NBA Player News

Okogie and Williams will replace DaQuan Jeffries and Jusuf Nurkic for Sunday’s game. Williams is returning from a one-game absence, while Okogie will simply be swapping spots in the rotation with Jeffries. It’s unclear how much Okogie will play, but Williams should carry his usual starter workload.

After being denied permission to interview five current head coaches, the Knicks have set up formal interviews with Jenkins and Brown. Both were fired during the 2024-25 season, with Jenkins being dismissed by the Grizzlies and Brown by the Kings. While the endings weren’t good for either, they managed to turn things around for their respective franchises. Additionally, the Knicks are expected to explore speaking with some current assistant coaches regarding the vacancy.

After starting Cason Wallace in the first three games of the NBA Finals, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has gone back to his usual first five. Hartenstein returns to the lineup, with Wallace heading to the bench. Hartenstein can be a capable facilitator in the short roll, and his floater in those spots is close to automatic. After playing 33 minutes in Game 1, Wallace logged 24 and 23 minutes in Games 2 and 3.

Who knows what to believe at this point. A Thursday update from Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s John Gambadoro noted that a Durant trade was “not close,” but Shams and Brian Windhorst have been consistent over the last week, reporting the trade as imminent. Shams’ most recent report links Durant most closely to the Rockets, Heat and Timberwolves.

With Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu set to man the starting frontcourt positions in Atlanta, Capela is likely to look for a new team. The Lakers’ Achilles heel is the team’s lack of depth at center, and Capela could provide a strong presence down low. If he signs with LA, expect Capela to supplant Jaxson Hayes as the starter or at the very least split playing time with him.

Westy enjoyed a productive season with Denver, logging just under 28 minutes per game across 75 appearances. Since leaving Oklahoma City, Westbrook has played for five teams in six seasons, and he’ll look to latch on with another squad this summer. Given his age, the veteran will likely look for a contender.

Head coach Rick Carlisle said that Turner had been battling an illness that would potentially prevent him from practicing on Thursday, but it won’t keep him from playing on Friday. He may not be at full strength, but he’ll be out there as Indiana looks to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

Lerner said that Sheppard is participating to help him prepare to play a larger role in his second season. After Houston selected him with the No. 3 pick in 2024, Sheppard played just 12.6 minutes per game across his 52 appearances, though all signs point to Sheppard playing more in year two. How well he performs in Summer League should be a solid indicator of how much he will play for the Rockets next season, though the other moves this team could make will also open up minutes for him.

Finney-Smith dealt with a lingering ankle issue that he mostly played through down the stretch of the season. The 32-year-old small forward is expected to be able to participate in training camp after successful surgery. Finney-Smith holds a player option to return to the Lakers for $15,378,480. It’s possible that he declines the option and becomes a free agent.

The Knicks have already been denied from speaking with five current head coaches and appear to be shifting their focus to candidates they don’t need permission to interview. Brown, who last coached the Sacramento Kings, and Jenkins, who was with the Memphis Grizzlies, both fit that bill. Amick reports there could be more names joining them on the Knicks’ list, which is still yet to be finalized. The Knicks are the only head coaching vacancy in the NBA at the moment and appear in no rush to hire a new coach after parting ways with Tom Thibodeau last week.

Durant has been rumored to be on the move since before the trade deadline. While several teams have inquired about the availability of the small forward who turns 37 in September, the Spurs, Rockets, Timberwolves, Knicks and Heat are some of the more likely landing spots. Durant is likely headed elsewhere this offseason, though no trade is imminent at this time.