The NBA Eastern Conference playoffs have reached the second round, and the Knicks beat the 76ers 4-2 to advance. Brunson, the core of the Knicks backcourt, performed very well, averaging 35.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 9 assists per game in the playoffs, and shooting 30.4% from three-point range. Brunson scored 39 points in the second game with the 76ers, and scored 40+ points in the last three games, both offensive and playmaking. Hart's 16.8 points and 12.3 rebounds per game are excellent, and the frame protection and defense are very high, while Anunoby has also added stiffness to the wing defense. In the regular season, the Knicks are second in the East and the Pacers are sixth, and the first game between the two teams will start at 7:30 on May 7, with the Knicks having one more home game and the game will be played in a best-of-seven format of 2-2-1-1-1.
The Pacers traded Hield this season in exchange for former Raptors core Siakam, and they had a big advantage in the first round against the Bucks, who were absent from Antetokounmpo, and they won the promotion 4-2, and the Bucks were eliminated in the first round by lower-ranked teams for the second year in a row. Siakam averaged 22.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks per game in the series, shooting 54.7% from the field, 27.3% from three-point range, and 46.2% from the free throw line. The Pacers' offense is not consistent enough and their defense is not high, and it will be difficult to win against the Knicks, who have a more balanced offense and defense. In the regular season, the Pacers won 2-1 Knicks, winning the first game by 14 points, losing the second game by 4 points, and winning the third game by 14 points.
The Heat lost 1-4 to the Celtics in the absence of Butler in the first round and were eliminated, and the Heat lineup will also usher in certain changes this summer. Butler's absence due to injury, combined with his unique personality, makes it hard for the Heat not to consider parting ways. Despite his tough playing style, Butler has never played more than 65 games with the Heat, but has helped the team reach the Finals twice, last season with the Black Eight Bucks.
Butler will be paid $48.8 million next season, with a $52.4 million player option for the final year. Butler is limited to the 38-year-old clause and waives his player option to qualify for a two-year, $113 million early extension this summer, and a one-year, $58.6 million extension without a player option. At present, it seems that the Heat have no intention of renewing Butler's contract, and they may still pursue Durant, and Butler has 76ers in the favorite.
In addition, Adebayo is $34.85 million and $37.1 million for the next two seasons, and Adebayo is eligible for an early contract extension of up to three years and $165 million with the Heat this summer, with a new contract starting salary of $51.2 million. Bam Adebayo is the core of the Heat's interior defense, and the Heat's defensive efficiency is the second highest in the league when he is on the court, averaging 22.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in the playoffs.
Only Embiid is currently under contract with the 76ers' core players, and the maximum salary space this summer is as high as $64.9 million, which is a lot of room for manoeuvre. Embiid averaged 33 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in the playoffs, and scored 50 points in Game 2. Embiid is eligible to re-sign the 76ers for three years and $193.5 million on July 19, with future details of $59.7 million, $64.5 million and $69.3 million, and Embiid's current contract is $51.42 million, $55.22 million and $59.03 million player options, and Embiid will stay with the team for five years if he renews his contract.
The most important thing for the 76ers this summer is to renew the contract of backcourt core Maxey, whose contract is expected to be five years and $204.5 million. Maxey averaged 29.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game in the playoffs, shooting 40% from three-point range, and scored 46 points on 7-of-12 three-pointers in the fifth game with the Knicks.
Their current primary target is the Clippers' George, who is reported to have offered a four-year, $200 million contract extension, George is currently a $48.78 million ball option, and the Clippers are not expected to renew him with a four-year, $221 million salary cap. In addition, the Warriors' Klay, the Nuggets' Pope, the Bulls DeRozan, and the Hornets Bridges are also good options, followed by the pursuit of the Kings' Monk and the Wizards Tyus Jones, as for James, Anunoby and Siakam, the probability of getting is almost zero.