1:45 AM ET NBA Insiders The first three picks of the 2021 NBA draft went as planned: Cade Cunningham to the Detroit Pistons, Jalen Green to the Houston Rockets and Evan Mobley to the Cleveland Cavaliers. But then, starting with the fourth pick, chaos ensued, with intriguing selections and draft-night trades taking over the spotlight.

9:50 PM ET Nick DePaulaESPN Jalen Suggs has landed a multiyear footwear and apparel deal with Adidas ahead of his anticipated selection early in the 2021 NBA draft on Thursday. “I’m so excited to be with the brand,” the former Gonzaga star said. “I grew up inspired by [Derrick] D-Rose and Dame [Lillard] and want

1:18 PM ET The G League Ignite is finalizing a deal with USC associate head coach Jason Hart to be the program’s new head coach, sources told ESPN. Hart, a nine-year NBA veteran, takes over an NBA-run program that produced two of the projected top picks in Thursday’s NBA draft: forwards Jalen Green and Jonathan

Jul 27, 2021 Andrew LopezESPN METAIRIE, La. — When the New Orleans Pelicans were searching for a new head coach, they found the answer in Phoenix Suns assistant Willie Green. Green, the lead assistant during the Suns’ improbable run to the NBA Finals, now shifts his attention to trying to find success in New Orleans

Jul 27, 2021 Marc J. Spears Former President Barack Obama has joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner and minority owner, the NBA announced Tuesday. NBA Africa conducts the league’s business on that continent, including most notably the new Basketball Africa League (BAL). Obama plans to help the league’s social-responsibility efforts, including programs and partnerships

8:00 AM ET The 2021 NBA draft has finally arrived! Who’s rising? Who’s falling? Will the Detroit Pistons take Oklahoma State star Cade Cunningham at No. 1? Is Cunningham more Khris Middleton … or Luka Doncic? Where will USC big man Evan Mobley get selected? Will the Oklahoma City Thunder begin to spend its considerable

10:14 AM ET The Dallas Mavericks are on the verge of hiring Igor Kokoskov to join Jason Kidd’s coaching staff, sources confirmed to ESPN. Kokoskov, whose two decades of NBA experience includes a one-season stint as the Phoenix Suns‘ head coach, has a strong relationship with Mavs superstar Luka Doncic stemming from his time coaching

11:00 AM ET Milwaukee Bucks guard Bryn Forbes is declining his player option for the 2021-22 season and will become an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Forbes played a significant role off the bench as the Bucks delivered the franchise’s first NBA championship in 50 years. He had his most efficient NBA

9:00 AM ET Miye Oni’s favourite Nigerian food is pounded yam with egusi soup served with oxtail. That is as Nigerian a dish as you are likely to get, especially the oxtail part. It is a dish that can be found in classy restaurants and run-down bucks alike, and is a staple in most Nigerian

4:47 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN The Memphis Grizzlies are finalizing a trade that would send Jonas Valanciunas to the New Orleans Pelicans, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday. The Pelicans are sending Memphis center Steven Adams, guard Eric Bledsoe, the No. 10 overall pick and the No. 40 overall pick in this week’s NBA