MORE FROM Sean Deveney

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GM Sam Hinkie has stockpiled assets, including a boatload of potential 2015 first-round draft picks. Yet they are set for another season of rebuilding.

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The Eastern Conference stinks. But still, there will be eight teams on hand in the conference playoffs, even if three of them are under .500. Here's how the final days of the race shape up.

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Minnesota has assembled the makings of a nice, young core, but it is the injured big-money veterans who are weighing most heavily on coach/GM Flip Saunders.

Youth movement (hopefully)

The Knicks will begin their rebuilding in the draft and on the free agent market this summer, and they're hoping to stay young in doing so.

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Is this the end for Kobe Bryant? Will the Lakers keep their draft pick? Is Jordan Hill part of the plans? Is a big-name point guard in the plans? The Lakers have a number of questions to answer this offseason.

Kevin Love, meet Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh warned Kevin Love that playing with LeBron James would not be easy, but it's eerie just how similar the two have been.

Russ time

Russell Westbrook has been on a seldom-seen hot streak since the All-Star break. That could have long-term implications for the Thunder.

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The NCAA Tournament creates excitement for fans, but it's also a high-profile proving ground for top NBA prospects.

Jazz standard

The Jazz had a rough time last season, and got off to a bad start this year. But their strong finish shows that you don't need to tank to win in the league.

Spurred to act?

The Spurs are comfortably in the playoff mix but actively weighing options — including center Marc Gasol, sources told SN's Sean Deveney.

Iggy goes up

Andre Iguodala paid respect to a pioneer when he hit free agency back in 2013. Now with Golden State, he has realized the benefits.

Kyrie's groove

For a while, everything good for Kyrie Irving was accompanied by something bad. Now, he tells SN, that's finally changed.

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Not so smooth

Smoothing, from the players’ point of view, was a mechanism designed to keep the owners from writing too many checks.

Austin's path

Austin's path

Sager returns

Sager returns

TNT's Craig Sager and his glamorous get-ups return to the NBA sidelines on Thursday, but there's much more to his career than his threads.

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New King

New King

It's not necessarily instinctive to put James Harden into the NBA's MVP box. But he is making it easier and easier, writes SN's Sean Deveney.

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Dragic's travels

Goran Dragic has been on the move most of his NBA career. He was expected to be Steve Nash's heir apparent in Phoenix, but now he will start over again in Miami.

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Jordan Hill staying put?

The Lakers are "highly unlikely" to move the power forward, a source told Sporting News.

It's a Dragic

Despite rising tensions, the Suns are still pushing an Isaiah Thomas trade as a way to win back Goran Dragic, a source told Sporting News.

Draymond speaks

Warriors free-agent-to-be Draymond Green knows he will be a sought-after free agent in the summer. Until then, though, he's focused on fun.

Melo out

In an unsurprising move, the Knicks are prepared to give Carmelo Anthony the rest of the year off to have surgery on his left knee.

Fed up in Phoenix

When the Suns signed guard Isaiah Thomas in July, many wondered what, exactly, the team was doing. They're just now figuring it out.

Remembering The Shot

Those old Gatorade ads have brought up a tough moment for Cleveland fans--when Michael Jordan crushed their postseason dreams with The Shot in 1989. A former Cav reflects.

Brook Lopez deal?

LMA in New York

Brook Lopez deal?

The Nets may be willing to move center Brook Lopez, but a source told Sporting News that not much has happened to advance a deal just yet.

LMA in New York

His impending free agency was a frequent topic for Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge over All-Star weekend, but he deflected that type of attention with ease.

Money problems

Money problems

The NBA has a new television contract kicking in, and that's created some problems for those assigned to divide the new income.

Silver speaks

Silver speaks

NBA commssioner Adam Silver made his annual appearance before the media at the All-Star game, and suggested some tweaks ahead for the league.

Melo view

Melo view

It's been a forgettable year for Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks, but the All-Star game holds out some hope for the team's future.

Kings moves

The Kings have a new coach in place. Now the focus has been on making changes to the roster, sources told SN's Sean Deveney.

Klay's time

Klay's time

Klay Thompson has had a lot to worry about, but he handled it all in stride. This weekend, he will take his place among the NBA's best players.

Love lessons

Love lessons

Heading into the Olympics in 2012, Kevin Love was struggling to find his role. What happened next could provide a road map for the rest of the Cavaliers' season.

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Knight moves

As Brandon Knight excels in his fourth NBA season, he looks back on John Calipari's pre-draft evaluation.

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Sorry, Bud

Chase Budinger is among the Timberwolves veterans who would like to be sent elsewhere. But as the deadline approaches, Minnesota's options are limited.

The Josh Huestis experiment

The Josh Huestis experiment

Last summer, Oklahoma City pulled a shocker by selecting forward Josh Huestis out of Stanford, then stashing him on their D-League team. SN's Sean Deveney checked in on his progress.

Raps' Ross a keeper?

Toronto's Terrence Ross has been benched, but while the Raptors are exploring the big-man trade market, Ross is not among the pieces the team is offering, sources told SN's Sean Deveney.

Showtime for Stanley Johnson?

Showtime for Stanley Johnson?

Kobe Bryant has mentored draft picks for his agent in the past, but none became Lakers. Will that change with Arizona's Stanley Johnson?

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Steve Kerr reigns

There were several big storylines coming out of last summer's offseason. But now it is clear: No one had a better year than the Warriors' Steve Kerr.

Warriors hush Harden

On Saturday, Houston's James Harden said the Warriors were not that good. On Wednesday, Stephen Curry and Golden State again proved him wrong.

Greek Freak II time?

Greek Freak II time?

In the midst of a terrible year, the Knicks have left high-energy second-round pick Thanasis Antetotkounmpo to develop in the D-League. They should change that.

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Klay an All-Star?

Nothing is safe when it comes to projecting the West All-Stars. But Golden State's league-best record is a bright spot on the resume of candidate Klay Thompson.

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Suns' Goodwin shines (in D-League)

The second-year guard has worked hard on his game — he was named the D-League Showcase MVP — and wants to stay professional, but he is obviously frustrated with the logjam of guards in Phoenix.

Caris LeVert's NBA stock

It had been a strange season for the Michigan wing, and the foot injury he suffered over the weekend only adds to the strangeness.

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Nets teardown begins

If this year’s standings were to hold, in the last decade, 20 out of 80 East playoff teams will have been below .500. Yup, that’s 25 percent. The West, meanwhile, has not had a .500 team make the playoffs since the 1999 lockout year.

Life after Malone

SN's Sean Deveney digs into the details and finds that the move to fire Mike Malone, driven by team owner Vivek Ranadive, has not done much to advance the Kings' cause.

Malone return

"The Kings probably did him a favor," one general manager told Sporting News' Sean Deveney.

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European illusion

For more than a decade, the NBA has discussed plans to expand into Europe, a tradition continued on Thursday by commissioner Adam Silver, speaking from the Knicks-Bucks meeting in London.

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No Prince buyout (yet)

The sides aren't close to an agreement, despite reports to the contrary.

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Jeff Green's new role

After a trade from Boston, Jeff Green is off to Memphis, where the contending Grizzlies hope he finally can find his niche.

Tayshaun Prince's future

Tayshaun Prince will meet with Celtics' Ainge about future

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Brady, Pats advance

The New England QB showed his trademark cool in rallying his team to a 35-31 victory that puts them back in the AFC Championship Game.

Patriot trickery?

Ravens coach John Harbaugh expects the NFL to look at what the Patriots were doing with formations during Saturday's divisional playoff game.

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The Baseline: Market corrections

The Lakers and Knicks need help, but players seldom bolt for big markets.

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Knicks right on schedule

Knicks boss Phil Jackson took over his new gig fully aware that he would need time and patience to rebuild the franchise — and that both had been in short supply in the past.

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NBA draft tidbits

Washington's Robert Upshaw leads the nation in blocked shots and has turned heads in doing so. SN's Sean Deveney checks in with scouts and executives about state of the 2015 draft.

Rondo suitors

Should Dallas play well and Rondo re-establish his value, the Mavs would be get the first word with him. But the Knicks and Lakers will linger, sources told SN's Sean Deveney.

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Ainge's assets

As Rajon Rondo returns to Boston for the first time, SN takes stock of what team president Danny Ainge has gathered up to help the Celtics with their rebuilding process.

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What's wrong with Cavs?

SN went to two Eastern Conference scouts and an East assistant coach to find out what's wrong in Cleveland.

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So long, rivalries, and thanks

As tougher rules and more AAU influence takes hold, it is unlikely we'll ever see rivalries of the Lakers-Celtics magnitude.

Josh Smith's spiral

Josh Smith's spiral

The Pistons delivered a stunning blow to the career of Josh Smith. SN's Sean Deveney tracks what went wrong for Smith, back to when he was with the Hawks.

Rondo hits the road

Rondo hits the road

Thursday's deal could mean a long slog of a rebuild for Boston and a big boost for Dallas.

ACL improvements

Thumbs up on social statements

Longtime veterans — Reggie Miller, Greg Anthony and Chris Webber — expressed their support of players speaking out on social issues, including wearing, 'I can't breathe' T-shirts in warmups.

ACL improvements

As surgeons have gained a more precise knowledge of the natural placement of ACLs, their ability to limit post-surgery problems has dramatically increased -- and that's good news for Jabari Parker and others, as several doctors tell SN's Sean Deveney.

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Jabari's future

Even with an ACL tear in his left knee, the rookie remains one of the league's young stars and a crucial building block in Milwaukee.

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Moving Moose?

The Pistons' Greg Monroe is a free agent next summer, and would willingly waive his veto power for a trade, sources told SN's Sean Deveney.

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LBJ minutes

From the time he entered the NBA, LeBron James played a big heap of minutes. Now, as he heads toward his 30th birthday, we will get a better sense of whether that heavy workload has an impact on his production.

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Jordan Hill's long climb

When the Lakers re-signed Jordan Hill this summer, the deal received ample criticism. But Hill worked on his midrange game and has proven worthy of the Lakers' faith this season — and he plans to expand his game more.

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LeBron's voice

LeBron James has found a niche as a voice on issues that have long gone ignored by the country’s biggest star athletes.

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Kobe and MJ in the record book

Kobe Bryant should pass Michael Jordan on the NBA's all-time scoring list some time this week. But Bryant still bristles as the idea that his career has been about pursuing and catching Jordan.

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About that Kobe-Rondo breakfast

Kobe Bryant and Rajon Rondo raised some eyebrows by having breakfast together in Boston on Thursday. But sources say any notion of Rondo heading West via trade is, "all smoke, no fire."

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Butler's bet

Swingman Jimmy Butler told reporters he was, “betting on myself,” when he turned down the Bulls' final offer. The bet paid off.

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Futile Sixers: The next Thunder?

The Sixers have gotten off to the worst start in franchise history. But Charles Barkley, arguably the greatest Sixer ever, says they are on the right track and could become the next Oklahoma City.

Michael's revenge

Michael's revenge

In talking with SN's Sean Deveney, former Grizzly Antonio Harvey recalls the 19 straight points Michael Jordan scored to prevent Vancouver from upsetting the record-breaking Bulls, and the trash talk that got him started.

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Knight contract

While he had hoped to land a contract extension to stay in Milwaukee, point guard Brandon Knight expects to stay put when he hits restricted free agency next year, he tells SN's Sean Deveney.

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Davis MVP? Maybe so

Sure, Pelicans star Anthony Davis is only 21 and in his third NBA season. And yes, we're only 12 games into the year. But it's not too soon to make Davis the front-runner for the MVP.

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NBPA's new boss

Michele Roberts has only been on the job for a little more than three months, but she is already strengthening the NBA's players union and gearing up as a hefty counterweight to commissioner Adam Silver.

Dragic free agency

Dragic free agency

As the crowded field of Suns guards still sorts itself out, sources tell Sporting News that Goran Dragic will be testing the market.

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Kidd, Bucks to Brooklyn

Jason Kidd has settled in with the young Bucks and has them off and running — sometimes literally.

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Hammond to Sporting News

In a conversation with Sporting News, Bucks general manger John Hammond explained why Milwaukee's recruitment of Jason Kidd never concerned him.

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OKC's Brooks: No, tanks

OKC's coach isn't giving up on this season despite a poor early record and a rash of injuries. Mavs owner Mark Cuban reckons the Thunder should play for the lottery.

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Stability reigns for Raps

After last year's franchise-best season and with a hot start this year, Toronto can pride itself on something new entirely: continuity. That starts with Kyle Lowry.

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NBA game time

The NBA has looked at different possibilities for shortening games the last few years. Using the D-League as a sort of laboratory, the league is now ever closer to doing just that.

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Cavs' early woes

The fact that so few members of the roster have actually been part of a winning environment over the years figured to be a problem for LeBron James and the Cavaliers. But now James is frustrated three games in.

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OKC injuries

The Thunder took a double-whammy on the injury front, first losing league MVP Kevin Durant, then All-Star Russell Westbrook. But both will be back and the Thunder should survive.

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NBA free agency

Player agents are already gearing up for what they expect to be a free-agent market that is overwhelmingly weighted toward players next summer.

Instant Replay

With more replay usage in the NBA, the league has opened a new Replay Center that should bring the process down to seconds.

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20-win jumps

Over the course of the last 20 years, only once have we seen three teams — the Hornets (then Bobcats), Suns and Blazers — boost their records by more than 20 wins. Now, they will assume the pressure of holding steady or improving.

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Parker's voice

Jabari Parker, the Bucks' young centerpiece, will be asked to add talking to his already-developed game.

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Trying the triangle

The Knicks brought in Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher, and with them came the mysterious triangle offense.

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Plans in place

The Sixers have been the subject of much hand-wringing around the league, but look back through the annals of the last 20 years in the NBA, and you'll find that Philly actually could be on the right path.

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UK pro day

On Friday, the John Calipari project kicked off in Lexington, Ky., with 90 NBA personnel in attendance.

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Noel finally plays

The big man takes the court for the first time since being drafted in 2013.

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Nets' sale coming?

Nets' sale coming?

Mikhail Prokhorov is reportedly interested in selling the Nets, which further shows that for an NBA that is riding high financially, now's a pretty good time to cash out.

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Favors future

Derrick Favors is only 23 but has been in the NBA for five years now. As his contract extension kicks in, he says he is primed to take on a bigger role with Utah, even if that means getting more vocal and leading his young team.

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Rondo speaks

His goal of leading Boston back to glory has not changed despite another injury and constant trade rumors.

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Team USA cruises

Nine years ago, Jerry Colangelo was put in charge of a wayward USA Basketball program.

Hawks dysfunction

Hawks dysfunction

The franchise has been a drag on the league for years.

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Faried contract

Kenneth Faried stepped up his game with the Nuggets back in March and carried that streak into the World Cup. For Denver, the only problem with this is that Faried is up for a contract extension, and his outstanding play has complicated their position.

Gobert big for Bleus

Rudy Gobert was the driving force behind a shocking upset at the tournament, with France — undermanned without stalwart point guard Tony Parker and star center Joakim Noah — ousting host nation Spain by a 65-52 score in the quarterfinal round.

NBA and racism

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NBA and racism

The NBA's pursuit and ultimate ouster of Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been widely hailed as a success for commissioner Adam Silver. But in the aftermath, the league and its teams are wrestling with the precedents set by that case writes SN's Sean Deveney.

Offseason convo: Reggie Theus

Reggie Theus, once 15 minutes from being part of the Michael Jordan dynasty, returned to coaching.

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NBA owners and racism

After Donald Sterling, the NBA has established a zero-tolerance policy for racial discrimination.

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Exum outlook

In the 10 weeks since the NBA draft, we have not had all that much opportunity to watch Jazz guard Dante Exum in action. A scout tells SN's Sean Deveney he may not be ready for the NBA.

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