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Happy Tuesday Nova Nation. With the NBA Draft behind us and teams starting to assemble their summer league teams, it’s time to take a look at which Wildcats could be on the move with free agency quickly approaching. Here’s a quick rundown on the names and places to keep an eye on:
Kyle Lowry: While Kawhi Leonard may be the face of the franchise (or at least the championship run), Lowry is the heart and soul of the Raptors. He’s entering the final year of his contract, and it’s doubtful that he gets moved coming off of a Championship. But this will be Lowry’s 14th season in the league, and it’s not unthinkable that by mid-season his expiring contract could be traded, or that next year he’s off to a new team through free agency.
Dante Cunningham: Cunningham just completed his 10th season in the NBA, as well as his contract with the San Antonio Spurs. He’s still a serviceable role player and veteran presence in the locker room, so the Spurs could bring him back on another 1-year deal. Otherwise, he’s an unrestricted free agent as of Monday.
Ryan Arcidiacono: News came out yesterday that despite drafting a PG with the 7th overall pick, the Bulls plan to give Arch a qualifying offer which would make him a restricted free agent and allow the Bulls to match any other offers he receives. This is great news for the backup point guard, as it looks like this news means he’ll likely be back in the windy city for another season.
Josh Hart: Hart was notably part of the blockbuster trade this season which sent him to New Orleans. Hart’s team option for 2019-20 was picked up (relatively low as a late first round pick) and the Pelicans will then have an option to extend him again in 2020-21. They’ll be able to make him a qualifying offer in 2021-22. The Pelicans have a ton of young talent right now, and almost all of them have yet to play a game in New Orleans. We’ll see how this season shakes out to see if Hart sticks with the organization.
Mikal Bridges: Bridges fell just short of making an All-Rookie team, and he was a bright spot in an otherwise not so great season for the Suns. With another year guarunteed on his rookie deal followed by two seasons of team options and then a qualifying offer in his 5th season, it’s safe to say that Bridges should be a part of the Suns for a while.
Donte DiVincenzo: Coming off a season plagued by injury, DiVincenzo is looking to bounce back in his 2nd NBA season. Like the rest of his teammates coming off rookie deals, he’s guaranteed this year, followed by two seasons of team options and then a qualifying offer. It’s unclear if DiVincenzo will participate in this year’s summer league, but those details should be out soon.
Omari Spellman: Like Josh Hart and the Pelicans, Spellman’s Atlanta Hawks have been acquiring a ton of young talent. Spellman had an up and down rookie year, but as a first round pick he’s still guaranteed this year, followed by two seasons of team options and then a qualifying offer. Reports are that he will be playing in Summer League, and should have a chance to have a Josh Hart-esque impact now that he has a year of playing at this level under his belt.
Jalen Brunson: Brunson is also entering the final garunteed year of his rookie deal, followed by two seasons of player options. But unlike his former teammates in the 2018 draft, he will be an unrestricted free agent in his 5th season. Brunson was arguably the steal of the draft last year, and even started several games for Dallas. It’s unlikely he’ll play in Summer League, and rather be focused on trying to secure that starting PG position to start the season.
In other “news”, we’re already mocking up the 2020 draft, a UConn invitation has officially been extended, and some Nova track stars are gearing up for the PanAm games. Enjoy!
Villanova Wildcats
2020 NBA Mock Draft: Early 1st-Round Predictions and Surprises for Top Prospects | Bleacher Report
The latest NBA draft is still fresh in the minds of basketball fans, but the scouting process never ends. All 30 franchises have shifted their focus to the 2020 NBA draft. And we're going to join them...
2020 NBA draft big board: Early rankings for Cole Anthony, LaMelo Ball | SI.com
The 2019 NBA draft is behind us, which means it's time to take a look into the future and rank potential players in next year's class. The Front Office provides insight on the futures of James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball and more.
Recruiting
Indiana Basketball: Hoosiers jump in the race for popular 2021 wing | Hoosier State of Mind
One of the most popular wings in the 2021 class has received a handful of high major offers since the live commutation period, including Indiana basketball.
Big East
UConn moving closer to Big East Conference return | SI.com
The Huskies could soon make its return to the Big East.
Big East UDFA/Summer League tracker | Big East Coast Bias
Only one Big East player got drafted on Thursday but it doesn’t mean there won’t be others vying for a spot in the NBA
NBA Wildcats
Warriors Rookies Meet the Media | Golden State Warriors
Introductory Press Conference Held for Poole, Smailagic and Paschall
Warriors draft pick Eric Paschall has shades of Draymond Green in him | NBCS Bay Area
Much like his new teammate, Eric Paschall obsesses over personal slights.
Our semi-definitive list of the 10 most important Raptors of all time | Toronto Life
Fact: the Raptors existed for more than two decades before Kawhi showed up
Ryan Arcidiacono reportedly to get qualifying offer from Bulls | Yardbarker
The Bulls will extend a qualifying offer to guard Ryan Arcidiacono but don’t plan to give one to Wayne Selden, Cody Westerlund of 670TheScore.com tweets. In his second season with the Bulls, Arcidiacono appeared in 81 games and started 32, averaging 6.7 P
The 76ers Must Tread Lightly With The Mid-Level Exception | Forbes
The Sixers need only look at the 2017 Detroit Pistons for an example of what not to do in free agency. Could Dante Cunningham be the Wildcat that finally lands in Philadelphia?
MLB Wildcats
Villanova starter Hunter Schryver thrives in Chicago White Sox organization | KYW
A central theme of Hunter Schryver's pro baseball career up to this point has been making adjustments. After being drafted by Tampa Bay out of Villanova in the seventh round in 2017, Schryver had to adjust to life as a reliever after having success with the Wildcats as a starter. Then, he had to adjust to a new organization after the Rays traded him to the White Sox at the deadline in 2018. But through it all, one thing has remained consistent: Schryver gets guys out.
Villanova Athletics
Penn, Villanova athletes qualify for the Pan American U20 Games | The Inquirer
Three of the athletes qualified by winning their events at the USATF U20 Track and Field Championships -- Penn's Marc Minichello in the men's javelin and Mayyi Mahoma in the women's hammer throw, and Villanova's Lydia Olivere in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase.
College Basketball
Teams with the most NCAA Tournament wins this decade | 247 Sports
Some programs, and coaches, win games more often when it matters most.
Report: NCAA may ban California schools if bill pushing NIL rights isn’t squashed | CollegeBasketballTalk
The NCAA is gearing up to fight back against states that are implementing laws that would allow student-athletes to be able to profit off of their name, image and likeness.
How could UConn’s return to the Big East affect Syracuse? (if at all) | Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Good for the Big East and bad for Syracuse? Sign me up.