Latest news with #EasternConferencePlayoffs
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Doubts emerge over Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo trade
After pairing Giannis Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard, the Milwaukee Bucks felt that Doc Rivers was the head coach who could maximize the superstar duo's skill set. That apparently wasn't the case, considering the Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Making matters worse was the fact that Lillard suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the postseason. With an injury that severe, the Bucks can't expect to have their All-Star back in the lineup at all next season. Lillard's absence will surely impact Milwaukee's chances to compete for a championship, but will one lost year prompt a trade request from the Greek Freak? Advertisement According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, while there was some early optimism from other teams that Antetokounmpo could become available, now that feeling has turned to doubt. 'Honestly, right now I'd say the prevailing sentiment from rival teams that I'm speaking to—around the combine two weeks ago, two and a half weeks ago—there was no shortage of optimism, of hope, of excitement from other teams that they were going to be able to potentially make an offer to get Giannis Antetokounmpo into their franchise, into their building. Of late, I'd say that that confidence has been replaced with skepticism. To a man, from talking to agents, team executives, whoever, there is not a lot of belief right now at this juncture. I've been told all along that if there is a decision, a formal decision made to shut or open the door on trade conversations for Giannis this summer, that it would likely happen closer to the end of June and when the offseason really, really begins.' Jake Fischer on Giannis Antetokounmpo The Bucks were reportedly even prepared to potentially use a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, conducting extensive research on top NBA Draft prospects. Considering they don't have a selection until No. 47, any move into the top 14 picks would require a fairly significant trade. Shaking Antetokounmpo loose likely wouldn't have been easy anyway. Can you imagine how much backlash a small market like Milwaukee would face for trading one of their best two players in franchise history? Related: Toronto Raptors could pivot from Giannis Antetokounmpo trade for this multi-time All-Star Related Headlines
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Magic Johnson isn't happy with Pascal Siakam's MVP accolade, as he believes Tyrese Haliburton was the rightful contender
Magic Johnson isn't happy with Pascal Siakam's MVP accolade as he believes Tyrese Haliburton was the rightful contender (Image Source : Getty Images) Moments after the Pacers closed out the Knicks in Game 6 on May 27, the scene felt like a dream: smiles, embraces, history made. But then came the MVP reveal. A name rang out, yet cameras caught another player frozen, almost expecting it to be his. The mood quietly shifted. Whispers spread fast. Fans took to their screens. Some cheered, others questioned. Even former greats had thoughts. Behind all the celebration, a quiet doubt lingered: was the wrong player crowned the hero? Magic Johnson thinks Tyrese Haliburton was the real star of the series Pascal Siakam was named MVP of the Eastern Conference Final on Monday, May 27, shortly after the Indiana Pacers defeated Game 6 New York Knicks. He received the Larry Bird Trophy. Pascal Siakam performed admirably. Over six games, he averaged 24.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals. Three of his games saw him score above thirty points. He was steady and strong in every match. The vote, though, was quite near. Official results show 5 votes for Pascal Siakam. Tyrese Haliburton received four. Many arguments appeared from that one-vote difference. NBA great Earvin Magic Johnson is one of those who spoke out. Magic Johnson stated on ESPN during an interview on June 2 that Tyrese Haliburton should have received the prize. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hot Tip From Tech Millionaire: If You Have £250, Do This SmartlifeTrendsDaily Read More Undo Magic remarked, "You have the NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and, in my opinion, the MVP throughout the Eastern Conference Playoffs is Tyrese Haliburton.' He acknowledged Haliburton's court leadership and playmaking skills. Many supporters agreed. Tyrese Haliburton was on average 21 points, 6 rebounds, 10.5 assists and 2.5 steals per match. With 32 points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists in game 4 on May 25, he had a big outing, and he did not turn over the ball once. Magic Johnson isn't happy with Pascal Siakam's MVP accolade as he believes Tyrese Haliburton was the rightful contender (Image Source: Getty Images) Tyrese Haliburton had a depressed game 5; He scored just 8 points. Some voters could have been impacted by that. Still, his general performance led many others to believe he should have brought home the medal. Tyrese Haliburton supported Pascal Siakam despite the disappointment Tyrese Haliburton was next to his teammates on the court right after the game ended. Cameras caught him watching the MVP announcement. Some viewers believed he appeared shocked, perhaps hoping to hear his own name. Users of social media joked, but Tyrese Haliburton stayed silent on anything negative. The first person to commemorate Pascal Siakam's victory was Haliburton. He clapped for his buddy and joined in the chants for "MVP.' Tyrese Haliburton later remarked about Siakam with great respect in an interview with The Athletic on May 28. "We had a vision when we brought him here.' It's particularly wonderful that he is here. He said, "He is like a big brother to me; I can trust him, talk to him, and lean on him." Tyrese Haliburton will have another shot now. Starting Thursday, June 6, the Indiana Pacers will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. Perhaps Haliburton's next honor will come soon if he maintains his current performance. Also read: Major American vehicle rental company brings NBA legend Jason Kidd as their newest brand ambassador
Newsweek
04-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Giannis Antetokounmpo Next Team Odds: Spurs, Rockets, Raptors In Mix
The Bucks are slight favorites to hold onto Giannis Antetokounmpo, but both San Antonio and Houston have shorter than 5-to-1 odds to be the Greek Freak's next destination. The Bucks are slight favorites to hold onto Giannis Antetokounmpo, but both San Antonio and Houston have shorter than 5-to-1 odds to be the Greek Freak's next destination. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Following a one-sided loss to the Pacers in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs and a torn Achilles that will sideline Damian Lillard until next summer, the Milwaukee Bucks are likely in for a summer of massive change. Obviously, the biggest question is whether we've seen the last of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in a Milwaukee jersey. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on May 12 that Giannis was "open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere." We're still a long way from Antetokounmpo -- who is under contract with the Bucks through '27-28, with a player option after the '26-27 season -- formally requesting a trade out of Milwaukee. At the same time, it's fair to assume that sportsbooks like DraftKings wouldn't be offering odds on his next team (or making them as short as they are) if there weren't at least some smoke here. Giannis Antetokounmpo Next Team Odds The odds below come from DraftKings (as of June 4). Fine print, from DK: "First Regular Season minute played to be for which NBA team? [2025-26 only]" Note: While DraftKings offers odds for all 30 teams in this market, we're listing the eight that currently have the shortest odds (20-to-1 or shorter). Bucks (-140) Spurs (+380) Rockets (+450) Raptors (+800) Mavericks (+1200) Thunder (+1300) Knicks (+1600) Nets (+2000) Giannis Antetokounmpo Next Team Breakdown, Prediction The first question here is a two-parter: A) How much stock do you put in the previously mentioned ESPN report on Giannis being open to a move? B) Is Milwaukee ready to begin a long post-Giannis rebuild? Starting with the first piece of this, yes, it's easy to imagine the Greek Freak being ready to start over with a new franchise. When he previously expressed concerns about the viability of the Bucks roster, Milwaukee ownership/management heard him loud and clear and took action. They acquired PG Jrue Holiday from the Pelicans in 2020, then went on to win the NBA Finals the following season. Milwaukee also took action in 2023 amid rumblings about Antetokounmpo, acquiring Damian Lillard from Portland. But this summer, if you haven't heard, there's no realistic path to upgrading the Bucks roster the way they did with the deals for Holiday and Lillard. At the risk of oversimplifying things, that -- in a nutshell -- is why there's a real chance Giannis could be on the move this summer. As for part B of this question, if* Giannis decides he wants out and is willing to play hardball to force a trade, the answer is probably "who cares?" *As of June 4, this is still a big "if." It has, however, repeatedly been proven that when an NBA star of Giannis's stature pushes for an exit, there's little to nothing his current team can do (see Butler, Jimmy for the best/most recent example). Best Bet On Giannis Antetokounmpo's Next Team: Toronto Raptors When betting on a potential trade that may or may not materialize, I recommend looking at the options with larger payouts than what you'll get if Giannis goes to the Spurs (+380) or Rockets (+450). That brings me to the Raptors, whose odds have moved from 10-to-1 to 8-to-1 in the last 48 hours. The fact that Toronto's odds in this market are shorter than they were earlier this week doesn't guarantee anything, but that development shouldn't be ignored, either. I don't expect the Spurs, who have two young stars in Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, plus the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, to commit to the shake-up necessary to land a player like Giannis this offseason. The biggest reason not to bet on the Rockets to land Giannis is the fact that they have the shortest odds to get Kevin Durant (+225 at DK as of June 4). Why The Raptors Are An Intriguing Destination For Giannis I don't just like Toronto as a Giannis destination by default or because of the enticing price, though. An underrated storyline this summer is that Toronto Team President Masai Ujiri is entering a contract year, as his deal with the team is set to expire next summer. The exec who brought Kawhi Leonard (and a ring) to Toronto in 2018-19 is a good bet to make a splash of some sort this summer for a franchise that hasn't been to the playoffs since 2022. More importantly, the Raptors have a 23-year-old All-Star in Scottie Barnes, a proven veteran wing in Brandon Ingram and three solid pieces under 27 years old in RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick. At mininum, there's more than enough smoke here (including recent reports by the Toronto Star's Doug Smith and ESPN's Brian Windhorst) to justify a small bet, like 0.25 or 0.10 units, on the Raptors landing Giannis at +800. Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Knicks Duo Joins Kobe, Shaq With Record Setting Performance Thursday
Knicks Duo Joins Kobe, Shaq With Record Setting Performance Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Knicks extended their Eastern Conference Playoffs series against the Indiana Pacers with a 111-94 win at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, giving Tom Thibodeau's team a chance to even things up at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday. Advertisement The game included stellar performances from Knicks stars Karl Anthony-Towns and Jalen Brunson, who combined for 56 points in the Big Apple. Brunson and Towns' performances put the Knicks duo in the NBA record books alongside Lakers legends Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, a testament to their considerable talents. Brunson and Towns scored 20-plus points during each of the Knicks' first five games of their conference series, making them the only duo to accomplish the feat since O'Neal and Bryant during the Western Conference Finals in 2002 against the Sacramento Kings. Jalen Brunson snags the ball against Indiana on Thursday night. © Brad Penner-Imagn Images Fellow Lakers duo Elgin Baylor and Jerry West also scored 20-plus points in five straight games against the St. Louis Hawks during the 1966 Western Division Finals. Advertisement Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart added 12 points apiece to help lead the Knicks in their win, sending the series back to Indianapolis for what will be another must-win game for coach Thibodeau's team. The Knicks held star Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton to just eight points on Thursday. Benndict Mathurin scored 23 points to pace the Pacers while Pascal Siakim added 15 points and Obi Toppin added 11 points. Haliburton smiled while walking off the court, a sign that he remains confident in the Pacers' chances heading into Game 6 Saturday night. Towns complimented the Knicks' support players after the game alongside the NBA on TNT crew, a sign of the team's cohesiveness heading into Saturday night's contest. Advertisement Related: Charles Barkley Reveals What 'Drives Him Crazy' About Jalen Brunson's Knicks Teammates Related: Charles Barkley Reveals Nine-Word Phrase That Caused Julius Erving to Fight Larry Bird This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Lakers Listed as Potential Landing Spot For All-Star Center
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the Los Angeles Lakers get ready to fully embrace the offseason, the roster has one big glaring need. This would be a center, and every other team in the NBA knows this. More NBA news: Lakers Could Be in Position to Land Perfect Luka Doncic Co-Star Due to this, it could cause some issues for Los Angeles as it tries to navigate the situation. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka will need to get clever in adding talent to this roster, specifically in upgrading the frontcourt. Los Angeles has been linked with all sorts of players already, but they are now being listed as a potential landing spot for an All-Star big. According to NBA writer Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers is a dream trade target for the Lakers. Allen could check a lot of boxes for the Lakers and would complement star guard Luka Doncic very well. But what the Lakers could offer Cleveland would remain to be seen due to their limited tradeable assets. CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 23: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the Eastern Conference... CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 23: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. More Photo byHowever, Cleveland will be entering an interesting offseason after an early playoff exit. There have already been reports coming out about Allen potentially being available on the trade market. More NBA news: Cavaliers Trade Proposal Has Darius Garland Land With Surprising Rival Cavaliers insider Chris Fedor reported that Cleveland would at least consider moving Allen this offseason. This is where the Lakers could strike gold due to the struggles that Cleveland saw in the postseason. "I think the two untouchables are Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley," Cavs insider Chris Fedor said. "I have been getting the sense that the Cavs would be more willing to entertain and at least consider possibilities for Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland than they have in the past." Allen averaged 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 blocks per game. The big man would be perfect playing with Doncic and LeBron James, giving them a rim-running, lob-threat on offense. Defensively, Allen could hold his own and give Los Angeles a solid rebounder as well. The Lakers could make a push to land Allen, and if they were to agree on a deal, it could make all the difference in how next season plays out. More NBA news: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Shoe Brand Takes Massive Shot at Anthony Edwards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Could Match LeBron James, Steph Curry NBA Finals Feat For more on the Lakers, Cavaliers, and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
