San Antonio – Spurs forward Julian Champagnie has quietly become a key rebounder in his fourth NBA season. Head coach Mitch Johnson asked the 24-year-old to improve his work on the glass last fall, and Champagnie responded with a career-best 5.8 rebounds per game, up from 3.9 a year earlier.
The uptick has carried into the postseason. Through eight playoff starts (28.1 minutes per game), Champagnie is averaging 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 55.0% from three-point range. He pulled down a personal playoff high of 12 boards in Friday’s win at Minnesota. Champagnie is eligible for a veteran extension this summer.
Pelicans monitor lottery outcome tied to Queen trade
New Orleans supporters had a vested interest in Sunday’s draft lottery even though the club did not control its own selection. The pick conveyed to Atlanta as the final piece of last year’s Derik Queen trade landed at No. 8 overall. The complete deal sent the Pelicans the No. 13 pick in 2025 (used on Queen) while the Hawks received the No. 23 pick in 2025 (Asa Newell) and the 2026 No. 8 choice. “Of course I’m going to follow it,” basketball operations chief Joe Dumars said at season’s end.
Rockets face tax apron, Eason negotiations
Houston’s offseason could stretch into the fall because of cap concerns and Tari Eason’s restricted free agency, according to Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron. The Rockets sit near the 2026/27 tax aprons, and late signings could mirror Golden State’s approach with Jonathan Kuminga a year ago. Forward Dorian Finney-Smith, entering the final guaranteed season of his contract after injury issues, is a possible salary-dump candidate to keep Houston below the tax line. Other decisions include a potential rookie-scale extension for Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet’s $25 million player option.
Grizzlies jump to No. 3, weigh Morant trade
Memphis moved from No. 6 to No. 3 in the draft lottery and also controls the No. 16 pick via Phoenix and No. 32 via Indiana. Adding top prospects to a young core of Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells is the franchise’s primary objective, Keith Smith notes in a Spotrac preview. The front office must also decide whether to pursue a trade involving star guard Ja Morant.
Source: Hoops Rumors
