NBA Notebook: Brad Stevens wants to keep the Celtics together ... but can he?

Brad Stevens wants to keep Derrick White around for a long time. He wants to do the same with Sam Hauser, he said on Thursday. 

He already signed Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday to lucrative extensions, albeit ones that saved Boston money in the short term. Jayson Tatum will inevitably join Jaylen Brown as a super-max player in two seasons, as he's eligible to sign that five-year, $315-million contract this summer. It doesn't seem conceivable Boston can keep and pay everyone, especially with taxes and new penalties looming, but with unique advantages against those restrictions compared to their competitors, as noted here last week, the Celtics might run it back. 

Let's start with Sam Hauser, whose 2024-25 player option Boston picked up on Saturday for $2.1 million. The Celtics could've declined that and made him a restricted free agent this summer, leveraging him into a long-term deal with the right to match any one he'd find on the open market. They'll instead open extension negotiations on July 9, with an offer that'd most likely grow close to the mid-level exception. Though Hauser would become an intriguing unrestricted free agent next summer, and his agent Jason Glushon has commanded large contracts for his Celtics clients before, most recently for Holiday, it's possible that the two sides meet in that ballpark to guarantee Hauser some long-term money and his standing with the team. His max extension number is roughly four-years, $80 million. 

The reporting indicates that a deal is a priority for the Celtics this summer, a slight surprise given the major salary commitments coming elsewhere on the roster, including White's potential new contract that we'll get to shortly. Boston also drafted Baylor Scheierman with the No. 30 overall pick, a player they view differently than Hauser who could even complement him in bench lineups, but a pick that initially seemed to hedge against Hauser's potential departure next summer. Keeping Hauser on a contract that grows into mid-level money (starting $8-10M) makes some sense from a team-building standpoint beyond the huge role he's grown into off the team's bench, vital floor-spacing ability he continued to provide deep into the NBA Finals and admirable defensive growth since the team signed him in 2021 as a two-way undrafted free agent. 

The contract could also prove as helpful as prohibitive down the line. Al Horford's $9.5 million contract comes off the books after next season and though he hopes to play for as long as he can, he's taking that decision year-by-year. Having Horford's eventual outgoing salary offset Hauser's, if the team decides to keep him long-term, or having Hauser's money to help match salaries if the team ever needs to pursue a Horford replacement in the trade market. As long as Boston is a second apron team, which it is currently by roughly $5.6 million, it needs to match salaries dollar-for-dollar in trades and can't aggregate multiple players to do so. The Celtics don't currently have any medium-sized contracts. 

With Horford back for 2024-25 and Porziņģis out for much of the season's first half, a more immediate front-court decision will arrive on Sunday when Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Oshae Brissett all become free agents. Stevens said continuity is important at center and that any salary they add to this roster would be at the league minimum. It's unclear if that means that's the line they're drawing for those three free agents, but it's hard to imagine the team going much further north than that to keep all of them, especially if they decide to prioritize one of Kornet or Tillman with a slightly higher annual salary allowed by Bird rights. Again, those players can't be aggregated in trades later anyway, and the team has no rights on Brissett. Could Boston, perhaps, give Kornet a bump for the reliability he's shown and give Brissett another second-year player option at the minimum? Tillman's a younger center with an elite defensive versatility, but injuries and offensive limitations limited how often he played for the Celtics after he arrived. 

Given the length and potential complications Porziņģis could face coming back from his injury, and to insure against any possible Horford absence during that period, Boston might have to search for a center more capable of playing a regular or even starting role for a longer period. Having Kornet, Tillman and Brissett on a matchup basis last year allowed the Celtics to mix and match for the shorter-term time their centers took off last year, while Horford assumed a heavier workload when Porziņģis went down in the playoffs. That can't happen during the regular season. Old friend Daniel Theis makes a ton of sense in that role. Boston pursued him last season, he still has fans in the front office and the Celtics would offer more available playing time now. 

Philadelphia ($58.4M), Detroit ($58.2M), Orlando ($52M), Utah ($43.8M), Oklahoma City ($39.3M), San Antonio ($34.4M) and Charlotte ($13.4M) are the only teams with projected cap space this summer. Only 18 teams appear to have enough leeway to offer full mid-level extension money this summer, though more than that (25-26) can make a taxpayer mid-level offer ($5.2M) -- which Boston cannot. Next year, 25 teams could have the full MLE, depending on how they line up their long-term spending this summer. 

That brings up to White, who's eligible to sign for at most four years, $127 million, a number that it's hard to imagine the Celtics not floating this summer if they're serious about locking him up early. That could be what they do for the same reason outlined with Hauser, take the tax hit, have the salary to move later if necessary and don't lose him for nothing when Boston has no feasible method to add players of that caliber into the future. Second apron teams cannot execute sign-and-trades that bring back assets for an outgoing player. The full $127 million, as I understand it, was not on the table last summer during extension talks as White is approaching 30 and that deal would've tied the Celtics to him for six years in total, a lengthy commitment for a player who hadn't shown the elite two-way point guard production he offered in 2023-24. OG Anunoby, a player he's arguably better than, signed for $212.5 million this summer. Immamuel Quickley, a player White is definitely better than, extended for $175 million. A maximum 30% deal with the Celtics in free agency next summer would earn White roughly five years, $273 million, depending on where the cap falls for 2025-26. 

That's the season where tax trouble could begin for Boston. Stevens explained that relative clarity on where the team stands for 2025 (~$189M cap, ~$39.8M tax) helps, but the Celtics become a repeater tax penalty team in 2026. With Tatum at $54.3 million, White at roughly $28-29 million and Hauser around $10 million and five additional minimum contracts worth on average $2.6 million, Boston's salary would rise to roughly $234 million next year before taxes. Add in the repeater tax and the Celtics' commitments would nearly double to $442 million. The biggest tax bill expected in the NBA this year is Phoenix' $108.7 million projection, with the Clippers, Nets and Warriors' backing off their recent monumental salary commitments with their results diminishing and second apron penalties looming. It's inconceivable that the Celtics would commit to such an annual hit. 

So what are their options? White could end up walking next summer if he and the team can't come to terms on an extension, or Boston could split that roughly $30 million salary into smaller, shorter-term ones through a trade next summer. The same goes for Porziņģis and Holiday's contracts if the Celtics are adamant about keeping Tatum and Brown together beyond 2026 at all costs. That might mark the end of the team's window for dominating the league, unless savvy draft picks and expert development helps the roster sustain at a lower cost. Otherwise, this is the design of the new tax structure and second apron. Boston prepared well to withstand them in the short term. Long term, Stevens knows the Celtics might have to take steps back to move forward, and the hope will be that Brown and Tatum continue to improve into the kind of players dominant enough to sustain toward 2030. 

"One of my main objectives is not have this be anything but sustainable. Keep finding a way to be sustainable," Stevens said on Thursday. "Keep finding a way to to sustainably put yourself in the mix for years and years and years. It doesn’t mean we’re not gonna have a down year or a rough year, or maybe we don’t make the playoffs one year, but it’s not big dips. That’s what we would like. It’s hard to do.”

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...

Atlanta: Drafted French wing Zaccharie Risacher with their first No. 1 pick in franchise history before trading Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans, ending his ill-fated partnership alongside Trae Young after two seasons. New Orleans sent the Lakers' 2025 unprotected first-round pick along with the less favorable between Milwaukee and the Pelicans' 2027 first-rounder. Atlanta also acquired Larry Nance Jr., former No. 8 overall pick Dyson Daniels and 23-year-old wing EJ Liddell. It's a solid return for Murray, who begins a four-year extension with an average annual value of $28.5 million next season. The Hawks might regret the price they originally paid for Murray, though, sending San Antonio unprotected firsts in 2025 and 2027, with the right to swap picks in 2026. Atlanta drafted 20-year-old Serbian wing Nikola Đurišić in a second-round trade with the Heat. Saddiq Bey enters restricted free agency on Sunday. 

Boston: Kristaps Porziņģis underwent surgery on his rare left leg injury this week and will miss 5-6 months, knocking him out of the start of the 2024-25 season until roughly Thanksgiving or Christmas. His absence to begin the first of a two-year extension he signed with Boston one year ago underscored the need to address their long-term center depth. They drafted Creighton sharpshooter Baylor Scheierman, a wing who previously worked out for the Celtics in 2022 before transferring from South Dakota State. He shot well and showed growth from a strength and athleticism standpoint in his most recent workout with Boston. Defense will determine if he can contribute at the NBA level. In the second round, the Celtics selected Anton Watson, another 23-year-old who played five years in college. He flashed some three-point shooting (21-51 3PT), but his bankable skill at Gonzaga was switching and guarding every position. He'll either become a floor-stretching and defensive four, or an undersize five at 6-8, beginning on a two-way contract. 

Adam Himmelsbach reported Boston picked up Sam Hauser's team option and declined Neemias Queta's, Brad Stevens expressing hope that Boston can keep Hauser for a long time despite the Scheierman pick. Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Oshae Brissett all become free agents Sunday. Stevens, in a slight surprise, said he also hopes to retain two-way free agent JD Davison, his first draft selection in 2022 who has mostly played in Maine.

Brooklyn: Traded Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031, a protected pick in 2025 from the Bucks and a 2028 Knicks pick swap, plus one second-rounder. The blockbuster deal reversed on Brooklyn's earlier position, hoping to build around Bridges and eventually pair him with a star. The Nets had reportedly opened trade talks with Memphis and Utah after failing to generate any momentum toward adding significantly to the team this month. Also of importance, Brooklyn finally succeeded in acquiring its own first-round picks back in 2025 and 2026 from Houston that they gave away in the James Harden trade. In exchange, the Nets sent the Rockets the Suns' first-rounders in 2025 and 2027, with a potential swap with Phoenix possible in 2029, all of them coming from the Kevin Durant trade. Brooklyn signed Nic Claxton to a four-year, $100 million deal. They can generate as much as $82 million in cap space next summer, with Lonnie Walker IV and Dennis Smith Jr. their only major free agents this summer. The Bridges trade marked the first deal between the Nets and Knicks since 1983. They could trade Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith. 

Charlotte: Drafted French wing Tidjane Salaün and Colorado point guard KJ Simpson in the draft. They received three second-rounders to take on Reggie Jackson's $5.3 million expiring contract. The Hornets also waived Seth Curry, but will work with him on a new contract. Their biggest free agent priority will be Miles Bridges, who has mutually shared interest in staying in Charlotte. Second-year wing Brandon Miller was named to the USA Select Team for July's Olympic training camp alongside Payton Pritchard, likely 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and more.

Chicago: Drafted Chicago native and G-League Ignite wing Matas Buzelis with the No. 11 pick, filling a position of need as Patrick Williams enters restricted free agency while getting a prospect some argued was in the top-five of this class. Buzelis slid when Detroit, who many mocked to select him, went with fellow Ignite wing Ron Holland at No. 5. The Bulls now move to address DeMar DeRozan's future in free agency and Zach LaVine's through a potential trade. Chicago will also shop Nikola Vučević, according to Matt Moore, after trading Alex Caruso to the Thunder this month. Chicago and DeRozan did not discuss a new contract leading into this week. 

Cleveland: Drafted Cal wing Jaylon Tyson with the 20th overall pick as their search for wing productivity continues. Kenny Atkinson signed a five-year deal to become their next head coach, a pleasant surprise after he backed out of the Hornets' head job two years ago to remain with the Warriors. James Borrego had widely been rumored as the favorite here. We'll soon learn what's next for the team's core, with Donovan Mitchell widely expected to sign a four-year extension to stay with the Cavaliers for now. Reports had previously indicated that if Mitchell stays, Darius Garland would be gone, but Cleveland has indicated that it wants to keep them together alongside Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley after an injury-riddled 2024. Atkinson previously coached Allen and Caris LeVert in Brooklyn, and was reportedly a Mitchell favorite through the hiring process. He led the Nets to the playoffs in 2019. 

Dallas: Traded Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Pistons alongside three second-rounders and acquired Quentin Grimes, a 24-year-old defensive guard who has struggled to find his footing on offense in the NBA between New York and Detroit. Hardaway fell out of Dallas' rotation late last season and offloading his $16.2 million deal will allow the Mavs to more comfortably retain free agent Derrick Jones Jr., who emerged as a starter in Hardaway's place during the team's Finals run. Grimes makes over $4 million. The Mavs drafted French wing Melvin Ajinça with the No. 51 overall pick on Thursday. Also worth watching ahead of free agency on Sunday -- there is strong mutual interest between Warriors legend Klay Thompson and Dallas, per Marc Stein. 

Denver: Drafted center DaRon Holmes II from Dayton in one of the more targeted pursuits on the draft board this year, Denver long connected to the big man before trading up from 28 to 22 with Phoenix to secure him. The Nuggets had leaned on ginormous Nikola Jokić minutes to get by in recent years and veteran Deandre Jordan remained their only depth behind him as Zeke Nnaji struggled to consistently stay in the rotation. Holmes, 6-8 and 21 years old, averaged 20.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 2.1 BPG last season. Denver isn't done, trading Reggie Jackson to save some money and needing depth. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope becomes an unrestricted free agent on Sunday, and The Athletic reported the Nuggets could pursue Klay Thompson if he leaves. Denver reportedly declined the prospect of adding Paul George in a trade framework that would've demanded Michael Porter Jr., Nnaji and a significant draft haul. 

Detroit: Without a coach for now, with James Borrego reportedly out of the mix as he'll stay with the Pelicans, but might've found another cornerstone player in Ron Holland with the No. 5 overall pick. Holland had emerged as the top prospect in this class last winter before an uneven season with G-League Ignite marked by poor shooting dropped his stock as low as outside the top 10 on some boards. That made his selection a slight surprise, especially for a team starving for shooting, but with shot guru Fred Vinson part of their eventual coaching staff, picking the best player available makes some sense for a team at this stage of its rebuild. Trading for Tim Hardaway Jr. bit into their cap space some, which now projects to be $58.2 million, but he's on a one-year deal and can shoot. They will not extend a qualifying offer to James Wiseman, according to Michael Scotto, making him an unrestricted free agent. Borrego backing out of the mix to coach the team leaves Mavs assistant Sean Sweeney, Wolves coach Micah Nori and former Cavs head coach JB Bickerstaff in the race. Added Swedish big Bobi Klintman in the second round. 

Golden State: Reportedly have interest in trading for Paul George, who could've opted into his $48.7 million deal to expand the list of teams that could acquire him. The Warriors could lose Klay Thompson this summer and want to stay below the apron lines anyway, making a difficult albeit feasible trade for George both a move that could reinvigorate their status as a contender and shake up a core that grew stale last season. Golden State reportedly declined to allow Andrew Wiggins to take part in Team Canada's Olympic training camp while Chris Paul and the Warriors agreed to push back his $30 million contract guarantee date to Sunday as they work on trade possibilities. George opting out of his deal on Saturday eliminated him as an option. 

Houston: Drafted Kentucky star shooter Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 overall pick, who could easily become the most impactful player drafted on Wednesday, especially early. The Rockets' decision to trade the Nets back their 2025-2026 first round picks turned heads around the league, with Adrian Wojnarowski noting that the Suns' picks they received back in the deal could be powerful if Houston decides to pursue Kevin Durant eventually. That possibility cooled when Suns owner Mat Ishbia stressed that Phoenix is not trading Durant, but it's clear the Rockets are at least keeping their eye on the star and his teammate Devin Booker if the Suns decide they need to break up their core. Houston will also monitor Donovan Mitchell and Zion Williamson. 

Indiana: Drafted UConn veteran guard Tristen Newton, freshman shooter Johnny Furphy from Kansas and Enrique Freeman, a former walk-on from Akron who flourished across a long college career into one of the country's best rebounders. The pair will become developmental projects behind the team's loaded depth. The Pacers extended a qualifying offer to Obi Toppin, making him a restricted free agent. Big man Jalen Smith will decline his $5.4 million player option and will become an unrestricted free agent after losing his spot in Indiana's rotation as the season progressed. 

Clippers: Paul George declined his $48.7 million player option and will become an unrestricted free agent on Sunday. Russell Westbrook opted into his $4 million option. It's unclear if he'll remain with the team though. James Harden is also a free agent with the team's future in the balance. George reportedly wants a four-year contract and the Warriors are one of multiple teams willing to give him one if he's traded to them. The Clippers drafted Cam Christie No. 46 overall on Thursday, a shooter and brother of Lakers wing Max Christie. LA remains hopeful it can retain George alongside Kawhi Leonard, who they signed to a three-year extension last summer. There was speculation he could opt-in and seek a trade, which will no longer happen.

Lakers: LeBron James will opt-out of his $51.4 million player option and stay with the Lakers, potentially taking less to help the team preserve its mid-level exception to build a more formidable roster. James is eligible for a three-year, $162 million deal with a no-trade clause. James would have to take $33.9 million, rather than his max $49.9 million, to preserve the $12.9 million full MLE, barring some other option decisions. The Lakers picked     Dalton Knecht, a wing shooter from Tennessee who many expected to go higher on the board, at No. 17 overall. As expected, they chose Bronny James with the No. 55 pick, who agent Rich Paul reportedly helped guide to LA by telling every other team he wouldn't sign and would play in Australia. James, 19, will join his father in the first of such pairings on the same team in NBA history after a difficult freshman season at USC following a heart issue. 

Memphis: Drafted Zach Edey with the No. 9 overall pick in the boldest selection of this class. Edey rose massively over last year after dominating college basketball last season and showing his defense could potentially translate to the next level. The Grizzlies reportedly hoped to move up to select the other top big man choice Donovan Clingan, but will have to hope Edey can help anchor their defense similarly to how Steven Adams did. Adams sat out last season with an injury before Memphis traded him to Houston. Memphis also picked Jaylen Wells, a shooting guard from Washington State, and Ulrich Chomche, a young center prospect from Cameroon. The Grizzlies have also been connected to veteran bigs Clint Capela and Day'Ron Sharpe.

Miami: They might've done it again, drafting rim-running Indiana center Kel'el Ware with the No. 15 overall pick, who also showed flashes of three-point shooting. Jimmy Butler plans to play for the Heat this year, with or without an extension, according to Brian Windhorst. Kevin Love will decline his $4 million player option to stay with the team at a lower figure. Miami also awaits decisions from Caleb Martin ($7.1M) and Thomas Bryant ($2.8M). 

Milwaukee: Made two long-play draft selections in 19-year-old AJ Johnson, a development guard who spent last year in Australia, and Tyler Smith, another 19-year-old who showed shooting flashes from the G-League Ignite front court. The Bucks will look to make their veteran improvements through the trade market, with reports indicating they could trade Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis or Pat Connaughton in the right deal this summer. San Antonio is a potential Lopez suitors. 

Minnesota: Made one of the bolder draft night trades, moving from outside the first round up to No. 8 overall in a trade with the Spurs to take Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, a bench-scoring prospect that the Wolves lacked last year. Minnesota traded a 2031 first-round pick and 2030 pick swap to the Spurs in the deal. Later, the Wolves selected Terrence Shannon Jr., an athletic wing from Illinois. The Wolves don't project to make major changes this summer, with Karl-Anthony Towns reportedly set to stay as the largest speculated piece that could move. 

New Orleans: Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson is the Pelicans' core now. Will it work? Murray makes sense in a vacuum, they needed primary facilitation and Murray thrived in San Antonio before moving to second fiddle alongside Trae Young. The Pels also went 0-24 last year when entering the fourth quarter behind, further adding the need for offensive facilitation help. It's less clear what's next for Brandon Ingram, who has one year left on his deal, and free agent center Jonas Valančiūnas. Valančiūnas is expected to leave. Ingram has long been speculated to depart in a trade, and though David Griffin said New Orleans hopes to extend him, Philadelphia has expressed interest in acquiring him and has seen other options disappear before free agency begins. Cleveland and Sacramento are also worth watching as Ingram suitors. There's also some buzz they could keep him.

New York: Their blockbuster Mikal Bridges addition reunited him with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart. The trade hard-capped them at the first apron, which complicates their ability to build the roster around them. OG Anunoby filled most of that available cap space with a new five-year, $212.5 million deal. That leaves free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein on the outside, expected to make over $20 million annually on the open market. It's conceivable the Knicks could move some other money around, namely Julius Randle's contract, to allow for more flexibility. They could also expand the Bridges deal to remove the hard cap restriction, but for now, oft-injured Mitchell Robinson is their center. New York drafted 18-year-old French guard Pacôme Dadiet, Marquette guard Tyler Kolek, Kansas wing Kevin McCullar Jr., and German center Ariel Hukporti, pointing toward them needing to fill out their depth with cheap young talent. 

Oklahoma City: Drafted Serbian guard Nikola Topić, a tall passer who's expected to miss the 2024-25 season with an ACL tear, but could emerge as one of the best players in the draft. They traded up for for Dillon Jones at No. 26 overall, a popular big guard who grew more popular late in the draft cycle after initially looking like a late second-round pick. They later drafted California-Santa Barbara guard Ajay Mitchell. 

Orlando: Declined their $11 million team option to bring Joe Ingles back after he failed to provide the bench boost they hoped for when they signed him last summer. They drafted Tristan da Silva from Colorado, who projects to bring that wing shooting at 6-8. In free agency, Orlando is rumored to offer Warriors star Klay Thompson a two-year, $50 million deal, and could pivot to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at similar terms if they whiff on Thompson. They have $50 million in cap. Coach Jamahl Mosley will lead the US Select team next month in Vegas, which Magic guard Jalen Suggs will star on. 

Philadelphia: Paul George appears back in the mix and Jimmy Butler no longer looks likely to enter the 76ers' more than $50 million in cap space. A two-year Bruce Brown style deal for Klay Thompson or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is possible, or they could trade for short-term big money. Brandon Ingram fits that mold, allowing them to kick back their cap space to next summer. They have to do something to keep Joel Embiid committed and in the mix, but flexibility will rule all as they await the right star to pair alongside Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Maxey is due a contract extension, which will soon cut into that cap flexibility. Their drafting of Duke star Jared McCain could go down as one of the steals of Wednesday night. Kentucky guard Justin Edwards signed as an undrafted free agent, the first former No. 1 high school recruit in the internet era to fail to get drafted. 

Phoenix: Made a decent start to trying to fill out the depth around their three stars by keeping Royce O'Neale on a four-year, $44 million contract. They also drafted Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, two strong, big defenders with the ability to guard multiple positions. They'll likely have to replace Josh Okogie, who opted out of his player option. They added 3-and-D prospect Jalen Bridges, a 6-8 wing from Baylor, in the undrafted free agent market.

Sacramento: Traded Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov and the 45th pick (Jamal Shead) to the Raptors for Jalen McDaniels. The move dropped the Kings below the luxury tax threshold and opened a roster spot. They drafted Devin Carter from Providence with the No. 13 overall pick, a highly regarded defensive guard who some had ranked higher. They're a team to watch in the trade market this summer, and are the most likely Zach LaVine suitor. 

San Antonio: Drafted Stephon Castle, UConn's big guard who has been compared to Andre Iguodala. They traded out of the first round from No. 8, the pick they received from Toronto for Jakob Poetl, to acquire a pair of picks in next decade. That raises questions about how heavily they're pursuing short term competitiveness after Victor Wembanyama showed he's ready to win last year. They also drafted Spanish guard Juan Nuñez and UNC's Harrison Ingram. They've reportedly been in talks with teams that hope to acquire veteran wing Keldon Johnson. 

Toronto: Extended Scottie Barnes on a massive five-year, $270 million contract before re-upping Immanuel Quickley on a five-year, $175 million extension, acquiring him from the Knicks in the OG Anunoby deal in February. Toronto drafted San Francisco big Jonathan Mogbo to begin the second round, a long, versatile defender who fits their recent historic style at center. Jamal Shead from Houston also landed with them from their trade with Sacramento. A judge told NBA commissioner Adam Silver to settle the lawsuit between the Knicks and Raptors over allegedly stolen information. 

Utah: Will reportedly listen to offers for Lauri Markkanen, who could become one of the best players to move this summer. Utah wants to keep building around him and intends to talk about an extension, but they've continued to struggle to land stars like Kristaps Porzingis, Dejounte Murray and most recently Mikal Bridges. The Jazz drafted Colorado guard Cody Williams 10th overall before adding Kyle Filipowski from Duke in the second round after his surprise fall from the first round due in part to reported personal questions teams had. 

Washington: Drafted Alex Sarr with the second overall pick, ranked by many as the top player in the draft, after he refused to work out for the Hawks, along with Miami guard Kyshawn George and guard Bub Carrington from Pittsburgh. Earlier in the day, they traded Deni Avdija to Portland for Malcolm Brogdon and the No. 14 pick that became Carrington, which Boston originally sent to Portland for Jrue Holiday. The Wizards will tank again.