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Sources reported that Vice-President Sachin Gupta would be promoted to the position for the time being, as they will need someone to fill the position with the training camp resuming in less than a week. However, Jake Fischer later reported that incoming owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez have their eyes on Sixers GM Elton Brandon to fill the position on a long-term basis. Is Elton Brand the right person to be the Head of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves?...

Reports continue to swirl around Markkanen and Hield. Until they get traded or, in the case of the former, a team signs him outright, expect more NBA rumors in the coming weeks. However, these two players aren’t the only ones looking for a new home for the upcoming 2021-22 season. Jake Fischer disclosed a number of hot NBA rumors in his latest piece on Bleacher Report, which contained multiple stories from around the league....

Between LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the league’s leading scorers have been locked in a battle for the scoring crown, separated by less than 0.5 points per game, meaning the scoring title had been essentially anyone’s to win. MORE: Is LeBron James the greatest scorer of all-time? As such, the player that holds the title of the league’s leading scorer can change on a nightly basis, with the title likely not getting decided until the final night of the regular season, which falls on Sunday, April 10....

The North Carolina House passed House Bill 2 on Wednesday to repeal portions of Charlotte’s non-discrimination ordinance passed last month and prohibit any city from attempting something similar. MORE: Athletes’ social issue demonstrations | NBA should take All-Star stand on N.C. law Though the original Charlotte, N.C., ordinance outlined how businesses must treat gay, lesbian and transgender customers, the portion that garnered the most attention was one allowing people to choose public restrooms corresponding with their gender identity....

In fact, for all the talk of a willingness to trade up in this draft, teams besides the Clippers are finding that the asking price for a top-five spot is far too much. “This is a good draft, a very good draft at the top,” one league source told Sporting News. “But the value that teams are placing on these picks is a little unreasonable in some cases.” Among the other teams that have looked into trading up are the Sixers, Cavs, Bulls and Celtics, who might have to give up top rookie Jayson Tatum for a top-five pick, which is a non-starter for Boston....

DeAndre Jordan decided to return to the Clippers Wednesday after one of the strangest days in the history of free agency, which included what had to be the record for most emojis used in 24 hours. There was J.J. Redick, Chandler Parsons, Chris Paul and the closer, Paul Pierce. It was only a matter of time before it extended to the entire league — both past and present. MORE: Free agency winners and losers | Internet has fun with DeAndre drama | Free agency tracker...

After a grueling 82-game season and three rounds of the NBA Playoffs, the 2022 NBA Finals are set to begin on Thursday, June 2. MORE: Full details of changes to NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy For the first time since 2019, the NBA Finals are back to their regular schedule. In 2020 and 2021, the timing of the NBA Finals was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about watching the 2022 NBA Finals....

NBA FREE AGENCY TRACKER: Latest news, signings of top available players After trading up to take University of Washington product one-and-done point guard Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 overall pick in last month’s NBA Draft, Philadelphia has come to terms with 11th-year sharpshooter JJ Redick to fill out their backcourt. The tandem cold accompany a frontline that will may consist of last year’s top pick Ben Simmons, who’s yet to turn 21, and 2016-17 Rookie of the Year candidates 23-year-olds Dario Saric and Joel Embiid....

Wade, who recently reached a buyout agreement with the Bulls after one season in Chicago, is “leaning heavily” toward signing with the Cavs, according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported late Sunday the Cavs, Spurs, Thunder and Heat would all be contenders for Wade’s services, but it appears Cleveland is now a strong favorite to sign the 12-time All-Star once he officially clears waivers. Wojnarowski followed up Tuesday afternoon with a report stating Wade is nearing an agreement with the Cavs and could sign as soon as Wednesday....

Miami (21-26 SU, 21-24-2 ATS) has struggled this season, partially due to its best player, Dwayne Wade, being hampered by injuries. In January, the Heat went 6-6 and have been unable to establish a winning streak. Line: Detroit -4, Total: 186 (Check our odds page for updated point spreads and totals) If there’s one role Miami has thrived in, though, it’s as a road underdog, as they’re 5-0-1 ATS when catching points away from home....

NBA News Update: Outpour of grief and anger on social media continues from the NBA Community for Breonna Taylor Not for the first time, NBA players feel that the legal system has once again failed the African-American community by merely giving one officer a slap on the wrist for what is widely seen as a gruesome murder. 2020 has been an absolutely worrying year for the country. This has been the third major case of crime against the African-American community this year, and it shows in the severity of the emotions shown by the NBA players....

After exchanging trash talk with Anderson throughout the contest, Morris whacked Anderson in the head with the basketball while being closely guarded. His actions started a mini-fracas, and he was assessed a flagrant 2. MORE: What do the Hornets want to be after Kemba’s exit? Morris didn’t back down after the game, saying that while he may have taken things too far, he’s also “not taking any s—” from his opponents this year....

Green is the top trash talker in the game today, and he is willing to verbally attack anyone who gets in his way. Green has thrown shots at Paul Pierce, called out the Hawks coaching staff and traded barbs with CJ McCollum during this year’s first-round series between the Warriors and Trail Blazers. But a lesser known Portland player has really felt Green’s wrath. MORE: NBA playoff scores | Monday’s schedule...

Philadelphia cruised to a dominant 116-95 victory over the Raptors at the Wells Fargo Center in Game 3 of their second-round series. The win put the 76ers ahead 2-1 in the series. Toronto failed time and again to slow down Philadelphia’s star-powered offense. The 76ers shot 51.2 percent from the field and knocked down 10 of their 23 3-point attempts. Here are three takeaways from the 76ers’ win: Joel Embiid bounces back That was a different Joel Embiid....

The Raptors point guard came off the bench Tuesday night to score 13 points and help Toronto defeat the Bucks, 120-102, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals and tie the series up. According to VanVleet, the birth of his son, Fred Jr., on Monday was instrumental in helping him get his groove back. “It makes you tired,” VanVleet said of welcoming a second child, via ESPN. “It gives you a little perspective, I guess, on life....

Golden State has overcome several postseason injuries to key players while Portland has surpassed the expectations of most. Anything could happen in the Western Conference finals. Here are three things that could determine the outcome of this series between the Warriors and Trail Blazers: Kevin Durant’s health The absence of the postseason’s top scorer will definitely affect Golden State’s offense. Kevin Durant hasn’t played since Game 5 of the second round, where he suffered what’s been described as a mild calf sprain....

We all know that Giannis is amazing. Some of his areas of improvement haven’t gotten quite the attention they deserve, though. Here are some specifics on how he’s become an even more dominant player, and what he needs to continue to improve on. Passing The largest area of improvement in Giannis’ game has been with his passing. His 7.1 playoff assists per game are two full assists more than he had during last year’s Bucks championship run....

Throughout the league, there have been surprises and disappointments, and at the one-quarter pole, we have a sense of how the league is shaping up. So here’s our third poll of the year, pointing out what’s surprised and disappointed about each of the 30 teams. LEROUX: How new trade deadline will impact team decisions Celtics Quarter-season surprise: The Celtics, top-seeded in the East last year, rebuilt the roster and have emerged a better team, even with the season-ending injury to Gordon Hayward....

Based on a report from Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, Anthony Davis wasn’t as happy with Schroder as he was with Rajon Rondo for one simple reason.: As versatile as Anthony Davis is, like most big men, he wants to get his touches in the post when he can get them. The LA Lakers forward is quick enough to take advantage of a bigger but slower opponent on his way to the basket, and he can shoot over a smaller, though faster, foe in the post too....