Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers)
June 2025
Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland had surgery on his left big toe and is expected to be sidelined for 4–5 months, likely missing the start of the next NBA season.
Garland first injured the toe in March, aggravated it in the playoffs, and opted for surgery after struggling through postseason games. The team expects a full recovery by training camp in October.
Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)
June 17 private visit; 2025 NBA Draft
The Mavericks have scheduled a private visit with projected top pick Cooper Flagg and are not considering other prospects. They are fully committed to selecting him first overall in the upcoming NBA Draft.
After jumping 10 spots in the lottery, Dallas views Flagg as their post-Doncic cornerstone. His dominant freshman year at Duke solidified his No. 1 status, and he’s not meeting with other teams before the draft.
Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies)
Injury earlier this week; surgery planned soon
Grizzlies center Zach Edey re-sprained his left ankle during offseason training and will undergo surgery. The All-Rookie first-team pick is expected to miss the start of the 2025–26 season but will fully recover.
The surgery aims to restabilize an ankle that caused missed time during the season. Despite injury setbacks, Edey led all rookies in FG% and rebounds, logging 12 double-doubles and finishing 5th in Rookie of the Year voting.
NBA, FIBA, EuroLeague stakeholders
Ongoing; potential launch post-2028 Olympics
NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that talks to launch a new NBA-style league in Europe are advancing but remain years away. Initial plans suggest a 16-team league, with continued consultations with FIBA, EuroLeague, and potential cities.
Silver emphasized collaboration with existing European leagues and clubs. Cities like London, Rome, and Munich are showing interest. The 2028 Olympics may serve as a strategic launchpad for formal announcements.
New York Knicks
June 7, 2025
The Knicks are actively evaluating Jason Kidd among other candidates to replace Tom Thibodeau. Although they haven’t requested permission yet, Kidd has two years left on his deal and was a finalist for the Knicks job in 2020.
Kidd remains under contract with Dallas, and the Knicks—low on draft assets—would need a trade to secure him. Kidd’s coaching résumé includes a recent Finals appearance, but tension emerged after Luka Doncic’s trade, which he wasn’t consulted on.
Rick Pitino (New York Knicks)
June 5, 2025
Rick Pitino has ruled out a return as Knicks head coach, citing unrealistic expectations and intense pressure to deliver an NBA Finals appearance after the firing of Tom Thibodeau despite a 51-win season and deep playoff run.
Pitino, who coached the Knicks from 1987–89, emphasized that any new coach would face immense scrutiny. Now 72, he earned national acclaim at St. John’s this season with a 31–5 record and Coach of the Year honors.
Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
June 6, 2025
The Pacers enter the NBA Finals as 5-1 underdogs to the Thunder, matching the longest odds for a finalist in 20 years. Despite the mismatch, most small bettors are backing Indiana, hoping for a major upset.
While 78–94% of bets favor the Pacers, 90% of the total money is on OKC. Thunder are 9.5-point Game 1 favorites and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads MVP odds at -550, ahead of Haliburton at +700.
Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)
June 5, 2025
Towns has undergone treatment for a bruised left knee and ligament damage in his left finger, both sustained during the Knicks’ playoff run.
Despite the injuries, he excelled in the playoffs and chose immediate procedures post-season to maximize recovery time for 2025-26.
Tom Thibodeau (New York Knicks)
June 2025
The New York Knicks have fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, just three days after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.
Despite back-to-back 50-win, Thibodeau was fired due to his outdated coaching style, overreliance on starters, lack of Finals appearances, and a shift in team vision toward a modern, championship-focused approach.
Phoenix Suns
June 2025 (final interviews this week)
The Suns have named Cavaliers assistants Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott as final candidates for their head coaching role, set to meet with team leadership in Michigan.
After a multiround process with 15+ interviews, Bryant and Ott emerged from a shortlist of six. Both are known for player development and coached under Kenny Atkinson during Cleveland’s 64-win season.
