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DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts wasn't thinking even for a second about Cooper Flagg when he started a staff meeting before the draft lottery by saying the club was entering the most important offseason in franchise history.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The promise came three years ago from Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti. It might have been overlooked for a couple of reasons. One, the Thunder were awful at the time. Two, he was speaking Latin.

VACAVILLE, Calif. (AP) — One day last fall, Ray Woodfork found himself being challenged to a fight by a fellow inmate half his age on the grounds of Solano State Prison. Woodfork would have been tempted not so long ago.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder won their first NBA title with a heavy dose of an old standby –- their stingy defense.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The gasp inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse was followed quickly by a hush Sunday night.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder had just won the NBA championship, the on-court ceremony was over and they were heading to the locker room to start the party.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — This is not how Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton saw the season ending.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — He's the most valuable player. The scoring champion. And now, an NBA champion along with NBA Finals MVP. All in one season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Hamilton, Ont., has entered one of the game’s most elite clubs.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — He's the most valuable player. The scoring champion. And now, an NBA champion along with NBA Finals MVP. All in one season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has entered one of the game’s most elite clubs.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Hamilton, Ont., walked off the court for the final time this season, collapsed into the arms of coach Mark Daigneault and finally smiled. It was over. The climb is complete. The rebuild is done.