Now, the NBA’s career leader in 3-pointers has reached new territory from beyond the arc: Golden State’s star guard is the first player in league history to reach 4,000 3s.

He did it a day before his 37th birthday.

His 4,000th came from the right wing and under pressure off a pass from Moses Moody with 8:19 left in the third quarter, on his fourth attempt of the night.

Fans jumped to their feet and roared when Curry made it, and a tribute played on the big screen during a timeout shortly after. It included a congratulatory message from former Warriors big man Andris Biedrins of Latvia who dished out the assist on Curry’s first 3.

“I actually had I’d call it an emotional moment on the bench when I saw him. They didn’t tell me that they found him and got a video message from him. That was my vet when I was here my rookie year,” Curry said.

“I would love to have quizzed our team on the the bench and see if anybody knew who that was because that was such a long time ago. … Really cool to kind of think back how far I’ve come from the first one to 4,000, which is crazy.”

The two-time NBA MVP needed two more from deep coming into Thursday night’s game against the rival Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. He hit his first from the left wing with 5:35 remaining in the opening quarter.

Smothered by Keegan Murray or DeMar DeRozan, Curry missed on his second attempt from near the top of the arc — after teammate Draymond Green scored the first six points on a pair of 3s and 7-footer Quinten Post also had two 3s.

Curry hit the front rim with his next try, a 30-footer four minutes before halftime. He could sense how everybody in the building couldn’t wait.

“I could feel the energy and the buzz from the beginning of the game after I made my first 3, even the second one I shot and missed it was an adrenaline rush, and they were with me every moment of the game tonight,” Curry said.

“When that second one went in I knew there was a lot of game left so I tried to not get too ahead of myself. But it was a special moment to feel that energy and allow them to enjoy that milestone and accomplishment with me.”

How might the team celebrate Curry’s latest milestone and birthday?

“What do you get for the guy who has everything? Maybe I’ll give him a day off,” coach Steve Kerr said with a smile.

Every player received a special black T-shirt hanging in his locker commemorating the accomplishment.

Curry hit five 3s in Monday’s 130-120 win against Portland. His first career 3 came on Oct. 30, 2009, at Phoenix.

Kings coach Doug Christie remembers when Reggie Miller’s numbers seemed astronomical.

“It was (2,560) with Reggie Miller and it was like, ‘Whoa, that’s out of control,’” Christie said before the game, then praised Curry.

“He’s changed the game in so many different ways, from seeing him as a little kid in Toronto shooting it from his hip to standing behind him on the sideline and he’s shooting it in your eye. A lot of credit to him.

“That’s an incredible story. Know and played with his father, and watching his family, watching the man he’s become, the player, knowing the hours and the commitment that it takes to do something as great as he does it, is humbling in many ways. Massive, massive amount of respect.”

Curry, who became the 26th player in NBA history to score 25,000 points during last Saturday’s home win over Detroit, is in his 16th NBA season and showing no signs of stopping despite his occasional nights off to rest his tender knees.

“I’m desensitized to the 3s because they just come flooding through game after game, 4,000 is just an insane number,” Kerr said.

In December 2021, Curry surpassed Ray Allen’s then-record of 2,973.

Curry could have company in the 4,000 club eventually. Clippers guard James Harden is next in line with 3,127 and Bucks star Damian Lillard behind him with 2,794.

“Steph, he’s something like we’ve never seen,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “It’s been fun watching his journey and watching his career and his ascension to greatness. I had the pleasure of playing with him when he was 21 years old on USA team.

“That was before he became this guy, which you could tell he was on his way. He’s a tireless worker, a great person as we all know so I’m happy for his success. What he’s done I’m not surprised. You spend so much time with him every single day you understand his work ethic, and he’s just been amazing. He’s fun to watch, he’s not fun to coach against.”

What might Kerr expect next from his superstar?

“8,000,” he cracked.

Curry could be tempted.

“I don’t think he wants to coach that long, so don’t put that pressure on him,” Curry said, “I like a challenge.”

Credit: AP

James became the first player to score 50,000 combined points in the regular season and postseason on Tuesday night, surpassing the mark with a 3-pointer early in the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 136-115 win over New Orleans.

James finished with 34 points against the Pelicans after toppling another milestone in his unprecedented career.

“I mean, that’s a lot of points,” James said afterward, rubbing his beard in wonder.

“Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind is where I’m from. Picking up the game when I was a little kid and having a love for the sport, and hoping that someday I’d be able to play at the highest level. I’ve been able to do that and really enjoy my career. So it’s definitely an honor. It’s pretty cool to see that.”

James already is the top scorer in NBA history in both the regular season and the playoffs. Maintaining a spectacular level of play midway through his record-tying 22nd season, he is pulling away from the other greats of the game: Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played 20 seasons, is a now-distant second with 44,149 combined points.

James got his milestone 3-pointer off an assist by Luka Doncic, a trivia tidbit that pleased both superstars. Doncic’s arrival in last month’s seismic trade with the Dallas Mavericks has invigorated both James and the Lakers, who look like championship contenders with a seven-game winning streak and 17 victories in their last 20 games.

“It’s amazing, watching him do this stuff at this age,” said Doncic, who had 30 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds against New Orleans. “It’s just unbelievable, that 50K points. I can’t even explain how insane that is. He might get to 70K. You never know.”

The Lakers recognized the milestone at the next timeout, with public address announcer Lawrence Tanter saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, we all have just witnessed history.” James acknowledged the standing ovation with several waves from the bench.

James is tied with Vince Carter for the most seasons played in NBA history. But while nearly every other NBA player who lasted to his late 30s finished at a fraction of his peak powers, James shows no signs of decline in his 40s.

He was named the NBA’s Western Conference player of the month earlier Tuesday after he averaged 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.2 steals in February while playing more than 35 minutes per game for the Lakers, who went 9-2 to surge into second place in the West.

With their victory over the Pelicans, the Lakers improved to 11-2 since acquiring Doncic.

James has played in 1,548 regular-season games, trailing only Robert Parish (1,611) and Abdul-Jabbar (1,560). If he stays healthy and elects to return for a record 23rd season, he will likely surpass Parish next winter.

James has also played in 287 postseason games, the most in NBA history. He became the league’s career playoff scoring leader on May 25, 2017, when he surpassed Michael Jordan’s total of 5,987 during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference finals game at Boston.

James then became the top scorer in regular-season history on Feb. 7, 2023, when he topped Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387 points during the Lakers’ game against Oklahoma City.

James’ prolific scoring is due in large part to his metronomic consistency. With his performance against the Pelicans, he has scored at least 10 points in 1,278 consecutive games since Jan. 6, 2007 — by far the longest such streak in NBA history.

James’ player of the month award for February was his 41st, extending his own league record. He is also the oldest player to win the award, surpassing a 37-year-old Karl Malone in November 2000.

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And then Butler got suspended by the Miami Heat. Again.

Butler has been suspended for the third time this month by the Heat, this one starting basically just as the second one was ending. The team said Butler left Monday’s morning shootaround practice early, in advance of a game against the Orlando Magic — something the team called “intentionally withholding services.” The suspension is without pay and indefinite for now, with the team saying it will last at least five games.

Butler was expected to come back from his second suspension on Monday — only to be suspended for a third time. Butler, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, was told during the shootaround that he was not going to be back in the starting lineup for that night’s game against Orlando. He left the shootaround not long afterward, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not release that detail publicly.

“The Miami Heat are suspending Jimmy Butler without pay effective immediately for an indefinite period to last no fewer than five games,” read the team statement. “The suspension is due to a continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team and intentionally withholding services. This includes walking out of practice earlier today.”

Without Butler, the Heat rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter and beat Orlando 125-119 in double overtime.

“What it means right now is just we proved to ourselves that we have a tremendous amount of grit,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “You know, and you gain confidence from that.”

Butler was suspended for Miami’s most recent two games after missing a team flight to Milwaukee last week. He has now missed 15 of Miami’s last 20 games, including 10 of the last 13 because of the suspensions — the first a seven-game ban for conduct that the team deemed detrimental, followed by the two-game suspension, and now the indefinite one.

Butler’s role going forward — starter or non-starter — was in some question even before the latest suspension was announced. Butler hasn’t come off the bench in a game since Jan. 27, 2017, exactly eight years ago Monday in a game against Miami when he and then-Chicago teammate Dwyane Wade criticized how the Bulls were playing.

Including playoffs, Butler has started in each of his last 560 appearances.

“It kind of feels normal now at this point,” Heat guard Tyler Herro said at the morning shootaround when asked what it’s like to have Butler available again after a suspension — those words coming a few hours before the latest suspension was announced. “Kind of is what it is, but nothing’s guaranteed. We’ve just got to be ready to roll with whatever cards we’re dealt tonight. We’ve just got to be ready to go.”

Butler wants a trade, and Miami is trying to comply. But moving Butler and his $48.8 million salary this season is likely going to be more complicated that it would have been in past seasons, largely because of the league’s aprons — salary levels installed as part of the new collective bargaining agreement that restrict the ways bigger-spending teams can make certain moves.

It has been a saga that has lasted now for nearly two months and figures to come to a head — one way or another — over the next week and a half. The NBA’s trade deadline is Feb. 6. After Monday, there are only five games left for Miami before the deadline, raising the possibility that Butler will not play for the team again.

“We didn’t talk about anything today other than preparing for the Magic. … We’re just focusing on the task at hand,” Spoelstra said. “There’s no better place to be than just the present moment.”

The Heat next play at home on Wednesday against Cleveland. After that, they leave for a four-game trip to San Antonio, Chicago, Philadelphia and Brooklyn — that Nets game getting played on Feb. 7, one day after the deadline.

“For me, this shows that through all the noise and all the chaos, we can still win,” Heat captain Bam Adebayo said after Monday’s win. “We still can come together and be a great team.”

Butler has said repeatedly throughout this process that he still loves Miami, in the off-the-court sense.

“I love this city with everything that I have,” he said this weekend while appearing at a padel tournament that he co-chaired.

The issue, for him, is with the team. Butler became eligible last summer for a two-year, $113 million extension that the Heat have not offered him. Heat president Pat Riley said after last season that the team had reservations about such a deal since Butler has missed about one of every four Miami games since he joined the team.

Butler entered the season saying he was not upset about the extension not getting done. It appears that stance changed in recent weeks, and the team announced earlier this month that Butler asked for a trade — something he cannot do publicly by league rule.

Butler is averaging 17 points this season. He had one of the best statistical games in Heat history against Detroit on Dec. 16 — 35 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists.

In six appearances entering Monday since then, including one in which he departed in the first quarter with an illness, Butler is averaging 9.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He has also lost at least $3 million in salary — and counting, since this latest suspension is also without pay — since then because of the suspensions. The National Basketball Players Association has said it plans to appeal the first suspension, which means Butler could get some money back.

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The Jazz are expected to buy out the former NBA MVP’s contract so Westbrook can sign with the Denver Nuggets, according to ESPN.

Utah also got the right to swap second-round draft picks in 2030, the draft rights to center Balsa Koprivica and cash.

Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and the 2017 MVP for Oklahoma City, was traded for the fifth time in his career. He has now been traded to Utah by both franchises in his native Los Angeles in the past 18 months.

The 35-year-old Westbrook has reportedly opted into the final year of his contract with the Clippers, who were to pay him just over $4 million. The point guard averaged a career-low 11.1 points per game while mostly coming off the bench last season for the Clippers, who were bounced by Dallas in the first round of the playoffs while Kawhi Leonard was injured.

“Russ is an all-time great, and we were fortunate to have him here,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement.

“He lifted the energy and intensity of the group. We look forward to seeing him continue his decorated career.”

If Westbrook clears waivers, ESPN says he plans to join the Nuggets, who are in need of guard depth after parting with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson earlier this month.

The deal brings an end to Westbrook’s two attempts to win a championship in his hometown. He first had a wildly disappointing 1 1/2 seasons with the Lakers, who acquired him in August 2021 to be the third superstar alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis on a team with title aspirations.

Instead, Westbrook managed just 17.4 points per game for the Lakers while struggling to play alongside James and Davis with any of his usual effectiveness. The Lakers traded Westbrook to Utah in February 2023, and he signed with the Clippers after the Jazz bought out his contract.

Westbrook improved his shooting percentage with the Clippers, but also never returned to the heights of his high-scoring, ball-dominating peak on another team with veteran stars. He had a diminished role for much of the second half of last season while largely coming off the bench.

Los Angeles has also lost Paul George to Philadelphia in free agency this month, but Leonard and James Harden will return along with Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell and Terance Mann.

The Clippers will be the sixth NBA team in nine seasons for Dunn, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 draft. Dunn averaged 5.4 points and 3.8 assists per game last season for the Jazz while starting 32 of his 66 games.

“Kris is a relentless point-of-attack defender, a connector on the offensive end and a terrific teammate,” Frank said.

“He’ll help improve our defense and balance our backcourt.”

Credit: AP

Staley, coach of the national champion South Carolina women’s basketball team, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Her friend, Tennessee standout Nicki McCray-Penson, died of breast cancer and Staley’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia.

“I must confess I feel a little undeserving of this recognition. Past recipients of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award have faced incredible challenges and proven themselves as true warriors,” Staley said.

“I have merely been a spectator to such immense courage and resilience.”

Staley’s Gamecocks won the best team award.

Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won as best women’s sports athlete and as best WNBA player.

“It’s crazy to think that a young girl that didn’t even want to play basketball is now up in the running for even one ESPY,” she said in videotaped remarks.

The best men’s sports athlete was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He also claimed best NFL player.

“I been around this kid for a few years now and to watch him grow as a football player, as a teammate, as a leader has been phenomenal,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, accepting on Mahomes’ behalf, “but more than that to watch him grow as a father and a husband has been the best part.”

Biles earned best comeback athlete weeks before she competes at the Paris Olympics. The most decorated gymnast in history withdrew from the team competition at the Tokyo Games to prioritize her mental health.

Clark of the Indiana Fever also earned two trophies, for record-breaking performance in becoming the NCAA’s all-time career scoring leader, and as best college athlete, for her Iowa basketball career.

“I’m a little bit busy in Indianapolis,” Clark said via videotape. “It was a special year in women’s athletics.”

Watkins won best breakthrough athlete, taking the first award after the show began 30 minutes late because of President Joe Biden’s news conference.

The Southern California basketball star had a standout freshman season, leading the Trojans to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in decades.

“This is crazy,” Watkins said.

“I want to thank all the great, powerful women who came before me that made this possible.”

Williams joked during her monologue at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and later sang after Ciara opened the show with a musical performance.

Williams’ older sister, Venus, came out and joked that she had actually been asked to host and the siblings got into a mock argument.

“You may be wondering why I’m doing this,” noted fashion fiend Serena said. “Any opportunity to wear 16 outfits in three hours, I’m going to take it.”

The ABC telecast returned from a commercial break in the final minutes and began repeating the presentations of two earlier awards. Williams’ goodbye also was cut off, as were the final credits. ABC said a technical glitch in the feed affected the live show in the East and Central time zones. It was to be corrected for tape-delayed viewing in the West.

Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, and he mentioned the late Army Ranger’s mother who had criticized ESPN for honoring the royal.

With wife Meghan joining in a standing ovation, the Duke of Sussex accepted the trophy from three service veterans who were injured during their tours of duty. Harry served in the British military for 10 years, including two tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot.

He created the Invictus Games in 2014, which serves as a multi-sport, paralympic-style games for wounded or injured servicemen and veterans.

“This award belongs to them, not to me,” Harry said.

Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, had criticized ESPN’s choice of Harry, saying there are recipients working in the veteran community who would have been more fitting. Harry thanked Tillman’s widow, Marie, for her attendance and also acknowledged Mary Tillman.

“Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,” he said. “The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”

Retired NFL safety Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. He was diagnosed with ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2011. His nonprofit, Team Gleason, helps people with ALS live purposeful lives by providing programming and support services.

Gleason received a standing ovation when he took the stage in a motorized chair and was kissed by former New Orleans Saints teammate Drew Brees. Gleason’s voice was heard through special technology. His young son, Rivers, stood next to his father and held the trophy.

“For me, this honor represents some encouragement and triumph for the families currently living with ALS, all the people living with disabilities or other illnesses,” he said.

“I suppose if you have never experienced fear, isolation or suffering, you can roll your sanctified ass right out of here.”

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was best MLB player; Connor McDavid of the Stanley Cup runner-up Edmonton Oilers was best NHL player; and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks was best NBA player.

Cooper Flagg, a senior guard-forward from Montverde (Florida) Academy, and track and field athlete Sadie Engelhardt of Ventura (California) High won the Gatorade National Players of the Year.

The three-hour show on ABC was delayed when Biden’s nationally televised news conference started late and ran 30 minutes into the show’s timeslot.

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James has agreed to a two-year contract to remain with the Lakers, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Wednesday. The second year of the deal is at James’ option and means he could become a free agent again next summer, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced publicly.

ESPN reported that the Lakers and James’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, may agree on a salary slightly less than the max that James could have gotten — a move that could keep the team from reaching the second apron and preserve some roster flexibility going forward.

Either way, the expectation is that James will make around $50 million — give or take a little bit — this coming season, pushing his career on-court earnings to around $530 million and making him the first player in NBA history to eclipse the $500 million mark.

It will be James’ 22nd season in the NBA, tying Vince Carter for the league record. The Lakers selected Bronny James last week in the second round of the draft, putting them in position to have the first on-court father-son duo in NBA history.

Bronny James already has signed his first NBA contract, the Lakers announced Wednesday. It is a four-year deal, the last of those years at the Lakers’ option, worth $7.9 million — with about $1.2 million as his rookie year salary.

Getting his latest deal done clears one logistical hurdle for LeBron James: He needed a contract to be in place before he could take the floor with USA Basketball for the start of its training camp in Las Vegas this weekend, one where the squad will start preparations for the Paris Olympics. James will play in the Olympics for the fourth time, his first since helping the U.S. win gold at the 2012 London Games.

He’ll turn 40 in December and averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists last season — as the oldest active player in the league.

Not only is James the all-time leader in points (40,474), but he’s fourth in assists (11,009), sixth in games played (1,492) and eighth in both 3-pointers made (2,410) and steals (2,275).

His 20 All-Star selections is a record, as are his 20 appearances on the All-NBA team. He holds the records for being both the youngest player, and oldest player, to make an All-NBA squad.

James became the youngest to make All-NBA when he was voted onto the team for the 2004-05 season. This past season, he became the first player to be age 39 or older in what became an All-NBA campaign.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Tim Duncan were both just a few days from turning 39 when the regular seasons ended in what became their final All-NBA campaigns, Abdul-Jabbar’s being 1985-86 and Duncan’s being 2014-15. James played in 71 games this past season, the last 42 of those coming after he turned 39.

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Unless they rename the franchise after him next, it’s difficult to think of anything more the Lakers could do to make sure the top scorer in NBA history stays with them for the rest of his matchless career.

Well, short of actually acquiring a third superstar for James after years of trying.

Although James’ future still won’t be a sure thing until he formally decides where he’ll play next season, the Lakers’ addition of his 19-year-old son in the second round of the draft Thursday seems to make it extraordinarily unlikely LeBron will be anywhere but Los Angeles in the fall.

“The biggest moments in sports happen with the Lakers,” general manager Rob Pelinka said. “That’s how we’re built, and we’re excited to see this story unfold.”

LeBron and Bronny — LeBron James Jr., that is — would be the first father and son to play in the NBA at the same time, let alone on the same team. If LeBron Sr. picks up his $51.4 million player option for next season this week, he would guarantee he’ll get to take his son to work in the fall.

Pelinka was careful not to get ahead of himself while triumphantly discussing Bronny’s potential, but the GM acknowledged that a father-son pairing in purple and gold was “something that could be magical.”

“We know and have to respect, of course, that LeBron has a decision about his opt-out,” Pelinka said. “I’m sure he and his family and his agent will deliberate what they’re going to do there, and he has freedom to decide whatever is best for him and his family. But if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made, and NBA history should be make in a Lakers uniform.”

With their two major moves this week, the Lakers have made it clear they’re determined to stick with James as their centerpiece and leader through his record-tying 22nd NBA season this fall and beyond.

Los Angeles’ new coach is JJ Redick, who hosted the “Mind the Game” podcast with James this year. Redick is a 15-year NBA veteran who has never coached an adult basketball game, yet the Lakers quickly made the unusual choice of hiring the broadcaster after Dan Hurley turned them down — and Pelinka didn’t deny that Redick’s compatibility with James was a plus.

The Lakers then used the 55th overall pick on Bronny, who put up modest statistics in his only year of college at Southern California. Bronny James is undeniably talented, but an identical player with a different name would have been less likely to be drafted.

Pelinka and the Lakers scouted Bronny James extensively, and he performed solidly at the pre-draft camp and again in a workout at the Lakers’ training complex, which was followed by a meeting with Pelinka. Pelinka said he never even asked Bronny what he thought about the potential pressure of playing alongside his father — something that even LeBron has said Bronny wasn’t necessarily eager to do.

“We really kept the draft process to Bronny being a Laker, and what we felt like we needed to do to help him become great,” Pelinka said. “We didn’t talk a lot about that, just because (we) wanted to respect his dad’s decision as a free agent, so that wasn’t really something that came up.”

That decision feels ever more like a formality now, depending on how James decides to do it. The 20-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion has spoken repeatedly over the years of his desire to play a season with his son, and now the dream is a signature away from reality.

James could pick up his option for 2024-25, or he could sign a new extension for even more money. He could get a maximum three-year, $162 million deal that would give him the longest career in NBA history if he played out the contract.

Either option would likely be just fine with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, who showed a similarly passionate loyalty to Kobe Bryant when she pushed to give him a $48.5 million extension for the final two seasons of his career despite his growing injury problems.

Bronny likely doesn’t the get Lakers closer to winning now, but their choice with the 17th overall pick just might: Dalton Knecht, the high-scoring Tennessee wing who won the SEC Player of the Year award, appears to be one of the most pro-ready players in the draft, and not just because he’s already 23 years old.

“In my mind, I thought there’s no way a player that skilled would be available to us (at No. 17),” Pelinka said.

Pelinka has repeatedly tried to keep fan expectations low for a major player addition to a team that lost to Denver in the first round of the postseason, instead targeting incremental improvements to the core around James and Anthony Davis — along with a potential upgrade on the bench from Redick’s innovative basketball mind.

“We’ve explored every upgrade we could to make our team better,” Pelinka said.

“Trades in general have just because more difficult because of the new CBA system, and so there’s less access to making those big moves than maybe there was under the old system. But it didn’t keep us from trying to look at everything, and ways to put ourselves in a position to be better.”

Credit: AP

Only three proposed trades came Wednesday night with no deal official until July 6, when the league’s new year begins.

Moves came fast and furious Thursday, even after the draft concluded as teams swapped players, cleared some cap space and traded around lots of picks, especially for future drafts still to come.

The New York Knicks announced they had finalized trades with Washington and Oklahoma City, acquiring the 26th and 51st overall picks from Washington for the draft rights to Kyshawn George taken at No. 24 overall on Wednesday night.

The Knicks then sent the draft rights to Dillon Jones, selected at No. 26 on Wednesday night, to Oklahoma City for five second-round picks.

New York made yet another move Thursday. The Knicks acquired the No. 34 pick from Portland, which was involved in one of Wednesday’s trades sending Malcolm Brogdon to Washington, in exchange for second-round picks in 2027, 2029 and 2030.

The Knicks got the draft rights to guard Tyler Kolek out of Marquette. He led all Division I players with 7.7 assists per game. The 6-foot-3 guard was the Big East Player of the Year in 2022-23. Last season, he averaged 15.3 points, as well as those 7.7 assists.

Portland also was involved in another trade featuring a wild turn of events.

The Warriors reached agreement on a planned trade of the 52nd pick to Oklahoma City for guard Lindy Waters III, then the Thunder dealt the pick to Portland — only for the Trail Blazers to send it back to Golden State. Once finalized, the Warriors will acquire Boston College center Quinten Post.

The Miami Heat announced Thursday night they acquired the rights to Pelle Larsson, taken at No. 44, along with cash from Atlanta as part of a three-team deal with Houston. Atlanta also got the draft rights to Nikola Djurisic, picked at No. 43. The Hawks also sent AJ Griffin to Houston for that 44th selection.

A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press the Charlotte Hornets acquired guard Reggie Jackson and three future second-round picks from Denver in a move that will open up salary cap space for the Nuggets.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because the trade can’t take affect until after the new league year begins. Jackson played in all 82 games last season for Denver and averaged 10.2 points and 3.8 assists while shooting 36% from 3-point range

Indiana made a deal with San Antonio to move up one spot for Kansas forward Johnny Furphy at No. 35.

The Hawks made French teen Zaccharie Risacher the No. 1 overall pick in the draft Wednesday night in what had been Atlanta’s only pick in the draft before Thursday’s trade. Trading Griffin, a 2022 first-round pick, helps to clear playing time for Risacher.

Dallas swapped its 58th pick to the Knicks for the draft rights to 6-foot-8 Melvin Ajinca of France after he was taken at 51 overall.

Detroit made a couple of moves, agreeing to acquire the draft rights to Bobi Klintman after Minnesota took the forward at No. 37. The Pistons were listed as taking UConn’s Cam Spencer at No. 53 overall, but Memphis made a deal with Minnesota moving up from 57 overall.

Credit: AP

Paris is six hours ahead of New York, so French basketball fans eager to see history had to stay up into the wee hours of Thursday morning to see France join the United States as the only countries with three players drafted in the top 10 picks of an NBA draft.

The first round ended with four Frenchmen drafted: Zaccharie Risacher. Alex Sarr. Tidjane Salaun. Pacome Dadiet. By the end of the draft Thursday evening, Melvin Ajinca made it five when announced as the 51st pick overall by the New York Knicks.

The question going into the draft was whether Risacher or Sarr would be the No. 1 pick overall pick and become the second straight player from France to be the top selection following in the footsteps of last season’s eventual Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama.

Atlanta made Risacher that player.

“If I had to give him one advice to him, it would be to ‘just be yourself, don’t change for anything, don’t let the pressure change you, don’t let fame, money whatever.’” Wembanyama said during a French national team news conference in Paris Thursday ahead of the Olympics. “But I know Zach, he’s got it.”

Washington took 7-footer Sarr at No. 2 and not long after Charlotte made the history-making decision to select Salaun at No. 6 overall.

It became a French quartet when the New York Knicks drafted Dadiet as the 25th pick overall. Dadiet, who turns 19 in July, is a developing player at 6-8 who can finish at the rim. He is also a versatile defender who has been honing his game in Germany.

The Knicks made Ajinca their second of four selections in the second round Thursday before the Dallas Mavericks swapped the 58th pick to acquire Ajinca’s draft rights.

Risacher (pronounced Ree-zah-shay) said it means a lot for all of France and the country’s booming basketball pipeline to the NBA.

“I know that a lot of France stayed up all night to watch this,” Risacher said.” That’s amazing for French basketball, and I’m so happy to be a part of something special for my country. I think it’s going to be more players who will be able to get to the NBA and do something great. I’m really proud to be a part of it.”

This is the second straight year Washington went for a player from France. The Wizards traded up a spot a year ago, swapping lottery picks with Indiana to land Bilal Coulibaly. Washington general manager Will Dawkins said he feels like he got the same question on French basketball talent a year ago.

“It’s only getting better,” Dawkins said. “And I’ll be honest, it’s going to continue to get better, because there are some more guys coming.”

The timing couldn’t be better for France, which is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The country Tony Parker win four NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs are a true gold medal threat thanks in part to Minnesota center Rudy Gobert, this season’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

“It’s incredible,” Gobert said Thursday during the French national team news conference. “Think about it. Three French players in the top six of the draft. Ten years ago, no one would have believed that.

“I’m very happy for each of them. I’m very happy for the future of French basketball and for the future of the sport,” Gobert added. “It shows that a kid from anywhere in the world can dream that he can be a number one pick or that he can be anything he wants. That’s a beautiful thing.”

Charlotte general manager Jeff Peterson said France truly loves basketball and the NBA now is reaping a generation influenced by players like Parker, Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum.

“It’s a very, very strong country when it comes to basketball,” Peterson said. “So I just think that this younger generation, they’ve grown up and they’ve seen it and they’ve loved it. And those guys have been great role models for them.”

Salaun said French players have improved with their impact now being felt in the world.

“It’s just the beginning,” Salaun said.

Credit: AP

And it’s a step closer to reality now.

Bronny James — the oldest son of the NBA’s all-time scoring leader and four-time champion — was drafted Thursday by the Los Angeles Lakers, the team that his father has played for since 2018. Bronny James was taken with the No. 55 overall pick, deep in the second round and with only three picks remaining in this year’s draft.

“Beyond blessed,” Bronny James wrote in an Instagram post.

Adding further intrigue to the move: LeBron James can become a free agent next week, which means he could choose to leave the Lakers and sign elsewhere.

“In the history of the NBA, there’s never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court and that feels like something that could be magical,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said.

“We know, and have to respect of course, that LeBron has a decision on his opt-out … but if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made. And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform.”

The draft move doesn’t guarantee that father and son will actually play in a game together, nor does it even guarantee that Bronny James will be on the Lakers’ roster next season. But it certainly raises the possibility that it could happen in what would be an NBA first — a father-son on-court duo in the league simultaneously as players.

There have been about 100 instances in NBA history of players joining the league after their fathers played, but those always came at least five years after the father’s career ended.

But LeBron James’ incredible longevity — he’ll match Vince Carter for the longest career as an NBA player ever this coming season, which will be his 22nd in the league — makes the father-son duo possible.

“With the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Bronny James from the University of Southern California,” NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said in announcing the pick, making the moment official for the 19-year-old, who was born just before the start of his father’s second NBA season.

It’s possible that Bronny James’ debut in a Lakers uniform could be July 12 in Las Vegas, in the franchise’s summer league opener against the Houston Rockets.

Bronny James is a guard, one who was listed at 6-foot-4 on Southern California’s roster but measured at 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches at the draft combine. That would make him one of the shortest players in the NBA, but his athleticism and defensive ability helped give him this opportunity.

“Bronny is, first and foremost, a person of high character,” Pelinka said. “And second, he is a young man that works incredibly hard. Those are the qualities we look for in drafting players and adding to our developmental corps at the Lakers.”

There will be cries of nepotism, cries that the Lakers did this only because of who LeBron James is. But Pelinka insisted that the Lakers will have a plan for Bronny James’ development, that the organization sees his potential and that he personally has been impressed with the character Bronny James showed while growing up.

Pelinka and the Lakers staff, including newly hired coach J.J. Redick, made the call to Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul before the pick was made and were able to speak with Bronny James moments before the selection was officially official.

“Coach Redick and I were able to welcome him to the Lakers family and let him know that this moment was happening mostly because of the work he’s put into the game and because of the character young man that he is,” Pelinka said. “That was what was expressed to him on the phone call.”

Bronny James played one year of college basketball at USC and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season. He played in 25 games, missing the start of the season after needing a procedure last year to fix what was diagnosed as a congenital heart defect, which was found after he went into cardiac arrest during a summer workout.

A panel of doctors cleared Bronny James for NBA play last month.

Nike, the shoe giant that LeBron James has had a business relationship with through the entirety of his NBA career, wasted no time in congratulating Bronny James by releasing a new ad — “The journey continues. Welcome to the big stage, Bronny,” the company wrote.

Day 2 of the draft saw 24 other players get taken before Bronny James, though none of them — not even close, really — got the attention that the No. 55 selection received, for obvious reasons.

The 55th pick rarely turns out to be a player who captures a slew of attention. The best 55th pick in NBA history would be current Miami Heat guard Patty Mills, selected in 2009 and someone who has scored 7,893 points in his 15-season career.

Some other notable No. 55 picks include Marc Iavaroni, Mark Blount, Kenny Gattison and E’Twaun Moore. There’s never been a No. 55 pick that was an NBA All-Star, an All-NBA player, an All-Rookie team player or an All-Defensive team pick.

Last season’s No. 55 pick, Isaiah Wong, scored exactly two points for Indiana as a rookie. Add up every No. 55 pick ever, and their NBA career scoring total is 28,364 points — more than 12,000 points less than LeBron James has scored in his career.

“The biggest moments in sports happen with the Lakers,” Pelinka said. “That’s how we’re built and we’re excited to see this story unfold.”

Credit: AP