The Shot Clock Reset : December 25th

League Alerts Fam,

Welcome to the first edition of The Shot Clock Reset presented by LeagueAlerts! Every week, we reset your week as we reset the shot clock to 14. Scroll below as we curate the 14 most important stories from the NBA and basketball culture—packed into one quick email. Let’s get started:

THE BIGGEST STORIES OF THE WEEK:

  • 1) The Detroit Pistons are now part of NBA history for the most consecutive loss with 27 of them and counting.

  • 2) Zion Williamson's contract with Pelicans no longer guaranteed as clause triggered.

    If Zion Williamson misses a significant number of games in the 2024-25 season, the Pelicans have the option to cut his salary significantly. However, if Williamson plays at least 61 games and meets other contract requirements, his salary will be guaranteed again. 

    The Pelicans have no intention of cutting ties with Williamson unless it is a last resort. Williamson is a valuable player for the Pelicans and they are focused on getting Williamson healthy and on the court for the long term.

  • 3) Dorian Finney-Smith's father, Elbert Smith Jr., was granted conditional freedom by the Virginia Parole Board on Wednesday after serving over 28 years in prison.

    And Finney-Smith's former team, the Dallas Mavericks, assisted him in his quest to help secure his father's freedom.

4) DeMarcus Cousins, who has been out of the NBA for more than a season, has signed a 10-day contract to play for the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the Taiwanese league. The team has confirmed this on their Facebook page, it was first reported stateside by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

  • 5) The Hawks are expected to shop Dejounte Murray.

  • 6) John Wall and Austin Rivers worked out in Orlando in front of 15 NBA teams

  • 7) Mitchell Robinson will miss the whole season after undergoing an ankle surgery.

THE FUNNIEST ISH OF THE WEEK:

  • 8) Udonis Haslem say : Fuck Bill Russell

  • 9) Ja Morant’s celebration 😆 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: 

  • 10) Desmond Bane with the nasty ankle breaker 🫣 

  • 11) Dillon Brooks going right at Tyrese Haliburton 🥴 

  • 12) Collin Sexton goes 360 on the fastbreak

  • 13) Max Strus put Vucevic on a poster

  • 14) Chet on with a self alley oop