Bucks All-Star point guard Damian Lillard is gearing up for his second season in Milwaukee, writes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. The 6’2″ vet had a disappointing start to his tenure with the team in 2023/24. The 34-year-old, on the cusp of his 13th season officially tipping off Wednesday, reflected on his reputation around the league and spoke about how winning a title alongside … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Lillard, Nembhard, Thompson
Ben Sheppard Faces Increased Competition For Bench Minutes
Ben Sheppard was a valuable member of the Pacers‘ second unit last season, but it won’t be easy to earn the same level of playing time in a crowded rotation, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Bennedict Mathurin will soak up a lot of the bench minutes as he returns from injury, and Sheppard will be competing for time at the wing spots with Mathurin and Jarace … [Read more...] about Ben Sheppard Faces Increased Competition For Bench Minutes
Pacers Exercise Three 2025/26 Options, Waive Cole Swider
The Pacers have completed a series of transactions, announcing in a press release that they’ve exercised their 2025/26 team options on swingman Bennedict Mathurin, forward Jarace Walker, and guard Ben Sheppard. The team also requested waivers on forward Cole Swider. The option pick-ups are fairly routine housekeeping moves that ensure all three recent first-round picks now have … [Read more...] about Pacers Exercise Three 2025/26 Options, Waive Cole Swider
And-Ones: Role Players, Mays, JTA, Dekker, Breakout Candidates
Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell is an example of a solid role player on a reasonable contract who has risen in prominence due to the roster building restrictions of the new CBA, as Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic details. McConnell signed a four-year, $45MM extension this offseason, though only the first two years are fully guaranteed. “I’ve played the same way, I feel … [Read more...] about And-Ones: Role Players, Mays, JTA, Dekker, Breakout Candidates
Central Notes: Drummond, Pistons, Bucks, Rivers, Garland, Carlisle
Sixers center Andre Drummond spent the first seven-and-a-half seasons of his NBA career in Detroit, earning a pair of All-Star nods and leading the league in rebounding four times during his tenure with the Pistons. Even though the team only made the playoffs twice during that time and was swept out of the first round in both instances, Drummond looks back fondly on his stint … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Drummond, Pistons, Bucks, Rivers, Garland, Carlisle