That’s because the Nuggets enter Thursday’s draft with three first-round picks — as do the Celtics, Sixers and Suns — but also hold the best young-veteran asset, forward Kenneth Faried. While he has not issued a trade demand from the Nuggets, it’s no secret that Faried does not feel included in Denver’s future plans and would welcome a move. MORE: Our latest NBA mock draft Faried, who turned 27 in November, averaged 12....

Richard Jefferson had 13 points and eight rebounds to lead the Jazz, and Alec Burks added 12 points. Utah rookie point guard Trey Burke, acquired from Minnesota after the Timberwolves selected him ninth overall in the NBA draft, broke his right index finger in the first quarter. He returned to play nearly eight minutes in the second quarter before X-rays at halftime revealed the fracture. Team doctors will further evaluate Burke's condition on Monday....

Following a long offseason that featured many twists and turns, the 2022-23 season opens on Tuesday, Oct. 18. It’ll mark the start of what is shaping up to be a highly entertaining NBA season. The Eastern Conference is as deep as it has been in a long time, and the Western Conference should be even more competitive than it was last season, which is saying something. To boot, the league is absolutely loaded with talent right now....

Some players are seeking their first NBA title while others are looking to recapture the glory. As for the teams they play for, these players will look to create history for their franchises. The Cavs have never won the NBA Finals, and it would mean so much to the city of Cleveland if they did. MORE: Worst choke jobs in NBA playoff history Below, we’ll take a look at each teams’ history in the most important series of the season....

This year, two of the NBA’s most decorated franchises in the Celtics and Warriors will face off for a chance to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy. For Golden State, it’s the sixth Finals trip in eight seasons, while Boston is in the NBA Finals for the 22nd time in franchise history. Will the Warriors extend their dynasty by winning the seventh title in franchise history? Or will the Celtics reclaim their stake as the NBA’s most successful franchise with a record 18th NBA championship?...

According to the report, the 10-time All-Star has been “participating in informal team workouts and scrimmages with Brooklyn Nets players in Los Angeles recently.” Kyrie Irving, signed by the Nets in free agency this offseason, reportedly organized the workouts. This news might mean absolutely nothing, or it could mean the Nets have genuine interest in Anthony. The report concludes: “Nets’ interest level in signing Anthony is unknown.” The 35-year-old forward is long removed from his days of scoring 25-plus points per game, but he could still be useful as a scorer coming off the bench....

MORE: The 23 best available free agents The Vertical reported late Wednesday that Noah is scheduled to meet with Knicks team president Phil Jackson shortly after midnight ET Friday, the earliest teams can officially make their pitches to free agents under the NBA’s moratorium period. USA Today Sports reported Noah also plans to speak with two additional teams, but no other visits are scheduled. No contracts can become official until July 7....

Many reports claim the earliest he’ll announce his pick is Friday. As the speculation continues, we’ve rounded up the latest reports on what people are saying about Leonard. — ESPN’s Jalen Rose reported on Wednesday that he was “99 percent hearing” that Leonard would sign a two-year deal with Toronto: NBA FREE AGENCY WINNERS AND LOSERS:Nets rise, Knicks fall and Lakers wait on Kawhi Leonard — Later on Wednesday, The Athletic’s Jabari Young disputed Rose’s report of a two-year deal....

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, citing several unnamed league sources, reported James could be taking his talents to California, where he owns a sprawling $21-million mansion, to join the Lakers or Clippers, potentially linking up with friend and former teammate Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony when he becomes a free agent in 2018. DEVENEY: Even LeBron can’t do it alone Sounds farfetched? Of course it does, but so did James going back home to Cleveland after four straight Finals trips and two championships, with the Heat to rejoin the Cavs after owner Dan Gilbert’s scathing open letter following his departure in 2010....

The free-agent guard has agreed to a three-year contract worth $40 million to remain with the Clippers, his agent, Kevin Bradbury, told ESPN. Beverley seemingly confirmed the news early Monday morning on Twitter. Beverley got the exact deal he had reportedly been after following interest from the Lakers, Bulls and Mavericks, which prompted the Clippers to lock him down. “I feel like any team I’m on, I can help take that team to the playoffs,” Beverley told the Chicago Tribune last month....

The team, Capitanes, will be the 29th G-League program and the first based outside of the United States or Canada, and is slated to begin its first season of play when the G-League season kicks off in the fall. However, the team won’t play its inaugural season in Mexico as previously planned. Due to concerns surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Capitanes will play their games in the United States in existing league markets, according to longtime NBA insider Marc Stein...

The probe is focused primarily on the sign-and-trade acquisitions of Lonzo Ball to the Chicago Bulls and Kyle Lowry to the Miami Heat. These two deals were announced almost immediately after 2021 free agency began at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 2, even though sign-and-trade deals are more complicated and time-consuming to complete as compared to the traditional free-agent signings. NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)...

The Cavaliers are in disarray, Deandre Ayton hasn’t saved the Suns in Year 1, the Knicks are playing for the future and the Hawks can’t win games despite Trae Young’s future promise. NBA DRAFT BIG BOARD: Ranking top 60 prospects At this point, it’s obviously impossible to accurately predict the exact draft order, especially given the flattened odds associated with lottery reform, but these thought exercises can still be valuable....

Leonard said that standing for “The Star Spangled Banner” was very much informed by the fact that his brother is a U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan. He said that while he believes in the Black Lives Matter movement that his fellow teammates are kneeling for, his gesture does not show a lack of support for the movement. “I am with the Black Lives Matter movement and I love and support the military and my brother and the people who have fought to defend our rights in this country,” he said....

The Pacers president shook his head and voiced his displeasure from the crowd. MORE: Sisqo hilariously remakes ‘Thong Song’ for LeBron James The internet responded accordingly.

SAN ANTONIO — After nearly falling on their face in the opening round of the playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs found their footing Tuesday night and ran the Portland Trail Blazers off the court. Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. "He's been doing that for a lot of years," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said....

Leonard scored a career playoff high 45 points and claimed 11 rebounds as the Raptors won at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. The Raptors superstar also became only the sixth player in NBA history to pour in at least 45 points, grab 11 rebounds and make three or more three-pointers. Raptors head coach Nurse praised the contribution that the outstanding forward made both in attack and defense. “A big-time performance at both ends,” he told reporters....

The Spurs coach had what might be the shortest press conference ever ahead of San Antonio’s Game 4 matchup against the Nuggets. Popovich merely said “thank you” before leaving the stand, as there appeared to be nothing the media wanted to ask him. The seventh-seeded Spurs have made postseason appearances for 22 consecutive seasons and won five championships under Popovich during that span. The face of the organization is likely just focused on gearing up his team to make another deep playoff run....

That alone gives these playoffs some intrigue, and when you consider the Nuggets and Clippers are getting shots again against teams that present interesting matchups on paper, there could be some very good first-round series. The NBA Western Conference playoffs tip off Saturday when the Clippers take on the Warriors at 8 p.m. ET (ABC). Here’s the first-round Western Conference preview: No. 1 Warriors vs. No. 8 Clippers Players to watch: Patrick Beverley is possibly the most annoying player on the floor at all times in the NBA....