The NBA has banned Jontay Porter for life. A league investigation found that Porter violated league rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Klay Thompson: “We need Klay back… He’s still got good years left… I know I speak for everybody in the organization, we want him back… What Klay has mean to this franchise and as good as he still is, we desperately want him back.”

Steve Kerr on Klay Thompson: “I love Klay so much. What he’s meant to me in the 10 years we’ve been together. I’ve watched him the last couple of years, fighting the feeling of devastation from the injuries. I’ve watched him this year flip his season around with his approach.”

Lakers coach Darvin Ham to anyone who suggested the team should have intentionally lost to avoid the Nuggets in the first round: “Just someone that got out of the insane asylum.” 😂

Zion Williamson has left leg soreness and will have imaging done tomorrow, Pelicans coach Willie Green tells reporters following tonight’s Play-In Tournament loss to the Lakers.

Blake Griffin announces his retirement. Griffin was the No. 1 overall pick by the Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft and became a six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, Rookie of the Year, and Slam Dunk Contest champion.

Jamal Murray believes that the duo of himself and Nikola Jokic is better than the pairs of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving

“I think we’re the best duo. I think they’re in a bigger market and people have…

Nic Claxton on his Nets tenure: “It’s been wild. It’s been chaotic. It’s been a whirlwind. I’m not going to sit here and lie.”

On coach: “I think that’ll happen here sooner than later. I just want transparency. Somebody that’s going to keep it real with me, look at me as a man.”

Nic Claxton on staying with Nets in free agency: “We’ll see. At the end of the day, business is business. I’ll have to weigh my options. I’m an UFA, so it’ll be my decision at the end of the day, so I’ll have to talk with my family, agents, pray, and see if that’s the best fit.”

Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas on Most Improved Player of the Year: “I should definitely be top three. Going from barely playing in the rotation and having little spurts to going all the way up to averaging an 11-point jump to 22 points a game. Any other year, that goes noticed.”

The Oklahoma City Thunder becomes the youngest team in NBA history (23.9 years) to secure a No. 1 seed. OKC has several members who’ll receive award votes, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP, Chet Holmgren for Rookie of the Year, and Mark Daigneault for Coach of the Year.

The New Orleans Pelicans have converted two-way forward Matt Ryan to a standard NBA contract, team says.

The Philadelphia 76ers have signed two-way guard Ricky Council IV to a four-year, $7.4 million deal, which includes $864K in new money this season, is non-guaranteed for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, and has a team option for the 2026-27 season, league sources told HoopsHype.

Nic Claxton on what he’ll looking for in free agency:

“Winning. Being a playoff team and winning games.”

Story: Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton discussed his future as a free agent, what he’ll prioritize, what parts of his game he’ll work on this summer, and more on HoopsHype. hoopshype.com/lists/brooklyn…

The Detroit Pistons are signing Jaylen Nowell for the rest of the season with an injury hardship exception, league sources told HoopsHype. The 24-year-old guard has averaged 8.7 points on 57.9 percent shooting in 16.7 minutes for Detroit.

“I’m comfortable in Sacramento,” Monk told HoopsHype. “I’d love to play here again, for sure. I’ve been here for two years and made friends with everyone, including the training staff and front office. I’d love to be back here.”

Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis on re-signing Malik Monk in free agency: “We better keep him. I think there’s no excuse. I’ll talk to Monte (McNair) and Vivek (Ranadivé).”

More on Monk’s future and his Sixth Man of the Year candidacy on HoopsHype. hoopshype.com/2024/04/10/mal…

Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a left calf strain, Bucks say.