabrey!
From the opening tip, you could tell Marina Mabrey was in for a special night. After 19 points in the first quarter, Mabrey erupted for 53 points while knocking down 9/18 from beyond the arc against her former team!
Three entries in the record books for Mabrey and the Tempo tonight:
Most points in a single game (53) - tying A'ja Wilson and Liz Cambage.
Most three-pointers made in a single game (9) - tying Chelsea Gray, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Mitchell, Rhyne Howard (x2), and herself (last week).
Most points by a team in regulation (125)
The performance came with dynamic backcourt partner Brittney Sykes sidelined by a plantar fascia injury.
After dropping 37 points and nine threes in Connecticut last Friday, it's safe to say the Tempo are in good hands with Mabrey at the helm. 🫡
Three in the Key
🧙♂️ AJ’s Jersey!
Wizards’ top pick selects #4 to start his rookie campaign.
🎤 Caleb’s nod to Lucki!
Newest Bull already accustomed to the Chicago rap scene.
🎮 Where’d he go to college?
Someone call Darrick and Pierre!
What We’re Enjoying
With trades flying in from every direction, one thing is certain, we'll be hearing plenty of Kenny's reactions. Take a listen to his thoughts on the LaMelo-Naz trade.
Signing Off
Thanks for spending part of your Friday with us. As the offseason heats up, best know we’ll be keeping track of everything going on in the league!
Until Monday!
