Jon Rothstein: Sources: South Carolina’s AJ Lawson is returning to school next season and will withdraw from the 2020 NBA Draft.
South Carolina’s A.J. Lawson is still in the NBA Draft, despite reports to the contrary. “He’s still in the draft,” Lawson’s father, Anthony, told ZAGSBLOG on Tuesday.
South Carolina men’s basketball coach Frank Martin said he expected top scorer A.J. Lawson back on campus at the end of June. And a report from CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein made it appear the talented rising junior was fully headed back to USC and out of the NBA Draft. But on Tuesday morning, Lawson’s father told The State the report was “not accurate” and the family never spoke to anyone about his decision.
Jeff Goodman: South Carolina’s AJ Lawson will declare for the NBA Draft without hiring an agent, source told @Stadium.
January 18, 2021 | 4:31 pm EST Update
Knicks, Warriors and Lakers each projected to be worth more than $5 billion

The average NBA franchise is worth nearly $2.4 billion, according to data compiled by Sportico. That is down 2% as a direct result of the pandemic, based on our modeling. Collectively, the fair-market value of the NBA’s 30 teams, including ownership’s stakes in real estate, regional sports networks and additional team-related holdings, is more than $71 billion. Three franchises—the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers—are each worth more than $5 billion. (For context, each of those teams has a greater fair-market value than any National Football League team except for the Dallas Cowboys, based on Sportico‘s assessment of football team valuations last August.)
To be sure, the cumulative revenue for the NBA’s 30 teams, $8.3 billion, was down from the previous, non-COVID-impacted season by nearly 10%. However, a closer look reveals that national revenues (accrued predominantly from the league’s broadcast and sponsorship deals, as well as its licensing program) dipped only 2%. That, in large measure, is because of the NBA’s audacious plan to salvage the season with a playoff bubble at Orlando’s Walt Disney World. In a disrupted COVID environment, such single- and low double-digit declines represent remarkable stability.
Andrew Lopez: Stan Van Gundy says Lonzo Ball did practice today and did everything in practice when they went live. Said they’ll see how he feels later before making a determination for tomorrow’s game against Utah.
Christian Clark: SVG: Lonzo practiced today. Says “we’ll see” about him playing tomorrow.
Gordon Hayward: An incredible man whose legacy resonates to this day. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/Gb9BoQlfG8
January 18, 2021 | 4:23 pm EST Update
Kevin Pritchard: Pacers comfortable with Caris LeVert's health, could be back in 6-8 weeks

Tony East: Kevin Pritchard discussing LeVert and the mass on his kidney on @1075thefan : “We got comfortable with the medical. We are getting more comfortable every single day. He’s probably going to have surgery.”