Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell could be seen munching on some popcorn during his team’s 109-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. That snack was probably what he had leftover from pranking rookie Jaylon Tyson, who got his fill after the game.
Mitchell was sidelined for the game with groin soreness, and he watched his teammates while shoveling down some popcorn on the bench. That wound up being foreshadowing for his postgame antics.
In a video posted to social media by Mitchell, he followed Tyson to his car in the team garage, where the rookie found it full of popcorn when he opened the door.
There’s no telling how long it took Tyson to de-popcorn his car before driving home, but based on the video, he might have been in that garage for a while. He might even get flashbacks the next time he smells popcorn at Rocket Arena.
Tyson, a former standout at Texas Tech and California, was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. In his 40 games with the Cavaliers, Tyson has averaged 3.1 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. The rookie is still carving out a role for himself on a talented roster that just won its 15th straight game and clinched the Central Division title.
We’re inching closer to the NBA postseason, and two Western Conference squads that currently hold playoff spots are going up against one another Wednesday. Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Denver to take on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Denver is the current No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, while Minnesota is No. 7 and hasn’t lost in March.
The Nuggets are 4-point favorites, according to SportsLine consensus odds, and are -170 on the money line (bet $170 to win $100) while the Timberwolves are +143 (bet $100 to win $143). The over/under is set at 234.5.
If you’re looking at player prop bets for Wednesday’s matchup between Timberwolves and Nuggets, including for Edwards and Jokic, make sure to check out what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. You can see all of the model’s top-rated prop picks for every game under the “Prop Picks” tab. There are ratings of up to five stars assigned for all sorts of different prop bets for players. Those picks can be key for creating winning parlays on DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, Underdog Fantasy or Sleeper Fantasy as well as same-game parlays on any available betting site.
Let’s dive into the SportsLine model’s three highest-rated player prop recommendations for Timberwolves-Nuggets and see what the payout would be if they were put into a same-game parlay.
Anthony Edwards Under 37.5 total points + rebounds + assists (-112): 4 stars In his last five games, Edwards has gone Under his PRA line four times, averaging 36.2 PRA per game over that span. SportsLine’s model projects the star Timberwolves player to finish Wednesday with 33.7 PRA against the Nuggets in Denver.
Nikola Jokic Under 51.5 total points + rebounds + assists (-110): 4 stars When it comes to PRA in today’s NBA, look no further than Jokic, who posted a historic 74 PRA line last week with 31 points, 21 rebounds and 22 assists. But the model is taking the Under on the three-time MVP Wednesday, projecting him to finish with 46.5 PRA against Minnesota. Jokic has finished Under his PRA prop in four of the last five games in which the Nuggets were favored and facing a team with a winning record, averaging 45.0 PRA over that span.
Jaden McDaniels Under 7.5 total rebounds + assists (3.5 stars) When facing teams with winning records, McDaniels has struggled with his rebounds + assists prop of late, finishing Under that prop line in each of his last five games with an average of 4.2 per contest. SportsLine’s model projects McDaniels to finish Wednesday with 6.8 total rebounds + assists in Denver.
March Madness frequently serves as a forum for high-profile NBA talents to showcase themselves on the sport’s biggest stage. But this year might be even better than in year’s past.
Projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg — the anchor for a likely No. 1 seeded Duke team — is the headliner as we barrel into the stretch run of the college basketball season. He’s not alone, though, as seven of the top 10 prospects in the CBS Sports prospect rankings and 11 of the top 14 are on team’s either projected in the field or trending in that direction.
That should make for a dynamic viewing experience this month whether you’re invested in a college team or more curious about the upcoming next wave of NBA stars. So with the NCAA Tournament’s start just two weeks out, our mock projections are freshly updated below to serve as both a temperature check on the current landscape and a viewing guide for some to keep watch on the sport’s most promising talents.
The NBA Draft order will not be set until later this spring, making projections below more in line with my own prospect rankings without consideration of team context for the time being.
Mock Draft Round 1 Round 1 – Pick 1 team logo team logo
player headshot Cooper Flagg PF Duke • Fr • 6’9″ / 205 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st PPG 19.4 RPG 7.6 APG 4.2 3P% 37.7% Flagg has flown into frontrunner status for national player of the year and has a top-five offense and defense with him leading the way. He’s an efficient producer whose defensive dynamism makes him as close to a sure thing in this class as there is. Round 1 – Pick 2 team logo team logo
player headshot Dylan Harper PG Rutgers • Fr • 6’6″ / 215 lbs Projected Team Utah PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st PPG 19.2 RPG 4.5 APG 3.9 3P% 34.5% The son of former NBA player Ron Harper, Dylan is a two-way star for Rutgers, averaging the sixth-most points among all Big Ten players as an 18-year-old (he turned 19 in early March). He’s a lead guard prospect with creative qualities both as a shot-maker and shot-creator for others. Round 1 – Pick 3 team logo team logo
player headshot Ace Bailey SF Rutgers • Fr • 6’10” / 200 lbs Projected Team Charlotte PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 1st PPG 17.6 RPG 7.2 APG 1.2 3P% 34.6% The size, scoring and sensational athleticism of Bailey makes him one of the most exciting prospects in this class. He needs to sharpen some of the passing and handling in his game but the ability to get a bucket is incomparable with any in this class. Round 1 – Pick 4 team logo team logo
player headshot Kasparas Jakucionis SF Illinois • Fr • 6’6″ / 205 lbs Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 15.2 RPG 5.6 APG 4.8 3P% 33.1% Jakucionis’ production has tailed off from a hot start to the season — due at least in part to team injuries and attrition — but my evaluation has largely not changed. He’s a big guard who wins with finesse and craftiness. Round 1 – Pick 5 team logo team logo
player headshot VJ Edgecombe SG Baylor • Fr • 6’5″ / 180 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 1st PPG 15 RPG 5.4 APG 3.3 3P% 35.8% A steady upward trajectory for Edgecombe this season is among the reasons to be encouraged by his prospect profile. He’s shown himself a more polished passer and playmaker to go with his exceptional athleticism, all while improving as a scorer. Round 1 – Pick 6 team logo team logo
player headshot Tre Johnson SF Texas • Fr • 6’6″ / 190 lbs Projected Team Toronto PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 20.2 RPG 3.2 APG 2.8 3P% 39.5% The arrow is pointing directly up for Johnson after 39, 32 and 29-point outings for Texas in the last month. He’s a bucket-getter approaching the same territory as Ace Bailey, and while he’s a prolific scorer, he has shown other flashes as an offensive weapon, adding to his already-deep bag. From Philadelphia 76ers Round 1 – Pick 7 team logo team logo
player headshot Jeremiah Fears SG Oklahoma • Fr • 6’4″ / 182 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 16.3 RPG 4.1 APG 4.2 3P% 26.5% A recent 31-point offensive explosion vs. No. 15 Missouri served as a perfect example of the upside and promise of Fears. His game is not without warts — he’s shooting 27.5% from 3-point range — but his burst and advanced ball-handling are foundations for what could be a star in the making. Round 1 – Pick 8 team logo team logo
player headshot Jase Richardson SG Michigan State • Fr • 6’3″ / 185 lbs Projected Team San Antonio PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 11.6 RPG 3.1 APG 1.9 3P% 38.8% Since earning a spot in the starting lineup last month, Richardson has led Michigan State to a fast finish while averaging 16 points per game and shooting 38% from 3-point range. He’s a complete player contributing for one of the best defensive teams in college basketball while providing a scoring boost as an outside weapon and inside finisher to boot. Round 1 – Pick 9 team logo team logo
player headshot Egor Demin SG BYU • Fr • 6’9″ Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 10.8 RPG 3.7 APG 5.6 3P% 28.3% BYU has closed its regular season on a heater thanks in part to Demin’s consistent late-season production. There’s great NBA appeal here with his big frame and playmaking if he can improve his shooting. Round 1 – Pick 10 team logo team logo
player headshot Nolan Traore PG France • 6’4″ / 175 lbs Projected Team Portland PROSPECT RNK 10th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 11.0 RPG 1.8 APG 5.2 3P% 26.5% Traore hasn’t lived up to billing as a potential top-five prospect in this class but I’m still bullish on the talent. He plays a confident style with the ball in his hands and has enough playmaking to help in part offset some of his struggles with turnovers and shooting. Round 1 – Pick 11 team logo team logo
player headshot Liam McNeeley SF Connecticut • Fr • 6’7″ / 210 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 11th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 14.7 RPG 6.2 APG 2.5 3P% 34.7% UConn lost its identity — and apparently its best player — when McNeeley went down with a high ankle injury earlier this year. He’s returned an even more dynamic weapon, serving in various roles as a creator, scorer and winner. Tough prospect who plays with an edge. From Phoenix Suns Round 1 – Pick 12 team logo team logo
player headshot Asa Newell PF Georgia • Fr • 6’11” / 220 lbs Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 15.1 RPG 6.6 BPG 1.0 3P% 29.1% I’ve been impressed by Newell’s ability to play with physicality in the SEC this season — something that was at one point seen as a weak point for him. I think his game seamlessly transfers to the NBA as a rim-running lob threat who can step out and space the floor. Round 1 – Pick 13 team logo team logo
player headshot Kon Knueppel SF Duke • Fr • 6’7″ / 217 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 13th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 13.7 RPG 3.8 APG 2.5 3P% 39.9% Playing in the large shadow cast by teammate Cooper Flagg, Knueppel has been a consistent force for a top-two Duke team all season. He can do it all as a guard on offense, plays great team defense, and is especially dynamic as a shooter; Synergy Sports data rates him in the 88th percentile as a jump shooter and in the 82nd percentile on catch and shoots. From Sacramento Kings Round 1 – Pick 14 team logo team logo
player headshot Collin Murray-Boyles PF South Carolina • Soph • 6’8″ / 245 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 20th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 16.7 RPG 8.1 APG 2.4 3P% 25% The old-school style of Murray-Boyles’ game has been a smashing success in the SEC, where at South Carolina he has developed into one of the sport’s most dynamic two-way players. He plays bigger than his listed size and wins with physicality on both ends of the floor. Round 1 – Pick 15 team logo team logo
player headshot Khaman Maluach C Duke • Fr • 7’2″ / 250 lbs Projected Team Orlando PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 8 RPG 6.6 APG 0.5 3P% 15.4% My colleague Gary Parrish moved Maluach to No. 6 in his latest mock in early February, an example of the steam he’s gained in recent months that is nearing consensus in draft circles. I’m not quite as high but the appeal is obvious: he’s 7-foot-2 with a 7-5 wingspan and a reported 9-8 standing reach to go with rare movement skills for his size. From Atlanta Hawks Round 1 – Pick 16 team logo team logo
player headshot Derik Queen C Maryland • Fr • 6’10” / 246 lbs Projected Team San Antonio PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 15.7 RPG 9.2 APG 2 3P% 8.3% Queen is a more throwback big whose game is predicated on physicality and passing finesse unlike Newell or Maluach — two more defensive-centric, above-the-rim talents. He sees the game at a high level and is a menace on the boards. From Los Angeles Clippers Round 1 – Pick 17 team logo team logo
player headshot Danny Wolf C Michigan • Jr • 7’0″ / 250 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 1st PPG 12.9 RPG 9.7 APG 3.7 3P% 34.4% Wolf is a third-year college player but just 20 years old experiencing a breakout with Michigan this season. He’s a 7-footer with guard skills — handles, probing ability, the works — who is hitting a career-best 35% from 3-point range to boot. From Detroit Pistons Round 1 – Pick 18 team logo team logo
player headshot Ben Saraf SG Israel • 6’5″ / 200 lbs Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 18th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 12.4 RPG 2.8 APG 4.4 3P% 27.1% Saraf is an Israeli guard who has acquitted himself well overseas as a scorer and playmaker at just 18 years old. He has good positional size and plays with craft to make up for his lack of burst. From Minnesota Timberwolves Round 1 – Pick 19 team logo team logo
player headshot JT Toppin PF Texas Tech • Soph • 6’9″ / 225 lbs Projected Team Utah PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 18.1 RPG 9.3 APG 1.1 3P% 31.1% Toppin has emerged as one of the best players in the Big 12 this season after transferring to Texas Tech from New Mexico. He’s a power forward who thrives on the glass as a second-chance creator and contributes to winning with his energy and efficiency. From Milwaukee Bucks Round 1 – Pick 20 team logo team logo
player headshot Noa Essengue PF France • 6’10” / 200 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 21st POSITION RNK 5th PPG 12.4 RPG 5.3 APG 1.1 3P% 29.4% Essengue has continued to impress overseas playing alongside the aforementioned Saraf in Germany. He’s a big wing who is very young and already producing at a very high level professionally. Round 1 – Pick 21 team logo team logo
player headshot Nique Clifford SF Colorado State • Sr • 6’6″ / 200 lbs Projected Team Indiana PROSPECT RNK 17th POSITION RNK 6th PPG 18.4 RPG 9.7 APG 4.4 3P% 39.3% Clifford remains on the short list of guys I rank higher than most. He’s a fifth-year player with a plug-and-play skill set as a shooter and defender. From Golden State Warriors Round 1 – Pick 22 team logo team logo
player headshot Hugo Gonzalez SF Spain • 6’6″ / 205 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 22nd POSITION RNK 7th PPG 5.1 RPG 2.4 APG 0.9 3P% 28.1% On a deep Real Madrid team, Gonzalez remains something of a mystery box prospect given his sporadic playing time. The idea of him as a prospect centers around his scoring ability as a big wing. From Houston Rockets Round 1 – Pick 23 team logo team logo
player headshot Rasheer Fleming PF Saint Joseph’s • Jr • 6’9″ / 240 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 26th POSITION RNK 6th PPG 15.5 RPG 8.6 APG 1.4 3P% 41.8% Fleming’s rise into first-round territory can’t be ignored. He’s having a breakout junior season with Saint Joseph’s, hitting 43.2% from 3-point range and rating out in the 97th percentile on jumpers, per Synergy. Big wing with a great frame and translatable game. From Memphis Grizzlies Round 1 – Pick 24 team logo team logo
player headshot Drake Powell SG North Carolina • Fr • 6’6″ / 195 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 23rd POSITION RNK 6th PPG 7.5 RPG 3.3 APG 1.1 3P% 39% The breakout for Powell may not happen this season but the flashes of promise as a future NBA role player have been enough to keep him in the first round for me. He can make open shots and has the defensive tools to be a star on that end. From Los Angeles Lakers Round 1 – Pick 25 team logo team logo
player headshot Dink Pate SG G League Ignite • 6’8″ / 210 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 24th POSITION RNK 7th PPG 9.7 RPG 4.9 APG 1.9 3P% 26.6% Pate has largely fallen off the lottery radar this season playing in Mexico but he remains a first-round prospect in my ranks because of his size and shot creation. I like the way he can get downhill and he has a creative streak that I think will work as a passing two-guard at the NBA level. From New York Knicks Round 1 – Pick 26 team logo team logo
player headshot Boogie Fland PG Arkansas • Fr • 6’2″ / 175 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 25th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 15.1 RPG 3.4 APG 5.7 3P% 36.5% Fland looks like one of the biggest losers of an injury earlier this season after initially being projected as a potential top-10 talent. He has great burst and shot it well from 3-point range, but injury concerns coupled with his more slender frame may be a point of concern for NBA teams. From Denver Nuggets Round 1 – Pick 27 team logo team logo
player headshot Alex Karaban SF Connecticut • Jr • 6’8″ / 225 lbs Projected Team Orlando PROSPECT RNK 28th POSITION RNK 9th PPG 14.5 RPG 5.2 APG 2.8 3P% 35.3% Karaban’s season hasn’t played out the way many expected — he’s tailed off as a shooter, struggled with turnovers and at times lacked confidence. I can’t help but wonder if his shoulder is giving him problems. Still, he’s a very good player who has size and shooting and has been integral to two title teams the last two years. Round 1 – Pick 28 team logo team logo
player headshot Adou Thiero SF Arkansas • Jr • 6’8″ / 220 lbs Projected Team Boston PROSPECT RNK 27th POSITION RNK 8th PPG 15.6 RPG 6 APG 2 3P% 26.2% Once just a fringe starter at Kentucky, Thiero has been “the guy” for Arkansas this season enjoying a true breakout. He’s always been a bulldog defender but has grown into a bigger role as a scorer and managed to add to his defense as a true playmaker on that end. From Oklahoma City Thunder Round 1 – Pick 29 team logo team logo
player headshot Kam Jones PG Marquette • Sr • 6’5″ / 205 lbs Projected Team L.A. Clippers PROSPECT RNK 29th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 18.9 RPG 4.5 APG 6.1 3P% 30.6% Thriving in a new role this season at Marquette as an on-ball scorer and creator has unlocked some new NBA possibilities for Jones. He’s always been a prolific scorer and now realized potential as a passer. From Cleveland Cavaliers Round 1 – Pick 30 team logo team logo
player headshot Isaiah Evans SG Duke • Fr • 6’6″ / 175 lbs Projected Team Phoenix PROSPECT RNK 40th POSITION RNK 10th PPG 7.7 RPG 1.2 APG 0.5 3P% 44.4% He’s the sixth-leading scorer on Duke, but Evans looks the part of a future star at times with his ability to provide instant offense and knock down shots. The former five-star is precisely the developmental bet I’d want to take if picking in the late 20s.
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday was the reason the Celtics team worked last year, and why they won the NBA Finals, according to reporter Bobby Manning.
According to Manning, Kristaps Porzingis gets most of the credit for their success, but he believes the Celtics only worked because of Holiday.
Only Holiday knew how to win a championship, winning the NBA Finals back in 2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks. He became a veteran leader on a younger team, and kept them focused on the goal.
While he didn’t put up the same offensive numbers as Porzingis, Jaylen Brown, or Jayson Tatum, he was the team’s leader on defense.
He was on the second team All-Defense, and had votes for Defensive Player of the Year. Before Holiday, the Celtics were purely offensive focused, and with him, they are balanced.
Holiday still has three years left on his contract, so here’s hoping he provides that veteran leadership for the next three seasons.
Bronny James should take the court for his first NBA preseason game, but it doesn’t appear he’ll share the floor with his dad.
The Lakers will face the Timberwolves in their preseason opener in Palm Springs, giving new Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick a chance to see Bronny in action. However, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported LeBron isn’t expected to play Friday.
Redick, who hosted a podcast with LeBron before the Lakers hired him, hasn’t revealed specific details about Bronny’s role in his rotation, but he is already impressed with the former USC guard.
WATCH:Bronny James’ preseason debut live on Sling
“Bronny, I feel very fortunate that I get to coach him, because he’s young and he’s hungry and he’s got a lot of inherent skill sets that we can really mold into a really good NBA player,” Redick said last month. “On top of that, he’s a fantastic kid. He’s extremely coachable. He’s got the right spirit and energy every single day.”
How many minutes will Bronny play against Minnesota? We’re about to find out.
Here is everything you need to know about Lakers vs. Timberwolves, including TV and streaming options for Bronny’s preseason debut.
How to watch Bronny James preseason game: TV channel, live stream TV channel: NBA TV Live stream: Sling Lakers vs. Timberwolves will air on NBA TV. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling.
Sling gives subscribers the ability to watch NBA preseason, regular season and postseason games. You can join Sling for as low as $15 for your first month, a $25 savings.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves start time Date: Friday, Oct. 4 Time: 10:30 p.m. ET | 9:30 p.m. CT | 7:30 p.m. PT Lakers vs. Timberwolves will tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 4. The game will be played at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, Calif.
The Lakers open their preseason slate against the Timberwolves, headlined by the preseason debut for Bronny James.
However, LeBron James will not get the same preseason treatment as his 19-year-old son.
The No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, James is entering his 22nd season in the NBA. He’s still widely considered to be one of the best players in the league and is coming off of a season in which he averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game.
James is expected to be at full strength for Los Angeles’ regular-season opener, but he won’t play in Friday’s preseason opener. Here’s more on his status.
MORE: Win totals and best bets to make for 2024-25 NBA season
Is LeBron James playing tonight? LeBron James is not expected to play in the Lakers’ preseason game on Friday night, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said earlier in the week that James would play at some point this weekend, so he could make his 2024 preseason debut on Sunday against the Suns. Los Angeles has a break between its second and third preseason game — the Lakers will be back to face the Bucks on Thursday, Oct. 10.
The Lakers have 21 players on their preseason roster, and they have to make decisions to cut the roster down to 18. This gives other players more of an opportunity to prove they belong on the team.
The Lakers haven’t had much turnover since last season, but they added two rookies to the roster in Bronny James and Dalton Knecht. Both suited up in Summer League and could see extended time in preseason.
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What time is Lakers vs. Timberwolves tonight? Date: Friday, Oct. 4 Time: 10:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. PT Los Angeles gets its preseason underway against Minnesota in Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., which is primarily the home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds for the Arena Hockey League.
MORE: Rui Hachimura primed for breakout season under JJ Redick
What channel is Lakers vs. Timberwolves tonight? Date: Friday, Oct. 4 TV channel: NBA TV Live streaming: Sling TV The Lakers’ first preseason game will be nationally broadcast on NBA TV. For those without cable, the game can be streamed on Sling TV.
Sling is the home for avid sports fans offering a range of sports channels so you can always cheer for your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.
MORE: Bronny James was almost teammates with Stephen Curry
Lakers NBA preseason schedule 2024 The Lakers have six preseason games before they open the 2024-25 regular season against the Timberwolves on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Few rookies exceed expectations after being picked first in any American sports league. There are even fewer who run away with Rookie of the Year awards unanimously — or almost unanimously.
Fortunately for basketball fans in 2024, there were two players of such status, one from each major league. Victor Wembanyama became the seventh NBA player to win the honor by capturing every single vote and Caitlin Clark tallied all but one — which went to Angel Reese — when voted the WNBA’s premier rookie.
The two stars are familiar with one another, too. The Spurs center shouted out the Fever guard publicly in a Q&A on the team’s social media platforms Friday.
Here’s everything to know about Wembanyama paying Clark the ultimate compliment, explaining why he was “in awe” of her in college.
UPDATED NBA PLAYER RANKINGS: Where LeBron, Curry and more stars land ahead of 2024-25 season
What did Victor Wembanyama say about Caitlin Clark? Members of the Spurs roster were asked to name a WNBA player who inspires them and what makes them stand out in a video posted to the team’s social media accounts. Wembanyama quickly answered “Caitlin Clark” and then elaborated on his choice.
“When she was in college, the only college player that I was really in awe of the game,” he said. “Men and women’s college basketball, she’s probably the most impressive I’ve seen.”
and @wemby with the shoutout for @CaitlinClark22 👏 pic.twitter.com/xzaX6tRd8Q
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 4, 2024 Clark, of course, had a dominant career at Iowa.
In 139 games over four seasons, Clark averaged 28.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.4 rebounds. She finished with the most career points, most career 3-pointers and most career assists in Division 1 basketball, men’s or women’s. There’s plenty more where that came from, too.
MORE: The next steps for Fever to build contender around Caitlin Clark
Victor Wembanyama vs. Caitlin Clark rookie stats Clark and Wembanyama both had historic, record-breaking seasons in their respective leagues.
With San Antonio, the French national achieved many milestones his rookie year, like becoming the second first-year player ever to record a 5×5 game (at least five points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks) and notching a 40-point, 20-rebound game in March.
In Indiana, Clark propelled the Fever to attendance numbers never seen before in the WNBA and record-breaking viewership stats. Not to mention she earned Rookie of the Month four times, recorded the first two triple-doubles by a rookie in league history and broke the single-season assist record to name a few of her other accolades.
MORE: What’s next for Caitlin Clark after historic rookie season in Indiana
It’s worth mentioning when comparing the two that the NBA plays nearly twice as many regular-season games as the WNBA. However, the Fever did make their way into the postseason and the Spurs did not, which is another thing to consider.
The San Antonio Spurs could be better in 2024-25 than many people expect.
Second-year center Victor Wembanyama is one of the most unique players to ever enter the NBA, and he’s improving at a rapid pace.
The last player the league witnessed have such a dominant impact from such a young age was LeBron James. What most people forget about James’s early years in the league was how he single-handedly transformed the Cleveland Cavaliers into a winner.
The Cavaliers had already turned things around under LeBron by his second year, finishing the 2004-05 season above .500 at 42-40. The following year, James’s third, Cleveland went 50-32 and advanced into the second round of the playoffs.
Generational players tend to turn franchises around much quicker than people anticipate, and Wembanyama is certainly a generational talent.
Wemby’s ceiling is still unknowable (and scary), but it also should be said that even in his current state, Wembanyama is among the most impactful players in the league, especially on the defensive end.
Former Spurs vice president for strategic research Kirk Goldsberry declared Wembanyama the best defensive basketball player on Earth during The Bill Simmons Podcast on Friday.
“He’s the best defensive player in the world right now, and he’s still growing,” Goldsberry said. “It’s not close. … As we enter year two (of Wembanyama’s career), I think we’re going to see that he’s clearly the most impactful defensive player.”
“(The Spurs) were a top-five defense with him on the court at the end of the season … when he came off the court, they descended right back to that lottery-level defense that we expected from them. … He’s already there.”
The seven-foot-four Wembanyama is still just 20 years old.
The Spurs improved their roster around Wembanyama this past offseason, acquiring a much-needed floor general in Chris Paul and drafting a proven winner and versatile defender in UConn’s Stephon Castle.
The Miami Heat had somewhat of a curious offseason regarding their franchise player Jimmy Butler.
Heat president Pat Riley spoke scathingly of Butler during a postseason presser, specifically criticizing Butler’s availability. Recent reports from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (relayed by Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells) indicate that Butler is interested in signing another contract with Miami. But are the Heat fully in on Butler?
Whatever the situation may be, things have been murky enough in Miami for a Butler trade to be possible.
Riley is looking at the 35-year-old Butler and realizing now might be the last opportunity to get a great return in a trade involving Butler, thereby launching Miami into a new era built around 27-year-old stud All-Star Bam Adebayo.
As Riley scans the league for potential Butler suitors, the Houston Rockets could emerge as a team that provides an enticing package.
What if Riley asked the Rockets for rookie Reed Sheppard, along with Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr., in exchange for Butler?
Miami would be getting a tough-nosed defender in Brooks who perfectly fits their culture, not to mention two young talents to join with 23-year-old Jaime Jaquez and 21-year-old Nikola Jović, setting up a period of extended relevance for the Heat.
Smith’s value in the NBA is still not solidified, but he’s shown promise and comes with team options over the next two seasons if Miami’s ultimately disappointed.
Sheppard has looked exceptional so far in summer league and practice sessions to the point that some are wondering whether he should have been the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
Sheppard’s skill set as an elite shooter also fits in Miami’s system like a glove.
The only downfall to this trade might be that Houston wouldn’t want to part with Sheppard, in which case Miami might ask for Amen Thompson instead. Would Houston still not budge?
A Rockets core of Butler, Alperen Şengün, Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, and one of either Sheppard or Thompson might be difficult for Houston to turn down.
Butler to the Rockets could work for everyone involved.
The Saints have been strong offensively so far this season, averaging 45.5 points per game heading into their matchup against the Eagles on Sunday during the Week 3 NFL schedule. New Orleans shredded the Cowboys defense last week, as running back Alvin Kamara scored four touchdowns in a 44-19 win. He is facing a Philadelphia defense that gave up 97 rushing yards to Falcons running back Bijan Robinson last week, so should you back the Saints as 2.5-point home favorites with your Week 3 NFL bets and NFL parlay picks? Eagles vs. Saints has one of six Week 3 NFL spreads smaller than a field goal, so plenty of close games are expected.
The Week 3 NFL slate concludes with two Monday Night Football games, as Buffalo hosts Jacksonville and Cincinnati faces Washington. The Bills are 5-point favorites in the Week 3 NFL odds, while the Bengals are 7.5-point favorites. Before you make any Week 3 NFL picks or NFL parlays, be sure to see what SportsLine senior analyst Larry Hartstein has to say.
A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed working for Pro Football Focus. Hartstein tied for 52nd place (out of 1,598 entries) in the 2022 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, going 53-34-3 ATS. His weekly Vegas contest selections form the basis of his NFL best bets column, which is 81-51-3 (61.3%, +24.65 units) since its inception in 2022. He is 2-3-1 with his best bets this season, and anyone who has followed him is way up.
For Week 3, Hartstein has locked in three confident best bets. If you successfully parlay his picks, you’re looking at a payout of over 6-1. You can only see Hartstein’s Week 3 NFL picks at SportsLine.
Top Week 3 NFL picks We can tell you Hartstein loves the Buccaneers (-6, 41) to cover against the Broncos. Denver has opened the season with losses to Seattle and Pittsburgh, as rookie quarterback Bo Nix has struggled to find his footing. He has a 35% completion rate and is averaging just 1.3 yards per attempt when pressured this season, and Tampa Bay has the second-highest blitz rate in the league through the first two weeks.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has completed 73.5% of his passes for 474 yards and five touchdowns, leading his team to wins over Washington and Detroit. Wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans continue to be elite weapons, while rookie running back Bucky Irving is averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Tampa Bay should dictate the pace of this game, and its defensive pressure is one key reason why Hartstein is taking the Bucs to cover. See which other NFL parlay picks to make here.
How to make Week 3 NFL parlays Hartstein also jumped on two other NFL matchups, including backing one “desperate” team coming off a loss to grind out a strong Week 3 victory. You can only see Hartstein’s Week 3 NFL best bets and parlay at SportsLine.
