Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. was back in the rotation in Wednesday's Game 3 loss against the Celtics but had a miserable outing. After not earning a single second of action in Game 2, Hardaway Jr. saw 19 minutes but finished scoreless with 0-for-5 shooting and ended up with a game-worst minus-16 rating. Hardaway Jr. was among the league's most prolific bench performers during the regular season, but he's had a rough ride throughout the playoffs. The 32-year-old sniper, who is Dallas' third-highest-paid player, has seen his scoring average drop from 14.4 points to 3.8 points due to 27.6 percent shooting from downtown. He has hit 34 percent overall from the field in the playoffs, and it wouldn't be surprising if Wednesday's game ends up being Hardaway Jr.'s last appearance in the 2024 Finals.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 35 points on 13-for-28 shooting in Wednesday's Game 3 loss to Boston. After amassing only 28 points across the first two games of the Finals, Irving had by far his best performance of the series, but the Mavericks still couldn't get a win on the board. Irving's efforts included a 4-for-6 record with the three-ball, three rebounds, and two assists. Dallas is now in huge trouble, as no team in NBA history has managed to win a playoff series from a 3-0 deficit. The team will be facing elimination in Game 4 on Friday, and we can expect to see Irving put in a big effort to help the team extend the series.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has reportedly not been involved in the team's search for a new head coach. It has been suggested that he has a major influence on the franchise's decisions. However, according to NBA insider Shams Charania, James is "staying clear" of the coaching search. The Lakers appeared to have found their man last week, but UConn's head coach, Dan Hurley, rejected the job. A recent report for Charania noted that the team is "zeroing" in on James' podcast partner and player-turned-analyst JJ Redick, while James Borrego, the current associate head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, also remains an option.

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Kyle Lowry was tracked by the New York Knicks before his move to the City of Brotherly Love. Lowry was traded by the Miami Heat to the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 23, and his contract was bought out two weeks later without the veteran making a single appearance for the team. League sources have told The Athletic's Fred Katz that Lowry was on the Knicks' "list" following the buyout before he signed a deal until the end of the season with his hometown team. The 38-year-old might be on the move again this offseason as a free agent and could be back on New York's radar after some strong performances against the Knicks in this year's playoffs.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is reportedly eager to stay with the team. "My sense is Jimmy Butler does not want to be anywhere but Miami," said NBA insider Shams Charania on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday. "Sense is that he loves it in Miami. But again, he is extension-eligible this year. There are multiple teams out there that would give him an extension." There have been reports of Butler's former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, being ready to offer him a maximum extension to lure him back to the City of Brotherly Love. A move elsewhere could have a negative impact on Butler's fantasy value because he might be forced to play a lesser role next to another superstar or two.

Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schroder hopes to remain with the team in 2024-25 and beyond. "Brooklyn is a really cool, great organization, quite family-oriented," Said Schroder during an interview. "I'd definitely like to stick around for the long haul." Understandably, the 30-year-old, who has one year left on his current deal, would want to stay in Brooklyn, considering he averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in 29 games with the Nets during the 2023-24 campaign. He also shot a career-high 41.2% from behind the arc. With that said, Schroder's best days are likely behind him. But he could continue to hold a stable role with the Nets, which isn't bad for his fantasy potential.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Orlando Magic are seen as a "natural suitor" for Paul George and Klay Thompson. Both players could hit the open market this summer and would fit in well with the Magic. Thompson could prove the team much-needed three-point shooting, while George's addition would boost Orlando at both ends. After having his worst campaign in nine years, a change of surroundings should improve Thompson's fantasy stock. George's numbers might get better as well with bigger usage on a team that doesn't have as many star names as the Los Angeles Clippers.

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday enjoyed a big night in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals against Dallas on Sunday, scoring a team-high 28 points on near-perfect 11-for-14 shooting. It's his second-highest scoring effort of the season following a 28-point effort in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus Indiana. Holiday got there mostly with nifty finishes around the rim, but he also shot the three-ball well, finishing 2-for-4 from downtown. The 2021 NBA champion also led Boston with 11 rebounds and registered three assists with one steal and one block. It's been a good start to the Finals for Holiday, who averages 19.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists with 44.4 percent three-point shooting through the first couple of games.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving had 18 points in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against Boston on Sunday night. He added six assists and two boards. Irving shot 6-for-19 from the field in Game 1. However, he improved on Sunday, ending the evening by going 7-for-18 from the field. Unfortunately, he has missed all eight tries from deep in the series' first two games. But the 32-year-old and the rest of the Dallas offense have a chance to get it together in Game 3 on Wednesday evening.

According to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal underwent a nose procedure after the team was bounced from the postseason. The former Wizard suffered a broken nose in January. However, Beal had hinted after it happened that he would need to have his "septum realigned," so the latest update on his health didn't catch many by surprise. The 30-year-old averaged 18.2 points in his first season with the Suns, five fewer than his final season in Washington. He also logged just 53 games, missing time because of back and hamstring injuries. But Phoenix is strapped for cash this offseason, meaning everyone in the starting lineup should see plenty of minutes. If Beal can stay healthy, he has a chance to turn it around, even with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker also in the mix for scoring chances.

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday contributed in the way he knows best, all-around on offense and a strong showing on defense. In the Game 1 blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks, the veteran combo guard registered 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal while shooting 4-for-9 from the floor and 2-for-5 from deep. He didn't commit a single turnover and was a big part of the defensive masterclass against Kyrie Irving and company. Holiday and Derrick White have been a huge one-two punch in the backcourt and they'll continue to be showcased throughout this Finals matchup.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving struggled in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against Boston on Thursday. He scored only 12 points, shooting a rough 6-for-19 from the field while failing to make any of his five attempts from deep. Although he added three boards, two assists, and two steals, it wasn't his best showing. At any rate, head coach Jason Kidd will likely make some adjustments for Game 2 on Sunday night, meaning Irving has a chance to get back on track in an attempt to knot the series ahead of Game 3 in Dallas.

Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has been named to the Greece international squad that is set to play in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in early July. The news indicates that the Bucks star is ready to return to action soon. Antetokounmpo last played on April 9, missing Milwaukee's entire postseason campaign. Following the team's first-round exit against Indiana, Antetokounmpo announced that he wasn't even close to returning. But it looks like he's now recovered well enough to help his country's basketball team grab a ticket to the Paris Olympics.

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers could sign center Joel Embiid to a three-year, $193.5 million extension this offseason. The 30-year-old was named the league's MVP in 2022-23 and finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 34.7 points and 5.6 rebounds with 11.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.2 steals. Without question, Embiid is one of the most dominant players in the National Basketball Association. However, he logged only 39 regular season games last season because of a knee injury. At any rate, Embiid is capable of being the most productive fantasy option in any format. But his constant ailments over the years will make some fantasy managers look in another direction during drafts heading into October.

According to Darnell Mayberry of The New York Times, impending free agent forward DeMar DeRozan wants to remain in Chicago. The Bulls feel the same way. However, while both sides are comfortable with the $40 million annual salary, the real issue is the length of a potential deal. Of course, DeRozan wants a long-term contract, considering he is a few months away from turning 35. On the other hand, Chicago prefers to sign him to a shorter deal. The 2009 No. 9 overall pick is still a capable fantasy producer, and he finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. He also appeared in 79 games and led the league in minutes. Nonetheless, there's a strong chance DeRozan will remain in Chicago next season. But that doesn't mean rival clubs won't try to lure him away from the Windy City this summer.

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Paul George has been linked with an exit from L.A. via free agency, but teammate Terance Mann hopes to see the nine-time All-Star stick around. Mann was asked on FanDuel TV's Run It Back to have a guess if George will remain a Clipper in 2024-25. "I hope so," said Mann. "But you never know with this free agency stuff." George is reportedly "Plan A" for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, with the Orlando Magic also seen as a potential landing spot for him.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson has loved his spell with the team and wants to extend his stay. The versatile forward inked a two-year, $18 million contract with the T-Wolves in 2022. His playing time dropped significantly in 2023-24, which also had an impact on the rest of his numbers, but Anderson has pointed to family reasons as a major factor for wanting to stay in Minnesota. Playing for a successful team is definitely appealing for him as well. Anderson, who will turn 31 in September, averaged 6.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 22.6 minutes this season.

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Kyle Lowry could remain with the team in 2024-25. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers are interested in re-signing the veteran floor general after he had a positive impact on the team during his short spell in 2023-24. Lowry signed a $2.9 million pact until the end of the season in February after getting released by the Hornets. A potential new deal depends on how much money Lowry commands in the offseason. The 28-year-old is well past his best and posted 8.0 points with 2.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 28.4 minutes with the 76ers this term.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Gordon Hayward will be moving on this offseason following a disappointing stint with the team, and the Denver Nuggets might be a possible landing spot for him. Nuggets insider Harrison Wind has noted that he knows there are people within the club who are "fans" of Hayward. The 34-year-old was limited to 5.3 points in 17.2 minutes with the Thunder but started the season reasonably well in Charlotte. He could still do a job in a suitable situation. However, Hayward's play has steadily declined in recent years, and it looks like his days of being a reliable fantasy option are over.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey, the 76ers are hoping to bring back forward Nicolas Batum. The veteran was traded to Philadelphia early in the 2023-24 campaign after spending three seasons with the Clippers. He appeared in 57 games for the Sixers last season. While Batum was a welcome addition to the roster, he played well enough in his 38 starts by averaging 5.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. The Sixers hold his Bird Rights, so it's possible he could remain with the franchise. However, Batum likely won't be a consistent fantasy option anytime soon, although he has streaming potential when given extra minutes.