The financial landscape created by the new collective bargaining agreement is making it harder for teams to build the kind of sustained success the Golden State Warriors once enjoyed, Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area reported. League observers who believed Oklahoma City could become the NBA’s first repeat champion since Golden State’s 2017-18 run saw those hopes end when San Antonio ousted the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
The Spurs now trail the New York Knicks 2-0 in the NBA Finals. New York’s veteran-heavy rotation has strung together 13 consecutive postseason victories, and whichever club claims the title will mark the league’s eighth different champion in as many years.
Golden State captured three championships and reached the Finals five straight times from 2015 through 2019. No franchise has appeared in consecutive Finals since then. “We wanted to win over everything and be remembered for it,” former Warriors guard Shaun Livingston told Poole. “We knew we had a moment, so we squeezed the juice.”
Livingston noted that the dynasty was aided by unusual salary circumstances: Stephen Curry was only the team’s fourth-highest earner while winning MVP awards in 2015 and 2016. That bargain contract, combined with a one-time salary-cap spike that the current CBA no longer allows, enabled Golden State to sign Kevin Durant in 2016. “That’s a huge reason,” Livingston said.
Jazz weigh options after landing No. 2 pick
The Utah Jazz, slotted second in next month’s draft, must decide how to finalize a supersized starting lineup, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News wrote. If restricted free-agent center Walker Kessler returns healthy from shoulder surgery, he is expected to start alongside Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. The remaining two spots are likely to be contested by Keyonte George, Ace Bailey and the player chosen with the No. 2 selection.
Suns’ Rasheer Fleming aims for all-around growth
Phoenix forward Rasheer Fleming, the 31st pick in the 2025 draft, told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic that he plans to expand every facet of his game during the offseason. “My shot, handle, reads—just everything,” Fleming said. Determined to earn a larger role, he confirmed he will play in Summer League after limited minutes as a rookie. “Having those NBA reps now, I’m excited,” he added.
Plumlee reflects on time in Charlotte, role in San Antonio
Veteran center Mason Plumlee discussed his stint with the Hornets and his current responsibilities with the Spurs during an interview with Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Plumlee detailed how his experience in Charlotte shaped his approach and how he now contributes to San Antonio’s frontcourt rotation.
All four storylines underscore the varied challenges and opportunities facing Western Conference teams in the evolving NBA landscape.
Source: HoopsRumors
