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NEW: A league source told CelticsBlog that Giannis Antetokounmpo’s looming extension was not a factor in why the Celtics didn’t land him, and that they were prepared to offer him the full 3-year, 35% contract extension.

Attn: Bill Simmons

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“The Heat has opted not to pursue former Heat guard Gabe Vincent, at this point, and is instead focusing on adding a guard with more size, a source with direct knowledge said. The Heat ideally would love to add that type of player at the minimum but possibly could offer more than that.”

“Miami’s radar are 6-4 Bradley Beal, 6-3 Anfernee Simons and 6-5 Kentavious Caldwell Pope (who is expected to part ways with the Grizzlies). The 6-5 Zach LaVine could become an option if the Kings waive and stretch the final season (and $49 million) of his contract.”

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“Detroit Pistons are conveying that Jalen Duren will not be moved and are solely focused on coming to terms on an agreement to keep their All-Star center, league sources tell me.”

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One more fascinating scenario that we've been advised not to rule out completely: A possible sign-and-trade run at Boston's perennial All-Star Brown.

This would certainly require Detroit to be willing to part with restricted free agent big man Jalen Duren in a sign-and-trade exchange for Brown, which would obviously clash with the Pistons' longstanding view that Duren and Ausar Thompson are franchise pillars alongside Cunningham.

Per Saunders’s Wikipedia page

“A great-grandson of Ore-Ida founder and inventor of the Tater Tot F. Nephi Grigg,Saunders attended Wasatch Academy.”

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While the LA Clippers are undeniably determined to keep hold of Kawhi Leonard — and with Leonard's clear first choice known to be staying with them in his beloved Southern California — league sources say that Toronto has registered interest in trying to re-acquire the engine of the lone championship team in franchise history should Leonard become truly available.

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The Timberwolves and Raptors are the first two confirmed suitors, but league sources say that the Milwaukee Bucks have also registered interest. And there are presumed to be other teams making lodging interest with Charlotte despite the 24-year-old's injury history and at-times-erratic play.

Draft and sign 2026 2RP ($1.4m salary)

Salary dump Jovic with a ‘29 FRP swap for Minott (career 40% 3PT, $13.7m salary cut)

Andrew Wiggins decline-and-extend ($7m salary cut)

Norm Powell sign-and-trade for Duncan Robinson ($4.1m less than Norm Powell’s current salary)

Free agent signings: Tim Hardaway (part of the MLE), Khris Middleton, Aaron Holiday, Simone Fontecchio (vet mins)

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“It’s something you had to do in my mind, because there simply was no plan B. I know there been a lot of speculation about ‘plan B had been written up with Ja Morant or Trae Young.’ None of that was accurate —

Morant is someone they considered previously but decided against it. I didn’t sense a great enthusiasm in a pursuit there… I never got the sense Kawhi Leonard was viewed as a likely option for them either.”

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Said Brad Stevens [on Jaylen Brown’s future with the Celtics]: "Jaylen Brown is a big part of us. I don't want to predict the future. I look at it as this is our team,"

An unintentional consequence of the Rozier trade was that the Heat couldn’t trade future first round picks before 2030 in a Giannis trade due to the pick protections on the outgoing 2027 FRP.

Article from Anthony Chiang with Miami draft outlook

After this week’s draft, the Heat will own its first-round pick in three of the next four drafts.

Here’s another way of looking at it: The Heat will have a first-round pick before Years 3 and 4 — and before either Year 1 or 2 — of the four seasons of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s expected four-year, $275 million contract extension that will take effect in the 2027-28 season. He is eligible to sign that extension exactly six months after the trade is announced. If the deal is announced July 6, he could commit long-term to the Heat on Dec. 6.

The Heat’s 2027 first-round pick will go to Charlotte if it’s between picks 15 and 30. If the Heat’s pick in next year’s draft falls between 1 and 14, Miami would keep that pick and send Charlotte an unconditional first-round pick in 2028. The four teams in the play-in will be eligible for the draft lottery for the first time next season. The Heat has its own first-round pick in 2029. The Heat, in 2030, will get the worse pick of its own and Milwaukee’s. The Bucks will get Heat first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, but Miami will keep its own pick in 2032. The Bucks don’t have the right to swap picks with Miami in 2032.

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“The Sabonis-Charlotte thing? It’s definitely true that there were talks. It’s definitely true that Charlotte was like ‘No thank you. If you want picks, you’re not getting picks.’”

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Charania:

“Stugotz, these people have been on me for just doing the job for 13 months and now I’m not saying anything. I haven’t said anything. I haven’t said a word. You see how that works?”

Stugotz:

“Yeah, I see how it works. How’d you deal with the blowback about reporting SGA won the MVP?”

Charania:

“People can say what ever they want. What I have to do is just do the job.”