Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and the Mavericks doesn’t start until June 6, so other than the build-up to this exciting series, the focus for now is how the other 28 teams are planning ahead for the summer.
Today, we’re going to focus on three teams, as the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, and Kings made it to the headlines recently for different reasons.
Fresh from their playoff elimination at the hands of the Mavericks, the Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards dropped a bold declaration. On the other hand, the Cavaliers and the Kings are sorting out their coaching ranks.
As we wait for the enthralling match-up between the Celtics and Mavericks, for now, SBOTOP is here to bring you the latest NBA 2024 updates.
Edwards makes huge vow for the Timberwolves
After losing to the Mavericks in a gentleman’s sweep, Anthony Edwards told reporters postgame that “they’ll be back” next year.
The Timberwolves made it back to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2004 after dismantling the Nuggets in the second round. However, they ran out of gas against a resurgent Mavericks team led by the dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Still, no one can take away the fact that the Timberwolves defied the NBA 2024 odds this season, especially given their losing history.
Edwards’ meteoric rise was one of the biggest stories in the 2024 NBA playoffs after he led the Timberwolves to the third seed in the Western Conference.
The two-time NBA All-Star averaged 27.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from three-point range in 16 postseason matches.
But while Edwards figures to be a cornerstone for the franchise, the Timberwolves front office has to do their job of maintaining (or even improving) his supporting cast.
There have been rumors that the team might consider trading Karl-Anthony Towns, while Kyle Anderson is going to be an unrestricted free agent soon.
Given they have one of the most expensive payrolls in the league, the Timberwolves will have their work cut out for them in terms of avoiding the second tax apron next season, which may see them letting go of some of their key players.
Cavaliers “keen” to keep their core four
The Cavaliers are facing a similar dilemma as the Timberwolves following their second-round exit at the hands of the Celtics.
After their playoff exit, there was rumored discontent in the locker room, so there were reports saying that the Cavaliers might prepare to tear apart their current roster.
Donovan Mitchell was said to be “frustrated” with his teammates, while several members within the team were unhappy with Jarrett Allen’s unwillingness to take painkillers to play through an injured rib during their playoff run.
But according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Cavaliers “don’t appear to be motivated” to listen to any trade inquiries for any of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen.
Extending Mitchell, who is about to make roughly $35 million next season, should be the top priority for Cleveland because he is easily their best player.
The five-time NBA All-Star averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game on 46/37/87 shooting splits in 55 regular-season games this year. And in the playoffs, he posted norms of 29.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 47.6-per cent shooting from the field.
On top of that, they’re still conducting their head coach search following the dismissal of JB Bickerstaff. So far, they’ve already interviewed Kenny Atkinson, James Borrego, Chris Quinn, and Johnnie Bryant for the vacancy.
Kings lock down Brown to lucrative extension
Speaking of coaching vacancies, the Kings aren’t going to have one very soon, as they’ve committed to Mike Brown via a three-year, $30 million extension on Friday.
Before the agreement, Brown and the Kings were seemingly reaching an impasse, as the former wanted an annual salary of $10 million after receiving the first offer of three years, $21 million.
The extension of Brown is great news for the Kings, given that they are a historically unstable franchise.
Brown guided the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 16 years during the 2022-23 season, although they failed to make it this year after getting eliminated in the play-in tournament. With that now out of the way, the next offseason priority for the Kings is negotiating a new deal with Malik Monk, as the Sixth Man of the Year candidate is going to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
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