Josh Giddey has been in the eye of the storm lately as he’s been the subject of a police investigation following social media allegations that the Australian basketball player recently had an intimate relationship with an underage girl. 

California’s Newport Beach police department is currently handling the matter “to see if there is any validity to the claims and if any laws were broken,” according to TMZ, who cited law enforcement sources.

The NBA also revealed last week that they are behind these serious allegations, while the Thunder star has continued to play for his team as the investigation unfolds. According to social media, the girl who posted photos of them seemingly sleeping with each other is still a teenager, and the age of consent is 18.

The player was recently asked by reporters about the situation and was as evasive as possible. “I understand the question obviously, but no further comment right now,” Giddey told reporters. “I get the question guys, I completely understand you want to know about it, but just for right now, I don’t have anything to say.”

His coach Mark Daigneault also expressed as little as he could. “Personal matter,” the OKC trainer answered. “I have no comment on that and that will be my answer on anything related.”

Recently ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith ranted on his own podcast show, calling his own fans ‘idiots’ as they’ve been pressuring him to give his take on the Australian’s situation. He believes he can’t talk too much about it because there is an ongoing investigation and he could get sued if he ran his mouth on the subject.

Josh, who was chosen as the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by Oklahoma City, has been averaging 12.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per match so far this season.

Australian legend Andrew Bogut believes that regardless of what happens, Giddey has learned a “valuable lesson” after these allegations

Doesn’t matter what comes of these allegations of Giddey participating in an inappropriate relationship with a minor, Andrew Bogut is convinced that the Thunder guard has learned a “valuable lesson” and described the situation as a “s****y situation for everyone involved”.

The Australian basketball legend believes Giddey should “tighten his circle” as he hopes to keep building his NBA career. “It’s a valuable lesson for Josh,” he said. “He’s got to tighten his circle, calm down on those social activities that he does outside of basketball and focus on that because he’s only in this thing for 10 or 15 years.

“From what I understand and knew, he’s never been a guy that’s got in trouble or knowingly wanted to go out and be silly. This is a valuable lesson for him.”

Andrew Bogut on the Josh Giddey allegations. He reports that the girl involved “lied” about her age. Says the Thunder have been aware of the situation for “the last year.”

(Via The Basketball Podcast – Episode 119) pic.twitter.com/uZq7qTKI8i

— DJ (@DJAceNBA) November 28, 2023

Bogut’s advice extend all the way to Josh’s use of social media, which any young star should be wary of. “We have trial by media over the last 30 years and now trial by social media is probably a hundred times worse,” the former player said.

“It’s just a messy situation. Josh hopefully learns a hard life lesson from this regardless of where it goes,” he kept at it. “… This is the thing, regardless of what comes out in the next week or two … all these memes and all this s*** now, that’s going to be there forever. It’s hard to take it back on social media.”

Mark Cuban first became the majority owner of the Mavericks in the year 2000, and quickly became well-known for being a very active, hands-on leader, quickly becoming a personality in the NBA. Now reports are flooding the internet revealing how the 65-year-old is ready to sell his stakes to Miriam Adelson for an estimated $3.5 billion, and will keep some shares in the team to retain control of basketball operations. 

According to Forbes’ recent financial analysis, the Dallas organization ranked seventh in the most valuable NBA franchises at an estimated $4.5 billion. However, “the unique structure of the agreement figures to hold far greater appeal to Cuban than making a deal at a higher franchise valuation,” wrote insider Marc Stein.

“It is poised to allow him — for the foreseeable future — to function with the same hands-on ownership style he has employed for nearly 24 years,” he reported.

Mark Cuban paid $285 million for the Dallas Mavericks in 2000.

He is now selling his 85% ownership stake in the team.

The team is estimated to be worth approximately $3.5 billion.

Legendary 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/9iQWn5q2RN

— theficouple (@theficouple) November 29, 2023

While Cuban is yet to release any official statements, he had mentioned his interest in partnering with Adelson’s “Las Vegas Sands” and build a new stadium for the Mavericks.

“My goal, and we’d partner with Las Vegas Sands, is when we build a new arena, it’ll be in the middle of a resort and casino,” the billionaire businessman said during an interview with The Dallas Morning News in 2022. “That’s the mission.”

Forbes recently listed Miriam as the fifth-richest woman in the world, as she’s the largest shareholder of the Sands Las Vegas billion-dollar casino and resort company. She’s the widow of the project’s founder Sheldon Adelson, who unfortunately died in January 2021.

In a recent company announcement this week, she revealed that she’s selling $2 billion worth of the business’ stock in Las Vegas Sands corp., to help fund the “purchase of a majority interest in a professional sports franchise pursuant to a binding purchase agreement, subject to customary league approvals.”

Cuban is also leaving “Shark Tank” after its 16th season and explained the reasons behind this decision

It seems as if many changes are looming for the famous billionaire, as he also offered an explanation recently over the reasons why he’s leaving “Shark Tank” after so many years. Mark expressed that his kids are getting older and are soon to leave the nest, as he naturally wants to spend more time with them.

“I have three kids, 14, 17, and 20,” Cuban shared. “They are getting close to that age when they will be on their own. I want to try to have my summers to spend family time with them before they want to talk to me even less than they do today.”

“I just want to have a couple summers with my teens before they go off on their own,” he added. “Nothing to do with the show. I love it. I love being on it. I love what [it] represents and how it motivates entrepreneurs around the world.”

Cuban revealed that his favorite pick to replace him is Emma Grede, as she’s the co-founder of Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS and Khloe Kardashian’s Good American brands. She also became the first black woman investor on the show when she served as a recurring shark since November 2021.

Tyler Herro was playing some of his best basketball before he fell to injury almost three weeks ago. A report surfaced this Monday claiming that he won’t be able to play in this Tuesday’s highly-awaited matchup against Milwaukee, but should be back in action next week. 

One of the first to report was The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang, who announced that the former Sixth Man of the Year will miss at least one more week after his recent re-evaluation over the weekend.

The 23-year-old hurt his right ankle against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 8, and was diagnosed days later with a Grade 2 ankle sprain. “I heard some like crunching and cracks in my ankle,” Tyler said after the match. “Obviously, it’ll probably be a couple of weeks. But I’m just going to get my treatment, stick to my routine and I’ll be back.”

Tyler Herro states that before his ankle injury he was playing at an “All-NBA level” and is confident he can get back to that after his return

For the season (8 games) Herro has averaged 22.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 4.6 APG 45/41/88 shooting splits pic.twitter.com/NxpJkrOndt

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) November 21, 2023

Herro was playing in MVP mode before falling to injury, as he averaged 22.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists so far this season. The Miami guard is shooting 44.7% from the field, 41.0% from range and 88.0% from the foul line. As South Beach franchise are now 10-7 this campaign, the rising star still leads the team in points per contest.

During the summer there was a persistent rumor that placed the young guard outside of Miami, as the team was desperately trying to acquire Damian Lillard from Portland. In the end, the Blazers traded their superstar to Milwaukee and Herro was reportedly “ecstatic” when his agent told him the news he was staying in Florida.

“I was happy. Ecstatic, really,” he admitted at the start of the season. “My family’s here, my kids, my [friends] live in Miami. Came from Milwaukee with me. Everything is in Miami. If I were to get traded, at the end of my career Miami will still be my home.”

Tyler hopes to extended his contract with the Heat for as long as possible as he looks to enhance his career averages of 17.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in Miami.

Bucks forward Khris Middleton is also reported questionable against the Heat as he suffers from Achilles tightness

It seems the Heat aren’t the only roster with sensible absences, as the Bucks won’t be able to count on Khris Middleton for Tuesday’s game at the Kaseya Center. Even though the Milwaukee forward is listed as questionable, his coach admitted there’s no real timeline for his complete recovery.

“No timeline. Just day-to-day and see how he responds to treatment, but I think things are promising,” Adrian Griffin told the press, as his player couldn’t continue the game against the Washington Wizards on November 24 due to Achilles tightness.

Lillard, who is expected to participate in this crucial Eastern Conference clash, revealed how important Middleton is for his team. “Any time you lose a big part of your team, it’s an adjustment,” his teammate said.

“I think because of the way the season has gone early on with him being on a restriction, he’s sat a few games; I think we’re used to it. We’re used to that hole being there and having to navigate those situations,” the star concluded.