Illinois’ Coleman Hawkins is withdrawing from the 2024 NBA Draft and will transfer to a new program, the forward tells The Athletic Stadium. Hawkins is expected to be among the highest-paid NIL college basketball players and is using final year of eligibility for development.

Ty Lue and the Los Angeles Clippers reached agreement on a five-year contract worth nearly $70 million, league sources tell me and Law Murray 🎈. Massive commitment to secure one of the NBA’s best head coaches.

Los Angeles Clippers coach Ty Lue has agreed to a multiyear extension with the franchise, sources say. Lue now has long-term years on his deal as Clippers lock in one of the best coaches in the NBA.

Dallas’ Maxi Kleber (shoulder) has been cleared to make his return tonight vs. Timberwolves with Mavericks one win away from the NBA Finals, sources say.

Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber is on cusp of a return to the postseason, he has been upgraded to questionable for Game 4 vs. Timberwolves. Kleber has been out since May 3 due to an AC joint shoulder separation.

Hall of Famer Bill Walton has passed away at 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer. RIP.

Pacers All-NBA star Tyrese Haliburton to miss Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Celtics, per sources. Story at The Athletic with Joe Vardon:

nytimes.com/athletic/55191…

Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton is expected to miss Game 3 tonight vs. Boston due to a re-injured left hamstring, sources tell me and Joe Vardon.

Story at The Athletic on expectation Bronny James will visit just a few teams as part of NBA Draft process – including the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers: nytimes.com/athletic/55179…

The Phoenix Suns will conduct a workout with Bronny James ahead of the June NBA Draft, sources say. Phoenix has the 22nd pick and he is among several players in consideration. Bronny has over 10 workout invites but is expected to only visit a few teams, including Lakers and Suns.

Warriors’ Kenny Atkinson and Pelicans’ James Borrego among initial targets to replace JB Bickerstaff as Cavaliers head coach – story at The Athletic: nytimes.com/athletic/55086…

The Cleveland Cavaliers parted ways with head coach JB Bickerstaff, sources tell The Athletic Stadium. Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and Pelicans associate James Borrego are expected to be among candidates for the job.

2023-24 All-NBA:

1st: Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum

2nd: Jalen Brunson, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard

3rd: Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Tyrese Haliburton, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis

'DJ Burns told me he has lost 45 pounds in the last six and a half weeks...He told me no Ozempic, he said he's been doing workouts 4 days a week, at 5am.'

Shams Charania on draft project DJ Burns.

Updated outlook entering the 2024 NBA Conference Finals, per FanDuel Sportsbook:

2023-24 NBA All-Defensive teams:

First team: Rudy Gobert, Victor Wembanyama, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Herb Jones

Second team: Alex Caruso, Jrue Holiday, Jaden McDaniels, Jalen Suggs, Derrick White

Lakers have begun meetings to discuss head coaching job, interviewing JJ Redick, New Orleans’ James Borrego and Boston’s Sam Cassell, sources tell me and Jovan Buha. More interviews to come as part of thorough search.

The latest at The Athletic: nytimes.com/athletic/55091…

2023-24 NBA All-Rookie teams:

First team: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Brandin Podziemski

Second team: Dereck Lively II, GG Jackson II, Keyonte George, Amen Thompson, Cason Wallace

'I'm told LeBron James is not involved in the Lakers head coaching search...James has made it clear that this is the organization's decision, he's had no conversions with the Lakers about JJ Redick.'

Shams Charania on the #Lakers coaching search