Lonnie Walker IV is Back in the League

After spending time in Lithuania with Žalgiris Kaunas, the 26-year-old guard has signed a two-year, $3 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. It’s a last-second move that gives Philly much-needed depth, especially with Eric Gordon sidelined indefinitely due to a wrist injury.

Walker was on the Celtics' preseason roster but got waived before the season started. Since then, he’s been grinding overseas, averaging 13.6 points per game in the EuroLeague, hoping for another shot in the NBA. That shot has finally arrived.

For the 76ers, this move is about survival. Injuries have derailed their season, with Joel Embiid playing just 17 games and the team sitting at 20-34. The front office isn’t waving the white flag just yet, though. They pressed hard to get Walker before his NBA opt-out clause expired, showing they’re still trying to stay competitive.

Will Walker provide a spark for a team that’s been struggling to keep its head above water? We’ll find out soon, as the Sixers return from the All-Star break against the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

Team Shaq Wins…But Did Anyone Actually Enjoy This?

So, the NBA tried something new with the All-Star Game, and, well…let’s just say it was received with the same enthusiasm as a Monday morning alarm.

Instead of one game, we got a four-team mini-tournament. And the big winner was Team Shaq, who took down Team Candace in the semifinals and then steamrolled Team Chuck’s squad of international All-Stars, 41-25, to claim the 2025 All-Star championship.

The reaction was mixed, at best. Players seemed to enjoy the cash incentive, but fans? Not so much. Between the confusing format and a broadcast that felt more like a halftime show stretched across three games, social media wasn’t exactly buzzing with praise.

That said, Team Shaq dominated when it mattered. And at the end of the day, when money’s on the line, someone’s going to take it seriously.

Stephen Curry wins MVP

If there was one bright spot in this experimental All-Star weekend, it was Steph Curry putting on a show in his home arena. The Warriors legend was named All-Star MVP, marking the second time in his career he’s won the award.

Curry finished with 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal in the final game, shooting 4-of-8 from three. In the semis, he dished out six assists while chipping in eight points.

Curry’s first All-Star MVP came in 2022 when he went full video game mode, dropping 50 points and hitting 16 threes. This one was a little less flashy, but another trophy is another trophy.

Tyler Herro Becomes The Hero

Damian Lillard’s reign as the 3-Point Contest king is officially over. The two-time defending champ couldn’t even make it out of the first round on Saturday, leaving the door wide open for a new winner.

And it was Miami’s Tyler Herro who stepped up, outshooting Buddy Hield and Darius Garland in the finals to take home the title.

Herro edged out Hield by just one point, winning 24-23 in front of a loud Golden State crowd. With the win, Herro becomes the latest Heat player to claim the 3-point shooting crown, joining a list that includes Glenn Rice, Jason Kapono, Daequan Cook, and James Jones.

Mac McClung Dunk Contest Three-Peat

At this point, just give Mac McClung his own dunk contest. Seriously, who is beating this guy?

The G League star put on yet another ridiculous display, winning his third straight NBA Slam Dunk Contest in dominant fashion. And when we say dominant, we mean perfect scores across the board.

He started the night by jumping over a car for a reverse dunk, an upgrade from Blake Griffin’s famous hood-jump back in 2011. That set the tone, and from there, he just kept throwing down dunks that defied physics.

The criticism of the dunk contest has been its lack of NBA star power, but nobody in the league is touching what McClung is doing.

Kyrie Irving Wants to Play for… Australia?

In a plot twist straight out of NBA 2K MyCareer, Kyrie Irving is making moves to play for Australia in the 2028 Olympics. The Dallas Mavericks star, who was born in Melbourne while his father played in the South East Australian Basketball League, is attempting to switch from Team USA to the Australian national team.

The problem is that FIBA doesn’t make these things easy. Once a player has represented a country after turning 17, they’re locked in unless FIBA grants a special exemption. And history says those exemptions are tough to get.

Just ask Klay Thompson (denied for the Bahamas), Nneka Ogwumike (denied for Nigeria), and Elizabeth Williams (also denied for Nigeria).

For now, the process is in motion, but whether Kyrie actually suits up for the Boomers in 2028 is another story entirely.

Indiana Fever Keep Loading Up

The Indiana Fever are not messing around this offseason. Their latest move? Signing defensive specialist Brianna Turner, a two-time WNBA All-Defensive selection, to add even more firepower to an already stacked roster.

Turner joins a Fever squad that now features five All-Stars, plus the last two Rookies of the Year in Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. And let’s not forget the additions of DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard, two multiple-time champions who bring serious playoff experience.

The message is clear: Indiana is done being a fun, young team. They want to win now. After snapping their seven-year playoff drought last season, the Fever are looking to take the next step. Are they officially title contenders? With this kind of depth, they just might be.

Connecticut Sun Say No to Marina Mabrey’s Trade Request

The Sun have officially denied Mabrey’s request to be traded, making it clear they intend to keep her heading into the 2025 season. Mabrey, who averaged 14.4 points and 4.1 assists last year, played a key role off the bench in Connecticut’s deep playoff run.

Her agent, however, is not happy.

Strong words. But the Sun just traded away key players like Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones, and losing Mabrey now would leave them even thinner. So what happens next? Does Connecticut hold firm, or does this situation get ugly?

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you on Wednesday!

— The Players Unlimited Team