Brandon Marsh steals second with slick slide
Amy Fadool caught up with VJ Edgecombe to talk about his thoughts about joining the Sixers and what he brings to the team.VJ Edgecombe on his emotions, what he's bringing to the Sixers originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
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Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
With Damian Lillard's time in Milwaukee coming to an abrupt end, what's next for the star guard?
The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving superstar point guard Damian Lillard, using the stretch provision in the NBA's collective bargaining agreement to wipe the final two years and $113 million of his contract off of their balance sheet, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday. The dramatic move comes just over two months after Lillard, who turns 35 in two weeks, ruptured his left Achilles tendon during Game 4 of Milwaukee's first-round playoff matchup with the Indiana Pacers — an injury that's expected to keep him sidelined for most, if not all, of the 2025-26 NBA season. Advertisement It will also create the salary-cap space for the Bucks to sign free-agent center Myles Turner, who helped lead the Pacers to the 2025 NBA Finals, to a four-year, $107 million contract to man the 5 spot next to Giannis Antetokounmpo — giving Milwaukee's two-time MVP a new floor-spacing, rim-protecting frontcourt running buddy after the similarly styled Brook Lopez, Antetokounmpo's partner for the last seven seasons, agreed to terms to join the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, after the start of the NBA's 2025 free agency period. The waive-and-stretch brings an abrupt end to Lillard's 21-month tenure in Milwaukee — a time that seemed poised to produce one of the great inside-out partnerships in recent NBA history, but that wound up, due to a combination of ill-timed injuries, inconsistency and awful luck, leading to zero 50-win campaigns, zero postseason series victories, and just three total playoff game wins over two seasons. Viewed through one lens, it's a brutal twist of the knife for Lillard, who finally pushed his way out of Portland after 11 seasons as the Trail Blazers' standard-bearer in pursuit of greener championship-contending pastures, but whose best-laid plans never came to fruition. Advertisement Lillard produced, because he always does: 24.6 points on .604 true shooting, 7.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 35.7 minutes per game across two seasons in Milwaukee, finishing 10th in the NBA in points and assists per game and 11th in offensive estimated plus-minus last season. But he never quite found a rhythm in the two-man game with Antetokounmpo, never quite established the short-hand that can help make a team more than the sum of its all-time great parts, and never quite proved to be the order-of-magnitude offensive upgrade that justified moving on from defensive title-winning stalwart Jrue Holiday — a realization that proved particularly painful when Holiday got re-routed to Boston and immediately became a vital two-way contributor to the Celtics' 2024 NBA championship. The ending feels particularly devastating for Dame considering all that precipitated it. He'd been diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf in late March, mere weeks before the end of the regular season, an affliction that many expected would sideline him for the remainder of the Bucks' season. But he fought his way back in time for the second game of Round 1 against Indiana, a quicker recovery than 'has [ever] been seen before' … only to tear his Achilles just six minutes into Game 4. While plenty of observers saw the injury as an inflection point for Lillard — a moment that could come to define the final act of the career of one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history — I'm not sure anyone expected it to be followed, barely two months later, by the Bucks cutting bait on him. Everyone knows the NBA is a business; every once in a while, though, you're reminded just how cold it can be. If you view it through that lens, that is: While we wait to see where Lillard lands, the Bucks move on. Advertisement The stretch provision allows NBA teams to waive a player by taking the amount of guaranteed salary he's owed and spreading it out over a period of twice the number of years remaining on his contract, plus one more season — provided the stretched amount does not exceed 15% of the salary cap. (This, as Fred Katz recently explained at The Athletic, is why the Suns can't stretch what's left of Bradley Beal's deal; in combination with the previously stretched contracts of E.J. Liddell and Nassir Little, going that route would leave Phoenix with an amount of dead money larger than 15% of this season's cap line.) Lillard was just about to start the two-year, $112.6 million extension he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers back in the summer of 2022. Stretching that amount creates a dead-money charge just north of $22.5 million — about $680,000 south of 15% of the cap, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks — and the Bucks will have to carry that historically large number on their books in every season through 2030. That unmovable $22.5 million annual charge looms as a mammoth roster-management impediment for Milwaukee over the next half-decade — the kind of prolonged and protracted dead weight that can make maneuvering in pursuit of title contention through the back end of Antetokounmpo's prime even more difficult than it already figured to be. But with Giannis only guaranteed to be under contract in Milwaukee for two more seasons — he holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28 — the only future the Bucks can realistically plan for is the one right in front of their faces. Advertisement And so: yet another incredibly aggressive win-now move from the team that brought you the trades for Holiday and Lillard (not to mention like a decade's worth of second-round picks for Nikola Mirotić and Jae Crowder). General manager Jon Horst and the rest of the Bucks' braintrust decided that attempting to avoid wasting the first of those two guaranteed Giannis seasons on a gap year while Lillard, now essentially a $54.1 million dead cap hit for next season anyway, rehabilitates — that moving on from him in a fashion that allowed them to replace Lopez with a younger championship-caliber 3-and-D center in Turner, and hopefully putting themselves in position to remain in the playoff picture in an Eastern Conference ravaged by injuries and roiling in uncertainty — was worth swallowing hard and taking that $22.5 million year-over-year hit. After all, Antetokounmpo is 30 years old, still performing at an MVP level, and very clearly focused on continuing to pursue a second NBA championship. He is the face of the franchise, the prime mover in all things Bucks, the greatest player Milwaukee has seen since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the one who brought the organization back to the mountaintop after 50 years away; if you're not doing everything you can to make him happy, to make sure he wants to stay, to give him a team that he believes he can lead back to that summit, then what are you really doing? Advertisement Whether Tuesday's breathtaking revision of the Bucks' financial and on-court future accomplishes those goals — making him happy, making sure he wants to stay, giving him a team he can believe in — remains to be seen. Some reporting suggests that Antetokounmpo didn't like the Bucks moving on from Lillard in this manner; some suggests that Antetokounmpo and Turner 'valued the opportunity to partner together on the court,' and that Giannis effectively recruited Turner to Milwaukee. Your mileage, as ever, may vary. The Bucks exited the regular season looking to be all but out of options to construct a contending roster around Antetokounmpo over the balance of Lillard's deal. They exit the first two days of free agency having added Turner in Lopez's place, brought back Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince and Jericho Sims, flipped Pat Connaughton's contract (with a pair of future second-rounders) for Serbian guard Vasilije Micić (who's reportedly heading back to Europe, the savings from which should finish the job of creating the room to add Turner), and landed Gary Harris as another backcourt shooter off the bench to join holdovers Kyle Kuzma and 2024 second-round pick Tyler Smith, with A.J. Green, Andre Jackson Jr. and Chris Livingston all on non-guaranteed deals, and Ryan Rollins lingering in restricted free agency. It feels like you have to squint awfully hard to see that core contending for an NBA championship. In a decimated East, though — with the Celtics shedding starters for luxury tax relief, with the Pacers now down the starting point guard and starting center from their Finals team, with the Knicks still lacking a head coach — you might be able to convince yourself that, with Antetokounmpo leading the charge, this revamped version of the Bucks has as good a puncher's chance as some of the other reloaded outfits (Orlando, Atlanta) that are now taking aim at the top of the conference. And if that's the way Giannis feels — if he sees this as a step in the right direction, despite the discomfort of bidding Dame adieu — then it's the path the Bucks had to walk.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Three Biggest Winners Of NBA Free Agency
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 19: Cameron Johnson #2 of the Brooklyn Nets looks to pass as Jamal Murray ... More #27 and Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets defend during the first half at Barclays Center on March 19, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) Day one of NBA free agency got off to a busy start as organizations re-signed key players and made valuable additions to their existing rosters for the upcoming season. A collection of teams were already active on the trade market pre-dating the start of free agency and kept their feet on the gas with various signings during the legal tampering period. Below are three NBA teams that finished the night as winners from transactions made before the draft and up to now. 1. Houston Rockets HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 04: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets celebrates with Amen Thompson ... More #1 and Fred VanVleet #5 after a timeout is called by the Houston Rockets during the third quarter in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 04, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) The Rockets started their offseason moves before the draft by trading their 2025 top-10 pick, five second round picks, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks to the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant. Even at 36 years old, Durant posted one of his more efficient seasons with the Suns, averaging nearly 27 points per game on 52/43/84 efficient shooting splits last season. The move for Durant emphasized Houston's intent to go all-in for the upcoming season after its successful 52-30 campaign in 2025. From there, the Rockets bolstered its wing depth by signing Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year deal to replace Dillon Brooks' three-and-d production. The Clint Capela signing may be perceived as slight overkill, but it provides depth to the center position behind Steven Adams, who, while they did extend, has an injury-riddled track record. The center rotation of Adams and Capela gives Houston tons of versatility on the frontline that they didn't have a few seasons ago. By getting Durant, Houston didn't have to sacrifice the heart of its young core in the process. Jabari Smith Jr. was not only not moved, but extended on a rookie contract that makes his services affordable at the price of just $25 million per year. Paired with rising talents such as Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, Houston has the veteran talent and young pieces to make a genuine run in the Western Conference this upcoming season. 2. Denver Nuggets DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 29: Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a dunk against the ... More Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on April 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) There was no denying that the Denver Nuggets were somewhat constricted in what they could do roster-wise with money tied into their 2023 championship core. So, the franchise decided to part ways with Michael Porter Jr.'s large contract in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, which led to them acquiring small forward Cam Johnson in return. The Cam Johnson deal required Denver to shell out an unprotected 2032 first-round selection for his services, but the move made valuable sense for the Nuggets title aspirations. Johnson has the cheaper contract, is just as good of a shooter as MPJ and presents better portability during the playoffs due to his defensive nature. The return of Bruce Brown on a one-year deal may have been one of Denver's most underrated additions of the offseason. Brown will regain his role as the team's backup floor general and will thrive as a cutter, screener, and transition player in his minutes with Jokic and Murray. The team also moved the contract of Dario Saric to the Sacramento Kings for a backup big in Jonas Valanciunas. Valanciunas provides the team a legitimate backup center to keep the offense somewhat functional during the non-Jokic minutes. With Jokic in his prime, the window for Denver to win a title is slim, but realistic. Surrounding the team with players that align with the Joker's skillset is valuable, and the few additions they did make prioritize that greatly. 3. Atlanta Hawks NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 11: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates the win with ... More teammate Jalen Johnson #1 after the game against the New York Knicks in the quarterfinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2024 in New York City. The Atlanta Hawks defeated the New York Knicks 108-100 to advance to the semifinal round. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo) Atlanta seized the moment in a wide-open East by going all-in around point guard Trae Young. Adding Kristaps Porzingis to their starting five provides a five-out lineup that features optimal spacing in the frontcourt, allowing Young to get to the rack and either finish for himself or initiate plays for others. The Nickeil Alexander-Walker signing gives Atlanta yet another wing defender to protect its point guard at the point-of-attack while also providing them an extra offensive initiator when Young isn't on the floor. How NAW fits into the Hawks' starting five remains to be seen, but he instantly becomes a multi-tool spark plug off the bench. Luke Kennard isn't the two-way player that Porzingis and Alexander-Walker are, but he's been one of the game's best shooters from three, according to the percentages. An added gun to the team's uptempo offense will only bolster their offense. Atlanta has clearly brought in personnel designed to push the pace on offense and applies intense perimeter pressure on defense. Under Quinn Snyder, the team may approach top-five offense and defense rankings in a winnable Eastern Conference next year.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘not pleased' over Bucks waiving Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner
Giannis Antetokounmpo is not happy about the Bucks waiving Damian Lillard. The superstar was 'not pleased' with Milwaukee's decision to waive Lillard in order to sign Myles Turner, NBA Insider Chris Haynes reported Tuesday on X. 'He just didn't like how it was handled,' Haynes added during a Tuesday appearance on NBA TV. Advertisement Giannis Antetokounmpo during a game on April 22. NBAE via Getty Images Earlier Tuesday morning, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Bucks would be waiving Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract over the next five seasons in order to sign Turner, the longtime Pacer, to a four-year, $107 million deal. Follow The Post's live updates for the latest NBA free agency signings, news and rumors. Antetokounmpo's apparent frustration with the Bucks comes amid widespread speculation over his future with the franchise. Advertisement On May 12, Charania reported that Antetokounmpo was 'open-minded' about exploring whether his best long-term fit was in Milwaukee or somewhere else. Monday night, Charania added: 'It's still wait and see. Giannis Antetokounmpo was open-minded about whether his best fit is in Milwaukee or elsewhere. I have not felt a shift from that mentality.' It remains to be seen how the waiving of Lillard could impact Antetokounmpo's future with the franchise. Advertisement Lillard is set to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season with a torn Achilles injury he suffered in the Bucks' first-round playoff loss to the Pacers. Damian Lillard shoots a free throw in a game on March 8. AP Milwaukee acquired Lillard from the Trail Blazers in a blockbuster, three-team trade with the Suns in September 2023, giving up Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, a 2029 first-rounder and first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. On paper, the superstar pairing of Lillard and Antetokounmpo was one of the best in the NBA, but the duo never yielded the results the Bucks had hoped. Advertisement After earning the third seed in 2024, the Bucks lost to the Pacers in the first round with both Lillard and Antetokounmpo battling through respective injuries. A similar situation played out in 2025. Milwaukee captured the fifth seed and suffered its first-round loss to the Pacers after Lillard suffered his Achilles injury in Game 4.
