Key Notes: Bucks, LaVine, Reed, LeVert

Perhaps he is wary of the fate of the Lakers and Pacers, both of whom struggled in the immediate aftermath of the finale of last season’s first in-season tournament dollarPostgame celebrations after winning the NBA Cup Finals on Tuesday were noticeably muted, writes The Athletic’s Sam Amick.

The NBA had set up a champagne celebration room for the winner of Tuesday’s game, but it remained untouched after Milwaukee’s victory (Twitter link via Ben Golliver of the Washington Post).

“The NBA is putting a big tournament in front of you, and you’re going to win that damn tournament. It’s that simple”, forward/middle Bobby Portis said as part of a larger quote. “They put something in front of you. You set a goal. You chop wood every day. Take water with you. And at some point you come here and get a medal around your neck. …And then on Thursday we go back to work, which is what we signed up for. It’s part of the performance.”

Here’s more from Central:

• Citing a source, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times says there is “slight momentum” around the possibility Nuggets do a trade for Bulls star Zach LaVine. According to Cowley, Chicago’s front office remains committed to avoiding a capital raise to void LaVine’s maximum salary contract, although the team is open to potential pick swaps.
• Paul Reed‘s new one-year contract with the Pistons is completely guaranteed, confirms Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (via Twitter). Reed, who was released for financial reasons and then re-signed, will receive the prorated portion of the veteran’s minimum.
• He hasn’t received much, if any, national recognition, but Caris LeVert is arguably playing the best – and most efficient – ​​basketball of his career for them Cavaliers and is a strong argument for being chosen as Sixth Man of the Year. Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor (subscriber link) has the story and quotes on LeVert, who will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.