Don Nelson earns lifetime achievement award, rips Mavericks
Sun Jun 8 11:21pm ET
Field Level Media
Basketball Hall of Famer Don Nelson was presented with a lifetime achievement award Sunday night and then trashed one of his former franchises for trading Luka Doncic.
Nelson played 14 NBA seasons from 1962-76, ranks second in NBA history with 1,335 regular-season coaching victories over 31 seasons and guided his teams to 18 playoff appearances before retiring in 2010. He held the victories record until Gregg Popovich passed him in 2022.
Those accomplishments helped the 85-year-old get presented with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday night in Oklahoma City. The award is given out by the National Basketball Coaches Association.
"History has already reflected Don Nelson's staggering contributions as a cutting-edge innovator and visionary of the NBA game," Indiana Pacers coach and NBCA president Rick Carlisle said in a news release. "Back in the '80s and '90s, he made teams adjust to historic pace, liberal 3-point shooting, inverted offense and disruptive defensive schemes. All this while establishing himself as one of the most compelling personalities in all of professional sports."
Nelson had more than the award on his mind. One of his former teams, the Dallas Mavericks, made the highly criticized move of Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the trading deadline.
The trade upset Nelson and he picked his footwear to honor Doncic, who nearly single-handedly led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals.
"As a matter of fact, I want everybody to know I'm wearing Luka's shoes, his new shoes from Nike that just got on the market," Nelson said during a press conference before Game 2 of the NBA Finals. "I'm wearing them in protest for the trade from Dallas. Tremendous mistake by the Dallas franchise to trade him, and I want everybody to know that."
Nelson said his philosophy on star players was something that was developed during his playing career. He won five NBA titles while watching how Hall of Famer Red Auerbach put together and kept together the star-studded Boston Celtics, who were led by five-time MVP Bill Russell and 13-time All-Star John Havlicek.
"His philosophy was when you have a great player -- Bill Russell, Havlicek, Sam Jones, you name 'em -- you don't lose that player," Nelson said. "You keep him for a lifetime. You put his number up, and you honor that player. That's been my philosophy."
Nelson coached the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors for 11 seasons apiece. After a 59-game stint with the New York Knicks in which he was fired in 1995-96, Nelson was coach and general manager of the Mavericks from 1997-2005. He later coached the Warriors for another four seasons.
Accolades aside, Nelson was honored to earn an honor named after the late Daly, who won back-to-back NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons in 1988-89 and 1989-90.
"Chuck was an absolute genius in all facets of the game and life," Nelson said. "I'm glad I had the opportunity to coach against him, learn from him and benefit from his knowledge. To say that I'm deeply touched to receive an award that bears his name would be an understatement. This is special."
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ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Oklahoma City Thunder and forwardJalen Williams(wrist) have agreed to a five-year maximum rookie contract extension worth $287 million. As expected, the 24-year-old star received a massive contract extension on Thursday after helping lead the Thunder to their first NBA championship last season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren also recently signed extensions with the organization. Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 36.5 percent from beyond the arc during the 2024-25 campaign. He is expected to be ready for next season after offseason surgery due to a ligament tear in his right wrist.
According to Coty Wiles of RaptorsRepublic.com, the Toronto Raptors and 23-year-old guard Alijah Martin agreed to a two-way contract on Thursday. The Raptors drafted Martin with the 39th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft last month. He ended his collegiate career with Florida, averaging 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in 30.3 minutes per contest across 38 games last season. Martin will likely spend a significant amount of time in the G League at the beginning of the upcoming campaign.
The Washington Wizards have acquired guard Blake Wesley in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs. Wesley was part of a deal that saw San Antonio land veteran big man Kelly Olynyk. The 22-year-old moves to D.C. after spending three seasons with the Spurs. He averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 assists in 11.8 minutes per game. Wesley struggled to make an impact in Texas, and he also faces a tough battle for playing time in Washington, with veteran guards CJ McCollum and Marcus Smart ahead of him on the depth chart, along with young talents like Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Washington Wizards are re-signing center Tristan Vukcevic to a two-way NBA deal. The 2025-26 season will be Vukcevic's third in his NBA career. During last year's campaign, the 22-year-old averaged 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 14.6 minutes per contest. He also shot 49.6 percent from the floor and 37.3 percent from beyond the arc across 35 games. The 7-footer made a strong impression, averaging 18.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 2.2 three-pointers on 54.2 percent from the field in 25.0 minutes during the Wizards' final five contests last season.
Boston Celtics shooting guard Anfernee Simons remains on the trade block. "I have talked to other teams who have said they are actively trying to trade Anfernee Simons," said ESPN's Brian Windhorst on Wednesday's Hoop Collective Podcast. "Whether they can or not is another [thing]." Getting rid of Simons and his $27.7 million expiring contract would help the Celtics avoid the luxury tax next season. Simons has developed into a proven scorer in the league and has plenty more to offer after turning 26 just last month. With the Portland Trail Blazers, Simons averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists in 32.7 minutes last season.
Power forward Dominick Barlow has signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The 22-year-old joins his third NBA team after previously spending time with the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks. Barlow made 35 appearances with the Hawks last season, averaging 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 10.7 minutes. In the G League, Barlow has averaged 18.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks for his career. Philadelphia waived Alex Reese to make room for Barlow on the roster.
The San Antonio Spurs are bringing back point guard Jordan McLaughlin on a one-year deal. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, McLaughlin has agreed to a $3 million deal. The 29-year-old was acquired by the Spurs from the Sacramento Kings last season in the De'Aaron Fox trade. McLaughlin was a third-string guard on the squad, averaging 2.5 points and 1.5 assists in 6.9 minutes across 18 games. His role is unlikely to change in 2025-26, with Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle all ahead of him on the depth chart.
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe won't play in Thursday's Summer League meeting with the San Antonio Spurs. The rookie, selected No. 3 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, looked good in the Sixers' Salt Lake Summer League opener versus Utah, amassing 28 points, 10 boards, four assists, two blocks, and one steal. However, he missed the final two games due to a thumb injury. Fortunately, the ailment doesn't appear too serious, with doctors diagnosing the 19-year-old with a sprain. For now, Edgecombe is considered day-to-day, although the team will surely play it safe, meaning there's a chance fans won't see him on the court in Las Vegas. He will be reevaluated on Saturday.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker agreed to a two-year, $145 million extension with the franchise. It's the "highest annual salary" in NBA history, with Booker now in line to earn $316 million in the next five seasons. Phoenix recently sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. There's also a good chance that Bradley Beal won't be on the roster come the regular season. However, with the extension, it's apparent the club is fully committed to building around Booker moving ahead. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career in Phoenix, appearing in 673 regular-season contests, most recently finishing the 2024 campaign by averaging 25.6 points and a career-high 7.1 assists. With that in mind, Booker is expected to remain a top fantasy option for years to come. He should also have at least a few more All-Star selections before he calls it a career.
Utah Jazz forward/centerKyle Filipowski logged 18 points (5-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 15 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 25 minutes on the floor during Tuesday's 86-82 Summer League victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Filipowski earned his second straight Summer League double-double. The 21-year-old is averaging 17.0 points and 11.3 rebounds in 26.6 minutes per contest across three Summer League outings. With a young Jazz roster, the former Duke standout will likely take on a larger role in 2025-26, posting averages of 9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds across 72 outings last season.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Lakers guardDalton Knecht finished with 25 points (9-18 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT) and eight rebounds in 29 minutes during Tuesday's 89-88 Summer League victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Knecht got back on track after logging just four points in a loss to the Heat on Sunday. From beyond the arc, he also drained four three-pointers. The 23-year-old appeared in 78 regular-season contests for the Lakers last season, posting averages of 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds across 19.2 minutes per game. Knecht will have to battle for minutes and could find himself out of the Lakers' rotation during the upcoming campaign.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Darius Bazley finished with 27 points (8-10 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 10-12 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and one block in 25 minutes during a 89-88 Summer League win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. Bazley was drafted by the Jazz in 2019 with the 23rd overall pick. He last appeared in the NBA during the 2023-24 season, playing in a total of nine games for both the Jazz and 76ers. The 25-year-old is looking to make his way back to the league after suiting up for 11 G League games in 2024-25 for the Delaware Blue Coats, averaging 18.5 points and 9.6 rebounds across 30.8 minutes per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren has agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year maximum rookie contract extension, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The deal could be worth up to $250 million. Holmgren just finished his third NBA season, averaging 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 27.4 minutes. He was limited to 32 games due to a hip injury. The 23-year-old missed his entire rookie year with a foot problem. While Holmgren's health issues are something fantasy managers should keep in mind, he is a uniquely talented big man and is set to be part of the Thunder's core for the foreseeable future.
The San Antonio Spurs have traded guard Malaki Branham to the Washington Wizards. Branham was shipped out along with fellow guard Blake Wesley and a second-round draft pick in exchange for big man Kelly Olynyk. He will leave Texas after averaging only 9.1 minutes per game in 2024-25. Overall, Branham posted 8.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 19.0 minutes with the Spurs over three seasons. Although he has shown some potential at times, Branham's fantasy outlook seems bleak after leaving San Antonio, since the Wizards have several guards ahead of him on the depth chart, including established players like CJ McCollum and Marcus Smart.
The San Antonio Spurs have acquired forward/center Kelly Olynyk in a trade with the Washington Wizards. The Wizards only recently picked up Olynyk from the New Orleans Pelicans but are moving him on in exchange for guards Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, and a 2026 second-round pick. Olynyk will add depth behind star big man Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio, which will limit his fantasy value. Last season, Olynyk averaged 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 20.3 minutes across 44 games with the Pelicans and Toronto Raptors.
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis has undergone a procedure to repair a detached retina that he suffered during the season, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The star big man is expected to be fully healthy for training camp. Davis is gearing up for his first full campaign in Dallas. Due to a groin injury, he was limited to only nine appearances with his new team in 2024-25, averaging 20.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game. With Kyrie Irving (knee) expected to be sidelined for most of next season, the stage is set for Davis to make a big impact.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has no interest in signing a contract extension this offseason. The three-time MVP is eligible to sign a three-year, $200 million extension until Oct. 20, but he reportedly plans to delay contract negotiations until next summer. In 12 months, Jokic could earn an extra $77 million on his contract. Currently, Jokic is two years into a five-year, $276 million deal. Since Jokic still has several seasons left on his current contract, he isn't leaving anytime soon, and the Nuggets have no reason to panic. It's simply a financial decision for Jokic to wait until next summer before starting extension talks.
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Ajay Mitchell finished with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal in 25 minutes during Monday's 89-78 Summer League victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Mitchell has now posted a total of 40 points across two Summer League contests. During his rookie campaign in 2024-25, the 21-year-old saw action in 36 regular-season contests, averaging 6.5 points on 49.5 percent shooting in 16.6 minutes per game. Despite seeing limited time on the floor in the playoffs, the Thunder obviously views Mitchell as a talented guard with a lot of potential, signing him to a three-year, $9 million contract this summer.
According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the Milwaukee Bucks waived guard Vasilije Micic on Monday. Micic was recently traded to the Bucks from the Hornets forPat Connaughtonand two second-round picks. Now, as a free agent, the 31-year-old will likely search for other opportunities in the NBA and Europe. During the 2024-25 campaign, Micic saw action in 41 regular-season contests with the Hornets and Suns, posting averages of 6.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.2 rebounds.
On Monday, Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh posted 37 points (9-14 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 13-14 FT), four rebounds, two steals, and one assist during 27 minutes on the floor in a 112-111 Summer League victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. 15 of Sensabaugh's 27 points came in the fourth quarter. The 21-year-old has put together two impressive outings to open Summer League, registering a total of 56 points and 11 rebounds across 54 minutes. Sensabaugh is coming off his second NBA season, finishing with 10.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 71 contests in 2024-25.
