NBA Notes: Thunder, top trios, Anthony Edwards, streaming app

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps rolled out his annual ranking of each team’s “core three,” weighing both current impact and future value.

No surprise at the top, as the defending champion Thunder trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren landed first. The Nuggets’ group of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon came in right behind.

The “rebuilding” tier featured the Nets (Nic Claxton, Egor Demin, Nolan Traore), Trail Blazers (Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan, Shaedon Sharpe), Jazz (Ace Bailey, Walter Clayton, Lauri Markkanen) and Wizards (Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson, Alex Sarr). All four are banking more on potential than polish.

Harper’s MVP Projection: Zach Harper of The Athletic tried to put math and a little gut instinct into the MVP race. Using six categories ranging from “narrative” to “perceived value,” Harper’s model has Jokic reclaiming the trophy with a score of 55 out of 60. Reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo each scored 50. Harper’s gut pick, though? The Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, who came in at 45 and might be due for his breakthrough moment.

Hayward Returns to Butler: Gordon Hayward is back where it all started. The former NBA All-Star has joined Butler University as an executive basketball advisor, per a school release. He’ll work with the men’s program on leadership, player development and mentoring student-athletes. Hayward played two seasons at Butler before a 14-year NBA career that included stops in Utah, Boston and Charlotte.

NBA TV Relaunches: The NBA announced a full-scale refresh of its digital footprint, launching a new multi-platform streaming hub and a revamped NBA TV. All are accessible through the NBA App. A new flagship show, The Association, will feature MJ Acosta-Ruiz, David Fizdale, Rudy Gay, Chris Haynes and John Wall. We have more details here.