Olivier-Maxence Prosper
The Mavericks are stretching Olivier-Maxence Prosper, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Due $3,007,080 in the final year of his contract, Prosper will instead count as a $1,002,360 immovable cap hit each of the next three years. Today was the last day to waive someone and still be able to stretch his 2025-26 salary.
Stretching Prosper gives Dallas enough room below the second apron to sign Dante Exum, who agreed nearly two months ago to re-sign but hadn't yet. The Mavericks lacked even a minimum-salary slot below their second-apron hard cap.
P.J. Washington
Mavericks forward P.J. Washington became eligible today for an extension worth up to $88,762,435 over four years. The annual salaries could be:
2026-27: $19,813,044 (140% of his 2025-26 salary)
2027-28: $21,398,087
2028-29: $22,983,131
2029-30: $24,568,174
There's some murmuring an agreement could come soon, though not necessarily for this largest-allowable amount.
Dawn Staley
South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley on her Knicks interview, via "Post Moves":
"I think I probably lost the job by asking this question. …
"‘How, if you hire me as the first female coach in the [NBA], how would it impact your daily job?’ Because it would. It would. Because you’re going to get questions that you don’t have to be asked if you hire a male coach. There’s going to be the media. There's going to be all this stuff that you're going to have to deal with that you didn’t have to deal with and you don’t have to deal with when you hire a male. And then that got them to thinking. That really got them to thinking about, ‘Oh, shit, maybe she’s right.’ And then I felt the energy change after that. So, I shot myself in the foot."
Judging why you didn't get a job can be difficult. The natural desire to blame reasons other than your own shortcomings can be overpowering. But if that's why the Knicks didn't hire Staley, it's a shame.
I agree with her: The first female NBA coach will receive outsized attention, for better and worse. Her organization should have a plan for handling that.
But if she's the best coach for the job, the team should hire her.
Male coaches bring complications, too. New York's previous coach was known for being brash and having poor relationships with brass in his previous workplaces. The Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau anyway and got their best coach in decades.
Kings-Jonathan Kuminga
The Kings have been the most serious suitor for a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade, to the point Sacramento has resisted making smaller moves while focused on pursuing Kuminga, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Well, the Warriors spent a month letting Kuminga explore sign-and-trade options then reportedly shut down that avenue. Translation: Golden State didn't see any of the offers as close.
The Kings' reported offer – Malik Monk and a first-round pick (Sacramento's lottery protected in 2030 or, if not conveyed, the lower of the Kings' and Spurs' in 2031) – is reasonable. Kuminga is reportedly on board.
But the deal would also bring Base Year Compensation issues for the Warriors, likely forcing them to trade Buddy Hield or Moses Moody.
Most importantly, Golden State doesn't want to do it.
Has Sacramento let other moves pass by in a futile pursuit?
Tim Connelly
Timberwolves president Tim Connelly opted into the final two years of his contract, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
Coming off consecutive Western Conference finals appearances, Minnesota has newfound stability – Anthony Edwards as franchise player, Marc Lore/Alex Rodriguez as undisputed owners and Connelly running the front office.
Now, Connelly must determine how to keep the Timberwolves flourishing as Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley age and the roster is expensive.
Mat Ishbia
Suns owner Mat Ishbia on ESPN predicting Phoenix will finish 30-52 and No. 13 in the West:
"I'm not worried about what the so-called experts think. They had us as a title contender the past two years and were wrong then."
Hilarious!
Danny Leroux
RealGM celebrates its 25th anniversary by reflecting on its contributors over the years, including one Danny Leroux. This is a very nice tribute.
Rookie-scale extensions
If you prefer text, our deals and offers from the Mock Rookie Scale Extensions podcast.
-Dan Feldman