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Olivier-Maxence Prosper agrees to two-way deal with Memphis
Shams Charania: Free agent forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper has agreed on a two-way NBA contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, Todd Ramasar and Mike Simonetta of Life Sports Agency told ESPN. Prosper sifted through multiple offers, and now chooses the Grizzlies to enter his third NBA season.
Dwyane Wade on Mark Cuban saying 2006 Finals were rigged: Stop saying that
Dwyane Wade: I heard Mark Cuban come out recently and say that he doesn't care. He’s taking it to his grave. 2006 Finals were rigged is what Mark Cuban said. I have probably had one conversation with Mark since then. It was a very cool cordial conversation. I love Mark Cuban from afar. Everything that he has accomplished, everything he's done. But Mark, stop saying that. Mark, we beat y'all. Did we get some foul calls? Everybody gets foul calls. I can go back and point in 2011 during one of them series where Dirk Nowitzki had 48. He had 24 free throws in one of those games. Does that mean that the refs wanted them to win? I don't know. But it wasn't rigged. Like, we still had to play the game. You had a young guy that was becoming a star in the NBA. Did I get a few whistles? Yes. But was I the only one attacking the basket every play? Probably. So, bro, I'm going to get some whistles, too. I'm going to get some calls today. They were fouling. Let's not act like that. You're not about to tarnish the work that I put in as a young guy to do something that not a lot of young guys have done in this game to say it was rigged. Mark, stop that. Y'all got us. We got y'all.
Mavericks, PJ Washington agree to huge extension
Shams Charania: Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington has agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract extension with the franchise, agent Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management told ESPN. Washington secures a new deal that keeps him in Dallas through 2029-30.
Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington has agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract extension with the franchise, agent Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management told ESPN.
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Washington, 27, had one season left on his deal for $14.1 million and now secures an extension that keeps him in Dallas through 2029-30. Washington's four-year extension means the Mavericks have reached agreements with all key members of their roster eligible for new deals this offseason, including All-Star Kyrie Irving and center Daniel Gafford (three-year extensions).
D’Angelo Russell on Kobe Bryant: So once I seen Kobe's confidence and how he struggled when I was there, he wasn't shooting the ball good. He struggled. And I remember going up to him as a 18-year-old rookie and I was just like, "Keep shooting. Keep shooting. You'll be all right. We going to put that clip in this cuz it was a clip they asked him during uh his interview and they were like, "Young player asked you told you to keep shooting. How'd that make you feel?" And I told him, "Keep shooting, man. You'll be all right." He looked at me, he was like, "You think I'm worried about these shots?” He's like, "I got more shots that I've missed, more shots that I've made like that I could ever even imagine. So, I don't care if I go three for 20 or 5 for 15 or whatever." He didn't care about that. His confidence stayed at this level. And I took a lot from that, honestly.
Dirk Nowitzki discussing a hands-on role with the Mavs: I gave it a try, but it was weird being around without a clear role
After the Luka Doncic trade and comments that were made about your relationship with the Mavericks, how would you characterize where you are now with the organization, including the front office and ownership? Nowitzki: I’m still sort of involved, but not really on the day to day. I tried that a couple of years ago. It was a little weird for me to be there and not really knowing my role. Since then, I’ve kind of pulled back a bit again. The last two years, I really haven’t been involved in anything front office related. Speaking of the Luka trade, I was as surprised and as shocked as everybody. I had no idea this was even in the works.
Flagg is joining a team of future Hall of Famers, but one day he’s going to take the reins of the franchise. What advice do you have for him in that role, since you experienced it with the Mavericks? Nowitzki: It was hard for me. My personality wasn’t, ‘Hey, look at me. I’m the big speech guy. Follow me now.’ I had to grow into it. Learn through some mistakes. I’m not quite sure I can help him with advice. The only thing is keep your eyes and ears open. Keep learning from your veterans. He’s got some incredible players on the team now with Kyrie [Irving], obviously Klay [Thompson]. AD’s [Anthony Davis] been around forever. There’s so much knowledge there that he can tap into and learn from. Ask questions. How are their pregame routines? What do they eat? How do they prepare for events? What do they do with appearances? How do they interact with the media? That was key for me at the beginning, watching Michael Finley, who was a true pro. Steve Nash, learning from them.
Mavericks officially sign Dante Exum, waive Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Dallas Mavericks PR: The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have re-signed guard Danté Exum. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. In a related move, Dallas has requested waivers on forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
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Jalen Williams ranks his 'welcome to the NBA' moments: Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant
Jalen Williams: Kawhi Leonard had a bad night, I think there's like a clip where Lu (Dort) like didn't even let him get a shot off at the end. So we beat the Clippers. Kawhi had a horrible game. I did a good job guarding him. So, I'm juiced. But we play them back to back. He started the game out nine for nine on me. We go back to the huddle. Mark (Daigneault) is like, this is funny. Mark, everybody don't know but Mark says slick stuff. He's like, "He's busting your ass, Jalen. We need to switch." I looked at him and I was like, "Yeah.” So, Kawhi had nine for nine, then Lu on him, and Kawhi ended up like having 30 something. Klay Thompson, I was playing defense on him a whole night. He hit one from behind the backboard and as it's going in, he slapped me on my butt and said “Good try, rookie”. Kevin Durant hadn't played in OKC in a little bit and he came back to OKC and he was wildin’. Fans chirping at him and KD is like talking back. He’s talking to the fans while he bumping me, shooting over me and stuff. It was horrible, bro. Those are the three like welcome to the NBA moments.
Michael Porter Jr: Stephen Curry is the only one that's clearly a better shooter than me
Name the players in the league that can for sure shoot better than me? Michael Porter Jr: Stephen Curry—that’s the only one I’m giving like a clear “elite, can shoot better than me.” There’s dudes that are on the same level: I think Klay Thompson. KD, I think like... If I got in the gym, like Duncan Robinson—he probably can shoot with me. You know—Trae Young, Dame... But I think Steph is the only one that’s clearly a better shooter.
Klay Thompson open to playing in the Big3
My question for you is: when you retire, would you consider coming and playing in the BIG3?” Klay Thompson: “Absolutely. Especially with that four-point ball — that gets me excited. I just want the BIG3 to go international. You know, it’d be so fun to see the BIG3 go overseas and do a little tour. I would love that. Or Asia. We would love that. Believe it or not — three-on-three basketball is played more around the globe than five-on-five. So, the opportunity for growth with the league is incredible. Big shoutout to Cube and all you guys for this incredible league. It’s awesome.”
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