The Dallas Mavericks have interest in acquiring a point guard that would help them remain competitive next season while Kyrie Irving rehabilitates his torn ACL. Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball and Chris Paul are three players to monitor as all three would also be able to play alongside Irving once he is cleared to return to game action.
Holiday has three seasons and $104 million remaining on his contract with the Boston Celtics. Holiday is a trade candidate as the Celtics attempt to navigate their salary cap, luxury tax and apron situation.
Ball would be an easier player for the Mavericks to acquire after he signed a two-year, $20 million extension in February with Year 2 being a team option.
Paul will be a free agent after signing a one-year, $11 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs last offseason. Paul played in all 82 games for the Spurs this season, but their backcourt has become crowded with the emergence of Stephon Castle along with the trade for De’Aaron Fox and anticipated draft selection of Dylan Harper.
The Phoenix Suns plan to narrow their head coach search to approximately three finalists this week. Chris Quinn and Sean Sweeney have made strong impressions so far, while Jordan Ott is another intriguing candidate.
Quinn is an assistant coach under Erik Spoelstra with the Miami Heat, while Sweeney is a longtime top assistant under Jason Kidd at multiple stops. Ott is a Michigan State alum, who is currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Micah Nori of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dave Bliss of the Oklahoma City Thunder also advanced to the second round.
The Suns are searching for a replacement for Mike Budenholzer his offseason and have been expected to prefer a candidate without prior head coaching experience.
The Milwaukee Bucks are attempting to construct a case to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to remain with the franchise by reminding him that the Eastern Conference is in flux and fairly wide open. The Boston Celtics will likely have a down season of their own in 25-26 with Jayson Tatum rehabilitating his Achilles, while the Cleveland Cavaliers were a playoff disappointment after their excellent regular season.
The Bucks want to sell Antetokounmpo on a gap year that enable the team to rebuild the roster around him. The Bucks also hope the presence of Doc Rivers as head coach provides a boost. Antetokounmpo and Rivers are believed to have a strong working relationship. The Bucks fired Adrian Griffin and hired Rivers away from ESPN in January 2024.
Antetokounmpo’s mindset is unknown at this time even as he remains active answers fans’ questions on social media. Antetokounmpo has not formally pushed to be traded by the Bucks.
Rival teams are quietly working on trade pitches should Antetokounmpo eventually become available. Antetokounmpo would likely provide the Bucks a preferred trade list if he does decide he is ready to move on.
