Hoops Rumors

Nikola Jokic has a commanding lead in ESPN’s first straw poll of the season on the MVP race, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. The Nuggets center captured 57 first-place votes among the 100 ballots, giving him 827 total points. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came in second with 24 first-place votes and 678 points, followed by Bucks big man Giannis Antetokounmpo, who topped 19 … [Read more...] about And-Ones: MVP Race, Redick, Birch, Obst

Although the Bulls have reportedly talked to the Nuggets about a possible swap centered around Zach LaVine and Michael Porter Jr., they have shown no interest in taking Zeke Nnaji‘s contract back in a deal with Denver, reports K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). Porter is making $35.9MM this season and LaVine’s cap hit is about $43MM. The Nuggets wouldn’t … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Bulls, Nnaji, Strus, Wade, Middleton

As we relayed on Friday, three-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic led the way in the first MVP straw poll conducted by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps for the 2024/25 season. However, while Jokic earned 57 first-place votes from the 100 media members polled by Bontemps, it’s clearly a three-player race at this point. Jokic totaled 827 total points in the voting, with Thunder guard Shai … [Read more...] about Community Shootaround: 2024/25 NBA MVP Race

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau is happy to have Landry Shamet back on his roster after the veteran wing recovered from the dislocated shoulder he suffered during preseason with the team. Praising Shamet for his leadership and ability to play multiple positions, Thibodeau said the 27-year-old had a “great” training camp and was deserving of a roster spot once he was … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Shamet, Nets, Lillard, Middleton, White

The Bucks have ruled out both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard for Monday’s game vs. Chicago due to a non-COVID illness, as Jamal Collier of ESPN relays. According to Collier, several of Milwaukee’s players and staff members have been feeling sick since winning the NBA Cup final last Tuesday. Lillard missed a pair of games over the weekend due to a right calf injury and … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Bucks, Pacers, Bulls, Smart, Beasley, Cunningham