The first round of the NBA playoffs ended with the Nuggets beating the Lakers 4-1 to enter the second round, while the Timberwolves swept the Suns 4-0, and the Nuggets and the Timberwolves successfully met. The Nuggets finished second in the West and the Timberwolves finished third in the West during the regular season, with the Nuggets having one more home court in seven best-of-seven games. Nuggets' Murray's G2 and G5 contributed mid-range shots respectively, although the Nuggets were behind the Lakers most of the time, but the Nuggets were still stronger, and the injury to the thick eyebrows in the fifth game was a major turning point. James and Bush tried their best, but Murray and Jokic were even stronger.
Although the Timberwolves were 0-3 Suns in the regular season, they had obvious advantages in defense and interior in the playoffs, with Edwards averaging 31 points, 8 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2 steals per game, and shooting 43.8% from three-point range. Edwards blocked Durant many times, and it was not a problem to break through Durant. In the final game, the Timberwolves led the Suns by 11 rebounds, and Beal scored 9 points on 4-of-13 shooting, disgrace the "Big Three". The Timberwolves won 2-2 Nuggets in the regular season, the Nuggets lost by 21 points in the first game, the Timberwolves lost by 3 points in the second game, the Timberwolves won by 13 points in the third game, and the Nuggets won by 9 points in the fourth game, but Towns had just returned at that time. Both teams are relatively balanced inside and outside, and this set of matchups is bound to be more exciting.
The Suns' total salary for next season is already as high as $209 million, and the luxury tax will be $116 million. Durant, Booker and Beal are all over $50 million next season, and Durant can only renew his contract for one year and $59.7 million. Nurkic is $18.12 million next season and Allen is $15.62 million, and the salary pressure will be even greater if the Big Three are retained. The Suns previously sent six second-round picks and four first-round swaps to get Beal, who also had a trade veto and a 15% trade margin. So trading Bill is unlikely, and his market value continues to fall.
There is currently news that Durant will discuss with Curry the possibility of returning to the Warriors, and the Warriors can currently trade Durant with Moody + Sister Bo + Wiggins, or Looney and Payton Jr., as well as up to two first-round picks. KD's market value is not clear, and it was previously reported that the Lakers' trade chips are Russell + Hachimura + Prince + Christie + 2029 first-round pick and 2030 first-round swap rights, while the Thunder and Heat are also good options. Booker's latest next home is the Knicks, who are obviously more balanced and have greater commercial value, and no matter what, the Suns' Big Three are overpaid, and it will be very difficult to make a move.
The Pelicans missed the chance to take the Lakers to finish seventh due to Zion's accidental injury. In the face of the playoffs rookie Thunder, the Pelicans defeated their opponents 0-4. With 13 first-round picks and 19 second-round picks over the next seven years, the Thunder have a bright future, and the Pelicans don't look very clear at the moment. Ingram has been in poor form since returning from injury, averaging only 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in the playoffs, and shooting 25% from three-point range. Ingram's $36.02 million next season is his final year, and he is eligible for a four-year, $208 million extension with the Pelicans. But with Ingram's current state, Zion's injury risk is also big, McCollum is pulling his hip as always, and this contract extension is still full of unknowns.