Nobody is enjoying Cleveland's title more than Matthew Dellavedova The historic Cavaliers run to the NBA title was cathartic for all of Cleveland, especially LeBron James, and the city celebrated appropriately, especially J.R. Smith, but an Australian is enjoying it more than anyone. That man is Matthew Dellavedova, backup to Game 7 hero Kyrie Irving on the world champs. Delly played zero … [Read more...]

Sources: Celtics' offers of No. 3 for vet rebuffed 10:34 PM ET Marc SteinESPN Senior Writer Close • Senior NBA writer for ESPN.com• Began covering the NBA in 1993-94• Also covered soccer, tennis and the Olympics The Boston Celtics have been pursuing a number of established veterans in the buildup to Thursday's NBA draft, offering trade packages built around the No. 3 overall pick, … [Read more...]

Steve Francis didn't quit the idea of an NBA return until February It can sometimes be difficult for ex-NBA players to adjust to retired life. For everyone who seamlessly transitions into a job as a coach or executive, there are several who struggle to adapt to life without high-level basketball. The passion and competitiveness that carried them to the heights of the sport have no real … [Read more...]

Dwight Howard has one last chance at a big contract 9:46 PM ET Calvin WatkinsESPN Staff Writer Close Calvin Watkins covers the Houston Rockets and the NBA for ESPN.com. He joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He's covered the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers as well as colleges, boxing and high school sports. Dwight Howard made his decision official Tuesday afternoon, telling the Houston … [Read more...]

Dwyane Wade posed nude for ESPN's Body Issue to conquer insecurity Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade joined 18 other athletes who bared it all for the pages of this year's ESPN the Magazine Body Issue, the magazine announced Tuesday, with the 12-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion serving as one of the cover models: [Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball] … [Read more...]

Rockets' Howard declines $23.2M player option 6:53 PM ET ESPN.com news services Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard has informed the team that he is opting out of his contract and will become a free agent on July 1. Howard, 30, averaged just 13.7 points and attempted just 8.5 field goals per game in 2015-16, his lowest numbers since his rookie season with Orlando in 2004-05. Howard had … [Read more...]

Rotoworld Podcasts: NBA Draft Podcast Part 2 Tuesday, June 21, 2016 Get ready for the trade rumors to fly around. We go over some recent ones and if they could actually happen. We'll also let you know how each team got their picks. Hey, the Nuggets, Suns and 76ers each have three first-round picks. Ed Isaacson will give you all the info you need on some esoteric overseas big men along with all … [Read more...]

Report: 76ers promise to pick Ben Simmons at No. 1 in 2016 draft After an unprecedented multi-year campaign to rebuild through the NBA draft lottery that resulted in one of the least successful three-year periods in league history and the resignation of general manager Sam Hinkie, the Philadelphia 76ers finally landed the No. 1 overall pick in this year's lottery ... and according to a new … [Read more...]

If Kevin Durant stays put, the Warriors might want Dirk Nowitzki After falling mere minutes short of capping the greatest regular season in NBA history with a second straight NBA championship, the Golden State Warriors now face a summer of questions. The biggest one, as has been discussed for months, is whether they're really going to make a run at unrestricted free agent, former NBA Most … [Read more...]

D'Angelo Russell gets in on the joke, warns Ben Simmons in new ad Former LSU forward Ben Simmons is widely expected to come off the board with either the first or second selection in Thursday's 2016 NBA draft. After he does, he'll face the same sort of jarring transition from prep star and college prospect to life as a full-fledged professional that many of his predecessors have tried to … [Read more...]