NBA Roundup: Wembanyama calls Game 1 performance ‘bad,’ Mavericks explore No. 9 pick options, Warriors enter pivotal summer
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Spurs
Victor Wembanyama took the blame after San Antonio let a 14-point cushion slip away in Wednesday’s NBA Finals opener against the New York Knicks. The 20-year-old center finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, but also recorded six turnovers and missed 15 shots in the 112-103 defeat.
“I was bad tonight. It’s not more complicated than that,” Wembanyama told ESPN postgame. Despite the rough debut, he expressed confidence ahead of Game 2, adding, “We’re going to be so much better. I’m going to be so much better.”
The Spurs logged only 16 assists and were outscored 23-14 in second-chance points—two areas the club intends to address before the series resumes.
Mavericks
Dallas secured its cornerstone last year when the franchise won the lottery and drafted forward Cooper Flagg. This year’s drawing produced the No. 9 overall pick, and new general manager Mike Schmitz has said the team expects to land an immediate rotation player at that spot.
Speculation has emerged that the Mavericks might package the pick in a trade. Dallas Hoops Journal mentioned potential targets such as Rockets center Alperen Sengun, Magic guard Jalen Suggs and Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. It remains unclear whether any of those players are actually attainable, but every move will be viewed through the lens of building around Flagg.
Warriors
Golden State finds itself in the lottery for the second time in three seasons, owning the No. 11 pick in this month’s draft. ESPN’s Bobby Marks described the offseason as critical as the front office looks to extend Stephen Curry’s championship window while planning for life after the 38-year-old star, who is extension-eligible later this summer.
Decisions also loom on Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis and other key pieces. With future first-round selections available, the Warriors could pursue another major move, but time is tightening after Curry’s injury-shortened campaign.
Source: Hoops Wire
