Erik Slater Articles - Page 6

Flexibility and optionality are terms frequently associated with the Brooklyn Nets’ rebuild. However, they don’t just apply to the team’s long-term plans, but also to its position on draft night. After entering the draft lottery with the sixth-best odds and dreams of Cooper Flagg, the Nets fell to No. 8. The slip put several tier […]

The New York Liberty are making history in women’s sports. The team has raised capital from a group of investors at a valuation of $450 million, a record for a professional women’s sports franchise, sources told The Athletic. The total size of the shares sold in the capital raise is a percentage in the “mid-teens,” […]

The Indiana Pacers made history on Wednesday night with an improbable comeback win over the New York Knicks. Rick Carlisle’s squad overcame a 14-point deficit with 2:51 remaining to claim a 138-135 overtime win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith led the insane comeback while teaming up for […]

Kansas basketball is hiring one of its former stars and a recent NBA head coach to its staff for the 2025-26 season. Jacque Vaughn, who starred for the Jayhawks from 1993 to 1997 and had stints as head coach of the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets, has agreed to join Bill Self’s staff as an […]

The Brooklyn Nets entered the draft lottery with dreams of the No. 1 pick and Cooper Flagg. However, their fall to No. 8 put several tier two prospects within their range. Among those is Flagg’s Duke teammate, Kon Kneuppel. The sharpshooting forward is coming off a standout freshman season, averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and […]

The 2025 NBA draft will be among the most consequential in the Brooklyn Nets’ history. With five picks within the top-36 of what many consider a generational draft, the team has an opportunity to establish a winning core for the next decade-plus. “We have four first-round picks, which I am excited, elated about,” assistant general […]

Khaman Maluach is one of the top prospects in this year’s NBA draft. However, his basketball journey began much later than his counterparts. The 7-foot-3 center, a childhood refugee from South Sudan, didn’t start playing until age 13. Maluach recently revealed the moment he decided basketball was his future. “I just went to a camp […]

The NBA world will be watching Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. Following a third consecutive first-round exit during which Damian Lillard tore his achilles, the two-time MVP’s future in Milwaukee is more uncertain than ever. NBA fans and media have speculated several teams as likely destinations should the Bucks superstar ask for […]

The Brooklyn Nets will have their choice of several top prospects with the No. 8 pick in the 2025 draft. Among the players they’re eyeing is Oklahoma point guard Jeremiah Fears. The young floor general, ranked No. 5 in ESPN’s draft rankings, met with and worked out for the Nets at the draft combine in […]

The ping pong balls didn’t bounce the Brooklyn Nets’ way at Monday’s draft lottery. After entering the night with the sixth-best odds, the Nets fell to No. 8. It was a disappointing outcome after Brooklyn reacquired its first-round pick from the Houston Rockets last summer and tanked in hopes of landing a top selection. However, […]

Luck hasn’t been on the Brooklyn Nets’ side throughout their franchise’s history. That didn’t change at Monday’s NBA draft lottery. After entering the night with the sixth-best odds, Brooklyn landed the eighth pick. The Nets descended upon Chicago with dreams of Cooper Flagg. They would’ve settled for Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecombe. But […]

It’s been no secret over the last two years that the Brooklyn Nets covet Giannis Antetokounmpo as a trade target. However, the Milwaukee Bucks and the two-time MVP have shut down any speculation about a trade during that timeframe. That appears to be changing after the team’s third consecutive first-round exit and Damian Lillard’s torn […]

The Golden State Warriors fell 117-93 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, tying their series at one apiece. With Stephen Curry sidelined for an extended period by a hamstring strain, the game featured several interesting lineup decisions by Steve Kerr. The Warriors became the first team in NBA history to play 14 players in the […]

Monday’s NBA Draft Lottery will be among the most consequential events in Brooklyn Nets history. The team announced on Friday that head coach Jordi Fernandez will serve as its representative in Chicago. Following a 26-56 campaign, the Nets hold the sixth-best lottery odds, giving them a 9.0 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick. […]

The Boston Celtics stuck to an identity on their way to an NBA championship last season. They were a team stocked with shooters who let it fly at a rate higher than any other team. And it worked. One year later, that same strategy has them in a stunning 2-0 second-round series deficit against the […]

Day’Ron Sharpe will be a free agent for the first time in his career this summer. Following a career-best season with the Brooklyn Nets, he hopes it will end with him back in the back and white. “I’m new to this, so whatever happens, happens. But I like Brooklyn, so God willing [I’ll be back],” […]

The Brooklyn Nets ousted Kenny Atkinson as head coach during the 2019-20 season. He got the last laugh on Monday, winning the 2025 Coach of the Year Award. Atkinson led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 64-18 record and the Eastern Conference’s top seed during his first season with the team. It was a long-awaited head-coaching […]

With the NBA playoffs underway, the offseason rumor mill is already beginning to churn. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks remains the league’s top point of speculation. Following the Bucks’ third consecutive first-round exit and Damian Lillard’s Achilles tear, an Antetokounmpo trade appears more likely than ever before. The Ringer’s Howard Beck said the […]

The Denver Nuggets are showing the resilience of a championship team following Michael Malone’s bombshell firing. After taking down the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games in round one, Nikola Jokic’s squad stormed back for an upset road win over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. Charles Barkley pointed to Jokic’s increased leadership when […]

The Golden State Warriors will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday for Game 1 of their second-round series. Gary Payton II is questionable on the team’s injury report due to an illness. Here’s everything we know about Payton’s playing status vs the Timberwolves. Gary Payton II injury status vs. Timberwolves Payton missed the Warriors’ Game […]

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future has been the NBA’s top point of speculation over the last two years. With the Milwaukee Bucks bereft of assets and failing to resemble a title contender, many within league circles have felt a trade is the best path forward for both sides. Damian Lillard’s torn Achilles ended any doubt that a […]

Dennis Schroder has struggled to find an NBA home during the latter half of his career. The first half of this season was more of the same. The Brooklyn Nets traded the veteran point guard to the Golden State Warriors, who dealt him to the Detroit Pistons a month later in a multi-team deal that […]

Thursday’s NFL Draft began with fireworks. The Cleveland Browns traded the second overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who selected Colorado two-way superstar Travis Hunter. Jacksonville sent picks No. 5, 36 and 126, plus a 2026 first-rounder, to Cleveland for picks No. 2, 104 and 200. Here’s what ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. thought […]

The New York Giants took a swing for their quarterback of the future on Thursday. Hours after selecting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter third overall, they traded back into the first round to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25. It was no secret that the Giants coveted Dart throughout the draft […]

The Boston Celtics will visit the Orlando Magic for Game 3 of their first-round series on Friday night. Jayson Tatum is doubtful, and Jrue Holiday is questionable on the team’s injury report. Tatum is dealing with a bone bruise in his right wrist, while Holiday has a right hamstring strain. Here’s everything we know about […]

French point guard and projected first-round pick Nolan Traore declared for the 2025 NBA draft on Thursday. “I’m excited to take the next step in my career and declare for the NBA draft,” Traore told ESPN. “I still have many goals with my team, to finish the regular season strong, make the playoffs and then […]

The Denver Nuggets will visit the Los Angeles Clippers for Game 3 of their first-round series on Thursday. Michael Porter Jr. is questionable on the team’s injury report due to a left shoulder sprain. Here’s everything we know about Porter Jr.’s injury and playing status vs. the Clippers. *Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (Get […]

The Golden State Warriors saw their postseason lives flash before their eyes when Jimmy Butler hit the floor during the first quarter of Game 2 vs. the Houston Rockets. After being undercut by Amen Thompson on a rebound attempt, Butler landed hard on his pelvis and writhed in pain on the floor. He was ruled […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves are off to an inauspicious start. Following a historic collapse last season, they’ve posted an 8-15 record to start the 2025 campaign. Rocco Baldelli knows he could be out of a job if his team doesn’t improve. “When you sign up to manage and coach or play, you sign up for anything,” Baldelli […]

NBA players expressed their opinions on various subjects in The Athletic’s anonymous poll. Among them was the league’s most overrated player, with Tyrese Haliburton earning the title. However, former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins feels Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert is the clear choice. “I disagree with Haliburton being the most overrated… It’s Rudy [Gobert], man. […]

With the NBA playoffs underway, draft season is right around the corner. Rutgers star Ace Bailey announced on Wednesday that he is entering his name into the 2025 draft. His decision comes after Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, the projected top two picks, recently declared. Many considered Bailey a threat to Flagg for the No. […]

The New York Knicks bet the farm on Mikal Bridges being the missing piece to their championship hopes. That move looked like a losing proposition throughout the regular season. Bridges’ start to the playoffs hasn’t changed that sentiment. The forward, acquired from the Brooklyn Nets for five first-round picks last summer, was benched down the […]

The 2025 NBA draft will be among the most important in the Brooklyn Nets’ history. Following an active offseason, the rebuilding squad has an NBA-high five picks. Their draft position gained more clarity on Monday. The NBA broke five ties among teams with identical records through random drawings. Brooklyn’s first-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks, […]

The Golden State Warriors will face a decision on Jonathan Kuminga’s future this summer. With the former No. 7 pick set to hit restricted free agency, they “are monitoring” the Brooklyn Nets as a potential suitor, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer. Golden State won’t be the only team monitoring Brooklyn as a threat […]

The Denver Nuggets have an opportunity to take a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. Aaron Gordon landed on the team’s injury report ahead of the Game 2 matchup. The star forward is probable due to right calf injury management. Gordon battled a calf injury late in the regular season. He carried […]

Travis Hunter excelled as a two-way superstar at Colorado. Whether he will play cornerback or wide receiver in the NFL is among the top questions of the 2025 draft. NFL coaches, executives and scouts have varying opinions of Hunter’s position at the next level. However, many think he would be best utilized as a shutdown […]

Shaquille O’Neal knows what it takes to compete with the best of the best in the NBA playoffs. The four-time NBA champion watched his former team, the Orlando Magic, suffer a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday. O’Neal offered a bleak outlook on the Magic’s chances […]

Ziaire Williams welcomed a fresh start this season after the Memphis Grizzlies shipped him to the Brooklyn Nets in a salary dump. The former top-10 pick had a career-best year, inspiring hope that he can secure a spot in an NBA rotation long-term. Entering the first free agency of his career, he hopes he’ll have […]

Drew Timme is earning recognition following a breakout 2024-25 campaign. The former Gonzaga star was named All-NBA G League Second Team for his performance with the Long Island Nets. Timme averaged 23.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 58/39/73 shooting splits over 29 appearances with Long Island. He joined the team from the Stockton […]