HoopsHype: Atlanta Hawks

“I didn’t like that moment. And I rock with Stephen A. obviously but just like, let it go. You know what I mean? Just let it go. Kawhi wants to play. I will keep beating that over the head until I’m out of breath. He wants to play. Like, [Smith] keeps making it something that Kawhi doesn’t want to play or he doesn’t want to be there,” George said via Podcast P, presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment. “I think we relied on Kawhi a lot this year, to where it kind of got to the point of like, hey... Читать дальше...

Matt George: De’Aaron Fox on Malik Monk’s free agency decision this summer: “Him being able to be in this situation and obviously having multiple teams that are trying to come after him, I’m definitely happy for him. Obviously we want him to stay but, at the end of the day, he has to do what’s best for him.” pic.twitter.com/sRASeWMusZ
Source: Twitter @MattGeorgeSAC

In an interview with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony of Draft Express, the agent of LeBron James said his client isn’t “going to Phoenix for a minimum deal” as James can decline a $51.4 million player option to become a free agent.
Source: Arizona Republic

James Borrego could be a name to watch, league sources told Yahoo Sports, as well as ESPN analyst JJ Redick.
Source: Yahoo! Sports

Canada Basketball: Our 20
Source: x.com

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Barrett says Jamal Murray is feeling good and adds without trying to insult anyone it’s like adding a “nuclear option” to the program especially late in games. Had a long season, but from what they understand Murray is good to go. – 4:04 PM

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Jamal Murray is on Canada’s training camp roster for the Olympics.
Camp opens June 28. pic.twitter.com/2Sxa5w1om7 ... Читать дальше...

The Raptors, I’m told, are still formulating their plan on precisely how to proceed with Bruce Brown’s $23 million team option, which must be exercised (or not) by next week — June 28 specifically. Numerous rival teams have said they expect Toronto to pick up the option so Brown’s expiring contract can function as a trade-friendly contract.
Source: marcstein.substack.com

At this stage in your career, what are you personally hoping to accomplish or looking for in the near future? Paul George: “I mean, for sure contributing to winning basketball. But I mean, at this point, I’m not even necessarily, like, it’s not even about, like, you know, people saying chasing a championship. It’s not that, but it’s playing the right style of basketball is what I’m chasing.”
Source: YouTube

League sources confirmed to The Stein Line this week that Klay Thompson would not receive the necessary release from USA Basketball to play for The Bahamas this summer even if he were willing to take on all the risks.
Source: marcstein.substack.com

James Borrego could be a name to watch, league sources told Yahoo Sports, as well as ESPN analyst JJ Redick. Redick is currently a prime candidate for the Lakers job, so it isn’t known how much traction Detroit could actually gain. Redick and Langdon have the Duke connection, and they were in New Orleans when Redick signed there as a free agent before the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. Tellem is also a fan of Redick, for what it’s worth.
Source: Yahoo! Sports

During the Celtics’ closeout win in Game 5, ESPN announcer Mike Breen reported on an ugly interaction between Irving and a fan in the TD Garden stands. Breen elaborated on the incident during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday morning, revealing he did not hear precisely what the fan said to Irving after he cascaded into the broadcast table chasing a loose ball, but could tell it crossed a line for the now-Dallas Mavericks point guard. “He came crashing in … and when he bounced off him... Читать дальше...