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Coby White Eyes Breakthrough as Hornets Face Heat | Deadspin.com   Free Coby White.While a February trade from Chicago to Charlotte allowed the North Carolina native to forge a fresh start with his non-toxic, home-state team, White still is aiming to escape the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.Not to mention the Miami Heat, Chicago’s play-in foil for the past three seasons.On Tuesday, White’s Hornets will host the Heat in the play-in opener, and White has a pulse on how to prevail.“We’ve just got to use our pace,” he said. “It’ll be a tough game if we make it a half-court game. It plays into their favor because of all the weapons they have offensively, the length that they play with defensively, the physicality they play with. So, I think we’ve got to use our pace.”Miami took the season series from Charlotte 3-1, with both meetings in South Beach coming before Nov. 7 amid the Hornets’ 4-14 start.Charlotte entered a March 6 visit from the Heat at 32-31 and stuck around before losing 127-120. The Hornets put everything together 11 days later, coasting to a 136-106 victory as the Heat were without Bam Adebayo (right calf tightness) and fellow frontcourt starter Andrew Wiggins (toe).Both teams navigated injuries down the stretch of the regular season but enter Tuesday in relatively good health. As with Charlotte against New York, Miami capitalized on facing a foe already in the East playoff field during Sunday’s regular-season finale. The Heat handled the Atlanta Hawks by 26 as 13 players saw the court.“They’re a team that’s going to be obviously well-prepared,” White said. “They got a hell of a coach in Erik Spoelstra. So for us, we got to be honed into the details.”Some cynics might say that Spoelstra’s star is tumbling as the Heat have been relegated to the play-in the past three seasons. Whatever the case, he boasts two NBA championships and four other Finals appearances since taking the reins in 2008-09.Of course, that includes the 2022-23 Heat, who regrouped from a loss in the 7-8 game to defeat White and the Bulls and earn an official spot in the playoff draw. Eighth-seeded Miami upset Milwaukee, New York and Boston before bowing out to Denver in a five-game Finals.For better or worse, Spoelstra knows the urgency of the play-in nearly as much as he does the Finals. In his experience, tackling the former doesn’t have to be formidable.“You have to absolutely embrace it,” Spoelstra said. “It makes you feel alive, that’s for sure, if you’re a competitor.“You don’t want the season to go the way it can to put you in the play-in, but once you’re in it, it’s exhilarating. You have to embrace the competition, embrace how every single possession really does matter.”The Hornets need a victory on Tuesday and against the loser of Wednesday’s Orlando-Philadelphia game to advance to the East draw for the first time since 2016.The Heat know the drill — both in the play-in and against the division rival Hornets. Charlotte features LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and White among a horde of regulars who are comfortable with moving the ball and creating opportunities from long range.“They play a lot faster at home, so obviously you’ve got to be aware of the shooters,” Adebayo said. “They run their offense with such a pace and sometimes it seems chaotic. You’ve got to be able to maintain through when they make runs or if it’s one of those big momentum swings, you’ve got to understand how we can settle and get back in the play.”As Spoelstra can attest, anything can happen from there.   #Coby #White #Eyes #Breakthrough #Hornets #Face #Heat #Deadspin.com

Coby White Eyes Breakthrough as Hornets Face Heat | Deadspin.com

Free Coby White.

While a February trade from Chicago to Charlotte allowed the North Carolina native to forge a fresh start with his non-toxic, home-state team, White still is aiming to escape the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

Not to mention the Miami Heat, Chicago’s play-in foil for the past three seasons.

On Tuesday, White’s Hornets will host the Heat in the play-in opener, and White has a pulse on how to prevail.

“We’ve just got to use our pace,” he said. “It’ll be a tough game if we make it a half-court game. It plays into their favor because of all the weapons they have offensively, the length that they play with defensively, the physicality they play with. So, I think we’ve got to use our pace.”

Miami took the season series from Charlotte 3-1, with both meetings in South Beach coming before Nov. 7 amid the Hornets’ 4-14 start.

Charlotte entered a March 6 visit from the Heat at 32-31 and stuck around before losing 127-120. The Hornets put everything together 11 days later, coasting to a 136-106 victory as the Heat were without Bam Adebayo (right calf tightness) and fellow frontcourt starter Andrew Wiggins (toe).

Both teams navigated injuries down the stretch of the regular season but enter Tuesday in relatively good health. As with Charlotte against New York, Miami capitalized on facing a foe already in the East playoff field during Sunday’s regular-season finale. The Heat handled the Atlanta Hawks by 26 as 13 players saw the court.

“They’re a team that’s going to be obviously well-prepared,” White said. “They got a hell of a coach in Erik Spoelstra. So for us, we got to be honed into the details.”

Some cynics might say that Spoelstra’s star is tumbling as the Heat have been relegated to the play-in the past three seasons. Whatever the case, he boasts two NBA championships and four other Finals appearances since taking the reins in 2008-09.

Of course, that includes the 2022-23 Heat, who regrouped from a loss in the 7-8 game to defeat White and the Bulls and earn an official spot in the playoff draw. Eighth-seeded Miami upset Milwaukee, New York and Boston before bowing out to Denver in a five-game Finals.

For better or worse, Spoelstra knows the urgency of the play-in nearly as much as he does the Finals. In his experience, tackling the former doesn’t have to be formidable.

“You have to absolutely embrace it,” Spoelstra said. “It makes you feel alive, that’s for sure, if you’re a competitor.

“You don’t want the season to go the way it can to put you in the play-in, but once you’re in it, it’s exhilarating. You have to embrace the competition, embrace how every single possession really does matter.”

The Hornets need a victory on Tuesday and against the loser of Wednesday’s Orlando-Philadelphia game to advance to the East draw for the first time since 2016.

The Heat know the drill — both in the play-in and against the division rival Hornets. Charlotte features LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and White among a horde of regulars who are comfortable with moving the ball and creating opportunities from long range.

“They play a lot faster at home, so obviously you’ve got to be aware of the shooters,” Adebayo said. “They run their offense with such a pace and sometimes it seems chaotic. You’ve got to be able to maintain through when they make runs or if it’s one of those big momentum swings, you’ve got to understand how we can settle and get back in the play.”

As Spoelstra can attest, anything can happen from there.

#Coby #White #Eyes #Breakthrough #Hornets #Face #Heat #Deadspin.com

Free Coby White.

While a February trade from Chicago to Charlotte allowed the North Carolina native to forge a fresh start with his non-toxic, home-state team, White still is aiming to escape the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

Not to mention the Miami Heat, Chicago’s play-in foil for the past three seasons.

On Tuesday, White’s Hornets will host the Heat in the play-in opener, and White has a pulse on how to prevail.

“We’ve just got to use our pace,” he said. “It’ll be a tough game if we make it a half-court game. It plays into their favor because of all the weapons they have offensively, the length that they play with defensively, the physicality they play with. So, I think we’ve got to use our pace.”

Miami took the season series from Charlotte 3-1, with both meetings in South Beach coming before Nov. 7 amid the Hornets’ 4-14 start.

Charlotte entered a March 6 visit from the Heat at 32-31 and stuck around before losing 127-120. The Hornets put everything together 11 days later, coasting to a 136-106 victory as the Heat were without Bam Adebayo (right calf tightness) and fellow frontcourt starter Andrew Wiggins (toe).

Both teams navigated injuries down the stretch of the regular season but enter Tuesday in relatively good health. As with Charlotte against New York, Miami capitalized on facing a foe already in the East playoff field during Sunday’s regular-season finale. The Heat handled the Atlanta Hawks by 26 as 13 players saw the court.

“They’re a team that’s going to be obviously well-prepared,” White said. “They got a hell of a coach in Erik Spoelstra. So for us, we got to be honed into the details.”

Some cynics might say that Spoelstra’s star is tumbling as the Heat have been relegated to the play-in the past three seasons. Whatever the case, he boasts two NBA championships and four other Finals appearances since taking the reins in 2008-09.

Of course, that includes the 2022-23 Heat, who regrouped from a loss in the 7-8 game to defeat White and the Bulls and earn an official spot in the playoff draw. Eighth-seeded Miami upset Milwaukee, New York and Boston before bowing out to Denver in a five-game Finals.

For better or worse, Spoelstra knows the urgency of the play-in nearly as much as he does the Finals. In his experience, tackling the former doesn’t have to be formidable.

“You have to absolutely embrace it,” Spoelstra said. “It makes you feel alive, that’s for sure, if you’re a competitor.

“You don’t want the season to go the way it can to put you in the play-in, but once you’re in it, it’s exhilarating. You have to embrace the competition, embrace how every single possession really does matter.”

The Hornets need a victory on Tuesday and against the loser of Wednesday’s Orlando-Philadelphia game to advance to the East draw for the first time since 2016.

The Heat know the drill — both in the play-in and against the division rival Hornets. Charlotte features LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and White among a horde of regulars who are comfortable with moving the ball and creating opportunities from long range.

“They play a lot faster at home, so obviously you’ve got to be aware of the shooters,” Adebayo said. “They run their offense with such a pace and sometimes it seems chaotic. You’ve got to be able to maintain through when they make runs or if it’s one of those big momentum swings, you’ve got to understand how we can settle and get back in the play.”

As Spoelstra can attest, anything can happen from there.

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#Coby #White #Eyes #Breakthrough #Hornets #Face #Heat #Deadspin.com

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SRH vs RR: Top five lowest totals in IPL history <div id="content-body-70858769" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Debutant Praful Hinge set the stage on fire at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad during the game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on Monday.</p><p>The 24-year-old scalped three wickets in the first over of the second innings, including the prized wicket of the in-form youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi.</p><p>With fellow debutant dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second over, the Royals were reduced to 2/4 and are in contention to break the unwanted record of the lowest-ever total recorded in the Indian Premier League history.</p><p>Royal Challengers Bengaluru currently holds the record, after it was bowled out for 49 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017.</p><p><b>Here’s the list of top five lowest totals in IPL:</b></p><p>49 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2017)</p><p>58 – Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2009)</p><p>59 – Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2023)</p><p>66 – Delhi Capitals (Daredevils) vs Mumbai Indians (2017)</p><p>67 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians (2008) & Delhi Capitals (Daredevils) vs Punjab Kings (2017)</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 13, 2026</p></div> #SRH #Top #lowest #totals #IPL #history

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Meet Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini; The Married NFL Coach, Reporter Who’ve Denied Cheating Rumors

Deadspin | U.S. submits World Cup roster with Chris Richards still on team  Oct 10, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; United States defender Chris Richards (3) passes the ball during the second half at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Coleman-Imagn Images   The United States finalized its World Cup roster, and Chris Richards is still on it.  Mauricio Pochettino kept the injured defender on the 26-man roster when the U.S. men’s national team officially submitted the names to FIFA on Monday.  Richards suffered torn ankle ligaments while playing for Crystal Palace last month, but it didn’t stop Pochettino from naming him to the World Cup roster about two weeks later.  Richards, a 26-year-old center back and certain starter when healthy, is with the team at training headquarters outside Atlanta. Pochettino said over the weekend that the team hadn’t made a final decision over Richards’ World Cup fitness.  “We need to see,” Pochettino said. “The next few days are going to be key, to see the possibility to be ready or not on the World Cup.”  Richards can still be replaced on the roster before June 11, as the United States opens the tournament June 12 against Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif.  The U.S. is co-hosting the 48-team tournament with Canada and Mexico. The Americans beat Senegal 3-2 in a friendly Sunday, and they’ll have one more tune-up this Saturday against Germany.   UNITED STATES WORLD CUP ROSTER  Goalkeepers: Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Matt Turner  Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty  Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan  Attacking midfielders/wingers: Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas  Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #U.S #submits #World #Cup #roster #Chris #Richards #teamOct 10, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; United States defender Chris Richards (3) passes the ball during the second half at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Coleman-Imagn Images

The United States finalized its World Cup roster, and Chris Richards is still on it.

Mauricio Pochettino kept the injured defender on the 26-man roster when the U.S. men’s national team officially submitted the names to FIFA on Monday.

Richards suffered torn ankle ligaments while playing for Crystal Palace last month, but it didn’t stop Pochettino from naming him to the World Cup roster about two weeks later.

Richards, a 26-year-old center back and certain starter when healthy, is with the team at training headquarters outside Atlanta. Pochettino said over the weekend that the team hadn’t made a final decision over Richards’ World Cup fitness.

“We need to see,” Pochettino said. “The next few days are going to be key, to see the possibility to be ready or not on the World Cup.”

Richards can still be replaced on the roster before June 11, as the United States opens the tournament June 12 against Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif.


The U.S. is co-hosting the 48-team tournament with Canada and Mexico. The Americans beat Senegal 3-2 in a friendly Sunday, and they’ll have one more tune-up this Saturday against Germany.

UNITED STATES WORLD CUP ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Matt Turner

Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty

Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan

Attacking midfielders/wingers: Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas

Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #U.S #submits #World #Cup #roster #Chris #Richards #team">Deadspin | U.S. submits World Cup roster with Chris Richards still on team  Oct 10, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; United States defender Chris Richards (3) passes the ball during the second half at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Coleman-Imagn Images   The United States finalized its World Cup roster, and Chris Richards is still on it.  Mauricio Pochettino kept the injured defender on the 26-man roster when the U.S. men’s national team officially submitted the names to FIFA on Monday.  Richards suffered torn ankle ligaments while playing for Crystal Palace last month, but it didn’t stop Pochettino from naming him to the World Cup roster about two weeks later.  Richards, a 26-year-old center back and certain starter when healthy, is with the team at training headquarters outside Atlanta. Pochettino said over the weekend that the team hadn’t made a final decision over Richards’ World Cup fitness.  “We need to see,” Pochettino said. “The next few days are going to be key, to see the possibility to be ready or not on the World Cup.”  Richards can still be replaced on the roster before June 11, as the United States opens the tournament June 12 against Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif.  The U.S. is co-hosting the 48-team tournament with Canada and Mexico. The Americans beat Senegal 3-2 in a friendly Sunday, and they’ll have one more tune-up this Saturday against Germany.   UNITED STATES WORLD CUP ROSTER  Goalkeepers: Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Matt Turner  Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty  Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan  Attacking midfielders/wingers: Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas  Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #U.S #submits #World #Cup #roster #Chris #Richards #team

Stein reports that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are the two teams pushing the hardest for Antetokounmpo behind the scenes. Stein also mentioned the Orlando Magic as a potential fit after the team hired Sean Sweeney as head coach last week. Sweeney comes over from the San Antonio Spurs, but also spent time in Milwaukee, where he grew extremely close with Giannis.

The Heat and Trail Blazers both always made sense as teams that could want to swing a bold trade for Antetokounmpo. Miami has been tied to the Greek Freak for years as a preferred destination. The Heat always chase stars under Pat Riley, and at 81 years old it makes sense that he would want to try for one more big fish. The Heat can offer a package including Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, a 2030 first-rounder, and a 2032 first-rounder.

The Blazers are natural trade partners for Giannis because they own first-round swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030 from Milwaukee’s failed trade for Damian Lillard. It’s fair to wonder if those picks are more valuable or less valuable under the NBA’s new lottery reform, and it’s worth noting that we could have a completely different system by 2030. Portland’s package could start with returning the pick swaps, adding Jerami Grant for matching salary, then sending a talented young player like Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe in the deal. Since Grant is widely considered a bad contract at this point with two years, $70.6 remaining on his deal, the Blazers also might need to add their unprotected 2032 first-round pick.

Will the Thunder get involved for Giannis after their Western Conference Finals flameout? Probably not. Sam Presti usually takes the longview, and his team wasn’t at full strength this year without injured stars Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for most of the series. The Thunder need to cut money for next season, not add an older player on a max contract.

I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends with Antetokounmpo accepting a max extension to end the trade speculation once and for all. It just feels more likely that he finally gets traded given how far away the Bucks are from contention.

Stein reports that an Antetokounmpo trade could happen within the next three weeks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst once termed that “the deal zone.” It sure seems like the deal zone for a Giannis trade has fully arrived. Stay tuned.

#Giannis #Antetokounmpos #biggest #trade #suitors #revealed #deal #zone #nearing">Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2 biggest trade suitors revealed with deal zone nearing  Giannis Antetokounmpo is maybe, possibly, conceivably getting traded from the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. Bucks ownership has indicated that it will trade the 31-year-old superstar before entering the final year of his contract if he does not sign an extension this summer. There are a number of potential landing spots for Antetokounmpo, but two teams are emerging as the most aggressive suitors according to long-time NBA insider Marc Stein.Stein reports that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are the two teams pushing the hardest for Antetokounmpo behind the scenes. Stein also mentioned the Orlando Magic as a potential fit after the team hired Sean Sweeney as head coach last week. Sweeney comes over from the San Antonio Spurs, but also spent time in Milwaukee, where he grew extremely close with Giannis.The Heat and Trail Blazers both always made sense as teams that could want to swing a bold trade for Antetokounmpo. Miami has been tied to the Greek Freak for years as a preferred destination. The Heat always chase stars under Pat Riley, and at 81 years old it makes sense that he would want to try for one more big fish. The Heat can offer a package including Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, a 2030 first-rounder, and a 2032 first-rounder.The Blazers are natural trade partners for Giannis because they own first-round swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030 from Milwaukee’s failed trade for Damian Lillard. It’s fair to wonder if those picks are more valuable or less valuable under the NBA’s new lottery reform, and it’s worth noting that we could have a completely different system by 2030. Portland’s package could start with returning the pick swaps, adding Jerami Grant for matching salary, then sending a talented young player like Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe in the deal. Since Grant is widely considered a bad contract at this point with two years, .6 remaining on his deal, the Blazers also might need to add their unprotected 2032 first-round pick.Will the Thunder get involved for Giannis after their Western Conference Finals flameout? Probably not. Sam Presti usually takes the longview, and his team wasn’t at full strength this year without injured stars Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for most of the series. The Thunder need to cut money for next season, not add an older player on a max contract.I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends with Antetokounmpo accepting a max extension to end the trade speculation once and for all. It just feels more likely that he finally gets traded given how far away the Bucks are from contention.Stein reports that an Antetokounmpo trade could happen within the next three weeks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst once termed that “the deal zone.” It sure seems like the deal zone for a Giannis trade has fully arrived. Stay tuned.  #Giannis #Antetokounmpos #biggest #trade #suitors #revealed #deal #zone #nearing

There are a number of potential landing spots for Antetokounmpo, but two teams are emerging as the most aggressive suitors according to long-time NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein reports that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are the two teams pushing the hardest for Antetokounmpo behind the scenes. Stein also mentioned the Orlando Magic as a potential fit after the team hired Sean Sweeney as head coach last week. Sweeney comes over from the San Antonio Spurs, but also spent time in Milwaukee, where he grew extremely close with Giannis.

The Heat and Trail Blazers both always made sense as teams that could want to swing a bold trade for Antetokounmpo. Miami has been tied to the Greek Freak for years as a preferred destination. The Heat always chase stars under Pat Riley, and at 81 years old it makes sense that he would want to try for one more big fish. The Heat can offer a package including Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, a 2030 first-rounder, and a 2032 first-rounder.

The Blazers are natural trade partners for Giannis because they own first-round swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030 from Milwaukee’s failed trade for Damian Lillard. It’s fair to wonder if those picks are more valuable or less valuable under the NBA’s new lottery reform, and it’s worth noting that we could have a completely different system by 2030. Portland’s package could start with returning the pick swaps, adding Jerami Grant for matching salary, then sending a talented young player like Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe in the deal. Since Grant is widely considered a bad contract at this point with two years, $70.6 remaining on his deal, the Blazers also might need to add their unprotected 2032 first-round pick.

Will the Thunder get involved for Giannis after their Western Conference Finals flameout? Probably not. Sam Presti usually takes the longview, and his team wasn’t at full strength this year without injured stars Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for most of the series. The Thunder need to cut money for next season, not add an older player on a max contract.

I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends with Antetokounmpo accepting a max extension to end the trade speculation once and for all. It just feels more likely that he finally gets traded given how far away the Bucks are from contention.

Stein reports that an Antetokounmpo trade could happen within the next three weeks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst once termed that “the deal zone.” It sure seems like the deal zone for a Giannis trade has fully arrived. Stay tuned.

#Giannis #Antetokounmpos #biggest #trade #suitors #revealed #deal #zone #nearing">Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2 biggest trade suitors revealed with deal zone nearing

Giannis Antetokounmpo is maybe, possibly, conceivably getting traded from the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. Bucks ownership has indicated that it will trade the 31-year-old superstar before entering the final year of his contract if he does not sign an extension this summer. There are a number of potential landing spots for Antetokounmpo, but two teams are emerging as the most aggressive suitors according to long-time NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein reports that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are the two teams pushing the hardest for Antetokounmpo behind the scenes. Stein also mentioned the Orlando Magic as a potential fit after the team hired Sean Sweeney as head coach last week. Sweeney comes over from the San Antonio Spurs, but also spent time in Milwaukee, where he grew extremely close with Giannis.

The Heat and Trail Blazers both always made sense as teams that could want to swing a bold trade for Antetokounmpo. Miami has been tied to the Greek Freak for years as a preferred destination. The Heat always chase stars under Pat Riley, and at 81 years old it makes sense that he would want to try for one more big fish. The Heat can offer a package including Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, a 2030 first-rounder, and a 2032 first-rounder.

The Blazers are natural trade partners for Giannis because they own first-round swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030 from Milwaukee’s failed trade for Damian Lillard. It’s fair to wonder if those picks are more valuable or less valuable under the NBA’s new lottery reform, and it’s worth noting that we could have a completely different system by 2030. Portland’s package could start with returning the pick swaps, adding Jerami Grant for matching salary, then sending a talented young player like Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe in the deal. Since Grant is widely considered a bad contract at this point with two years, $70.6 remaining on his deal, the Blazers also might need to add their unprotected 2032 first-round pick.

Will the Thunder get involved for Giannis after their Western Conference Finals flameout? Probably not. Sam Presti usually takes the longview, and his team wasn’t at full strength this year without injured stars Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for most of the series. The Thunder need to cut money for next season, not add an older player on a max contract.

I wouldn’t be shocked if this ends with Antetokounmpo accepting a max extension to end the trade speculation once and for all. It just feels more likely that he finally gets traded given how far away the Bucks are from contention.

Stein reports that an Antetokounmpo trade could happen within the next three weeks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst once termed that “the deal zone.” It sure seems like the deal zone for a Giannis trade has fully arrived. Stay tuned.

#Giannis #Antetokounmpos #biggest #trade #suitors #revealed #deal #zone #nearing

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