Asking Twitter for feedback really didn't go how the Magic hoped NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum announces that the Orlando Magic have the 11th pick in the 2016 NBA draft. (AP/Julie Jacobson) As Summer League winds down and we move toward the quieter part of the NBA’s offseason, NBA teams and their social media squads must look for ways to keep fans engaged and involved during a … [Read more...]

Wolves likely won't trade Rubio, owner says 11:37 AM ET ESPN.com news services Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said during a recent interview that he doesn't think the team will trade Ricky Rubio. Rubio has been the topic of widespread trade speculation ever since Minnesota drafted point guard Kris Dunn with the No. 5 overall pick last month. Rubio also publicly acknowledged … [Read more...]

5-on-5: NBA's biggest heroes and villains of the summer 9:00 AM ET NBA Experts With NBA free agency winding down, we asked our experts: Who were the big heroes and villains of the offseason? Which players and executives are being praised for their dazzling moves? And which ones are getting the most criticism -- fairly or unfairly? 5-on-5 also welcomes two guest panelists -- Zhang Weiping, … [Read more...]

Dwight Howard thinks his back woes are over 'for the rest of my career' Dwight Howard in a perilous position. (Getty Images) Dwight Howard underwent back surgery in 2012, and co-incidentally or not he hasn’t looked like the same player since. Back and knee issues limited him to half a season in 2014-15, his penultimate year with the Houston Rockets, and though Howard only missed 11 … [Read more...]

Devin Booker emerges as summer league standout 12:49 AM ET Jovan Buha LAS VEGAS -– Phoenix Suns second-year guard Devin Booker caught a pass from Marquese Chriss on the left block and pivoted away from the thicket of arms crowding the paint. As Booker spun, Boston Celtics RJ Hunter and Guerschon Yabusele collapsed on him, trying to rip the ball from Booker’s grasp. With the nearby baseline … [Read more...]

Damian Lillard performs first rap concert to celebrate 26th birthday 5:38 PM ET Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard celebrated his 26th birthday in style, staging his first full-fledged live concert as his rapper persona Dame D.O.L.L.A. in Portland, Oregon, on Friday. One of the many highlights of the concert at the Crystal Ballroom was having teammate C.J. McCollum and the New Orleans … [Read more...]

Kevin Garnett might not be up to returning for his 22nd season Will Kevin Garnett be back? (Getty Images) When the Minnesota Timberwolves dealt for Kevin Garnett back in 2015, it was initially assumed by most that the future Basketball Hall of Famer was taking one last farewell lap around the Target Center. That he would bow out as an active NBA player once his contract ran out following the … [Read more...]

Nate Thurmond, Warriors great, dies at age 74 Nate Thurmond, in 2015. (Getty Images) Basketball Hall of Famer and Golden State Warriors great Nate Thurmond died on Saturday, the seven-time NBA All-Star was 74. Thurmond, who was named to the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players list in 1996, had reportedly been battling leukemia. [Follow Dunks Don’t Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball] … [Read more...]

Pelicans: Evans won't be ready to start season 1:41 PM ET Justin VerrierESPN Staff Writer Close Justin Verrier is an NBA writer and editor at ESPN.com. New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans is not expected to be available at the beginning of the 2016-17 regular season after having three right knee procedures in the span of nine months. "He's not going to be ready for the start of the … [Read more...]

With young, talented core, Lakers fans have reason for excitement 2:55 AM ET LAS VEGAS -- Lakers fans have shelved their loudest cheers for much of the past three loss-packed seasons, save for a handful of throw-back Kobe Bryant performances (such as his 60-point finale), or the team's near-miracle upset of the mighty Golden State Warriors at Staples Center last season. But much of their … [Read more...]