JAYLEN BROWN HAS KNEE SURGERY. THE CELTICS SAY HE WILL BE READY FOR TRAINING CAMP
BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Wednesday, and the team said he is expected to be available when training camp starts “without limitation.”
The Celtics said Brown had a minimally invasive procedure to clean out his knee.
A four-time All-Star and the MVP of the 2024 NBA Finals, Brown averaged 22 points, 4.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds this past season, his ninth in the NBA. His importance for next season has been magnified with co-star Jayson Tatum expected to miss most of next season while recovering from the ruptured Achilles tendon that knocked him out of the playoffs and doomed the Celtics’ hopes to repeat as NBA champions.
Brown is scheduled to make $53 million next season, the second of a five-year, $304 million deal that at the time was the richest in NBA history.
PISTONS, MAVERICKS TO PLAY REGULAR-SEASON GAME IN MEXICO CITY ON NOV. 1
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The NBA is going back to Mexico City next season, with the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons set to play a regular-season game there on Nov. 1.
The Mavericks currently have the No. 1 pick in this month’s draft and are expected to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg. The Pistons made a huge improvement this season and reached the Eastern Conference playoffs.
It will be the NBA’s 34th game in Mexico since 1992.
“We take significant pride in the fact that the Mavericks organization and our supporters reflect the increased globalization of basketball and the NBA,” Mavericks CEO Rick Welts said. “The vibrancy of Mexico City and the passion of its fans make it the perfect place to host these Global Games.”
The full NBA schedule for next season isn’t likely to be released until late summer. The league typically announces some international games ahead of that.
“Playing a regular-season game in Mexico City will be a great experience for our players and coaches,” Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said. “And we look forward to showcasing Detroit basketball to an international audience and a passionate, growing NBA fanbase.”
REPORT: ROCKETS, SPURS, T-WOLVES, KNICKS AMONG TEAMS INQUIRING ABOUT DURANT
Interest in Kevin Durant is heating up.
The Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks, are among several teams that have made inquiries about trading for the 15-time All-Star in the past seven-to-10 days, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday.
There have also been several wild-card suitors, Charania adds.
Durant and his team have reportedly met with the Phoenix Suns multiple times over the past week to discuss preferred trade destinations.
Durant is on an expiring deal valued at $54.7 million and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He will be eligible for a two-year, $112-million extension July 6, which could rise to as much as $124 million if he waits six months before signing. Durant’s desire for a long-term extension will be crucial in a potential deal, according to Charania.
The Suns have allegedly been shopping Durant aggressively since their season ended. The organization is reportedly focused on recouping its draft capital, including the 10th pick in this year’s draft. The Suns don’t control their own first- or second-round selection until 2032; their 2025 and 2027 first-rounders are owned by Houston, and the Washington Wizards control swap rights to their first-round selections in 2026 and 2030.
The 2025 NBA Draft will take place June 25 and 26.
The Suns reportedly attempted to move Durant at the trade deadline and fielded calls from multiple organizations, including his former squad, the Golden State Warriors. The New York Knicks allegedly made an official offer that was rebuffed by Phoenix.
Despite having the highest payroll in league history, Phoenix failed to make the play-in tournament after going 36-46 in the regular season and finishing 11th in the West. The Suns have since made several organizational changes, including the hiring of Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as head coach.
Durant averaged 26.6 points, 4.2 assists, and six rebounds in his 17th NBA campaign.
