After enjoying a summer filled with achievements and accolades, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken a step back. That's what happens when you're no longer sitting on the NBA throne. He fell short of bringing home another trophy.
Gilgeous-Alexander didn't win the ESPY 2026 NBA Player of the Year award. Instead, Jalen Brunson was named the winner. The other nominees were Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama.
The ESPY's are ESPN's annual sports award show. They're handed out every July — when most of the leagues are in the offseason. Gilgeous-Alexander won the 2025-26 MVP award — making him a rare back-to-back recipient. He also led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a league-best 64-18 regular-season record. Alas, that resume wasn't strong enough to bring home another ESPY trophy.
Instead, it goes to Brunson. He led the New York Knicks to an NBA championship. They caught fire at the right time with a historic 16-3 playoff record. They beat the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win the 2026 NBA Finals. Of course, Brunson won the 2026 NBA Finals MVP.
Well, this shouldn't be a shocker. The ESPY's have turned into awarding whoever had the best postseason performance. And while Gilgeous-Alexander was awesome through two rounds, he played below his ridiculous standards in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, which eventually led to OKC's playoff exit.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points on 55.3% shooting, 6.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 68 regular-season games this past season. The 28-year-old remains one of the NBA's best players and is frequently in the conversation for the face of the league.
Maybe the least expected target, though, was Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls.
Giddey hasn't really been involved in trade rumors, so it was surprising to see his name in this report.
Turns out, a trade was never actually that close.
"Giddey was another big guard to potentially pair with (Anthony) Edwards, but there was little traction on talks there," Krawczynski writes.
The Timberwolves ended up feeling just fine with that, because they ended up with Ball instead.
"When it became clear Ball was available, every other option was set aside," Krawczynski writes. "In a conference dominated at the top by big backcourts in San Antonio and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Ball’s 6-foot-7 frame was a huge selling point. His shooting and passing give him an explosiveness at point guard that Edwards has not experienced in six years in Minnesota. And the Wolves believe Ball can empower McDaniels, who is coming off the best offensive season of his career, and reinvigorate Gobert, who has been waiting for a lob thrower forever."
This doesn't seem to indicate that Giddey will be on the move. Clearly, Chicago wasn't all that interested in making such a deal.
Instead, Minnesota gets Ball and will have one of the best starting lineups in basketball.
The Golden State Warriors know that LeBron James is the biggest free agent available and want to pair him with Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and the rest of their veteran core. James has largely stayed out of the process, allowing his agent, Rich Paul, to handle phone calls and negotiations.
“Pairing him with Stephen Curry is going to be something that the Warriors are going to pursue over the next few weeks… It seemed very doubtful, it seemed low percentage, now it’s kind of questionable. Now there’s going to be some legs to this… That same source told us that Steph is planning on meeting and talking with LeBron about potentially joining the Warriors over the course of the next few weeks leading up to free agency,” NBA insider Brett Siegel said.
James has narrowed his list to five organizations he believes can compete for an NBA championship. Now, all that remains is for him to make his decision.
“It’s decision time for LeBron James… The Leading suitors have been CLE, MIA, GSW, PHI, and MIN…. LeBron James has made it clear privately that he wants to go somewhere he can compete for a championship. Somewhere he feels he finds that happiness from a team environment and culture that he can uplift,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.
While the Warriors have done everything possible to convince James to come to the Bay Area, it no longer appears to be enough. Golden State reportedly feels like it is on the outside looking in.
“I'm kind of hearing today that the Warriors internally kind of feel like they're a dark horse at this point, that LeBron James is probably going out east,” ESPN insider Marc Spears said.
The Warriors believed they were in a strong position to land James until recently. They offered him the chance to form a generational duo with Curry, a pairing that would have immediately become one of the most feared in the NBA. James would also have had the opportunity to play alongside Green, one of his closest friends.
It is an unfortunate position for the Warriors, but the reality is they may not offer James the best opportunity to win another championship. Ultimately, that appears to be what his free agency decision will come down to.
The Indiana Fever have won two straight games and will look to keep that momentum rolling Wednesday night when they host the Golden State Valkyries in one of the most intriguing matchups on the WNBA schedule.
With Indiana continuing its push up the standings and Golden State entering the game riding a seven-game winning streak, all eyes have been on the final injury report, particularly the status of Caitlin Clark and Valkyries standout Gabby Williams.
The good news for Fever fans is that Clark is expected to suit up despite continuing to manage a lingering back injury.
Caitlin Clark expected to play against Golden State
Indiana released its final injury report on Tuesday, listing Clark as probable because of her back. While the injury has appeared on recent reports, it has not prevented the All-Star guard from taking the floor. Clark has continued to play through the issue and remains one of the league's most impactful players.
Her availability is a major boost for the Fever, who enter Wednesday's contest at 14-9 after dismantling the Las Vegas Aces 109-75 on Sunday. Although Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 27 points in that victory, Clark once again helped orchestrate Indiana's offense while benefiting from another balanced performance that featured 19 points and 11 rebounds from Aliyah Boston.
The Fever have found their rhythm entering the second half of the season, and having Clark available gives them their best chance to extend their winning streak to three games.
Status Report for tomorrow's game vs. Golden State:
Golden State's injury situation is less certain. The Valkyries have listed veteran forward Gabby Williams as questionable with a back contusion after she missed the team's previous game.
Williams has been one of Golden State's most versatile players this season, providing scoring, defense and playmaking for a team that owns one of the WNBA's best records at 17-7.
If she is unable to play again, the Valkyries will continue leaning on players such as Veronica Burton, who scored 17 points with six assists in Friday's win over the Connecticut Sun, and Janelle Salaün, who added 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Golden State will also remain without Iliana Rupert, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season because of her pregnancy.
Wednesday's game features two of the hottest teams in the league. Indiana has won consecutive games, including its statement victory over Las Vegas, while Golden State has reeled off seven straight wins to strengthen its position near the top of the WNBA standings.
Clark's expected availability means fans should get another opportunity to watch one of the league's biggest stars in a matchup that could have postseason implications later this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with the game airing nationally on USA Network.
Amidst all the chaos surrounding them, the Oklahoma City Thunder have remained noticeably quiet in comparison. With the new CBA, it’s all about avoiding the second apron and losing future draft capital. In order to mitigate these issues, the Thunder traded key role players Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks, respectively, netting second-round draft picks in return.
Their other big move was re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein to a new contract through 2028-29, adding to what he already had in effect. He will receive an additional $47 million, totaling $134 million for his five years with the franchise, fully guaranteed.
The Thunder Battled a Post-Championship Hangover All Season
Following their spectacular championship run in 2024-25, the Thunder entered the 2025-26 campaign as the undisputed “top dog.” They played like it too, tearing through the regular season to rack up an impressive 64 wins. Winning at that clip is brutal in the modern NBA, but doing it on the heels of a grueling seven-game title run while navigating a relentless wave of injuries is nothing short of heroic.
At one point or another, 10 different rotation players missed at least 10 games. Yet, OKC kept rolling. But the wear and tear finally caught up to them in the Western Conference Finals.
— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) July 6, 2026
Facing Victor Wembanyama and the ascending San Antonio Spurs, a severely banged-up Thunder squad saw its season end in a heartbreaking seven-game series. The re-injuries to Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell during that series ultimately hobbled the offense.
The fact that a short-handed Thunder team still pushed a rising juggernaut to seven games — and could have realistically won had they secured a few crucial defensive rebounds in the second half — speaks volumes about this team’s collective talent, depth, and sheer will.
Presti is betting heavily on internal growth, draft injection, and better health. The front office added elite young depth by selecting Aday Mara (12th overall) and Bennett Stirtz (16th overall) in the draft, with both rookies expected to contribute immediately.
If JDub and Mitchell can stay healthy next May, and if the rookies flash their expected upside, Oklahoma City’s depth remains unmatched. But to truly reclaim the throne next June, the focus shifts squarely to the development of their top stars.
Gilgeous-Alexander and JDub Need to Evolve Offensively
As phenomenal as Gilgeous-Alexander was en route to his back-to-back MVP awards, the Spurs managed to bother him for prolonged stretches in the Conference Finals. Wembanyama is a singular, rim-deterring force, but the relentless perimeter ball pressure from Stephon Castle and Carter Bryant, combined with San Antonio’s shape-shifting help defense, frequently disrupted Shai’s usual rhythm.
At his best, SGA punished aggressive help looks with elite playmaking, logging a career-series-high 8.9 assists per game in the Spurs series. The Thunder found creative ways to get him downhill, utilizing screens and seals from Isaiah Hartenstein, wing-clearing cuts, and off-ball screens to space the floor. This resulted in masterclasses in Game 2 (30 points, 9 assists) and Game 7 (35 points, 9 assists).
When forced out of his comfort zone, however, things got rough. The off-the-dribble three-point proficiency SGA displayed during the regular season (39.1% on 3.4 attempts) evaporated against San Antonio’s length, plummeting to just 5-of-22 (22.7%) in the series. With Wembanyama walling off the paint and perimeter defenders aggressively loading the gaps, the midrange evaporated, leaving SGA isolated.
To dismantle a defense specifically engineered to stop him, SGA’s next evolutionary step lies in his perimeter volume and processing speed. Tightening up his pass placement, particularly on kick-outs to the corner, which occasionally drifted high or outside the shooter’s pocket, will be vital when playoff margins shrink to zero.
Williams, meanwhile, largely earns a pass after battling health limitations during the postseason.
Still, his half-court shot selection warrants monitoring. He leans heavily on the short midrange, and the question heading into next season is whether he’s choosing those looks or being forced into them by collapsing defenses. A fully healthy, multi-level scoring campaign from JDub remains OKC’s highest-upside variable.
Cason Wallace‘s Rise Could Solve the Lu Dort Dilemma
Following the slew of financial moves made by Sam Presti, guard Cason Wallace emerges as the biggest winner of all. Fresh off earning All-Defensive honors, Wallace showed stellar two-way flashes that have given OKC all the more reason to capitalize on their newly opened salary space.
In the midst of the team’s injury-riddled regular-season stretch, Wallace was handed significantly increased offensive duties. During February, when he started all 12 games, he averaged nearly 15 points and five assists. OKC went 8-4 in that stretch. When the playoffs arrived, Wallace was second on the Thunder in postseason three-pointers made, hitting them at a team-best 48.4 percent clip.
Cason Wallace led the NBA in total steals in both the regular season AND in the postseason. He is the 5th player in NBA history to accomplish that.
2026 Cason Wallace 2015 Steph Curry 2010 Rajon Rondo 2002 Jason Kidd 1975 Rick Barry pic.twitter.com/lrcDVaOSGd
Because of this rapid evolution, extending Wallace this offseason should not be a question. He enters the 2027 offseason as a restricted free agent, and waiting until the open market risks a costly bidding war that could cost the franchise millions.
That urgency ties directly to the Lu Dort situation. The Thunder opted into Dort’s final year under contract, but it is no guarantee he starts the season in Oklahoma City. With a massive cap crunch looming, the possibility of moving Dort continues to grow. Should that trade happen, a gap opens perfectly in the starting lineup. Wallace is tailor-made to fill it.
The Thunder Should Still Be Viewed as Championship Favorites
According to Fanduel, the Thunder and the Spurs make up the top two odds on favorites to win the title. This makes sense considering the amount of talent they have in comparison to everyone else. The Thunder were down two important ball handlers and still took San Antonio to seven games. As most bettors and fans see it, it’s currently a toss-up as to which team is better.
But if being the favorite means possessing the highest baseline, the most organic upside, and having the best player in the league, then the answer is yes, the Oklahoma City Thunder should be the favorites.
The margins for error have officially vanished. But Sam Presti has prepared for moments like these, stacking draft capital and doing whatever it takes to put his team in the best position to succeed.
And as it turns out, it wasn't some carefully planned act of gamesmanship. "Honestly, I just am a little sassy sometimes," Cunningham joked during an appearance on James Corden's Fox Sports World Cup show. "I've mastered getting in people's heads. It's kind of like a game within the game."
That "game within the game" produced one of the most recognizable sports memes of 2026.
Cunningham's now-iconic point came during Indiana's heated showdown with the Phoenix Mercury, a game that was already boiling over after teammate Caitlin Clark and Bonner exchanged words late in the fourth quarter. Clark was hit with a technical foul, but Cunningham believed Bonner deserved one as well.
She initially pointed to Bonner to make her case to the officials. Then Bonner fired back.
According to Cunningham, Bonner told her not to point at her. Cunningham's response was simple: she kept pointing. And pointing. And pointing.
For roughly 22 seconds, Cunningham never broke eye contact, holding the pose until a Fever staff member finally nudged her toward the bench. Both players were assessed technical fouls, but by then the damage—or, depending on your perspective, the comedy—was done.
Since that night, the image has taken on a life of its own. WWE legend John Cena has referenced it. Major brands have recreated it in social media posts. Even the White House joined the trend on social media. During Cunningham's interview, comedian Ian Karmel jokingly suggested the pose should replace the WNBA's league logo, drawing laughter from everyone on set.
Sophie Cunningham has become one of the Indiana Fever's biggest fan favorites, both for her production on the court and her personality away from it. Now, just hours before Indiana returns home for another key WNBA matchup, the veteran guard is asking Fever fans to join her for a special event that extends beyond basketball games.
Fresh off one of the best performances of her season, Cunningham took to social media on Wednesday with a simple invitation for fans.
"Come hang out 🏀," she wrote while promoting her upcoming youth basketball camp.
The timing couldn't be much better. Cunningham is riding plenty of momentum after helping Indiana roll to a dominant victory over the Las Vegas Aces, and she'll look to keep that momentum going Wednesday night when the Fever host the Golden State Valkyries.
Sophie Cunningham invites young fans to Indiana basketball camp
Cunningham announced that her Sophie Cunningham Basketball ProCamp will take place on Saturday, July 19, at the Aletto Family Sports Center in Carmel, Indiana. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 6-15 and will feature basketball instruction, skill development, drills, competitions and opportunities for young players to interact with one of the WNBA's premier perimeter shooters.
With Cunningham encouraging fans to "come hang out," the event offers Fever supporters a chance to spend time with one of the team's most recognizable personalities during one of the franchise's most exciting seasons in recent memory. Community events like this have become increasingly common for Indiana players as the Fever's popularity continues to soar. Teammate Lexie Hull also hosted a successful youth basketball camp in Carmel earlier this summer, drawing young athletes from across the state.
For Cunningham, the camp is another opportunity to connect with Indiana's rapidly growing basketball community while helping inspire the next generation of players.
The timing of the announcement also comes as Cunningham continues to play some of her best basketball of the season. Through 22 games, the veteran guard is averaging 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting an outstanding 43.5% from three-point range, ranking among the WNBA's most efficient long-range shooters.
She was especially impressive in Sunday's 109-75 victory over the Las Vegas Aces, erupting for 20 points off the bench while knocking down six of her eight attempts from beyond the arc. Her shooting helped fuel one of Indiana's most complete performances of the year as the Fever improved to 14-9.
Cunningham's ability to stretch defenses has made her an ideal complement alongside stars Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, giving head coach Stephanie White another dangerous scoring option whenever she checks into the game.
Now, Cunningham will look to carry that hot shooting into Wednesday night's matchup against the expansion Golden State Valkyries as Indiana tries to extend its winning streak to three games. But before tipoff, she's hoping plenty of Fever fans will answer her invitation and join her on Saturday for a day focused on developing young basketball players throughout central Indiana.
The WNBA is denying a report that Adam Silver influenced the suspension of Alyssa Thomas following an on-court incident with Caitlin Clark.
In a statement to Front Office Sports, a WNBA spokesperson said the report that NBA commissioner Adam Silver pushed WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to suspend Alyssa Thomas is “absolutely false.”
On Wednesday morning, Sports Business Journal reported that Silver “persuaded” Engelbert to suspend Thomas for an incident on June 24 in which the Mercury star struck Clark’s throat. Thomas was not thrown out of the game.
A day later, the league handed Thomas a Flagrant 2—which comes with a $1,000 fine—and one-game suspension for what it deemed to be a “non-basketball act.”
The level of influence the NBA has on the WNBA’s decision making is a longstanding question. The NBA holds a 42% equity stake in the WNBA, while multiple NBA owners have separate ownership stakes in the WNBA. The NBA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Silver was asked about the future of Engelbert as WNBA commissioner on Tuesday night during a press conference at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He did not give a definitive answer, but was complimentary about Engelbert’s performance.
“I’m very pleased with where the WNBA is. We’ve made tremendous progress under her leadership over the last several years … Cathy continues doing a strong job building that league. And we’ll have ongoing discussions about what the future looks like.” Silver said.
“I do crack up how everybody’s focused on me, and you should be focused on the hundreds of amazing women, and thousands of women who run this league outside of myself,” Engelbert said.
The Boston Celtics have signed a pair of prospects to Exhibit 10 contracts, according to recent reporting from Spotrac senior contributor Keith Smith. Per Smith, the "Celtics have signed Tucker DeVries and Milos Uzan to Exhibit 10 contracts". Smith also notes that such contracts are non-guaranteed training camp deals.
"After camp the vast majority of (Exhibit 10) signings will end up joining the franchise’s G League affiliate," adds Smith. In this case, that would be the Maine Celtics in Portland. And at least one of Uzan and DeVries has a shot at making a two way spot with Boston after their play with the Sin City Celtics in the NBA's 2026 Las Vegas Summer League.
And, at least for us, that would be Uzan, despite having considerably worse shooting numbers (32 percent from the field overall and 30.8 percent from beyond the arc) than DeVries (41.2 percent and 40 percent, respectively).
Even though his efficiency is a legitimate concern at the G League level, he was a good game settler and connector who rebounds well for his position, as evidenced by the 8.0 points, 4.3 boards, and 5.0 assists per game he logged with the Summer Celtics over three contests.
DeVries, for his part, might also merit a closer look with the 11.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game he put up, but likely needs to add some depth to his game to have a real shot at the NBA even as a two way player. Both will have a shot to fight for a two way roll with Boston under these deals, however, so keep your eyes peeled.
The 2026 season has presented more challenges for a Chicago Sky franchise that is continually beating back bad PR.
In April, the Sky dealt All-Star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for a grand total of two first-round picks. Blossoming All-Star scorer Rickea Jackson has long bee ruled out for the season with an ACL tear. Skylar Diggins has not played for the team since she revealed that she was no longer in the starting lineup.
In a season that is trending toward the lottery, the Sky's brightest spot has been the stellar play of undrafted rookie Sydney Taylor.
Taylor scored 17 points in Wednesday's 95-90 win over the Seattle Storm, as the Sky improved to 8-16 on the year.
In doing so, Taylor became the fourth rookie of the 2026 class to make at least 100 field goals. The wrinkle is that Taylor is the only one who wasn't drafted.
Rookies with 100+ FGM this season:
Azzi Fudd (No. 1 pick) Olivia Miles (No. 2 pick) Flau’jae Johnson (No. 8 pick) Sydney Taylor (undrafted) pic.twitter.com/GUqat1lYZd
The other rookies to make at least 100 shots this season all went inside the first 10 picks of the 2026 draft. They are Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles -- the top two picks -- as well as Flau'jae Johnson, the eighth selection.
Taylor has scored in double digits for four consecutive games, and she is averaging 13.0 points per game as a rookie. The scoring guard is proving to be a shrewd pickup from a Sky front office that has been bashed for its roster management, and she could well be a vital part of Chicago's latest retool.
If the San Antonio Spurs want to make one more splash before the season starts, it feels like a move for Trey Murphy would make the most sense.
Murphy is a perfect player for the Spurs to bring in, depending on what the future looks like for some of the other young players on the roster. Aside from guys like Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle, I still envision a scenario in which San Antonio can put together a really good package without those three.
However, the problem with trading for Murphy isn't the players the Spurs would have to give up, but the picks that would need to be attached. According to the latest report, the New Orleans Pelicans are still looking for a ridiculous package for the wing.
“Trey Murphy, Pelicans. (Remaining contract: three years, $88 million.) It does look increasingly like Murphy will stay put. He is a favorite in NBA trade rumors, there are questions on how serious New Orleans would be about trading him. One exec says it will take a Desmond Bane-style offer (four first-round picks) to pry him from New Orleans, though that price has dropped a bit. Still, there’s been no movement yet,” Sean Deveney wrote.
Four first-round picks for Murphy is just absolutely outrageous, and I'm a really big fan of what he is as a player. However, in this CBA and with how important picks are, I don't really think most players are worth four picks, especially a guy who's not a No. 1 on a championship team.
At the same time, I think he'd be a legitimately perfect fit for what the Spurs currently have, so I can see them putting together a decent package to land him.
Among the limited assets that the Golden State Warriors have player-wise, one player who could bring them a decent return is Moses Moody.
Unfortunately, Moody went down with a gruesome knee injury a season ago, which has raised questions about his future with the organization. The hope is that the Warriors can eventually get him back from his injury and that he'll be the same type of player he once was.
However, it's also possible that Golden State understands he's one of its few remaining assets and is trying to trade him.
According to the latest, because of his contract and upside, even with this injury, there's still a feeling he can be a decent asset.
“Moses Moody, Warriors. (Remaining contract: two years, $26 million.) Moody has developed into a valuable piece for Golden State, but a nasty knee injury could keep him out for most of next season. The Warriors are short on time, so could move Moody to make room for LeBron James, or for another potential move. Even with the injury, Moody’s upside and reasonable contract make him an asset,” Sean Deveney wrote.
There were times when Moody looked like a really good player for Golden State.
There were other times when he seemed about average. He's a typical young player who has had his ups and downs, though it's important to remember that while he's been in the league for five seasons, he recently turned 24 years old, so this is still a young kid who has gotten some important minutes in big moments for Golden State.
The Golden State Warriors, unfortunately, really don't have many assets to make a trade that makes sense for them. The Warriors could move on from players they likely don't want to trade, or from assets they don't want to trade, to get better, but something has to give to improve.
The one guy who could be impacted by that is Jimmy Butler, though, given his age and coming off an ACL injury, it's tough to see a scenario in which teams are that interested in Butler. According to a recent report, not many teams are interested in Butler.
“Jimmy Butler, Warriors. (Remaining contract: one year, $57 million.) Butler continues to be the subject od trade rumors, but it does not appear that the Warriors will look to move him. He’s the team’s main path to adding another star, as he is probably out until Christmas or later as he recovers from January ACL surgery.
“There are not many teams looking to add a rehabbing 36-year-old to their mix, and the Warriors are not likely to find a player who is better than Butler when healthy,” Sean Deveney wrote.
Butler could be used as a salary-dump player who gets moved in a deal for a player the Warriors want, if the Warriors attach other assets.
However, as Deveney touched on here, there won't be a long line outside waiting for Butler to become available.
The Golden State Warriors obviously want to improve on both sides of the basketball this offseason, though they really haven't.
In fact, the Warriors are one of the only teams in the league that really hasn't done anything. Unfortunately for the Warriors, it's uncertain whether that's going to change anytime in the near future, as there's no guarantee that LeBron James will end up with the Warriors, and a trade for Anthony Davis is seeming increasingly unlikely day by day.
According to the latest report on Davis, much of that is due to the Washington Wizards being under pressure to finally turn things around. The Wizards, who have been one of the worst teams in the NBA in recent years, believe Davis will at least help them turn things around a bit.
“Speaking of Davis, one NBA executive has a pretty good reason for why he’s staying put in Washington–the Wizards are under a strict mandate to get things turned around after just 50 wins in their last three seasons. Both coach Brian Keefe and president Michael Winger have their jobs on the line this year,” Sean Deveney wrote.
On paper, the Wizards shouldn't be a terrible team with Davis, Trae Young, AJ Dybantsa, and some other really interesting young pieces. Davis obviously makes more sense on an older team like the Warriors, but if the Wizards are actually trying to win, it's unlikely he gets moved.
Sign-and-trade deals are a bit more confusing and uncommon than we typically see in the NBA. For that reason and more, it's tough to get a feel for what certain packages might be for a guy like Jonathan Kuminga.
The Los Angeles Lakers are certainly interested in Kuminga, though the perfect trade offer from the Atlanta Hawks isn't out there yet.
A lot of this would just be sending some assets back to Atlanta, and according to the latest, that could be a variation of Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, and some picks.
“With the cap-space option off the table, Kuminga’s options are pretty well in focus, and they depend on LeBron James. That’s because the Hawks would have to sign-and-trade Kuminga to get a deal done, and there really isn’t anything on the Lakers’ roster that they value–the Lakers could offer a pick swap in 2032 or two second round picks along with some combination of Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia and maybe a deep-bench player,” Sean Deveney wrote.
This isn't exactly the best trade offer out there, and one could probably argue that Atlanta could even get more than what Los Angeles would be willing to offer.
However, it's not the worst ever, so it wouldn't be surprising if something like this happened.
There are certain players who don't ever really make much sense to trade unless it's for an absolute steal of a package.
Not to say the San Antonio Spurs shouldn't look to make moves if it makes sense for the organization, but to me, moving on from a player like Devin Vassell right now doesn't make much sense.
Unless the Spurs truly believe they can get a better player in return, Vassell is one of those role guys who really play a big part in what San Antonio is looking to do. Perhaps his five-year, $135 million deal is playing an impact on that, but the latest trade proposal, even if San Antonio wants to move him, just wouldn't make sense.
The trade would involve Bronny James and more, with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“The Los Angeles Lakers continue to monitor all angles in trade and the open market to further complete their post-LeBron James transition. One proposed trade has them landing versatile wing Devin Vassell from the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers would be engaging in a direct trade for this to work.
“In the trade framework, the Lakers would acquire Vassell while sending out Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaden Hardy and Bronny James to San Antonio,” Adel Ahmad wrote.
No offense to what the Lakers would be offering here, but I think this would be one of the worst possible trades San Antonio could make.
James has a lot of questions about whether he's even an NBA player, Jarred Vanderbilt is one of the worst offensive players in the league, and Jaden Hardy really hasn't done enough to suggest he's anything more than a ninth or 10th-guy off the bench.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg stayed hot, registering a near double-double performance with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field with nine boards, three assists and two steals in 29 minutes on Tuesday. Yet, it wasn't enough for the Golden State Warriors on their way to their first loss of the Las Vegas Summer League.
The Warriors dropped their first loss in Las Vegas in blowout fashion to the Memphis Grizzlies, 106-85. Javon Small notched 26 points while Brendan Hausen added 20 points off the bench to snap the Warriors' win streak in the desert. In a matchup with Lendeborg, Grizzlies top pick Cameron Boozer recorded 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting with seven rebounds and three assists.
Tuesday marked the first game of the Las Vegas Summer League and California Classic in which Lendeborg failed to knock down a 3-pointer. He finished the evening shooting 0-of-2 from beyond the arc.
Malevy Leons, Chance McMillian and Lajae Jones all recorded double-figures in scoring. The second-round pick, Jones, tallied 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field with five boards. Jones has now tallied 10 or more points with five or more rebounds in three straight Summer League games for the Warriors.
The Warriors will have the chance to get back in the win column on Thursday when they meet the newly crowned champion New York Knicks in Las Vegas.
There seems to be an expectation that, sometime over the next few weeks to months, Draymond Green will return to the Golden State Warriors on a new deal. It doesn't even feel like there are any questions about that, as Green being on any other team just seems very strange to even think about.
However, according to the latest report, it seems others believe Green could leave the Warriors if they don't land LeBron James.
“Draymond Green. Green opted out of his $28 million deal for next season, but will be back with the Warriors. He is part of the team’s push to sign LeBron James, and will adjust his salary accordingly. There has been chatter that Green would leave the Warriors if they don’t land James but … that’s a longshot,” Sean Deveney wrote.
While Deveney admitted that it's a long shot, hearing any chatter about it makes things at least somewhat interesting here.
I don't think there is much chance of Green leaving, no matter what happens, but if he wants to win and Golden State no longer offers him that opportunity, perhaps it's possible.
The Dallas Mavericks are preparing for a new chapter following significant changes in the front office and coaching staff. As the franchise moves in a different direction under its new leadership, veteran guard Klay Thompson's future with the organization appears increasingly uncertain.
Thompson is entering the final season of the three-year, $50 million contract he signed with Dallas in 2024. The contract will pay him approximately $17.5 million during the 2026-27 season.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks are actively exploring the trade market for the four-time NBA champion and have shown little desire to negotiate a buyout or risk losing him without receiving assets in return.
“The Mavericks, league sources say, continue to explore Klay Thompson's trade market, showing little interest — to this point — in buying out the four-time champion’s final remaining season ($17.5 million) of a three-year, $50 million deal with Dallas,” per Stein.
“The Miami Herald and 5 Reasons Sports'Ethan Skolnick have reported that Miami would have strong interest in Thompson if he became a free agent and there would surely be other suitors.”
Only two years after arriving in Dallas in one of the league's most talked-about free-agent moves, Thompson appears to be nearing another change of scenery. He originally joined the Mavericks with hopes of competing for a fifth NBA championship alongside Luka Doncic. However, those plans dramatically changed after the franchise traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dallas' willingness to move Thompson is largely tied to his disappointing 2025-26 season, during which both his role and production declined significantly. For the first time in his 13-year NBA career, the veteran accepted a primary bench role, while posting career lows across several statistical categories. He finished the season averaging 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
The Mavericks are now expected to remain engaged in trade discussions, hoping to find a suitable deal for Thompson before finalizing the remainder of their roster ahead of the new season.
The San Antonio Spurs have made another adjustment to their roster as they continue shaping the team for the upcoming season. The organization originally extended a two-way qualifying offer to forward Harrison Ingram in late June, hoping to retain his restricted free agent rights. However, after Ingram did not accept the offer before the league-wide deadline, the Spurs opted to withdraw it and move in a different direction.
NBA insider Keith Smith recently reported that San Antonio officially rescinded its qualifying offer.
“The San Antonio Spurs have withdrawn the qualifying offer for Harrison Ingram, a league source told @spotrac,” Smith wrote.
The move significantly changes Ingram's free agency status. He is now an unrestricted free agent. As a result, the former second-round pick is now free to negotiate and sign with any NBA team without San Antonio having the ability to match another team's offer.
Ingram spent each of the past two seasons on two-way contracts after the Spurs selected him with the 48th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Despite showing promise, he struggled to carve out a consistent role at the NBA level. Last season, he appeared in just seven games and averaged 1.6 points per contest after posting 0.8 points per game during his rookie campaign.
While his NBA opportunities were limited, Ingram enjoyed considerable success in the G League. Last season, he averaged 16.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Those performances could make him an attractive option for teams seeking additional frontcourt depth or looking to fill the final roster spots or two-way contracts ahead of training camp.
Thomas was not called for a foul for the incident but was later given a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension for "recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area" of Clark. She was also given a $1,000 fine.
SBJ reports that Engelbert initially did not plan to impose any discipline on Thomas and added that the publication's sources said that "Silver believed there was clear evidence of a flagrant foul, that he felt badly for Clark and told Engelbert she had to act."
According to WNBA rules, the league office may review and reclassify any foul not called during a game and impose a fine and/or suspension.
Silver was asked about Engelbert's job performance during an NBA Summer League news conference this week.
"Cathy and I work together, and I don’t want to speak for Cathy,” Silver said. “But I’m very pleased with where the WNBA is. We made tremendous progress under her leadership over the last several years. Cathy continues to do a strong job building the league.”
Silver was asked the same thing in March when the WNBA signed a historic new collective bargaining agreement.
"We haven't had those discussions yet with the WNBA board," Silver previously said. "I would only say Cathy has done a fantastic job since she's come to the WNBA. Obviously, you could see (that) in the results."
The 61-year-old Englebert has been WNBA commissioner since 2019, and her tenure has been rocky at times. Just this past week, she was criticized for canceling a scheduled interview with radio host Dan Patrick.
The Warriors are the destination that would probably be, at least at first, the weirdest.
James and Steph Curry have competed against one another for a decade-plus. They did get the chance to play together at the Olympics, and it'd probably be cool in the long run to see them play a season together.
But at first, James in a Warriors jersey would be an odd thing.
That's certainly the way San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini feels about it. He was asked about the LeBron situation in a new article on ESPN, and this is what he said:
"It'd be weird, just because of that rivalry with him on the Cavs. I feel like they've been going at it every step of the way. It'd be like if Ovi and Sid were played together. It'd be a little bit weird at first, but I think it'd be cool for the game."
There have been multiple and possibly conflicting reports about what the Atlanta Hawks, Kuminga's last NBA team, are seeking in a sign-and-trade deal from the Lakers. Reportedly, Kuminga has been seeking a contract in the area of $25 million a year, but it seems unlikely that he will actually be offered that much money.
While Kuminga has yet to fulfill the tremendous potential people have seen in him ever since he was the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft, he could at least be a temporary solution to the Lakers' need for a legitimate starting two-way forward. Mychal Thompson, a former big man who won two NBA championships with the Lakers in 1987 and 1988, made his argument for Kuminga joining the Purple and Gold, per ESPN Los Angeles.
“I wish I had Jonathan Kuminga’s phone number… He needs to sign with the Lakers. Talk about a great opportunity for him. He’d come in as a starter… Play on a high-profile team like the Lakers. Everybody around the league is gonna see you. He could run the floor. He can go out and get alley-oop dunks from Luka Doncic. This will set him up for his future if he ends up signing. I don’t know what’s taken him so long.”
Kuminga's focus, dedication, work ethic and perhaps even his coachability have been questioned over the last few years. But as Thompson mentioned, he is a dynamite threat in transition, and he also has the ability to play defense at a high level.
He is a terrific athlete, which has always given him the potential to become, at the very least, a near-star-level player. But the 6-foot-7, 23-year-old is still more potential than reality at this point, especially since he has a subpar career accuracy of 33.2% from 3-point range, and that's the biggest reason he's still available.
Coming to the Lakers would definitely increase his visibility, at the very least, even if he doesn't pan out.
May 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Azzi Fudd (35) stand on the court during the second half of a WNBA game against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Throughout its existence, the WNBA has been made up primarily of Black women players. However, that does not extend to the league’s coaches, and Dallas Wings superstar Paige Bueckers thinks that’s a problem.
While Black women have made up most of the players in the WNBA since the league began in 1997, that is not true of the coaches throughout the league, as the WNBA does not have a single Black woman head coach. During a recent interview, Bueckers spoke out against that.
Following Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky, Bueckers was asked about the “process” she hopes to see in terms of hiring Black women to head coaching jobs, with the WNBA not having a single Black coach throughout the league.
Bueckers, who is white, said that she would like to see “equal opportunity and no discrimination based on what you look like, who you like, and anything of that nature,” when it comes to the league making hires. She added that she thinks the league was “built on” the contributions of Black women.
“I think Black women — specifically, I grew up with a lot of prominent Black women in my life that were very important to me in how I was raised and how I grew up, being my stepmom, my AAU coach,” Bueckers said via ESPN. “So I understand how amazing they are and how they should get the same equal opportunity as a white woman, as a white man to be an important piece of this league.
“It was built on a lot of Black women — this league was — so it’s definitely right for them to get the same equal opportunity as everyone else.”
While seven of the 15 coaches throughout the league are women, none of those coaches is a Black woman, despite Black women holding most of the roster spots in the WNBA. It sounds like Bueckers wants to change that.
Payton Sandfort knows what it feels like when he releases a shot that's on the money.
It's a familiar sensation for the second-year forward, who has cashed in on countless 3-pointers. And that's why he immediately reacted after heaving a game-tying triple in the closing seconds of OKC's Las Vegas Summer League game against Denver on Tuesday.
Sandfort knew the shot was short. And sure enough, it failed to even reach the rim as the final buzzer sounded, sealing the Nuggets' 106-103 win.
Sandfort untucked his jersey in frustration while walking off the floor. It was a disappointing ending for the Thunder, which was determined to avoid falling to 0-6 in Summer League play. So much so that it willed its way back into the game after trailing by 11 points with 4:01 remaining.
A key contributor to the comeback attempt was Sandfort, who scored nine fourth-quarter points to finish with 19. He also added three rebounds, two assists and one block in 26 minutes on 7-for-18 shooting from the field (2 for 8 from deep).
OKC will continue Summer League play with a game against the Dallas Mavericks at 3 p.m. CT Thursday.
Aday Mara continues to take steps in the right direction
Aday Mara hasn't suited up with the Thunder's real roster just yet, but he has clearly been watching film.
Bennett Stirtz fed the ball to the big man, who sent a between-the-leg bounce pass back to him before setting a screen. It's a play OKC often runs with Isaiah Hartenstein, another 7-footer with great floor vision and playmaking skills.
Hartenstein is also known for his signature push shot. And when Stirtz gave the ball back to Mara, he pulled out the move to perfection by sinking an 11-foot floater.
That sequence provided a glimpse of what Mara can do with the Thunder. The 7-foot-3 center has plenty of skill to his game, and his passing should shine even brighter alongside some star teammates.
Mara finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 25 minutes on 6-for-6 shooting from the field. It's another step in the right direction for the 12th pick in the 2026 draft after a slow start to Summer League play.
Buddy Boeheim has played in front of his father, legendary head coach Jim Boeheim, plenty of times.
There were the countless games when he was a kid growing up in New York, and there were the four seasons he spent under his father at Syracuse from 2018-22. But Tuesday was different.
Jim joined ESPN's broadcast crew for the second quarter of OKC's game against Denver, and he got to watch Buddy catch fire for the Thunder. The 26-year-old guard scored seven points in the quarter, doing damage from both inside and outside of the arc.
Boeheim ended the night with 10 points, one rebound and one assist in 16 minutes. He went 4 for 5 from the field (2 for 3 from deep).
Connor Johnson's yells echoed throughout The Pavilion.
OKC's Las Vegas Summer League head coach was emphatically telling Stirtz to push the ball up the floor after he gathered a pass underneath his own basket. Time was of the essence for the Thunder, which trailed by 10 points with just under three minutes left in regulation.
But in reality, Johnson didn't have to tell Stirtz to pick up the pace. The rookie guard was already in an all-out sprint, and he dusted a Denver defender on his way to the rim for an easy layup.
Stirtz played with a sense of urgency all night. He created shots for himself, set up his teammates for clean looks and hustled defensively throughout his 30 minutes of action. And he was the driving force of OKC's frenzied fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
Stirtz stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points, six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. He went 8-for-16 from the field (2 for 8 from deep).
TIP-OFF: 3 p.m. Thursday at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas (Prime)
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Payton Sandfort knows what it feels like when he releases a shot that's on the money.
It's a familiar sensation for the second-year forward, who has cashed in on countless 3-pointers. And that's why he immediately reacted after heaving a game-tying triple in the closing seconds of OKC's Las Vegas Summer League game against Denver on Tuesday.
Sandfort knew the shot was short. And sure enough, it failed to even reach the rim as the final buzzer sounded, sealing the Nuggets' 106-103 win.
Sandfort untucked his jersey in frustration while walking off the floor. It was a disappointing ending for the Thunder, which was determined to avoid falling to 0-6 in Summer League play. So much so that it willed its way back into the game after trailing by 11 points with 4:01 remaining.
A key contributor to the comeback attempt was Sandfort, who scored nine fourth-quarter points to finish with 19. He also added three rebounds, two assists and one block in 26 minutes on 7-for-18 shooting from the field (2 for 8 from deep).
OKC will continue Summer League play with a game against the Dallas Mavericks at 3 p.m. CT Thursday.
Aday Mara continues to take steps in the right direction
Aday Mara hasn't suited up with the Thunder's real roster just yet, but he has clearly been watching film.
Bennett Stirtz fed the ball to the big man, who sent a between-the-leg bounce pass back to him before setting a screen. It's a play OKC often runs with Isaiah Hartenstein, another 7-footer with great floor vision and playmaking skills.
Hartenstein is also known for his signature push shot. And when Stirtz gave the ball back to Mara, he pulled out the move to perfection by sinking an 11-foot floater.
That sequence provided a glimpse of what Mara can do with the Thunder. The 7-foot-3 center has plenty of skill to his game, and his passing should shine even brighter alongside some star teammates.
Mara finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 25 minutes on 6-for-6 shooting from the field. It's another step in the right direction for the 12th pick in the 2026 draft after a slow start to Summer League play.
Buddy Boeheim has played in front of his father, legendary head coach Jim Boeheim, plenty of times.
There were the countless games when he was a kid growing up in New York, and there were the four seasons he spent under his father at Syracuse from 2018-22. But Tuesday was different.
Jim joined ESPN's broadcast crew for the second quarter of OKC's game against Denver, and he got to watch Buddy catch fire for the Thunder. The 26-year-old guard scored seven points in the quarter, doing damage from both inside and outside of the arc.
Boeheim ended the night with 10 points, one rebound and one assist in 16 minutes. He went 4 for 5 from the field (2 for 3 from deep).
Connor Johnson's yells echoed throughout The Pavilion.
OKC's Las Vegas Summer League head coach was emphatically telling Stirtz to push the ball up the floor after he gathered a pass underneath his own basket. Time was of the essence for the Thunder, which trailed by 10 points with just under three minutes left in regulation.
But in reality, Johnson didn't have to tell Stirtz to pick up the pace. The rookie guard was already in an all-out sprint, and he dusted a Denver defender on his way to the rim for an easy layup.
Stirtz played with a sense of urgency all night. He created shots for himself, set up his teammates for clean looks and hustled defensively throughout his 30 minutes of action. And he was the driving force of OKC's frenzied fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
Stirtz stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points, six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. He went 8-for-16 from the field (2 for 8 from deep).
TIP-OFF: 3 p.m. Thursday at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas (Prime)
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Brittney Griner has spent most of 2026 doing what she has always done. She scores, she blocks shots, and she anchors a Connecticut Sun front line trying to salvage a rough final season before the franchise becomes the Houston Comets.
But in a recent clip, she pulled back the curtain on a part of her job that never shows up in a box score. Brittney Griner is personally clipping game film on Indiana’s post players, building out scouting packages by hand, one possession at a time.
“I’m clipping right now, I’m clipping the bigs, the post players for Indiana,” Brittney Griner said. “So basically, you know, each team you get your scout. I haven’t learned who puts the scout paper together and all that and writes all and does all that. I don’t know who does that just yet, but I’m sure I will be on that soon.”
That admission says as much about Griner’s standing on this Sun roster as any stat line could. At 35 and in her first season in Connecticut, she is already embedded deep enough in the process to be trusted with raw scouting duties most veterans never touch.
Her breakdown of the process is methodical. Once a scouting report flags a tendency for an opposing post player, Griner goes hunting for footage that proves it works, not footage of it failing.
“So I got to find the footage of the games of them doing it and making it or succeeding at it, because I mean, you don’t want to show them messing it up at it, because then it’s like, why am I guarding that,” she said. “So you definitely want to show, you know, them making and doing it right, but I got to go find all that.”
She described sifting through one Indiana matchup after another, isolating clips for every post player before moving to the next game and repeating the process until the full report is built. It is unglamorous work, the kind that happens long after practice ends and long before anyone notices.
Griner has earned the right to be candid about how much of it eats into her downtime. “TV is work, so,” she said, closing the thought with the shrug of someone who has made peace with the grind.
Brittney Griner’s Film Study Mirrors A Career-Best Stretch On The Court
The timing matters. Griner is in the middle of one of her most productive stretches since returning from a year in Atlanta that saw her role shrink dramatically. She is averaging 13.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 blocks a game, numbers that have made her Connecticut’s most reliable frontcourt presence.
She has also been collecting milestones. Griner recently passed Margo Dydek to become the WNBA’s all-time leader in blocks, and she has since climbed to 16th on the league’s all-time rebounding list, passing Sancho Lyttle along the way. Both climbs came while Griner was also managing injuries, including a left quad contusion that cost her two games before she was cleared to return.
None of that has slowed the film work. If anything, it explains it. A player who has already survived being jailed in Russia and a diminished role in Atlanta is not treating advance scouting as busywork. She is treating it as another way to stay indispensable.
Griner has also been vocal about protecting that kind of investment as the league grows. With the WNBA expanding to a 50-game schedule in 2027, she has said the extra exposure is worth it, but only if the league spreads the calendar out rather than compressing it.
“I think our season should be longer, but that’s just me personally, with all the games, so they’re not crammed and injuries don’t start happening with people,” Griner said. “I think our league is growing, we have to have more games. So, I mean, I think the talk of spanning our season out should be talked about.”
That is the same instinct driving her film sessions. Griner is not just showing up to play out a lost season in Connecticut. She is building habits, on the court and off it, that a franchise relocating to Houston will need from her for years to come.
LeBron James going to a new team in the 2026 offseason might not necessarily guarantee that Bronny James will leave the Los Angeles Lakers as well.
Since Bronny entered the league in 2024, it’s been marvelous to see him play alongside his father for two seasons in the NBA.
With LeBron leaving the Lakers, many have assumed the Lakers will inevitably trade Bronny to LeBron’s new destination. However, that might not be the case.
LeBron James’ leaving the Lakers doesn’t mean Bronny will be leaving too
The Athletic’s Dan Woike is reporting that Bronny is very much in the Lakers’ plans going forward, disputing assumptions that he’d inevitably be traded to LeBron’s next team.
“Assumptions that the father and son staying linked going forward are false, according to league sources who were granted anonymity to discuss front-office strategies… Bronny attended the Lakers’ Las Vegas Summer League win Saturday night and is a part of their veteran minicamp that began Monday.”
While the Lakers would obviously try to put this messaging out to increase Bronny’s value in a potential trade with LeBron’s next team, this does seem like a rational plan.
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
The Lakers have invested considerable resources in Bronny over the last two seasons. They guaranteed his $2.3 million contract for next season before LeBron’s exit was confirmed, but that seemed to be another step in the developmental plan the franchise has carefully had around Bronny.
He was getting minutes in the Playoffs, and no amount of alleged nepotism can get a player that if they haven’t earned it in the eyes of the coaches.
Bronny averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists on 38.6% from three last season in a bit-part role, but had strong moments when the team was battling injuries.
He has outgrown the NBA G League, averaging 15.6 points on 56.4% from the field and 45.6% from three in 14 games last season with the South Bay Lakers.
He can only develop with NBA minutes, and the Lakers might just be comfortable in letting him do that in a rotation with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Cam Carr, and more vying for minutes in the same position.
Two red-hot squads will meet Wednesday when the Fever host the Valkyries in Indianapolis for a WNBA showdown.
The Fever are returning home after a road trip last week, in which they won two out of three matchups on the West Coast. Despite starting off with a 106-92 loss to the Sparks, Indiana rallied back to defeat the Mercury and Aces in the days following. Star player Caitlin Clark is still in-and-out with a nagging back injury.
With a 17-7 record currently, the Valkyries are ranked third in the league and Western Conference. Golden State is looking to continue a seven game winning streak, highlighted by victories over strong teams like the Dream and Liberty.
Who will take the win this time?
Here's everything you need to know about Fever vs. Valkyries, including TV channel and streaming options for the WNBA matchup.
Where to watch Fever vs. Valkyries today: TV channel, live stream
Sparks vs. Fever will be broadcast nationally on USA Network. Fans and cord-cutters can also stream the action live on DIRECTV.
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What time is Fever vs. Valkyries today?
Date: Wednesday, July 15
Time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
The Fever and Valkyries will go head-to-head on Wednesday, July 15 at 8 p.m. ET. The matchup will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.
Indiana Fever schedule 2026
Here's a look at the Fever's next five matchups.
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
July 15
vs. Valkyries
8 p.m.
July 17
vs. Storm
7:30 p.m.
July 18
vs. Liberty
8 p.m.
July 22
vs. Sun
8 p.m.
July 28
at Storm
9:30 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries schedule 2026
Here's a look at the Valkyries' next five matchups.
The Golden State Warriors have been all in on LeBron James since it became clear that he would become a free agent and leave the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors are hoping to add James for one final run at an NBA championship.
“Pairing him with Stephen Curry is going to be something that the Warriors are going to pursue over the next few weeks… It seemed very doubtful, it seemed low percentage, now it’s kind of questionable. Now there’s going to be some legs to this… That same source told us that Steph is planning on meeting and talking with LeBron about potentially joining the Warriors over the course of the next few weeks leading up to free agency,” NBA insider Brett Siegel said.
Curry was not the only Warriors player to make his pitch to James. Draymond Green has also made his case for why James should join Golden State.
“LeBron James and Draymond Green are meeting up as the NBA's all-time leading scorer looks to join a new team for the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Charania reported that James and Green are spending some time here together this week at an undisclosed location during a Tuesday appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show,” Bleacher Report’s Zach Bachar wrote.
The Warriors have been in the mix for James since the beginning of free agency. On Tuesday night, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy may have provided a major hint about when a decision could come from James.
“I think we're getting close to finalizing the roster,” Dunleavy said.
Dunleavy likely would not have made that comment unless he believed James was nearing a decision. If the Warriors land the four-time NBA champion, the team would likely only need to add one more player to complete its roster.
Golden State knows adding James would be a massive move, but there have been signs that a decision could be coming soon. Dunleavy’s comments suggest the Warriors are preparing to finalize their roster around the time James chooses his next destination.
The Los Angeles Lakers will look like an entirely different team next season, as LeBron James will no longer be wearing the purple and gold. Los Angeles has shifted its focus toward building a younger roster around its future.
“For the first time since 2018, LeBron James is available in free agency. James informed the Los Angeles Lakers last month that he intends to play his 24th NBA season elsewhere, ending his eight-year run with the franchise. The 41-year-old is now an unrestricted free agent, coming off a season in which he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds on 51.5% shooting. In other words: James can still help a team, which is exactly what he intends to do,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Bobby Marks wrote.
Without James, the Lakers continued their roster construction by bringing back fan favorite Austin Reaves.
“Reaves, who originally agreed to a four-year, $185 million extension with a player option on the final season, ended up inking a four-year, $180 million deal, league sources confirmed to ESPN. Reaves' decision, sources told ESPN, will give the Lakers more financial flexibility moving forward -- making it possible to pursue a player with the non-taxpayer midlevel exception next summer,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote.
Reaves and James have been teammates since Reaves entered the NBA. Now, Reaves opened up about what it will feel like heading into his first season without being on the same team as James.
“I don’t know if I’ve honestly processed it yet. … Starting a season without him on the team is going to be different for me. That’s kind of all I’ve ever known … Got nothing but love and respect for him,” Reaves said.
There is no doubt that James has been a role model for Reaves, taking him under his wing when he first arrived in Los Angeles. James played a major role in helping Reaves develop into the player he has become throughout his young career.
Before Luka Doncic arrived in Los Angeles, Reaves consistently turned to James for advice and guidance. Now, the undrafted guard will enter a new chapter without seeing James’ locker room presence every day. Reaves admitted he does not yet know how he will react to the change.
Michael Porter Jr. signed a huge five-year extension with the Denver Nuggets back in 2022, and now, he is entering the final year of that deal. Of course, Porter is now with the Brooklyn Nets, which has now led to people questioning if he will stay with the Nets.
Porter was excellent during the 2025-26 season, cementing himself as a high-level offensive player after averaging 24.2 points per game. Since he is the type of player who can be plugged into any system, the Nets would benefit from extending his contract.
Sean Marks reveals the Nets' plans with Michael Porter Jr.
As one of the league's best shooters, Porter can always help a team succeed. That was what he did in Denver as the third option behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. It ended up with him being a champion, but it seems he is happy he got the move to Brooklyn.
It is an interesting situation because Porter seems happy in Brooklyn, but he does not have a longer-term contract with the team just yet. General manager Sean Marks seems ready for the challenge to extend him, but the talks have not started.
Since he is entering the final year of his deal, Porter has some Nets fans worried because he might not sign one and enter the 2027 offseason as a free agent. It is either the Nets try to re-sign him, or they get a trade for him by the deadline in February 2027.
It is definitely an intriguing situation because the Nets seem intent on this rebuild. Porter does not fit that timeline, but the team has expressed an interest in keeping him around as one of the team's stars.
No matter what happens, Porter will probably come out as the winner. Whether it's for the Nets or for any other team, Porter will likely get a big contract, which he can be happy with as he gets it.
They got out to a 24-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, and they never looked back. They shot 47.9% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range while holding the Clippers to 42.6% overall shooting and 23.8% from 3-point land, allowing them to claim a 99-85 victory.
Four members of the Lakers' summer league team have looked like legitimate NBA prospects, and those same four men stood out on Tuesday.
Chris Mañon
Mañon recently had a couple of strong offensive outings, and he delivered that type of play again versus the Clippers.
He scored 10 points in the first quarter to get the Lakers off to a good start, and he finished with 17 points on 5-of-14 shooting and 2-of-4 from downtown while also adding two assists.
The guard also did an excellent job of going after loose balls, and he grabbed 11 rebounds. He continues to hustle on the defensive end, and that effort allowed him to come up with two steals.
Arthur Kaluma
Kaluma, an incoming second-year undrafted forward who was with the Lakers' G League affiliate last season, exploded offensively in the team's first two summer league games in Las Vegas. He scored 34 points on Saturday versus the Dallas Mavericks, and one day prior to that, he logged 18 points while going perfect from the field and the free throw line.
On Tuesday, Kaluma scored 11 points in the first half and ended up with 15 points in 23 minutes. Once again, he was hot from the perimeter, and he went 4-of-7 overall and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc while also chipping in four assists.
Adou Thiero
Thiero, the second round pick in last year's NBA draft, still has an offensive game that is rough around the edges. But in his last two games or so, he has shown some signs of refining his tendency to attack the hoop off the dribble.
He made five of his six shots on Tuesday, which allowed him to score 13 points. A couple of times, when his path to the basket was blocked, he passed the basketball out instead of forcing things, and he also had a nice crossover move that resulted in a dunk for him.
— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) July 15, 2026
The 6-foot-7 forward also got six rebounds and added three assists, one steal and one block.
Cameron Carr
Carr missed his first 3-pointer badly, and overall, he struggled with his shooting in the first half, going 4-of-12 from the field and 1-of-7 from 3-point range. But he started to heat up late in the third quarter with eight quick points.
In the end, he led all scorers with 23 points and made eight of his 18 shot attempts. He was just 3-of-10 from 3-point territory, and after going 1-of-5 from that distance in his last game, one has to wonder if he might be a streaky outside shooter at the next level.
But Carr did a good job of mixing it up with his shot distribution from all three levels. He also chipped in two assists and one rebound, as well as one blocked shot.
The Lakers are now 3-0 in the main summer league. Their next game will take place on Thursday against Caleb Wilson and the Chicago Bulls.
As one of the oldest players in the 2026 NBA Draft, Yaxel Lendeborg is ready to be impactful for the Golden State Warriors. He has an NBA-ready frame coming out of Michigan, and he has the skill set to be a contributor to a team that wants to be competitive.
Aside from his contributions on the court, it seems Lendeborg also knows that he has a responsibility to conduct himself well off the court. That is a sign of good maturity and a potentially long NBA career.
Yaxel Lendeborg knows he will have an important role on and off the court
The Warriors are looking for ways to maximize the Stephen Curry timeline, so getting Yaxel was an easy decision when he was available in the 2026 NBA Draft. He is an NBA-ready prospect both physically and mentally.
With his defensive versatility and ability to impact the game without having to score the ball, he is a player that the Warriors would have loved during their championship runs in the past.
Apart from contributing on the court for the Warriors, it seems Yaxel also has a good head on his shoulders when it comes to off-the-court stuff. He knows the potential impact he can bring as an NBA player.
"Try to slow the game down. I don't really have any like MVP kind of things. I just want to be a role model to the kids, I wanna be somebody that the kids look up to and wanna be like," Lendeborg said in an interview at NBA Summer League.
That is the right mindset to have as an NBA player because he knows the gravity of his role on and off the court. It is a healthy perspective that can go a long way, especially with the position he has with the Warriors, one of the NBA's most popular teams.
Photo by Ray Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images
Golden State Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. shared a cryptic answer over the team’s summer business with a LeBron James-sized elephant in the room.
The Warriors haven’t made any major moves this offseason. Outside their pursuit of LeBron and eventual re-signing of Draymond Green, it’s been a quiet summer in Golden State.
Warriors GM Dunleavy Jr. knows that as well, sharing a vague statement on the state of their roster as they wait for LeBron’s decision.
Warriors are ‘close’ to their final roster, but clearly await LeBron James’ decision
Dunleavy was asked about the team’s free agency plans during the Warriors’ Summer League loss to the Grizzlies (106-85), with the GM sharing a brief and inconclusive response.
“I think we’re getting close to finalizing the roster here, so we’re looking forward to that finish point. We shall see.”
There is no major business to be done for the Warriors if they fail to sign James as a free agent.
The franchise has insisted they won’t trade Jimmy Butler away despite the 36-year-old spending most of the season injured with a torn ACL. That decision alone heavily restricts their ability to tweak their roster.
LeBron’s decision will have a major consequence on Golden State’s offseason, as his joining means they need to reshape their roster according to his needs.
James not joining will be much worse, forcing the Warriors’ front office to overturn a non-Playoff roster and make it competitive after 95% of all offseason business has already concluded.
Warriors had Draymond Green recruit LeBron James
Warriors legend Draymond Green and LeBron are close personal friends, with the pair hanging out last week, where Green confirmed he made his pitch to the 41-year-old all-time NBA leading scorer.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Green himself is a free agent, with his returning salary likely to be impacted by the amount that James signs on for. If LeBron goes elsewhere, Green might wait a little longer before signing to give the franchise room to pivot.
James has an off-court friendship with Green and Stephen Curry while getting to live close to his Los Angeles home with the San Francisco-based Warriors.
The pitch is compelling, but the basketball aspect of it might be the weakest from a roster perspective. We don’t know the details of the pitch, but it had to be convincing for them to still be in the race despite being the weakest roster pursuing James.
LeBron James caught the attention of NBA fans on Tuesday when the four-time league MVP shared a short clip of The Rich Eisen Show, placing 22 laughing emojis on top of it.
In the video, co-host and producer Chris Brockman predicted that James would be a “non-factor” this upcoming season if he decides to join the Miami Heat, who are one of his top landing spots this summer, alongside the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
“If he goes to Miami, enjoy the Play-In Tournament,” Brockman stated. “Bron’s gonna be a non-factor this season. I think everyone needs to like, ready themselves.”
James, 41, is coming off yet another productive campaign, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals on 51.5 percent shooting from the field in 60 regular-season appearances for the Los Angeles Lakers, despite playing as the third option behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Jan 10, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James’ supporters come to his defense after absurd prediction
Chris Brockman’s “non-factor” prediction about LeBron James certainly stirred up social media, as James’ fans vehemently disagreed with the ESPN analyst’s take.
“Honestly, how does a moron like this guy have a job in sports? This moron is a senior producer on a national show? Shows talent doesn’t matter at all,” another fan commented.
“LeBron might just go to Miami to prove that crackhead wrong,” said another fan.
“Miami blows outside of the Greek Freak and Bam. That being said, LBJ will be a factor wherever he goes. That’s just some Kendrick Perkins stupid s–t,” chimed in another fan.
If James ultimately goes back to Miami, his role would be different from what it was during his Big 3 days with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. However, it seems that he won’t mind, especially if it gives him the best chance of winning his fifth Larry O’Brien trophy.
The LeBron James free agency saga continues, and it is anyone's guess which team he will sign with in free agency or even when he will officially make a decision.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves are considered the biggest contenders for James' services. A strong argument could be made that James' best chance of winning his fifth NBA championship would come with the 76ers.
The 76ers recently traded for five-time All-Star wing Jaylen Brown, and they should be legitimate contenders even without James. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, Philly's three main stars, have all talked to James.
"As LeBron James' free agency decision extends into its second week, the Philadelphia 76ers have kept up their pursuit of the four-time NBA champion through three of their players, league sources told ESPN.
"Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown have all been in communication with James, sources told ESPN on Tuesday, with Maxey leading the charge."
All three stars have some sort of connection with the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
"The 25-year-old Maxey, a fellow Klutch Sports client who also has trained with James in the offseason for the past several years, has referred to the 41-year-old star as a "big brother" in the past.
"Embiid, the 2022-23 league MVP, teamed with James to win a gold medal for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
"And Brown, whom James had playoff battles with in the past when he was on the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brown was with the Boston Celtics, received an MVP endorsement from James in February."
The Sixers went 45-37, which was the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference, this past season and headed to the playoffs, where they upset the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs before getting swept by the Knicks in the second round. As a whole, the East will be stronger with Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Miami Heat and the pending trade that would send Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors.
James, who will turn 42 years of age in late December, averaged 20.9 points on 51.5% field-goal shooting, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists a game last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He spent eight years with the Lakers and led them to their most recent NBA title in 2020.
He notified them on June 30 that he would not be re-signing with them in free agency. They have remodeled their roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves by adding notable players such as center Walker Kessler, guards Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton and big men Sandro Mamukelashvili and Kevon Looney.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The NBA has been investigating Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers for 10 months, and their failure to share a verdict is impacting multiple teams’ offseasons.
Leonard is expected to start next season as a member of the Toronto Raptors after the franchise agreed to a trade to acquire him.
However, the Raptors are holding off on completing the trade until the NBA’s investigation into the Leonard ‘Aspiration’ scandal is complete.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has finally shared a comprehensive update.
Adam Silver wants the investigation to wrap up ASAP
Silver held a press conference at the NBA Board of Governors meeting where he revealed that the NBA is hoping to wrap its Leonard investigation up in the coming months.
“We all have an interest in wrapping this up. I’m hopeful that it will wrap up this summer, so that will continue to be the goal here. I just want to clarify, the league did not pause the trade. The parties to the trade decided not to go forward because the investigation remained open.
“Any possible impact on Kawhi or his contract wasn’t known. They chose not to live with that uncertainty, but that was well-known before the trade was proposed”
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
“I don’t think there was any reason for anyone to believe that Kawhi’s status would change just because he got traded.”
Both the Clippers and Raptors will be in a holding pattern this offseason until the NBA decides how it wants to punish the Clippers and Leonard.
The Clippers could be forced to void Leonard’s contract and release him into free agency, guaranteeing they receive no return for their All-NBA forward.
If the Raptors complete the trade and such a penalty was handed out, it would mean they traded away Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and draft picks for nothing.
Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in a career-high scoring season last year, so wherever he ends up will be looked at as one of the contenders for the title next season.
LeBron James' next team has been one of the biggest stories of the offseason so far. At 41, he remains one of the most sought-after players in the league. It is proof that his longevity is the best the NBA has ever seen.
Plenty of teams are interested in getting him, but it seems like a third Cleveland Cavaliers stint is waiting. This has led to people within the Cavs organization getting excited for another LeBron homecoming.
Austin Carr knows LeBron James can be impactful for the Cavs again
The Cavaliers had a shaky 2025-26 season, which was doubly disappointing because they were hailed as preseason favorites alongside the New York Knicks.
Considering the Knicks won the championship, it was yet another disappointing run for the Cavs, who were left in the dust. After trading for James Harden in the middle of the season, expectations got bigger, but they were embarrassed in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Knicks.
Now that there is a potential return brewing for the Cavs with LeBron, the hype is second to none. It is not assured just yet, but franchise icons like Austin Carr have already analyzed what Bron can do in his third stint with the team.
Cavs fans must know that this is not the same LeBron who stood out from 2003 to 2010, nor the 2014 to 2018 version. He is an older LeBron, so expectations should be tempered. The pressure will still be on Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and the rest of the team.
Of course, as long as James has not signed with the team, the Cavaliers and their fans should not get ahead of themselves. However, it is looking more and more likely that LeBron is coming home after eight years away.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ trade for LaMelo Ball turned them into championship contenders in some fans and analysts’ eyes. Others believe the star point guard will bring out the best in Anthony Edwards, helping him win the NBA‘s highest individual award. One of them is Kendrick Perkins.
He shared his thoughts on how the new teammates will play off each other. Perkins added that Edwards is his favorite to win the MVP award next season.
“LaMelo Ball is gonna impact Anthony Edwards in such a positive way that I got Anthony Edwards as my frontrunner going into this season as the MVP,” Perkins said.
Fans dropped their reactions in the comments section.
“Theirs not gonna be a guard better then ant, ant has a higher ceiling then shai, better two way ability then luka. With melo on the team ant can focus on scoring+defense. plus wont be double as much,” a fan wrote.
“mark this. One of them will not end the season on this team,” one comment read.
“True , Lamelo made Knueppel look great imagine ANT,” a user said.
“Kendrick, its deep summer, go for a swim,” one reaction read.
“So Melo coming in helping him to increase his scoring average would make Anthony ‘Most Valuable?'” another fan commented.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards against the Denver Nuggets during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Anthony Edwards in 2025-26
Edwards appeared in 61 regular-season games last season. He averaged a career-high 28.8 points, along with 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals. The 24-year-old earned his fourth All-Star nod and led the Timberwolves to the second round of the playoffs. However, they lost 4-2 to the San Antonio Spurs.
Ball’s addition gives Minnesota a dynamic point guard who can setup Edwards for easy baskets. If they can prove that they coexist, the possibilities are endless for the Timberwolves next season.
“The sky is the limit,” Ball said. “I’m just going to show up and try to learn and do the best I can.”
Ball will be paired alongside franchise superstar Anthony Edwards.
“I’ve known Ant for a minute,” Ball said. “We’ve been talking, and everybody is excited. We’re ready to get to work.”
Ball made more than $35 million a year in each of the last two years after signing a contract extension in 2023. He remains under contract, making more than $40 million, for each of the next three years. Minnesota paid a hefty price to acquire the guard.
“I feel like we could do a lot,” Ball said. “It means a lot when someone values you.”
The Hornets traded Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030), and three second-round picks.
“It gives us a point guard and gives us great size in the West,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said. “You need to have a big backcourt and we learned that through the playoffs.”
Finch also believes that Ball will have the ability to help elevate the offense.
“He can unlock (Rudy Gobert) to another level at the rim,” Finch said of what Ball can offer the team. “We’ve got to find a way to generate more catch-and-shoot 3-point shots for Anthony (Edwards), who is elite at that and take some of the burden of handling and creating off his hands.”
The Grizzlies beat the Warriors in an NBA Summer League game at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas on July 14, but the path there was anything but straightforward.
Even though many teams have started to rest or completely shut down their top players, the Grizzlies started both Cam Boozer and Cedric Coward. Neither played particularly well, though.
Instead, it was Javon Small and Brendan Hausen who led the Grizzlies to a 106-85 win over the Yaxel Lendeborg-led Warriors.
Here are our takeaways from the game.
Javon Small, Brendan Hausen take over for Grizzlies
There was no doubt that Small and Hausen were the Grizzlies' standouts against the Warriors. Small was effective throughout, scoring 26 points and dishing out seven assists as he controlled the game as the Grizzlies' point guard. He was also 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, and the Warriors had no answers for his offensive game.
“I know I can shoot the ball," Small said on the ESPN broadcast after the game. "I just kept shooting it.”
The Grizzlies looked like they might be headed to a second straight loss in the first half before Hausen popped up and started firing away from 3-point range. He finished 6-of-8 on 3-pointers and scored 20 points in just 19 minutes.
Small was a second-round pick in 2025 and is on a two-way deal with the Grizzlies. He played sparingly during the 2025-26 season but saw his role grow as the Grizzlies dealt with an injury crisis over the back half of the season. Hausen went undrafted in 2026 out of Iowa and is one of many summer league players looking to get a professional opportunity.
Cedric Coward, Cam Boozer struggle even as Grizzlies win
Neither Coward nor Boozer were at their best on the second night of a back-to-back. Coward struggled to get into the flow of the game and shot just 2-for-7 a night after he went 7-for-23.
Boozer had zero points at halftime, but he played hard throughout and had a better second half. He finished with 12 points on 4-for-12 shooting and also had seven rebounds.
Coward was first-team All-Rookie last season and is a critical piece of the Grizzlies' future. Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is the likely centerpiece of that future core. Both have played better games during this summer league, but it remains to be seen how long the Grizzlies will keep them both out there as more and more top players get shut down for the rest of the summer.
Next up
The Grizzlies have a day off before they face the Hawks on July 16 (7 p.m., Prime Video).
The top four teams in the standings after four games advance to the semifinals, and the Grizzlies look like they've at least got a shot to get there. The Hawks are 3-0, so the Grizzlies will move ahead of them if they win that game. Then it'll come down to how the rest of the league fares.
Memphis is still waiting for the summer league debut of Karim Lopez, who has been out with a mild left hamstring strain from the pre-draft process. Walter Clayton Jr. (mild right knee sprain) has also been out for all the games so far. Olivier-Maxence Prosper missed the game against the Warriors with a back injury.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
A former star for UNC basketball and the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Bulls, Wilson has been a stat-stuffing star throughout his time at UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center. The 6-foot-10 forward continued that individual success in Chicago's 99-87 win against former teammate Seth Trimble and the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, July 14. It was the Bulls' first win in Vegas.
Wilson had 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 2-of-6 from 3-point range, scoring 11 points before halftime. He had a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter, adding eight rebounds, two blocks and two assists in a summer-league low 23 minutes.
The rookie also took advantage of NBA’s one free-throw attempt rule for summer league, making his lone free throw after being fouled on a 3-point attempt in the first half. He was 2-of-12 from the stripe in his first two games.
Wilson didn’t get to face No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, who isn't playing anymore summer league games, but Trimble had 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Wizards with former UNC coach Hubert Davis watching from the baseline.
Caleb Wilson stats in NBA Summer League
Through three summer league games, Caleb Wilson is averaging 24.3 points, 7 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals for the Chicago Bulls. Wilson is making 60% of his shots, including 17-of-34 (50%) from 3-point range. He'll need to improve on 4.3 turnovers per game and his production at the free-throw line, where he's 3-of-13 (23%) in Vegas.
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls schedule in NBA Summer League
Caleb Wilson has played in each of the Chicago Bulls’ first three games of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, but it’s unclear if he’ll play every game on the summer schedule. Chicago plays the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, July 16 (6 p.m., Prime Video).
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.
LeBron James’ free agency decision remains a big talking point in NBA circles. He is expected to announce it in the coming days, but his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate, Iman Shumpert, sent him a warning.
The one-time champion cited the pros of joining the Philadelphia 76ers or Miami Heat. However, Shumpert argued that James won’t be happy if he signs with Cleveland.
““If this is about a ring, go to Philly,” Shumpert said. “If this is about selling tickets Miami. If this about ended your career the way it should go, go to Cleveland. Just don’t go to Cleveland trying to be happy about a win because you not going to win there. You’re not going to be happy. This is about legacy, the return tour, this is not about winning don’t you dare go over there think it’s rolling with the winners.
“I don’t know what’s up with them during the playoffs, don’t do it. I’ve been on a team with LeBron when he was frustrated and he felt like he got too much going on. He going to start shipping s**t out of there, man.”
Shumpert and James played together from 2014 to 2018 with the Cavaliers. They made four consecutive finals appearances and won the title in 2016.
Jan 7, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Which team will LeBron James join?
Reports suggest that Cleveland, Philadelphia, Miami and the Golden State Warriors are the finalists for James’ signature. Each franchise offers something unique to the four-time NBA champion, and it goes without saying that he has a big decision to make.
Joining the Cavaliers or the Heat will not be a first for James. He is familiar with both teams, delivering championships for them during his previous stints. The 41-year-old could be the missing piece to the 76ers’ championship quest, while forming a dynamic duo with Stephen Curry is on the table with the Warriors.
James is entering his record 24th season. He is likely taking his time in what could be the biggest professional decision of his legendary career.
While LeBron James and his looming free agency decision are currently the center of attention in mid-July, there’s no question that fans are also curious to see what the future holds for James’ 21-year-old son, Bronny.
The USC product just completed his second season with the Lakers and received a $2.3 million contract guarantee for the 2026-27 campaign. However, there’s a chance he could be involved in a trade to whichever team his father lands with this summer.
On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Dan Woike detailed what could be in store for Bronny as trade rumors continue to swirl.
“LeBron James will not be back with the Los Angeles Lakers next season, the one guarantee we know about, wherever he decides to play next season,” Woike wrote. “But Bronny James? He’s still with the Lakers, and he isn’t necessarily going anywhere.”
“While LeBron and Bronny playing together as teammates was one of the more incredible storylines following the 2024 NBA Draft, assumptions that the father and son staying linked going forward are false, according to league sources who were granted anonymity to discuss front-office strategies.”
“LeBron’s departure from the Lakers after eight seasons isn’t viewed as anything related to Bronny’s standing with the team. While anything can happen, the younger James, 21, is well-liked in the Lakers locker room and a respected worker who has improved greatly in his two years with the organization.”
“He attended the Lakers’ Las Vegas Summer League win Saturday night and is a part of their veteran minicamp that began Monday.”
Based on Woike’s intel, it appears that it isn’t a given that Bronny will find himself on the move anytime soon.
While it’s reasonable to assume the former second-round pick would enjoy spending alongside his father for at least one more season, the Lakers’ commitment to going all-in on his development could lead to him remaining in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future.
Regardless of where Bronny ends up, though, he’ll have to show significant progress to ensure he’s on an upward trajectory in Year 3.
The ex-McDonald’s All-American’s perimeter shooter still leaves much to be desired through 69 games (34.8%), and his on-ball playmaking comfort level is still relatively low. Needless to say, James has a pivotal campaign ahead; it’s just a matter of where he’ll spend it.
Memphis Grizzlies first-round pick Karim López has yet to appear in the NBA Summer League and was not in the July 14 game against the Golden State Warriors.
López, however, will make his debut before the league ends July 19 in Las Vegas.
"Karim López remains on track to make his debut before the end of Vegas Summer League," a team spokesperson said.
López has been sidelined with a mild left hamstring strain first identified during the predraft process and is still considered day to day. Although he has yet to play, he has traveled and been with the team throughout the NBA Summer League.
López has a chance to make his debut against the Atlanta Hawks on July 16. The 21st overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft is viewed as a potential cornerstone of the franchise, alongside the third overall selection, Cam Boozer.
Reach Commercial Appeal sports intern Said Bravo at snonoal@gannett.com.
The Philadelphia 76ers have already had a busy offseason as they have made a big front office move with the hire of Mike Gansey to replace Daryl Morey as President of Basketball Operations, made a slew of moves in an aggressive free agency period, and pulled off a stunning blockbuster trade by acquiring Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.
However, the Sixers aren't done. They have one roster spot left and it appears they want to keep it for one person: Hall of Famer LeBron James.
Despite being 41-years-old and entering the 24th season of his storied career, James is still a hugely productive player. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in the 2025-26 season, his eighth and final season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
As LeBron James' free agency decision extends into its second week, the Philadelphia 76ers have kept up their pursuit of the four-time NBA champion through three of their players, league sources told ESPN.
Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown have all been in communication with James, sources told ESPN on Tuesday, with Maxey leading the charge.
Maxey and James, specifically, have a close relationship due to them both being represented by Klutch Sports. They workout together in the offseason and have a huge amount of respect for one another. It remains to be seen where The King will be headed next, but it appears the Sixers are certainly on his radar as Philadelphia is a finalist for his services.
What is the key to be able to get Luka and Austin open looks with your screens? Kevon Looney: “For Austin, I can set the screens on the ball and off the ball for him. On the pick-and-roll, I can get the angles for them. They’re both scoring guards. So I can hold my screens. That should relieve them some pressure so they can get a clean look. That’s something that I specialize at. So I’m super excited to do it for those guys. Luka is a pick-and-roll master. He’s probably the best in the league at it with finding angles and manipulating the defense. I want to pick his mind and learn from him and how he wants his screens set. With talking with those guys, I’m excited about that part, too. Every time I go to a new team or play with a new guard, I ask them how he likes to play. That’s always the fun part.”
The Wolves have been in regular contact with Rich Paul, James’s agent and close friend, to try to sell them on the idea of teaming up with Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert to make a run at the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder in the West. “The recruitment is just this team,” Connelly said. “Obviously, he’s an unbelievable player. Whatever decision he makes is going to be the right one. There’s a lot going on. When you’re as great as he is, you should have optionality. When you look at our team, it’s hard not to be excited about what we have.”
The league's all-time leading scorer has been pondering his options since announcing plans to leave the Los Angeles Lakers when NBA free agency opened last month.
James possesses leverage in terms of his timing because his agent, Rich Paul, indicated money won't drive their decision. But the latest reports suggest he is at least narrowing his options and might be on the verge of figuring out where he will play in his record 24th NBA season.
Golden State stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have reportedly been able to contact James during this free agency process, unlike the owners and general managers in pursuit of him. James is scheduled to record a live episode of his "Mind the Game" podcast with Tyrese Haliburton and other special guests as part of two appearances at Fanatics Fest in New York on Thursday, July 16.
Here's a breakdown of the latest potential NBA free agency landing spots for LeBron James based on current reports:
The Cavaliers have emerged as the favorites to land James, allowing him to compete for an NBA championship with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley and author a storybook ending with a third stint near his hometown of Akron, Ohio to close out a historic career.
The prospect of teaming James with Giannis Antetokounmpo is so fascinating to consider that the lack of supporting cast around them (because of the Heat's salary cap situation this season) seems worth the risk.
The Sixers became a serious option for James when they traded for Jaylen Brown. James shares the same agent with Tyrese Maxey and won a gold medal with Joel Embiid at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He also can make more history in Philadelphia. No NBA player has ever won a title with four different teams.
The Warriors were the focus of initial speculation surrounding James' next team, particularly once Green elected to opt out of his contract to give Golden State more flexibility to pursue James. Playing with Curry and Green would give James a compelling closing chapter with two of his former rivals, though it remains to be seen if that's enough for the Warriors to compete with the Spurs and Thunder in the West.
James would be a great fit on the court and in the locker room with the Timberwolves, who could use a versatile power forward to replace Julius Randle and Naz Reid in their lineup and a mature voice to help ensure Minnesota's bet on teaming LaMelo Ball with Anthony Edwards pays off. But the idea of James spending his final NBA season(s) in Minnesota is seen as the least likely of these possible destinations.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will have plenty of vested interest over the next two summers' worth of international hoops. The United States Men's National Basketball Team will have a new cast of faces manning the sidelines and coaching them up.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra will coach Team USA through 2028. That consists of the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Crafting his coaching staff, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault will reportedly be an assistant, per ESPN's Shams Charania. Other Team USA assistants include the Pistons' JB Bickerstaff and Gonzaga's Mark Few.
Per usual, the United States should enter as heavy favorites to win gold at both international tournaments. The country has dominated the basketball scene for decades now. Now, Daigneault gets to add his to his already-stacked resume. He's universally viewed as one of the sharpest minds in the NBA. So not a shocker to see Spoelstra want to add him.
It'll be interesting to see if Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren suit up for Team USA in this go-around. Both are amid their basketball primes. They've also taken the right steps to be part of the team. If so, the Thunder will have plenty of representation at the international stage.
USA Basketball is expected to name Oklahoma City's Mark Daigneault, Detroit's JB Bickerstaff and Gonzaga's Mark Few as assistant coaches for national team coach Erik Spoelstra's staff, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/fLD5EQNlxe
LAS VEGAS -- The Philadelphia 76ers were able to add to their center depth behind big man Joel Embiid in free agency. While the Sixers already had Adem Bona to give Embiid a break, they still needed some legitimate size at the position to anchor the bench unit.
President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey and the front office identified Ariel Hukporti as a guy who can step in and really help in that area. A legitimate 7-feet tall, Hukporti is an unproven player after two seasons with the New York Knicks, but he has averaged 2.1 blocks per 36 minutes in his career and will look to make a name for himself in Philadelphia for coach Nick Nurse and Co.
"I think the biggest thing is he can run," Nurse said in Las Vegas. "He's really big. Like, he's legit center size, and he can really run. I think, again, like you guys hear me say this all the time, and hopefully you won't have too much more--we got to be able to get back and get our defense set up, and I don't think we were able to do that well enough the last two years. I think just another guy that can run, another athlete, we're gonna have to do a good job of figuring how else he fits in, but he's got legit center size and plays pretty hard."
Hukporti has been behind both Mitchell Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns while with the Knicks, but should receive more playing time in Philadelphia. When considering Embiid's injury history as well as Bona not yet sealing that backup big man spot for his own, it offers a chance for Hukporti to step in and give the Sixers some real production and good minutes at that spot.
"I mean, you see him play a little bit here and there," Nurse finished. "He's effective in his limited minutes. Can we grow him? And can he be more effective in extended minutes? Can he battle Bona for that position? Or who's going to start if Joel’s not playing all that stuff? I think that's all in play as of now. Although Bona looked really good last week in his Turkish games, really good. So I think he'll have his hands full battling Bona."
It remains to be seen, but it's obvious that there will be a training camp battle when September rolls around for Nurse, Hukporti, and the Sixers.
Kevin Durant has ranked among the NBA’s most efficient scorers for over a decade. His numbers raise a simple question: do shooting stats matter more than wins?
Kevin Durant's efficiency debate returns after viral post
A recent social media post pointed to a steady part of Durant’s career. He has shot at least 50 percent from the field every season since 2011, rare for a high-volume scorer.
Fans praised the stat as proof of Durant’s scoring skill. His size and shot selection let him score from anywhere without wasting possessions.
One reply challenged that view. The post from an X account stated, "Dudes would rather shoot 60% in a lost rather than 40% in a win," arguing that efficiency alone does not define success.
That response reflects a split in how Durant is judged. Supporters point to his ability to score against any defense while keeping high percentages. Critics focus on results, noting that strong numbers do not always lead to team success.
Durant won two titles and Finals MVP awards with Golden State. His moves between teams and the expectations tied to his talent keep his legacy under review.
The argument centers on whether individual output or team results matter more. Durant’s efficiency stands out in league history, yet fans still weigh it against wins and championships.
Modern analysis has pushed efficiency into the spotlight. Metrics such as true shooting percentage often place Durant near the top, showing how often his possessions end in points.
Critics counter that context shapes those numbers. Roster strength, coaching, and playoff performance affect how production turns into wins. Durant’s time with different teams adds to that comparison.
His career sits between numbers and results. The efficiency is clear, but its value next to championships keeps the debate active.
The clock is ticking for LeBron James to make a decision about which franchise he'll end up playing for in the final days of his remarkable career. Will he head to the Golden State Warriors? Or, will he go back to the Cleveland Cavaliers where he started it all? Other teams that are getting mentioned a bunch include the Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves.
All of these teams have something in common: They each believe that they have the pitch that can lure James to their franchise. But, what if there's a team out there doing the bidding that's totally off the radar?
Now, one "dark horse" team is getting some love as the NBA awaits James' decision.
LeBron James fans think he may be heading to an unexpected team
James is being linked to the Indiana Pacers for an interesting reason. The NBA star is appearing at Fanatics Fest for his Mind the Game podcast, and at the event, Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton will be there and serve as LeBron's special guest co-host filling in for Steve Nash. James will also appear at the CNBC Sport x Boardroom's Game Plan Summit at Fanatics Fest during the festival.
"While there has been no credible reporting linking LeBron to Indiana, Haliburton's involvement has naturally sparked the conversation among fans about where the Pacers could somehow emerge as a surprise destination," Alex Golden of On SI notes, adding that the Pacers could be a "dark horse" team for him.
Golden also says that if Indiana acquires Bronny from the Lakers in exchange for Quenton Jackson, that would make for around $288,000 in added apron space.
"Added to Indiana's existing $2.24 million of breathing room, the Pacers would have roughly $2.52 million below the first apron -- enough to legally sign LeBron to the veteran minimum while remaining roughly $70,000 below the apron," he says.
It would take a lot for this to happen. It's a stretch, to say the least. But, everything is on the table until we hear otherwise.
There is a growing sense around the NBA that LeBron James' free agency decision will be made in the near future. The four-time NBA champion has reportedly narrowed his list to five or six teams, all of which are legitimate contenders.
“As of right now there are no plans for LeBron to engage in any meetings to allow teams to pitch him on the idea of coming to their prospective teams...his agent Rich Paul is doing all the background work. He's talking with teams and then he in return he will relay all the intel and data to LeBron James in which LeBron will make a decision,” NBA insider Chris Haynes said.
The Golden State Warriors have been among the most aggressive teams pursuing James this offseason, with Draymond Green even spending time with him.
“LeBron James and Draymond Green are meeting up as the NBA's all-time leading scorer looks to join a new team for the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Charania reported that James and Green are spending some time here together this week at an undisclosed location during a Tuesday appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show,” Bleacher Report’s Zach Bachar wrote.
While James has not been taking calls from teams, Warriors players have reportedly maintained direct communication with him.
“Not many people in this process can reach LeBron James directly, but the Warriors players can,” ESPN’s Anthony V. Slater said.
Whether players from other organizations have also been in contact with James remains unclear, but the Warriors have demonstrated how committed they are to recruiting him. Landing James remains Golden State's top offseason priority.
Steph Curry and Draymond Green have played significant roles in the Warriors' recruitment efforts by using their personal relationships with James to stay in contact throughout the process. Their involvement has given Golden State a unique recruiting advantage as it continues its pursuit of the four-time NBA champion.
LaMelo Ball was recently traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves after spending the first six years of his career with the Charlotte Hornets. It was a bittersweet move for Minnesota fans who had to say goodbye to Naz Reid, but now have the opportunity to see LaMelo Ball arrive at and depart from the Target Center on a regular basis.
Ball was notorious on the streets of Charlotte. He was sued after allegedly running over someone’s foot in 2024 and had a car accident caught on tape back in February. There are also enough videos showing him recklessly leaving Spectrum Stadium that someone made a compilation:
Ball is so well known for poor decisions behind the wheel that one of the main reactions to the trade was concern for the safety of the people of Minneapolis.
With Ball arriving in Minnesota to work out this summer, video has surfaced of him sitting in the driver seat of a Cybertruck. Some accounts are saying this is a new vehicle, but it looks like one he had back in 2024. It has LF on the side and “1of1” on the trunk and floor mats. The LF stands for “LaFrance,” which is his middle name.
This Cybertruck has always had an exterior that lights up, but he may have had the interior done to add some new lighting features. It’s certainly a choice when you’re considered a sometimes distracted driver.
Did LaMelo Ball bring his go kart?
We don’t know if Ball has found a new permanent residence in Minnesota yet or if he’s still looking. Hopefully he can find a place with a big enough yard that he doesn’t have to drive his gokart around on his roof like he did when he lived in Charlotte.
Ball is coming off a solid season where he played 72 games and helped the Hornets more than double their win total from the previous season. Expectations will be high for him this season, both on the court and in the street.
The Los Angeles Lakers have prioritized strengthening their wing depth by any means necessary lately, and that trend continued on Monday.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers signed Bronny James’ 25-year-old history-making high school teammate (he became the highest-rated in Stanford history in 2020 after completing his senior season at Sierra Canyon alongside James).
“Free agent forward Ziaire Williams has agreed on a one-year, $3 million deal to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers,” Charania wrote Monday.
“Lakers reach a deal with Williams and CAA Co-Head of Basketball Aaron Mintz to address their wing depth -- and LA continues to strongly pursue Jonathan Kuminga as a potential starting forward, sources tell ESPN.”
While Williams is still finding his footing in the big leagues, it isn’t outlandish to state he’s moving in the right direction. The 24-year-old has made encouraging strides as a transition finisher, half-court shot creator, perimeter shooter, and active defender.
Williams averaged 10.2 points and 1.4 steals per game with the Nets last season, shooting 42.5%% from the field and a career-best 34.3% from three (which isn’t great, but it proves he’s on an upward trajectory in that aspect of his game).
The Lancaster, California, native can only improve here, and playing alongside a high-IQ, methodical point guard like Luka Doncic should help take his development to the next level if things go according to plan.
On paper, there were reasons for people to doubt Allen Graves.
The Toronto Raptors' first-round pick wasn't a starter in college, and he played at Santa Clara, not exactly known as a high-major powerhouse.
But underneath the hood, it was clear Graves might be special.
And so far, he has been at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
He's shooting above the famed 50/40/90 splits while averaging more than two steals a game. Pretty much everything Graves does on the floor is positive:
The front office absolutely cooked by taking Allen Graves at 19.
He is literally a cheat code through 3 summer league games: 14.7 PTS, 7.0 REB, and an insane 51/43/100 shooting split. He’s already a +30 when he’s on the floor and playing passing lanes like crazy (2.7 STL). pic.twitter.com/kAXMC1WqbW
Graves also has the potential to have quite the mentor this season.
As long as the Kawhi Leonard trade goes through, Graves will get to watch a former San Diego State star who was drafted in the 'teens and became a superstar.
This isn't to say that Graves will become the level of player that Leonard was and still is.
It's just to say that Graves is showing all the traits that had people excited about him. It's only July, so nothing is a given, but it's a promising start.
Walker Kessler is embarking on a new NBA journey after spending four eventful seasons with the Jazz.
The gifted 7-foot-2 center is joining the Los Angeles Lakers via a sign-and-trade that will earn him $130 million over four years and send two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to the Jazz. On Monday, Kessler sent a clear message to the Lakers after landing with the organization in a blockbuster deal and being recruited by Luka Doncic.
"It makes you feel a certain way when you know an organization believes in you," Kessler told ESPN’s Ben Golliver. "With what (the Lakers) have invested, they're showing that belief, in a monetary value, not just with money, but in (draft) assets. If I know they have that belief in me, I'm going to run through a brick wall for them. That's how I've been wired my whole life.”
Kessler’s sentiment towards Los Angeles makes perfect sense, as the 17-time NBA champions put themselves in a financial bind to add him to the fold this summer (they have zero tradeable first-round picks for the next seven years). The Auburn product virtually has no choice but to put his best foot forward and avoid attending the Deandre Ayton school of mediocrity, considering the Lakers have made a sizable investment in him.
It would also be devastating to witness the former first-round pick let Doncic after he reportedly pushed hard for the Lakers to acquire him this summer.
Kessler was the franchise center Doncic wanted so badly, and from the people I’ve spoken to, I can confirm he pushed hard for this move,” Digginbasketball’s Iztok Franco reported on July 2.
Kessler’s pick-and-roll fluidity, reliable transition scoring, back-to-the-basket patience, and high-caliber rim protection should make him the best center the Lakers have employed since Anthony Davis. The 2020 McDonald’s All-American averaged 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks with the Jazz in 201 games, shooting 68.1% from the field.
It remains to be seen if Kessler will live up to the hype, though.
Culture is the first thing any squad in the association needs to build before embarking on the journey towards the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Dynasties were built on tight-knit, collaborative spaces that were not formed overnight. Trae Young and the rest of the Washington Wizards know this. This is why they are making big strides during the NBA Summer League. It all starts with being there for their rookies like AJ Dybantsa.
Young and Davis are kicking off 'New Wizards Way' at NBA Summer League
Typically, only a handful of veteran stars are present to guide their young guns at the NBA Summer League. Others are more concerned with resting, securing a new contract extension, finding a new home during free agency, or other endeavors away from the team. The Wizards are unlike any other squad in the league. Trae Young and Anthony Davis have made AJ Dybantsa a priority to watch, along with the rest of their young talent, at the NBA Summer League.
This move by the Wizards veterans echoed throughout the organization. In fact, 12 members of the Wizards' main roster traveled to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League. Kyshawn George noted how this was such a momentous milestone for the Wizards as they build a 'New Wizards Way' culture in hopes of inching closer to winning the 2027 NBA Championship, via Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
"We’ve been trying to build a culture for the past two years, since I got drafted at least, and I think it’s showing right now. I mean, there was no way I was missing summer league, and I think by me being here, Alex being here, Bilal being here, it just attracted all the other vets. I think it shows a lot that everybody’s around," George declared.
It's not just the players collaborating on this NBA Summer League effort, too. The whole Wizards organization, even their coaches, have made the voyage to Las Vegas for a minicamp so they could be there for Dybantsa and Co. Who was present? Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Deandre Ayton, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Khris Middleton, Alex Sarr, Tristan Vukcevic, Cam Whitmore, and Justin Champagnie were all present.
Assistant coach JJ Outlaw gushed about how much the Wizards players have put in their personal time and effort for this collective endeavor.
"The biggest thing that we’re doing is we’re creating a chemistry and a cohesion amongst the group. The guys have chosen to be out here. They’re doing this on their own dime, and they’re doing it because they bought into the group, and they want to be a part of what this new ‘Wizards Way’ group is going to look like," the Wizards assistant coach said.
There are obviously many factors that will determine whether Young and Davis can help the Wizards earn their first title since Wes Unseld won Finals MVP. These look like schematics, fatigue management, injury prevention, and getting players to buy into their roles. If the Wizards do manage to build solid foundations for everyone on the court while also knowing their teammates like the back of their hands, the risk of a fall-off due to injuries or external worries will lessen.
For now, the Wizards are doing something that a vast majority of squads in the association are not. This will surely help them reap benefits in the long run. It also helps Davis and Young get to know Dybantsa along with their other young talents. Overall, there isn't really anything negative about this minicamp at the NBA Summer League.
The Boston Celtics have built their teams in a number of ways over the decades, but few if any methods have born more fruit than through the NBA draft. The best players to suit up for the Celtics have, by and large, come to Boston either through being taken directly in the annual event, or via trades made that night.
And it is not just the top stars who have been picked up by the Celtics via the draft. Countless members of the storied ball club's alumni have been taken by the team via that annual event, and some schools are better represented than others. We can see blue blood programs and some very small schools both delivering top talent to Boston's rosters over the years, so we decided to take a look at which players came from which schools overall.
So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Celtics out of Philadelphia University.
Herb Magee - guard
Draft year and position: 7th round (9th pick, 63rd overall), 1963 NBA Draft
Seasons at Philadelphia University: unknown
Seasons played with Celtics: did not make the team
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
Championships are not decided on paper. Squads that end up winning the NBA championship take years to develop their games individually while also developing ample chemistry to make things work on the court. Trae Young knows this fact too well. This is why he is taking a big step to shift their culture alongside AJ Dybantsa, Anthony Davis, and the rest of the Washington Wizards roster.
Young unveils Wizards chemistry plan to win 2027 NBA championship
The Wizards are probably one of the most loaded dark horse contenders that no other NBA teams expect. They have the veteran acumen mixed with youthful athleticism that could very well help them contend for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
What do they lack? Trae Young posits that the Wizards need to have a bit more chemistry if they wish to win the 2027 NBA championship or even become a dynasty in the long term, via Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
"I think this is just a part of the beginning of trying to turn a new chapter. You’ve got to build that chemistry on and off the court. I’ve been on other teams, and we haven’t had this many people in Vegas for summer league at once. It’s just great to see all the older guys here supporting the younger guys. That’s what it’s here for, and that’s what we’ve got to be here to do," the Wizards' star guard declared.
True enough, Young and the Wizards veterans like Anthony Davis have made tangible steps to fulfill this goal. All 12 of their players - Young, Davis, Cam Whitmore, Khris Middleton, Alex Sarr, Tristan Vukcevic, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie. Deandre Ayton, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, and Khris Middleton - are headed to watch AJ Dybantsa in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League.
The Wizards all practice together before Dybantsa goes to the tournament games. This way, Young and Davis can support the growth of their young talents while staying hands-on. This is not a sight commonly seen in the NBA.
If the Wizards are able to continually build on this culture à la the Gregg Popovich San Antonio Spurs, they could very well end up winning the NBA championship and laying the foundation for a dynasty.
LeBron James remains unsigned two weeks into the 2026 NBA free agency. Nobody knows what “King James” will do, but the reporting on Jul. 13 suggests he’s close to making a decision. Denver seems to be out of the race, but five teams, including Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, Golden State and Minnesota, are still in the running.
Meanwhile, the steam around the Warriors potentially signing James has also picked up, with Draymond Green’s “crazy” pitch reportedly making a difference.
Here’s a look at all the reports surrounding James’ free agency as of Jul. 13:
Anthony Slater: Warriors aware of their advantage in LeBron James pursuit
NBA and Warriors insider Anthony Slater reported that the Warriors are aware of their advantage in pursuing LeBron James. Slater said on SportsCenter that Golden State hasn’t been optimistic about its chances since the start of free agency. The Warriors’ brass believes that James will likely choose Cleveland.
However, Golden State knows it has the upper hand as most of its players can reach James.
“They also have an advantage and they know it,” Slater said. “Draymond Green is pitching LeBron James on vacation and I was in Tahoe the other day and Steph Curry said he’s been in contact with him. Not many people in this process can reach LeBron James directly, but the Warriors players can.”
Slater said Curry’s pitch on the historic element in the duo teaming up was one of the most interesting parts in this process.
Shams Charania: LeBron James is getting closer to his decision, has five options
ESPN’s Shams Charania, who was the first to report LeBron James’ departure from the Los Angeles Lakers on Jun. 30, said that the 41-year-old is inching closer to his decision with each day passing. Charania mentioned the Warriors, Cavaliers, Heat, 76ers and Timberwolves as his five remaining options, eliminating the Nuggets.
Charania reiterated that James wants to compete for a championship and his decision won’t be driven by money, giving many underdogs the chance to have a run at him.
What happens to Bronny James? Alex Schiffer reports that the team that adds LeBron James will look to trade for his son
The biggest question once James confirmed his departure from Los Angeles was his son Bronny’s future with the franchise. According to Front Office Sport’s Alex Schiffer, James’ suitors have discussed acquiring Bronny if they land his 41-year-old father.
“Multiple front office sources from teams in the mix for James said they have discussed acquiring Bronny should his father pick their team,” Schiffer wrote. “‘We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t discuss it,’ one Western Conference executive told FOS. “
Bronny is under contract for two more years with a team option in the 2027-28 season. The Lakers guaranteed his $2.3 million salary for this season last week.
Alex Schiffer: LeBron James to decide between Cavaliers and Warriors
While Shams Charania said that five teams have a shot at landing James, Schiffer reported that the Cavaliers and Warriors could be the two teams he ends up with. Schiffer claimed his conversations with front-office executives suggested the same.
“While another league source expects James to sign with the Cavaliers, the consensus among executives polled by FOS is that James will likely pick between the Warriors and Cavaliers,” Shiffer wrote. “‘I would be stunned if he picked a team that wasn’t Golden State or Cleveland,’ a Western Conference executive said.”
A return to Cleveland would be a fitting storybook ending, while a surprising move to Golden State will give him the chance to play alongside his greatest rival and choose a tougher path to the finals or championship.
Chris Haynes: Rich Paul has given all the information to LeBron James, who now has to pick a team
Amazon Prime NBA insider Chris Haynes closed the day with the biggest development in James’ free agency. Haynes claimed that James’ agent, Rich Paul, told him that the four-time MVP has all the information he needs to make a decision.
“I’ve talked to LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul and he said [LeBron] has all the information needed. So now it’s all up to LeBron James to make a decision,” he said on Prime during Monday’s Summer League action.
James now has to evaluate his best fits, role and ability to contend for a championship when choosing his next landing spot. For now, it seems extremely unclear, but it won’t be surprising if he makes a decision sooner rather than later.
LAS VEGAS -- Brooklyn Nets guard Drake Powell is heading into his second NBA season and after an uneven rookie season, he is looking to show how much he has improved since the 2025-26 campaign. Brooklyn has already seen Powell be an impactful defender, but the team is hoping that he can come along as an offensive threat, something that Powell is trying to prove amidst shooting struggles.
"I've been working a lot with my coaches on my shot. Obviously, they're not going in right now. I'm gonna continue to put them up and just have full confidence that they're gonna go in," Powell said to the media following Monday's practice in Las Vegas, as posted on X by Erik Slater of ClutchPoints. The Nets play their next game on Tuesday against Darius Acuff Jr. and the Sacramento Kings and Powell is hoping that his shots start falling.
"Some nights are obviously hard when I'm by myself in a hotel room, but just constant conversations with my circle, just continue to trust them and then my coaches as well," Powell continued. As of this writing, Powell has played four games between the California Classic and the Las Vegas Summer League and he is averaging just 2.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting just 1-of-28 from the field (3.6%) and 0-for-14 from behind the three-point line.
"Just that we have full confidence in him taking the right shots. I think Drake did take the right shots. He had a great drive, but the ball just didn't go in," Nets summer league coach Dutch Gaitley last week when asked about Powell's shooting struggles. "Defensively, he's been outstanding. He's done everything. It's not easy for a young player to struggle offensively and still give great effort defensively, and he's done that."
To say that Powell has been tough to watch on the offensive end of the floor during the summer circuit is an understatement, but he seems to be in a good headspace to deal with his current struggles. Gaitley and the rest of the coaching staff continue to have confidence in him bouncing back in that area so the hope is that Powell can have a good shooting game before summer league is over.
Drake Powell on his shooting slump:
“I've been working with my coaches on my shot. They're not going in right now. But I'm going to continue to put them up and have full confidence that they'll go in... Some nights are obviously hard when I'm by myself in the hotel room. But… pic.twitter.com/BEU5qUJMEf
The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the NBA's busiest teams this offseason as they continue building around superstar Luka Doncic. With LeBron James departing in free agency, the Lakers are ushering in a new era in Los Angeles.
“There is mutual free agent interest between Jonathan Kuminga and the Lakers, per Jovan Buha. Los Angeles continues to work behind the scenes to secure Kuminga’s commitment as their new wing addition,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
However, things took an interesting turn Monday when the Lakers signed young wing Ziaire Williams, who played high school basketball with Bronny James. Williams agreed to a one-year deal with Los Angeles.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to sign Ziaire Williams to a one-year, $3 million contract, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Monday. Williams, 24, will join an overhauled frontcourt that lost forwards LeBron James and Rui Hachimura in free agency. The 6-foot-9 forward, who averaged 10.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 56 games for the Brooklyn Nets last season, will give Lakers coach JJ Redick added length and versatility off the bench,” ESPN’s Ben Golliver wrote.
The signing raised questions about Kuminga's path to Los Angeles. However, Bleacher Report's Andrew Peters believes the Lakers could still make room for him by trading Bronny James.
“Since all of the roster spots are now filled, the Lakers would need to shed a player or two to make room for Kuminga, who reportedly is eyeing a deal worth $25 million per year. Of course, with LeBron James no longer on the squad, parting ways with Bronny James could also be an option, though it's worth noting that his $2.3 million salary is already guaranteed for the upcoming season,” Peters wrote.
With LeBron James no longer on the roster, the Lakers no longer have the same organizational connection that previously existed. A trade could also give Bronny James an opportunity to join a team where he has a clearer path to earning a consistent role.
Last season, Kuminga was on a $46 million deal. The Lakers like the idea of pairing Kuminga with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Acquiring him would likely require a larger package than simply moving Bronny James, but such a deal could be a starting point if Los Angeles remains determined to land the talented forward.
The WNBA is back with a new collective bargaining agreement and million dollar players.
The Las Vegas Aces will be looking to run it back as defending champs with the reigning MVP, A'ja Wilson, leading the way. Lots of other contenders hope to have something to say about that including the Atlanta Dream, New York Liberty and Indiana Fever. The Fever, who were without floor leader Caitlin Clark for much of last season, are fully healthy. The Liberty, who were also bitten by the injury bug last season, already have Sabrina Ionesco on the sidelines after she rolled her ankle in a preseason game against the Connecticut Sun.
The Atlanta Dream also made the trade of the offseason, getting Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky to add to a roster which won 30 games last season.
Here is the full WNBA schedule for July 14 and how to watch all the games. Or see our sortable basketball schedule to filter by team or conference.
USA TODAY Studio IX : Check out our women's sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more all season
WNBA schedule today
All times Eastern and accurate as of Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 6:09 a.m.
LeBron James’ 2026 free agency might be heading to an end with the pitching process by interested teams finally being completed.
The Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Heat, 76ers, and Warriors seem to be the finalists in the 2026 LeBron free agency race.
Each team has had its opportunity to pitch to James and his agent, Rich Paul, with only one thing remaining: for LeBron to make up his mind.
LeBron James and his camp have heard everyone’s pitches
ESPN’s Shams Charania has revealed that the pitching process for LeBron is over, as all teams have submitted their pitches to James’ camp for the final decision from the 41-year-old.
“The voice notes have all been listened to, the rosters are set, the decks are all laid out… We’ll see when he’s ready to make his decision.”
James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists last season and is expected to join a contending squad for a chance at a title in his 24th season.
He can still lead a team to Playoff wins, as he proved in the 2026 Playoffs, but his decision will impact the rest of free agency for the multiple interested contenders stuck in a holding pattern until James is off the market.
LeBron James live podcast this week boosts rumors of a potential announcement
From a TV announcement in 2010, to a press release in 2014, and an online statement in 2018, LeBron is no stranger to announcing he’s switching teams.
It’s only natural that James used his ‘Mind The Game’ podcast to make his announcement so people can hear about it directly from him, instead of through a Charania tweet.
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
James will host a live podcast at the Fanatics Fest, scheduled for July 16th and 17th, with special co-host Tyrese Haliburton. This podcast led insider Scoop B Robinson to share that this might be the perfect place for LeBron to share his decision with the public.
It would be a great place for an announcement, but it’d be odd for him to announce this news at a New York-based event if he wasn’t going to join the Knicks this summer.
We might get LeBron clarifying at the start of the show that he hasn’t made a decision yet and expects people to respect that, or he might make his announcement before the show to discuss it with everyone.
OKC doesn't have a strong point-of-attack defender to place on KJ Simpson, a third-year guard who's averaging 18 points and 6.5 assists during Las Vegas Summer League play. It'll also have its hands full when defending Bryce Hopkins, a physical forward who's averaging 20 points and 5.5 rebounds. I'm picking Denver to beat OKC, which has gone a combined 0-5 in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer League play.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
OKC doesn't have a strong point-of-attack defender to place on KJ Simpson, a third-year guard who's averaging 18 points and 6.5 assists during Las Vegas Summer League play. It'll also have its hands full when defending Bryce Hopkins, a physical forward who's averaging 20 points and 5.5 rebounds. I'm picking Denver to beat OKC, which has gone a combined 0-5 in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer League play.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
From unexpected win streaks and losing skids to shocking player performances, no prediction is safe — except maybe that Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson will win a record fifth MVP and Minnesota Lynx point guard Olivia Miles will win Rookie of the Year.
The Lynx and Aces lead the WNBA standings with respective 18-6 and 17-7 records, but which team tops our power rankings? And, what trend or player has been the biggest surprise from each franchise at the halfway point of the year?
We break it all down in this week's USA TODAY Sports' WNBA power rankings, released every Tuesday this season:
What is the biggest surprise at the midway point? Overall success
The Valkyries lead the league in made 3-pointers game (10.6) and have the second-best defensive rating behind the Lynx (100.4). While those facts shouldn't come as a shock with head coach Natalie Nakase at the helm, this expansion team's sustained success is no less impressive. Golden State, which made a playoff run in its inaugural season, is a game back of the top spot in the league's standings.
Golden State forced a season-best 20 turnovers in Wednesday's 83-75 win over the Toronto Tempo. The Valkyries then bested that mark against the Connecticut Sun by forcing 22 turnovers in a 79-64 win on Friday.
2. Minnesota Lynx (18-6)
Previous rank: 1 (⬇1)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? Record without Napheesa Collier
When it was announced that five-time All-Star forward Napheesa Collier would be out with an ankle injury to start the season, expectations took a nosedive. Minnesota's stock dropped even more with free agency departures. Despite all that, the Lynx sit alone atop the WNBA standings.
After consecutive wins over the Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury, it's clear that the Lynx's resilience shouldn't be questioned. Rookie All-Star starter Olivia Miles came back from a two-game absence (calf) with 23 points against the Liberty and 33 versus the Mercury.
And the scariest part? Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said Collier is "really close" to a return.
3. Las Vegas Aces (17-7)
Previous rank: 3 (⬌)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? G Justine Pissott
Whether you were surprised the Aces waived early 2026 Sixth Player of the Year favorite Chennedy Carter, it’s safe to say her replacement came in and exceeded expectations. Justine Pissott, a 6-foot-4 guard who was signed to Carter's roster spot, made five 3-pointers in her debut — a WNBA record. She was stunningly efficient with 17 points in 10 minutes on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor.
After coming over in free agency from the Minnesota Lynx, Jessica Shepard has excelled in a season where most expected teammate Alanna Smith to breakout. A first-time All-Star this season, Shepard scored in 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field with 10 rebounds and five assists during Sunday's 96-91 win over the Sky. It was her fourth consecutive double-double, which is her second-longest such streak this season alone. Shepard has double-doubles in 15 of 24 games in 2026 after averaging 6.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in five seasons with the Lynx.
5. Indiana Fever (14-9)
Previous rank: 6 (⬆1)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point?Offensive distinction
Even with star guard Caitlin Clark on a minutes restriction due to a lingering back injury, Indiana is clicking offensively as it leads the league with a whopping 94 points per game. That offensive potency was on full display as they dominated the Aces in a 109-75 blowout victory on Sunday for their fourth win in the last five games.
6. Atlanta Dream (14-10)
Previous rank: 7 (⬆1)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? Losing skidAfter starting the season 12-4, who would have anticipated the Angel Reese and Dream losing six of eight? Certainly not us. After a five-game skid that included losses to Valkyries, Mystics and Storm, the Dream have fallen in the league’s standings and our rankings. They did manage a victory over the Sparks on Monday night, perhaps the sign of turnaround.
7. New York Liberty (13-11)
Previous rank: 4 (⬇3)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? Lack of consistency
Since beating the Aces in the Commissioner’s Cup championship on Jun. 23, New York has won one game. The losses have shown an unexpected level of inconsistency despite having one of the league’s deepest rosters. Although there have been injuries to key players like Sabrina Ionescu, that’s where the star-studded bench – which feature Satou Sabally – should be picking up the slack.
8. Washington Mystics (11-10)
Previous rank: 8 (⬌)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? C Lauren Betts
When center Lauren Betts entered the league as the No. 4 overall pick on the heels of winning a national championship with UCLA, it seemed she'd be an impactful paint presence for a young team oozing potential. Her 6.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in 16.2 minutes per game haven't lived up to expectations but represent an adjustment to the pros. That said, Shakira Austin’s recent play for the Mystics is a bright spot as she's averaging 14 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game — all career highs.
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? GM Raegan Pebley being fired
The Sparks started this season with turnaround expectations, a charge All-Star Kelsey Plum was supposed to lead. But she has been out with a leg injury since Jun. 21. Sitting at ninth in the league standings, the Sparks would miss the playoffs for the sixth straight season if they started today. Thus, the team made a shocking move and fired general manager Raegan Pebley.
The Sparks have dropped six of their last nine games, including Monday's loss to the Atlanta Dream. Not the expected result after trading Rickea Jackson to the Sky for Ariel Atkins and signing Nneka Ogwumike back from the Seattle Storm in free agency.
10. Toronto Tempo (10-13)
Previous rank: 9 (⬇1)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? G Marina Mabrey
Veteran guard Marina Mabrey, whose previous career-high was 14.9 points per game, is averaging 21.6 points, 3.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals over 29.2 minutes during her first season with the Tempo. She’s doing that while making 40.4% of her 3-point attempts.
In powering the expansion team to its 10th win, Mabrey scored 20 of her game-high 30 points against the Liberty on Sunday in the second half. It was her fifth game with at least 30 points this season.
11. Portland Fire (10-13)
Previous rank: 12 (⬆1)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? G Carla Leite
After averaging 7.2 points per game off the bench last season for the Valkyries, Carla Leite is a top-20 scorer in the league this year. Although she struggled from the field Saturday's 102-92 win over Atlanta (2-of-7 shooting from the floor), she logged 10 assists and three rebounds.
She’s averaging 15.1 points, 5.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 25.2 per game this season.
12. Phoenix Mercury (8-17)
Previous rank: 10 (⬇2)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? Finals falloff
Phoenix doesn’t look like a team that made it to the WNBA Finals last season, even though it retained most of the players on that roster. Their 106-58 loss to the host Las Vegas Aces on Saturday offered plenty of whiplash considering the Mercury handed their Finals' opponent a 99-66 loss in their season opener. To add insult to injury, the Mercury have no All-Star representatives for the first time since 2002.
13. Chicago Sky (7-16)
Previous rank: 13 (⬌)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? Everything.
This is shaping up to be the Sky’s worst season in three years -- which speaks volumes considering the team went 10-34 in 2025, its first year under head coach Tyler Marsh. From Rickea Jackson’s season-ending injury to Sydney Taylor breaking out as the only true bright spot, it’s likely no one saw this coming. Even seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins has been open about her disappointment, admitting everything from the facilities and resources to the coaching decisions has been different from what she expected when she signed a two-year deal in free agency.
14. Seattle Storm (6-19)
Previous rank: 15 (⬆1)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? Overall record
Similarly, the Storm wasn’t supposed to struggle this much. While they’re a much younger team than the Sky, there was hope first-year head coach Sonia Roman and 2026 No. 3 overall pick Awa Fam could inject some excitement and give the franchise a fresh start. Fam is averaging 5.3 points per game across her last three outings, well below her season average of 11.3 points a game.
15. Connecticut Sun (5-18)
Previous rank: 14 (⬇1)
What is the biggest surprise at midway point? Injury woes
A few injuries are normal for any team, but Connecticut has been bitten by the injury bug so frequently that they have had to rotate through nine different players in their starting lineup. Diamond Miller has been the only player to start all 23 games, averaging 8.6 points and 2.4 rebounds. Saniya Rivers, Brittney Griner, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aneesah Morrow have all missed games with injuries. As a result the Sun have had trouble getting on track.
Magic Johnson is arguably the greatest Los Angeles Laker of all time, but his biggest regret with the franchise came with his time as an executive in 2019.
Johnson spent 13 seasons as a player with the Lakers and has been an ambassador for the franchise his entire adult life.
He was also the team’s President of Basketball Operations, a position that allowed him to bring LeBron James to the franchise; however, it was a tenure that also led to his biggest regret.
Magic Johnson’s biggest regret with the Lakers was not having one very important conversation with LeBron
Johnson appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s ‘Club Shay Shay’ podcast and revealed that he greatly regrets not telling LeBron he was leaving before his unexpected April 2019 departure from the franchise.
“I regret not calling LeBron, telling him I was stepping down. I really regretted that. I owed him that.”
“I had to. I thought I had the power to do what I wanted to do. I wanted to fire Luke Walton. I knew he wasn’t the right guy. They wanted to keep him… I didn’t want to fracture the great relationship I had with Jeanie Buss. Instead of sitting there and not saying what’s on my mind, I said, ‘ Let me just exit, it was gonna be best for everybody.'”
“I’m glad I did it. I just regret not calling him.”
Johnson recruited LeBron in 2018 to the Lakers, so his stepping down before James’ first year was even complete was a clear deviation from the plan.
Magic’s power had been supplanted by Rob Pelinka, who ultimately inherited Magic’s position in the wake of his departure.
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
While Pelinka did deliver the squad LeBron wanted for the 2019-20 NBA Championship run, a fractured relationship between Pelinka and LeBron after the failed Russell Westbrook trade in 2021 likely motivated LeBron to find a new home for his 24th NBA season.
How the Lakers could’ve done under Magic’s guidance will be a huge what-if for the rest of time.
Maybe the Lakers win more titles, maybe they win none, and maybe LeBron remains with the franchise until his retirement. Unfortunately, we’ll never know.
All we know is that Magic’s short-lived executive career features one of the biggest free agency scalps in history, even though he didn’t get to lead the franchise during the tenure of that prized player.
Los Angeles Lakers have signed a forward who has an interesting history with franchise superstar Luka Doncic.
The Lakers will add a former lottery pick in Ziaire Williams to their roster for the 2026-27 season after signing the forward to a minimum contract.
Williams averaged 10.2 points and 1.4 steals in a career year with the Brooklyn Nets last season and now joins the Doncic-led team despite being an unexpected rival of the Slovenian guard.
Williams tried to fight with Luka Doncic during a Lakers game last season
In March 2026, the Nets and Lakers faced off at the Crypto.com Arena, where Williams was among the defenders tasked with stopping Doncic.
During a heated encounter with trash-talk on both ends, Williams seemingly overreacted to a slight Doncic shove by smacking the Lakers star in the throat.
The incident led to double technical fouls being issued to both Doncic and Williams. The game was a one-point affair at the time of the clash, but this incident fueled Doncic massively.
Luka ended the game with 41 points and eight rebounds on 15-25 shooting, marking his 15th 40-point game of the last season.
The technical he received should’ve led to a one-game suspension, but the Lakers had one of Luka’s previous techs overturned via appeal to ensure the incident with Williams didn’t sideline him.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Williams had a standout game with 16 points and three steals as a starter. Maybe this performance served as the perfect scouting opportunity for the Lakers.
Williams showed he can be an impactful scorer while playing aggressive defense and challenging a personality like Doncic. He’ll be a locker room weapon and likely will keep Doncic on his toes.
The Lakers needed to find bargain wing signings, and Williams might be the perfect play for value on a minimum contract with the potential to considerably outperform his salary.
The entire NBA is waiting on LeBron James' free agency decision. James spent the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
After the Lakers were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals, James' future became one of the biggest storylines of the offseason. When free agency opened, James informed the Lakers that he would not return.
“For the first time since 2018, LeBron James is available in free agency. James informed the Los Angeles Lakers last month that he intends to play his 24th NBA season elsewhere, ending his eight-year run with the franchise. The 41-year-old is now an unrestricted free agent, coming off a season in which he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds on 51.5% shooting. In other words: James can still help a team, which is exactly what he intends to do,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Bobby Marks wrote.
James has approached this free agency differently than at any other point in his career. The four-time NBA champion has not taken a single phone call from a team.
“As of right now there are no plans for LeBron to engage in any meetings to allow teams to pitch him on the idea of coming to their prospective teams...his agent Rich Paul is doing all the background work. He's talking with teams and then he in return he will relay all the intel and data to LeBron James in which LeBron will make a decision,” NBA insider Chris Haynes said.
“It’s decision time for LeBron James… The Leading suitors have been CLE, MIA, GSW, PHI, and MIN…. LeBron James has made it clear privately that he wants to go somewhere he can compete for a championship. Somewhere he feels he finds that happiness from a team environment and culture that he can uplift,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.
There is no indication which team has the upper hand. Regardless of where James signs, his decision will reshape the championship picture across the NBA. Among the reported finalists, the Warriors have been viewed as one of the most aggressive teams in their pursuit of the four-time NBA champion.
James played last season on a two-year, $101 million contract with the Lakers, but he is expected to sign for significantly less in free agency. With the process nearing its end, the Warriors, Heat, Cavaliers, 76ers and Timberwolves are reportedly battling until the very end for one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Getting used to LeBron James' departure will be quite an adjustment for the Los Angeles Lakers this coming season. Even at age 41, he does so many things at a high level that it will take an all-hands-on-deck effort to replace his skill sets.
Perhaps the attributes of James that will be the hardest to replace are his leadership and basketball IQ. Austin Reaves, who just signed a four-year, $180 million contract to remain with the Lakers, will be called upon more than ever before to step up as a leader both on and off the court.
He talked about how different things will be for him without James by his side, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
"I don't know if I've honestly processed it yet," Reaves said of James' decision to leave Los Angeles after eight years with the franchise. "Starting the season without him being on the team is going to be different for me. He's kind of all I've ever known. Just him being around, joking around, acting like he's 15. But that's his decision and … I got nothing but love and respect for him."
Reaves averaged a career-high 23.3 points, as well as 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game this past season. He has increased his scoring average every year since his second season in the NBA, and another bump in that statistic could be coming now that there will be more shots to go around without James.
A few of the Lakers' new additions -- particularly guards Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton and big man Sandro Mamukelashvili -- will also need to pitch in to replace the 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game James averaged last season.
"The pieces that are coming in, I'm very excited about and I'm happy to get started today and see where it goes," Reaves said.
Reaves, 28, is entering the prime of his career and could've made the All-Star game several months ago had it not been for a gastrocnemius strain that sidelined him for several weeks at midseason. There is a bit of concern among Lakers fans about his durability and his playoff production (his scoring average fell substantially during the last two postseasons), but he looks poised to play a huge role in L.A.'s hopes of eventually winning its 18th NBA championship.
Austin Reaves’ new Los Angeles Lakers contract will net him $180 million instead of the widely expected $185 million over four years.
Reaves signed the richest contract of any undrafted player in NBA history this summer to remain with the Lakers.
It turns out that the actual contract is $5 million less than what had been reported earlier, but for a key reason that will help the Lakers considerably.
Austin Reaves $5 million sacrifice for the Lakers is for next season
Spotrac listed the official numbers of Reaves’ new contract and revealed that the 29-year-old guard is taking a slight discount for the 2027-28 season, with the team committing a smaller percentage of their cap next season.
“What Reaves essentially did was take half of the raise he could have gotten (4% instead of 8%) between year 1 and year 2 of his contract. Lines up with Mamu’s dip year.”
The net savings for the Lakers from this are about $5 million, but the roster implications for next free agency are much bigger.
Reaves’ sacrifice has given the Lakers additional salary room for next season to retain access to their non-tax mid-level exception, which would give them $16 million in additional spending power in 2027.
Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season, truly deserving his contract after proving he’s a seamless fit next to Luka Doncic while being someone who can step up and lead the team if needed.
Lakers need every lever to keep adding talent to this team
The 2026 offseason has led to the Lakers completely exhausting all their future assets, primarily to acquire Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz.
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
With the Lakers expected to part with their last-remaining pick (2032 pick swap) to dump Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract for Jonathan Kuminga, the franchise won’t have any way to make additional moves for the next few years.
Access to the NTMLE is the best way for them to reinforce the roster next season, especially if players on one-year deals with player options wind up testing free agency.
While Reaves might not miss a lot of sleep over his sacrificed $5 million, the Lakers will definitely rejoice that they have more room to work with next offseason.
After being selected by the Washington Wizards with the No. 1 pick of this summer’s draft, AJ Dybantsa is aware of the territory that comes with being the top pick, but the former BYU guard has much higher expectations for himself.
Dybantsa recently revealed the valuable advice he received from Dwyane Wade. He said that the former Miami Heat star challenged him to eventually become one of the greatest players to step on an NBA court when his career is all said and done.
“I spoke to Dwyane Wade right before the draft, and I told him I want to be a Hall of Famer, and he said that’s what he wanted to be too until he got selected for the Top 75, and that was like a bigger moment for him than the Hall of Fame,” Dybantsa recalled.
“He said 20 years from now will be the 100th anniversary, and I should be aiming for the Top 100 instead of just the Hall of Fame, so that’s my new goal,” he continued.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; With the first pick in the 2026 NBA draft, the Washington Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
AJ Dybantsa flashes superstar potential during Washington Wizards Summer League stint
The Washington Wizards remain undefeated in the Summer League, improving to a 2-0 record with a 104-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings. AJ Dybantsa was among the team’s top performers, contributing 23 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks on 6-for-15 shooting from the field in 24 minutes.
Before this, Dybantsa produced 27 points in his Summer League debut against the Utah Jazz last Thursday, where he went up against No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson. There’s a huge chance Dybantsa will be shut down for the rest of the tournament.
“It was kind of just testing grounds for me,” Dybantsa said. “Just trying to get used to the game speed, to the plays, to the players and my teammates, and the physicality of the game.”
“I’ve been telling my trainers I think I could be a first-team All-Defensive team guy. So, I mean, that’s just what I’m trying to make, an impact on the defensive end,” he added about his ceiling.
The top picks from the 2026 NBA Draft have been embroiled in rivalries. Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa are an interesting matchup because they don't play the same position, yet they have a unique dynamic.
Since their high-school days, Peterson and Dybantsa have been seen as the top prospects in their class alongside third overall pick Cameron Boozer. With that kind of history, it is normal for people to brand them as some sort of rivals.
Darryn Peterson likes the rivalry between him and AJ Dybantsa
Peterson was selected second overall by the Utah Jazz, which was one behind the Washington Wizards' selection of Dybantsa. Both players felt they deserved to be picked first overall, but that is how the cookie crumbled for both players.
Being rated highly with a better placing in the NBA Draft is one of the ways that players can feel valued during their first few years in the league. While they are only separated by one pick, the competition drives players like Peterson and Dybantsa.
There are some bragging rights when it comes to getting selected first overall. That was quite evident back in 2021 when Jalen Green felt he deserved to be picked first overall over Cade Cunningham.
Now, Peterson is letting that fuel his competitive fire. They are friendly off the court, but on the court, they will always be rivals.
"Off the court, me and him are cool, but I think it's kind of cool coming in. They're making it kind of the rival thing. I kind of like it," Peterson said about his rivalry with Dybantsa.
As the years progress, AJ and Darryn will most likely keep duking it out as rivals. They are both in good situations where they are being set up for success. It won't be a surprise if they have some fun matchups twice a year because they are separated by the conferences.
The Los Angeles Lakers may not contend for the NBA championship this coming season, but they have assembled an intriguing squad that should be competitive nonetheless and could serve as the beginnings of a championship team down the road.
After trading for Walker Kessler, the type of prominent center they wanted and needed, they went to work filling out the rest of their roster. One thing they needed was a true backup center, and to that end, they got an agreement from Kevon Looney, a 30-year-old veteran, last week.
Looney officially signed with the Lakers on Monday. He had agreed to sign for one year and $3.9 million, and he will wear No. 55 for the Purple and Gold.
Looney has always been a good rebounder and has a career average of 5.7 boards in 17.1 minutes a game. At 6-foot-9 and 222 pounds, he's somewhat undersized for the 5 spot, but he plays bigger than his literal size.
He isn't an offensive threat or a shot-blocker, but he's a good defender against both big men and wings. He won three NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors, the team he spent his first 10 seasons with after he was the No. 30 pick in the 2015 draft.
Looney played his college basketball at the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2014-15 season. He is a first cousin of Nick Young, who played for the Lakers for four seasons starting with the 2013-14 campaign.
Anthony Davis seems to be a magnet for trade rumors no matter where he goes. Now that he is with the Washington Wizards, there are still rumors of him getting traded. The biggest one has been the Golden State Warriors actively pursuing him in the trade market.
Despite that, it seems the Wizards want to keep hold of him. Even Davis himself seems ready to play in DC, which is a promising commitment because the Wizards have some talented players on the current roster.
Anthony Davis is apparently staying put with the Wizards
As one of the most talented big men in the league, it is normal for teams to want Davis in a trade. In the 2025-26 season, he was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Wizards, as the latter saw the upside.
While Davis is 33 now, he is still an effective big man due to his offensive skill set and generational defensive instincts. At Washington, he could be set for a big season, especially with Trae Young as his point guard now.
Wizards general manager Will Dawkins has been quite vocal about his team's plans over the past few months. Now, he has debunked all the rumors surrounding Davis.
"We kinda don't worry too much about that stuff. AD's in DC, he wants to be in DC, we're going to keep him there. I think the important thing for us, building on the summer, and making sure we're ready to go for the year," Dawkins said on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
"He was out here with all our guys. Every single guy on the roster was here for the first game... It will be a fun summer; we'll have the conversation when we're allowed to have that conversation. The plan is to be big and to be skilled."
Dawkins seems ready to keep building this team with the current core in mind. There might be some distinct differences with the players' ages, but it seems Davis could still be a contributor despite being an older player.
The Boston Celtics surprised some by taking forward Dillon Mitchell out of St. John's with the No. 40 overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, a disruptive defender not seen as a likely Celtics target by most draft experts given the paucity of shots taken from beyond the arc by Mitchell at the NCAA level.
But in a recent win over the Las Vegas version of the Charlotte Hornets in Las Vegas Summer League, the Tampa Florida native turned some heads by sinking 2-of-5 shots from 3-point range. What changed for Mitchell, who infamously shot just 6.7 percent from deep with the Red Storm in his last season in the college ranks?
"The work that we've been putting in, especially with (assistant Celtics) coach Craig (Luschenat), working on the jump shot and being confident in it," he explained via CLNS Media.
"(Hornets big man Ryan) Kalkbrenner was guarding me, and he was just playing off (me as a reputed non-shooter), so they're looking at me every time, like, 'Bro, just shoot the ball.'"
"So, I shot maybe half as many 3s ... today than (I did) the whole (of last) season ... going out there and playing confident – especially hearing their confidence in me to just shoot the ball in (helped)."
The Los Angeles Lakers have been busy making moves this offseason following LeBron James’ exit.
For the last eight seasons, LeBron James had been the face of the Los Angeles Lakers. However, this offseason, the two sides decided to part ways.
Since then, the Lakers front office has been very busy as they have made several additions to build a competitive roster around Luka Doncic.
Among the signings is veteran guard Collin Sexton, who has agreed to a two-year, $19 million deal with the Purple and Gold.
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Collin Sexton believes LeBron James doesn’t want to play with him
In the 2026-27 NBA season, Sexton will share the court with the dynamic duo of Doncic and Austin Reaves. What he won’t do is play with James, who remains one of the best players in the league.
This isn’t the first time that Sexton has missed out on sharing the locker room with the 41-year-old NBA superstar.
“He’s just leaving every time I arrive… one of the other coaches made the same joke yesterday,” Sexton said in recent interview.
Sexton is referring to the last time when LBJ was a free agent, i.e., 2018. James left the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign with the Lakers.
So, how does Sexton come into the equation? Well, that was the same year the Cavs drafted Sexton using the eighth overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Now, eight years later, history has repeated itself as James is currently hunting for a new team while Sexton has already committed to the Lakers.
The Indiana Pacers are coming off a less-than-ideal 2025-26 campaign, as the Tyrese Haliburton-less franchise (Achilles recovery) finished the year with a putrid 19-63 record a year after advancing to the NBA Finals and falling one win short of an unprecedented championship.
To make matters even worse for Indiana, they didn’t possess a single selection during the NBA Draft due to their midseason trade sending Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown.
“The Indiana Pacers announced (last) Wednesday the team signed forward Kelly Oubre Jr. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed,” The franchise’s press release stated. “Oubre will wear number 10 for the Pacers.”
On June 30, Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reported that the Lakers and 76ers were among the franchises that planned to meet with Oubre at some point this summer, indicating their interest in the Kansas product.
Ultimately, though, the Pacers secured the 30-year-old’s services and should expect to receive valuable off-ball cutting, explosive straight lines after poor closeouts, versatile finishing in transition, and a defensive hunger that allows him to fly around the floor and serve as a pesky disruptor.
Oubre, who spent one impactful season with the Warriors in 2020-21, contributed 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game with the 76ers last season. Oubre should play an instrumental role in helping the Pacers return to competitive ways in the foreseeable future.
Cam Boozer continued his first NBA Summer League with a solid performance on July 13 against the Dallas Mavericks.
Boozer and the Grizzlies fell 96-88 to the Mavericks and dropped to 1-1 in Las Vegas. It was the second straight game where Boozer scored more than 20 points; he had 23 in a win over the Bulls on July 10.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft was again a major factor in the game, scoring 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the game. Those numbers were both above what he'd averaged so far during summer league.
Boozer missed his first five 3-point attempts but connected on his next two.
The Grizzlies are back in action on July 14, when they face the Warriors (6 p.m. CT, ESPN).
Cunningham has also shown a willingness to talk about controversial issues in the WNBA, even when comments get her into trouble. Atlthough Cunningahm has bristled from at fans linknig her to the MAGA movement or Donald Trump directly (some fans call her “MAGA Barbie”), her recent dodging of a question about the current administration using her viral finger-pointing meme has reignited talks about her political affiliations.
In fact, ESPN Page 2 writer Chuck Klosterman has predicted that Cunningham will be on a presidential ticket within the next 25 years.
“Sophie Cunningham … I’m going to say 2050, is going to be Vice President of the United States,” Klosterman said in an appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast. “I don’t know what party she’ll be in, I don’t know anything about her political views. But she will be the vice presidential candidate, at least the candidate.”
“I don’t know what it is. It’s something about the fact that she wears those sleeves on the court, something about the way she triggers in-bound plays at the end of games, makes me think she will be someone’s ideal vice president. You know, she has a damn likable personality.”
In fairness, Klosterman’s prediction should be taken with a grain of salt consdiering how he quickly acknowledged that he knows little about her political leanings or ambitions.
Still, in a cultural where celebrities have become prime Presidential candidates, and with the White House have already been home to one female vice president, Cunningham could end up being a pretty savvy prediction, especially considering her willingness to get her hands dirty both on the court and when it comes to dealing with the media.
To start Summer League play, the Boston Celtics let their more experienced players run the show. Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez, center Amari Williams, and guard John Tonje — who all entered games for the Green Team last regular season — logged major minutes. The C's went 2-0 with those guys in action, but they opted to let their most "senior" players, Gonzalez and Williams, rest for Monday night's showdown with the Atlanta Hawks. As a result, Boston trailed by as many as 29 points and eventually suffered a 102-90 loss to Atlanta.
This is largely standard procedure, as teams often let their newest or most unproven players see the court more towards the end of Summer League. However, Tonje still played, but the Green Team's leading Summer League scorer heading into the game managed just 5 points in 20 minutes.
Boston did get some production from its rookies, though. Forward Chris Cenac Jr. — who the Celtics selected with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft — tallied 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Dillon Mitchell, who went to the Celtics in the second round of the draft, notched 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. He shot 50 percent from the field and even made a few outside shots, which was one of the biggest question marks surrounding his game in college.
As for the Hawks, guard Kobe Johnson (the younger brother of Hawks star Jalen Johnson) dazzled with a game-high 30 points off the bench. The Celtics never scored more than 30 points in a single quarter.
The Celtics' Summer League slate in Sin City continues on Wednesday night with a contest against the Sacramento Kings. After that, Boston will have another game versus an opponent that's yet to be determined.
LeBron James’ roots in Akron, Ohio run deep. Can they be deepened?
The recent time James has spent in his hometown only has heightened excitement about him possibly rejoining the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Listen, this is an exciting time for us, right?’’ Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson told Sirius XM NBA Radio on Sunday, July 12. “Like we’re in the mix for the greatest player of all-time.’’
(No, Atkinson was not referring to Michael Jordan.)
It’s customary for James to spend time in the offseason in Akron, which helped launch him into basketball stardom. But it seems ever more meaningful as he searches for what likely will be the final destination of his celebrated NBA career two weeks after informing the Lakers he will play elsewhere next season.
If you’re reading tea leaves, James has posted on his Instagram page twice in about the last two weeks. The first was about a custom 1,200-square-foot putting green that’s been installed at the LeBron James Family Foundation headquarters.
The second was of James standing inside “Buckets Restaurant,’’ where chicken is served in buckets. Of course, what everybody really wants to know is, where will James be scoring buckets next season?
ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania addressed the timing of James' decision on NBA Today.
“It’s decision time for LeBron James,’’ Charania said. “Because all of the information for the most part is in. GMs, presidents, owners, they’ve all been heard from. They’re continuing to have conversations with agent Rich Paul here this week as well. Players have also reached out to LeBron James to recruit him.’’
According to Charania, the leading suitors have been Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Minnesota.
What Polymarket says
The Polymarket prediction market posts by percentage the chances of James signing with the following teams:
Cleveland Cavaliers (45%): It’s the one place James could chase another ring (his fifth) and not be derided as a ring chaser. In Cleveland, he’ll always be the prodigal son.
Golden State Warriors (25%): It’d be a blast to watch James team up with Steph Curry and Draymond Green. But their collective gas tank might be empty when the playoffs start.
Miami Heat (18%): Could anyone fault James for taking his talents back to South Beach, where he won his first two NBA titles? Well, of course they could!
According to Polymarket, it's also still too early to count out the Philadelphia 76ers (7%), not to mention the Minnesota Timberwolves (3%), San Antonia Spurs (1%) and Denver Nuggets (1%).
The Phoenix Suns (1-1) and Milwaukee Bucks (0-2) come off Sunday losses as they meet on Monday night at the Pavilion in an NBA Las Vegas Summer League matchup.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; The tenth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Arizona guard Brayden Burries after he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
How to Watch Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks
When: Monday, July 13, 2026
Time: 10:00 PM ET
TV Channel: KPHE (Arizona Family of Sports Network)
Milwaukee scored just 25 first-half points, trailing by as much as 23 before settling for a 90-80 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night. No. 10 overall pick Brayden Burries led the Bucks with 26 points while Cormac Ryan, on a two-way contract with the club, came off the bench for 15. Nate Ament, the 13th overall pick acquired from the Miami Heat in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, finished with seven points.
The Suns never led on Sunday in an 81-75 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Free agent Darius Brown scored 18 points in the loss, while 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach went for 15 points and 15 rebounds. Koa Peat, the 30th pick in last month’s draft, added 12 points for Phoenix.
The Bucks have a third 2026 draft choice in Las Vegas in forward Malique Lewis, the 60th and final pick, who played the last two seasons with South East Melbourne in Australia’s National Basketball League after a season in the G League with the Mexico City Capitanes.
This is a great NBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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Justine Pissott's WNBA journey has changed dramatically in just one week, and A'ja Wilson has already made sure the former Indiana Fever rookie feels like part of the Las Vegas Aces family.
After the Fever declined to match the Aces' offer sheet earlier this month, Pissott landed in Las Vegas and immediately found herself alongside one of the league's biggest stars. Wilson wasted little time welcoming her newest teammate with one of her favorite traditions. The gesture came after what has already been a whirlwind start to Pissott's professional career.
A'ja Wilson welcomed Justine Pissott with signature rookie gift
Wilson has built a reputation for making Aces rookies feel comfortable as soon as they arrive. One of her longtime traditions is giving each newcomer a colorful backpack filled with essentials, and Pissott was the latest player to receive the treatment.
When asked after Sunday's game when Pissott would receive her rookie welcome package, Wilson smiled and revealed it had already happened.
"Very soon, immediately," Wilson said. "Justine has a water bottle, a lunch box, a whole lot. So fairly quickly, when I get my rookies, I gotta show them that kind of love. You got to be cute."
Pissott then proudly showed off the Toy Story-themed backpack during the postgame interview.
"It's a cute one," the rookie said with a smile.
The lighthearted exchange highlighted the culture Wilson has helped build in Las Vegas, where veteran players have embraced mentoring younger teammates.
Former Fever rookie has enjoyed remarkable first week in Las Vegas
Pissott's path to the Aces wasn't a typical one. The Vanderbilt product was selected by the Indiana Fever with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft and signed a development contract with the franchise. However, she appeared in just one preseason game before Las Vegas signed her to an offer sheet on July 7.
Indiana had 24 hours to match the contract but declined, allowing the Aces to officially add the rookie. To make room on the roster, Las Vegas waived veteran guard Chennedy Carter. The move paid immediate dividends.
In her WNBA debut against the Phoenix Mercury, Pissott exploded for 19 points while shooting 7-for-8 from the field and 5-for-6 from beyond the arc in just 10 minutes. The five made 3-pointers established a new WNBA record for a player making her league debut.
Fever reunion comes just days after record-setting debut
Sunday brought another unique moment as Pissott faced the organization that drafted her less than a week after joining the Aces. The rookie scored two points against Indiana, but Las Vegas struggled as the Fever cruised to a 109-75 victory behind 27 points from Kelsey Mitchell and 20 from Sophie Cunningham.
Although the result wasn't what the Aces wanted, Pissott continues to gain valuable experience while learning from one of the greatest players in WNBA history. Wilson's welcoming gesture may seem small, but it reflects the environment the Aces have built over the past several seasons. For a rookie whose career took an unexpected turn almost immediately after being drafted, having the support of a four-time MVP could prove just as valuable as anything she learns on the court.
Pissott's story is still in its earliest chapters, but her record-setting debut and warm reception in Las Vegas suggest she may have found the perfect place to begin her WNBA career.
Walker Kessler understands exactly what the Los Angeles Lakers gave up to acquire him, and the 24-year-old center is determined to prove the franchise made the right decision.
Kessler was officially introduced after signing a four-year, $130 million contract earlier this month as part of a sign-and-trade agreement with the Utah Jazz. To land one of the NBA’s most sought-after restricted free agents, the Lakers sent two unprotected first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps to Utah, underscoring how highly they value the 7-foot-2 center.
Kessler’s comments as a Laker have fans dreaming of a championship
“It makes you feel a certain way when you know an organization believes in you,” Kessler said. “With what the Lakers have invested, they’re showing that belief, in a monetary value. Not just with money, but in draft assets. If I know they have that belief in me, I’m going to run through a brick wall for them. That’s how I’ve been wired my whole life.”
Kessler admitted navigating restricted free agency wasn’t easy but said landing in Los Angeles felt like the right outcome after spending four seasons with the Jazz.
The Lakers prioritized upgrading their frontcourt this offseason, believing Kessler’s elite rim protection, rebounding and screen-setting ability make him an ideal fit alongside superstar Luka Dončić. Kessler is already excited about the partnership.
“Doncic has such a big presence on the court,” Kessler said. “It makes it a lot easier for all four guys around him to do what they need to do. I can play defense for him, set great screens and get him some assists. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Despite being limited to just five appearances last season after undergoing left shoulder surgery in November, Kessler remained one of the league’s premier young centers. He averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while continuing to establish himself as one of the NBA’s top interior defenders.
Kessler revealed the shoulder issue first surfaced during his college career before worsening last season. Now healthy, he enters Los Angeles expected to anchor the paint and help the Lakers strengthen a defense built to contend for an NBA championship.
The Knicks knew this offseason wasn’t going to be easy.
After winning the 2026 NBA championship, keeping their roster together was always going to be a challenge. Now, it’s official. Mitchell Robinson is headed to the Boston Celtics on a three-year, $47.4 million contract, ending a seven-year run in New York that saw him grow from a raw second-round pick into one of the NBA’s premier defensive centers.
Replacing Robinson was never going to be easy.
He wasn’t a player who demanded the spotlight or scored 20 points a night, but his value showed up in countless other ways. Whether it was protecting the rim, grabbing momentum-changing offensive rebounds or doing the dirty work that doesn’t always show up in the box score, Robinson became a fan favorite and a key piece of New York’s championship run.
His departure left one obvious question heading into free agency: Who would replace him?
The Knicks answered that question quickly.
Free agent center Mitchell Robinson has agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal to sign with the Boston Celtics, with a player option in third season, sources tell ESPN. Robinson departs the Knicks after serving a key role on the historic championship team. pic.twitter.com/tl3R6nlU1m
Andre Drummond Gives Knicks Exactly What They Lost
New York has signed veteran center Andre Drummond, giving head coach Mike Brown an experienced backup big who can immediately help fill the void left by Robinson.
While Drummond and Robinson aren’t identical players, their strengths overlap in all the right areas. Drummond remains one of the league’s best rebounders and has built a career around physical defense, interior toughness and controlling the glass.
He’s not expected to replace Robinson pound-for-pounnd, but he doesn’t have to.
With Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby carrying much of the offensive load, the Knicks simply needed someone willing to defend, rebound and embrace a role. Drummond checks every one of those boxes.
It’s also a move that makes sense financially.
New York continues to operate below the NBA’s second tax apron, preserving flexibility while still addressing one of its biggest offseason needs. Rather than making a splash for the sake of making one, Leon Rose once again opted for a veteran who fits the team’s identity without compromising its long-term roster construction.
Free agent center Andre Drummond has agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million to sign with the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VybK9XswUY
One Roster Spot Remained — Welcome Back Jordan Clarkson
Even after signing Drummond, the Knicks still had room to make one final move.
Instead of searching outside the organization, they opted for continuity.
New York agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with Jordan Clarkson, bringing back one of the biggest contributors off of last season’s bench.
Clarkson gave the Knicks exactly what every championship team needs: instant offense. Whether he was leading the second unit, knocking down timely three-pointers or creating his own shot late in the shot clock, the veteran guard provided another scoring threat behind Brunson.
Bringing him back also means Mike Brown won’t have to work another new piece into the rotation. Clarkson already knows the system, understands his role and has proven he can deliver in meaningful moments.
For a team trying to defend a championship, familiarity can be just as valuable as making another splash signing.
Free agent Jordan Clarkson has agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal to return to the New York Knicks, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Brandon Cavanaugh tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VG6OQcpJVx
When Mitchell Robinson left for Boston, it looked like the Knicks had a major hole to fill. A few days later, they did exactly what they needed to do.
Leon Rose addressed the team’s biggest need, kept the roster financially flexible by staying below the NBA’s second tax apron and retained one of the bench’s most important contributors.
This isn’t the exact same team that raised the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Robinson’s departure changes the look of the roster, and replacing everything he brought to the floor won’t be easy.
But the Knicks never needed to reinvent themselves this offseason. They just needed to make the right moves around a championship core. They did that by bringing in Andre Drummond and returning Jordan Clarkson.
Cameron Boozer is making the jump from the Duke Blue Devils to the Memphis Grizzlies, and even though that bump from college to NBA ball can trip some players up, not Boozer. He's looking exceptional in the NBA Summer League and showing why he could have been picked even higher in the NBA draft. Some other team's may even have a little buyer's remorse after seeing him play ball.
On Friday, Boozer made his Vegas debut at the NBA Summer League and scored 23 points, six rebounds and four assists. That was enough to help push the team just over the edge to beat the Chicago Bulls, 97-96. It was a thriller, and those don't come around too often in July. So, take them when they come.
Boozer really looked the part on the court. His size and body looked more mature than his peers and he looked NBA-ready. Also, before Las Vegas, Boozer got to play a bit at the Salt Lake City Summer League, so he was already more comfortable than those who didn't.
Cameron Boozer goes viral for 'nasty' steal
During the game, Boozer had some exciting moments. At one point, he stole the ball from his opponent, drove to the basket and rounded it out with a dramatic dunk.
"Cameron Boozer with the steal and slam," the NBA shared in a post on their official X account. "The No. 3 pick has 4 points in 4 minutes on Prime."
That post, which also featured a clip of the action, has more than 1.1 million views, and counting.
"That's why he was the No. 3 pick," one follower said. Defense into offense. The steal was nasty, but the slam made it personal."
"Summer League or not, you can see the talent immediately," another added. "He didn't just steal the ball—he stole the spotlight."
July doesn't pack too many exciting basketball moments. But this was one of them.
Klay Thompson, a five-time NBA All-Star and a four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, appears to be drawing trade interest. Thompson, a current member of the Mavericks, could potentially be moved as Dallas begins a youth movement headlined by recent No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.
According to the Miami Herald, Thompson has emerged as "a strong player of interest" to the Heat front office. Miami's interest in Thompson is not dependent on landing LeBron James either, as the team needs more shooting to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo.
A career 40.9% 3-point shooter, Thompson would certainly fill that need if he were to move on to his third team in the last four years.
No one is better at indirectly calling Stephen A. Smith out for something he said than Jalen Rose, and he appears to be at it again.
Smith might be on summer vacation from First Take, but that hasn’t stopped him from picking fights. Last week, Smith ignited a feud with Draymond Green and Jemele Hill after they questioned whether he should still be able to call himself an active journalist even though he no longer appears in locker rooms regularly. Smith went off on a rant where he mocked Hill’s laugh and accused her of implying that she spent more time in locker rooms than he did, even though she never made that implication.
During his rebuttal, Smith threw out that he’d be willing to debate the topic with Hill or Green on one of their various podcast platforms. And shortly after the proposal, Jalen Rose went on social media to post a vague gripe about media members sparking feuds and then offering to hash it out on a podcast.
The most phony thing amongst “media” members is “beefing” then saying I’ll go on your show or vice versa to discuss it. (see chasing clicks). LAME.
— Dr. Jalen Anthony Rose (@JalenRose) July 9, 2026
“The most phony thing amongst ‘media’ members is ‘beefing’ then saying I’ll go on your show or vice versa to discuss it. (see chasing clicks). LAME,” Rose wrote on X.
To be clear, Rose never named Stephen A. Smith, Jemele Hill, or any other media member in the post, but the timing was more than curious. And even if Rose wasn’t talking about Smith, the feud with Hill and Green must have prompted him to call it out as “phony.”
This also wasn’t the first time Rose appeared to take an indirect shot at Smith. Two years ago, Rose ripped the media for trashing athletes on the heels of Stephen A. Smith fat shaming Zion Williamson. And one year before that, Rose notably posted, “So glad I didn’t make a career of content pretending to fake troll the Cowboys.” The post came after Smith spent the morning on First Take drinking from a mug that read, “Cowboys fan tears.”
Rose later claimed he was referring to Skip Bayless, not Smith. The defense was strange considering Bayless is a Cowboys fan, while Smith relishes every opportunity to troll the franchise and its fanbase. Maybe Rose wasn’t talking about Smith this time either. But even if media beefs that lead to podcast invites are just “phony” attempts at chasing clicks, at least Smith leaves no doubt when he calls someone out.
Former Golden State Warriors guard Lester Quinones turned in a dominant performance Sunday as he hopes to return to the NBA for the first time since the 2024-25 season.
Quinones is currently playing in the NBA Summer League for the Orlando Magic, where he tallied 28 points to lead all scorers against the Portland Trail Blazers. He also posted eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. In three games for the Magic thus far, Quinones is averaging 17.6 points.
Quinones only has 54 games of NBA experience, 41 of which came with Golden State from 2022 to 2024. In those games, the New York native averaged 4.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 10 minutes per game.
LAS VEGAS – Hold the preorders on any LeBron James Cavaliers jerseys.
While the NBA awaits his decision—again—the league’s power brokers and media are in Las Vegas for Summer League, and his destination is a hot topic.
Some executives are skeptical of the growing narrative that a third Cleveland stint is a certainty.
Multiple Western Conference executives told Front Office Sports they expect James to sign with the Warriors over the Cavaliers for his 24th NBA season. While Cleveland has been the favorite on prediction markets—and Bill Simmons said the move was a “done deal”— some executives believe Golden State is still a real player for James’s services.
While another league source expects James to sign with the Cavaliers, the consensus among executives polled by FOS is that James will likely pick between the Warriors and Cavaliers.
“I would be stunned if he picked a team that wasn’t Golden State or Cleveland,” a Western Conference executive said.
The executive cited the basketball fit alongside Stephen Curry compared to the Cavaliers, who have James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley. Another executive said the proximity to James’s family in Los Angeles is another reason why they expect it to be the Warriors.
James is also reportedly considering the Heat, Sixers, Timberwolves, and Nuggets along with the Warriors and Cavaliers.
Both Curry and James have four championships and Curry defeated James in three Finals. James famously rallied the Cavaliers from a 3–1 deficit in 2016 to defeat Curry’s Warriors, which is the only time in Finals history a team has successfully overcome the deficit.
“You can’t call this ring-chasing,” one Western Conference executive said to FOS. “LeBron is 41 and Steph is 38. This is an attempt to see if the old guard can get one last title.”
A wrinkle discussed by multiple teams in the mix for him is his oldest son, Bronny. The 21-year-old just finished his second NBA season with the Lakers and had his $2.2 million salary guaranteed for next season on June 29, the day before his father’s split from the Lakers was announced by both parties.
Multiple front office sources from teams in the mix for James said they have discussed acquiring Bronny should his father pick their team.
“We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t discuss it,” one Western Conference executive told FOS.
LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son teammate duo in NBA history when the Lakers drafted Bronny No. 55 overall in 2024. The executives said it’s unknown if the elder James would want his new team to trade for his son.
All the executives agreed that Bronny improved during his second NBA season and that his status will be interesting as his father’s free agency unfolds. As the Lakers get younger, Bronny fits the team’s profile and his development and team-friendly contract give the Lakers motivation to keep him.
But if James wants to continue to play with his son, it could make for a curious negotiation.
“They shouldn’t give him away for nothing,” one executive said. “He held his own in the playoffs this year. But would you really haggle over him continuing to play with his dad?”
While the Los Angeles Lakers lost a member of their key trio from last season in LeBron James, the pairing of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will run the show in L.A. during the 2026-27 season. Thankfully for Lakers fans, the duo's already close-knit bond should go a long way toward helping in year one of the post-LeBron era.
Both Reaves and Doncic have praised each other numerous times over the past year or so, and their off-court friendship has become even more apparent recently. So much so that, according to Reaves, even when the duo is in the midst of the offseason, they've had plenty of communication, with Doncic even reaching out for some golf advice.
Austin Reaves details offseason back-and-forth with Luka Doncic
Reaves, who's been known to love playing golf in his downtime, called Doncic one of his "best friends," and said that they talk almost every day, while speaking to the media, as ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported. Going even one step further, Reaves revealed that Doncic sends him videos of his golf swing while asking how to get better.
"He’s one of my best friends on this planet," Reaves said of Doncic. "I talk to him almost every single day. He sends me videos of his golf swing and asks me what he can do to get better and I tell him I’m not a coach."
Austin Reaves on Luka Doncic: “He’s one of my best friends on this planet. I talk to him almost every single day. He sends me videos of his golf swing and asks me what he can do to get better and I tell him I’m not a coach” pic.twitter.com/iOlUoe6GEo
It's pretty cool to hear about the duo's off-court relationship, even if Reaves doesn't believe he's necessarily the one who can help Doncic out with his swing.
The bond between Reaves and Doncic is obviously great news for the Lakers, following the former's signing of a four-year, $185 million contract extension this offseason to remain with the team. This means the duo will be together for at least the next two years, with Doncic holding a player option for the 2028-29 season, if he doesn't sign a new extension before that.
The Los Angeles Lakers have finally completed all of their free agent signings.
With the organization officially beating out the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks for a $50 million (career earnings) former Golden State Warriors elite rebounder and three-time NBA champion, Los Angeles has move one step closer to rounding out their roster.
"Welcome to the squad, Kevon (Looney)," the Lakers wrote on X/Twitter Monday, which is six days after ESPN's Shams Charania first announced the signing.
Before signing with the Lakers, Looney received significant free agent interest from the Knicks and Warriors. On June 28, the Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that the 2026 NBA champions were eyeing the UCLA product as a potential backup option if Mitchell Robinson departed the franchise (which he ultimately did, signing a multi-year deal with the Boston Celtics).
"If Robinson does, in fact, depart New York amid the Knicks' well-chronicled financial constraints as the dreaded second apron closes in, sources say that the newly crowned champions are expected to try to bring on a veteran center with plenty of playoff experience: Former Warriors big man Kevon Looney,” Stein and Fischer wrote.
Less than a full week later, NBA insider Scoop B. Robinson reported that a reunion with the Warriors could be in the cards for Looney.
“Following his decorated tenure with the Warriors, Looney took his veteran leadership to the New Orleans Pelicans,” Robinson wrote on July 2. “Now, a return to the franchise where he spent a decade and won three rings is firmly on the table for both sides—once the ultimate prize of free agency is decided.”
“Until LeBron (James) makes his final decision, the rest of the NBA universe—including the anticipated reunion between Kevon Looney and the Golden State Warriors—remains completely on pause.”
The Knicks and Warriors ultimately pivoted, as New York inked a deal with standout rebounder Andre Drummond to serve as Karl-Anthony Towns’ backup and Golden State signed high-upside big man Charles Bassey to assist Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford in the frontcourt.
How excited should the Lakers be about adding Looney to the fold for the upcoming campaign? Considering the former first-round pick is the ultimate glue guy who’s been a consistent 10+ rebounds-per-40-minutes contributor and has been in a winning environment, they should be in good spirits.
Of course, Los Angeles shouldn’t expect Looney to suddenly emerge as a prolific vertical athlete in the pick-and-roll who can high-point lobs with the best of them, as it simply isn’t in his repertoire.
However, as long as the Milwaukee, Wisconsin native remains true to who he is, he should be highly impactful with his new team in a backup role.
Jul 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark against the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark has been named to the All-Star Game for the third time in as many seasons despite playing a career low in minutes. Unfortunately, a segment of the population seems set on perpetually discussing anything but her outstanding play on the court night after night, even as she deals with a back injury that has lingered throughout the season.
Last week, several Republican members of Congress penned a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding that the WNBA take action to prevent what they deemed to be ” repeated acts of unnecessary physical hostility and violence” against Clark, and even mentioned that the acts “may be racially motivated.”
In a recent appearance on Fox News, conservative political commentator and former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines commented on Clark’s treatment by the league and opposing players.
“Here’s what I’ll say about Caitlin Clark,” Gaines said. “It goes without saying that she is the golden goose of the WNBA. Do they hate her because she’s white? Maybe. Do they hate her because she’s straight? Maybe. I think it is rooted in jealousy.”
“I think she was the queen of the WNBA before she ever stepped foot on a WNBA court, and they hate her for it,” she added.
The Indiana Fever quickly attempted to distance the organization from any outside political agendas trying to be attached to its star player, but the damage seems to already have been done. Unfortunately for Gaines and the members of Congress behind the letter, their support has seemed to alienate more people against Clark.
“Caitlin Congress.”
Clark faced criticism for what many perceived to be her flopping in Sunday night’s game win against the Las Vegas Aces, and not only did she face some intense criticism, but some fans on social media slapped her with some unfortunate and undeserving nicknames.
“Confederate Clark back at it again,” one fan posted on X.
“Caitlin is getting bullied and needs more intervention from congress!!!! Karen’s tears after she crumpled to the ground after seeing the missed shot and heard the whistle got the refs to review for ‘hostile act’ after the review she still yelled at the refs. Pathetic,” another fan posted.
“Caitlin is an embarrassment to Women’s Basketball! First Calling Congress because they don’t let her get her way plus all the Flopping and showing out on the court like a Toddler! She is Weak and deserves Zero respect in the league!” someone else added.
“CaitlinCongress is a classic passive aggressive. If a player has status she’ll pretend they hurt her,” one account wrote.
“None of that is OK.”
What many of her harshest critics fail to realize, however, is that Clark has never voiced support for anyone’s political agenda, and has even come out against the hate that black women around the league have received online.
“The harassment, the hate. None of that is OK …” she said prior to Sunday’s game, via ESPN. “There should never be a question of character like I’ve always stood up here and said that, and that’s truly what I believe, that’s how I was raised. So, none of that is okay, and I don’t want anyone to experience that.”
The WNBA will be in a much better place when the conversations surrounding it are centered on basketball and made in good faith. Hopefully, that will begin to happen sooner rather than later, and more fans will begin to appreciate Clark’s exceptional ability on the court.
Orlando Magic rookie Izaiyah Nelson suffered a fracture in his left ankle while playing against the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Summer League on Sunday, the team announced.
Nelson sustained the injury in the first half of the Magic's 112-105 overtime victory when he landed awkwardly on a teammate after blocking a shot attempt by Quincy Olivari. He wouldn't return to the game after logging just 4 minutes, 22 seconds of action.
The 51st overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft will undergo surgery to address the injury and is expected to miss at least 3-4 months, putting his status for the start of next season in doubt. The Magic open training camp on Sept. 29.
Izaiyah Nelson Injury Update
Imaging Sunday showed that Orlando/Osceola Magic two-way forward Izaiyah Nelson suffered a fracture in his left ankle. He suffered the injury in the first half of Sunday’s (July 12) Summer League game in Las Vegas. Nelson will undergo surgery and is… pic.twitter.com/7kqihJiTdJ
Nelson was the American Conference Player of the Year at South Florida, averaging 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 assists. He was also the Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, becoming the first player to win each award in the same season.
The 6-foot-10 Nelson, who signed a two-way contract with the Magic on July 1, is the ninth Bull to be selected in the NBA draft and the first since Dominique Jones in 2010. He ranked ninth in the country in double-doubles (18) and 15th in total rebounds (326) last season.
Nelson finished summer league averaging 2.7 points, three rebounds, one steal and one block while shooting 50% from the field in three appearances. He recorded a summer league-high six points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block on Saturday.
George Gervin was known as “Iceman” for decades before Caleb Williams was even born, but the NBA legend has been rejected in his initial attempt to trademark the term, and the Bears quarterback appears to have a procedural advantage because his application was filed first.
The application from Williams was denied June 24 because Oregon-headquartered Lacrosse Footwear has held the “Iceman” registration since 1988 for insulated boots. That decision, however, isn’t final and the quarterback can respond to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with evidence for why he should be granted the registration. It’s not clear if Lacrosse Footwear still sells the boot, and a representative for the company has not responded to requests for comment.
Gervin, through Gervin Interests LLC, filed applications to trademark the terms “Iceman” and “Iceman 44” four days after finding out Williams was making a push to trademark his longtime nickname. The NBA Hall of Famer has now also received initial denials.
The first denial, issued June 26, relates to Gervin’s “Iceman 44” filing. It explicitly states that the application was denied because of a “likelihood of confusion” with Williams’s application. The second, issued July 9, denied Gervin’s application to trademark “Iceman” for a variety of purposes, including clothing, live entertainment services—such as appearances on TV or in movies—and basketball camps.
Both Williams, 24, and Gervin, 74, now have at least three months to respond to the initial denials and provide evidence for why they deserve the trademarks.
Intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben wrote that the June 26 decision puts Gervin and Williams on a “collision course.” He tells Front Office Sports that while Gervin has the stronger cultural claim to the nickname, that doesn’t matter when it comes to USPTO procedure.
“The government will say ‘hey, you can file all the responses you want; we’re going to suspend your filing and see what happens with Caleb,’” Gerben says.
‘Hilarity of the Situation’
Another wrinkle is that while the USPTO cited Williams’s application in denying Gervin’s attempt to trademark “Iceman 44,” it didn’t specifically cite the quarterback in denying Gervin’s application to trademark “Iceman” by itself. In that denial, the USPTO said there are a variety of existing trademarks that are too similar, so giving Gervin “Iceman” could cause confusion in the marketplace.
It refers to the Lacrosse Footwear insulated boot, as well as a musical group called “The Icemen,” and a minor league hockey team called Jacksonville Icemen.
“This certainly goes to show a little bit of the hilarity of the situation,” Gerben tells FOS. “There are a lot of Icemens.”
He adds that while Gervin’s application for “Iceman” was just for clothing, his application for “Iceman 44” was perhaps too broad. Gervin’s team can narrow the “Iceman 44” filing to try and work around the other refusals, but the issue of the existing registration owned by Lacrosse Footwear and Williams’s “Iceman” trademark may still hamper the former basketball player in his pursuit of both trademarks, according to Gerben.
Meanwhile, the ensuing months will ultimately show whether Gervin and Williams can continue to remain cordial in public. To date, despite competing filings, they have been making nice. Gervin told ESPN in March Williams is a “special young guy getting ready to come up.” In April, Williams told FOS“it’s all respect to George.”
But what will happen if the USPTO follows through on what it indicated in the June 26 denial of Gervin’s “Iceman 44” application?
“If Gervin and Williams don’t work something out, Gervin may oppose Williams’s application,” Gerben tells FOS. “You can say whatever you want, but the truth of how they really feel will always work itself out in actual legal filings.”
Amid the brewing battle between Gervin and Williams, there’s a third sports figure who has also staked a claim to the nickname. In 2022 former UFC fighter Chuck Liddell filed to trademark “Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell.” The USPTO on June 29 granted him a six-month extension to prove that he has been using the trademark in connection with the sale of clothing, boxing gloves, and other mixed martial arts equipment and goods. That was the last time Liddell could seek an extension, according to the USPTO.
Representatives for Gervin, Williams, and Liddell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Labaron Philon Jr. is off to a strong start with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Summer League, and coach Nick Nurse can see the rookie playing a key role next season.
Philon is averaging 21 points, 6.5 assists, three rebounds and one steal while shooting 40% from 3-point range in Las Vegas. He helped the Sixers improve to 2-0 on Saturday, recording 24 points, six assists and three rebounds in 34 minutes in a win over the Indiana Pacers.
The 22nd overall pick has emerged as one of the top first-year players early in the desert, dazzling with his scoring, pinpoint passing and finishing at the rim. He is pleased with his performances through his first two games with the Sixers.
"I'm a very confident player, I would say," Philon said, via Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire. "Being able to get into the lane, being able to spread out, get into the lane, make some open 3s and just being able to compete on the other side of the ball. I feel like that's an important thing as well."
The 22nd overall pick, Labaron Philon Jr., led the way for Philadelphia!
Philon was a third-team All-American selection last season at Alabama, averaging 22 points, five assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals on shooting 39.9% from 3-point range. His 725 total points ranked as the third-most in a single season in program history.
The 20-year-old is projected to play a large role as a backup ballhandler behind the likes of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Jaylen Brown. Though in a small summer sample, Philon has played with immense confidence and a firm understanding of how the team wants to play.
Nurse and the Sixers have been impressed with his early showing, and believe it can carry over into next season. He is confident that Philon will be crucial to their success.
"My thoughts as of right now, today, and nothing has changed this so far, is to play him," Nurse said. "I'm gonna go in there, and he's in the rotation until something changes. ... I think he's got some confidence to him that he'll make the most of the opportunity."
Nickel has to keep knocking down shots, and he can keep displaying his surprisingly impactful defense.
"He’s also shown off his motor and sneaky defensive abilities," The Athletic's James Edwards wrote in a new article on Monday. "Nickel has an NBA future if the defense against better competition shows itself, as his shooting, no question, will translate to basketball’s highest level."
In a recent answer, Nickel referenced NBA sharpshooters Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and Sam Hauser as players he tries to emulate to some extent.
The Knicks would love to end up with a high-level NBA shooter like one of those guys, and at least as far as the outside shot itself is concerned, Nickel appears to have himself a serious weapon.
In what's been a chaotic NBA offseason filled with blockbuster trades and constant free agency/trade rumors, the report of Draymond Green pitching LeBron James on the Golden State Warriors is far from surprising. However, when ESPN's Shams Charania revealed on Sirius XM NBA Radio that Green was "doing everything he can" to recruit James to the Warriors, Green responded.
As you can imagine, Green had no issue with the report or confirming that he did pitch LeBron on it, saying that on The Draymond Green Show that he'd be "remissed" if he didn't take the opportunity to do so. Green also added that the pitch was "crazy" and, at the very least, will make the former Los Angeles Lakers star "think twice."
"I'd be remissed if I don't take the opportunity to throw my pitch in there, I'd be crazy if we're together for X amount of days and at no point am I like 'yo, we need to chop it up, what the hell going on? What we doing?'" Green said.
"Of course I did that, and of course the pitch was crazy, I think I'm pretty decent at it… with the things I shared in it, it definitely is gonna make the brain work a little bit, I don't think there's a decision that's been made, but say if there was, it'd make you think twice about it. But we wasn't going to hang out for a recruitment pitch."
Draymond on hanging out with LeBron James
"I'd be remissed if I don't take the opportunity to throw my pitch in there, I'd be crazy if we're together for x amount of days and at no point am I like 'yo, we need to chop it up, what the hell going on? what we doing?' of course I… pic.twitter.com/C5GBVyw6Fy
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) July 12, 2026
The Golden State Warriors know their championship window with Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and head coach Steve Kerr is beginning to close. The core has won multiple NBA championships together and wants a legitimate opportunity to compete for one more title before their careers come to an end.
“I do think the Warriors are still as involved as any team. I want to say that too. As much as the reunion with Cleveland and Miami would be storybook, this new all star team, traveling team USA kind of circus, high entertainment value thing that would exist is GS, is something that is still very much on the table,” Fischer said.
Green has also been spending time with James, where he has reportedly made his pitch for the superstar to join Golden State.
“LeBron James and Draymond Green are meeting up as the NBA's all-time leading scorer looks to join a new team for the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Charania reported that James and Green are spending some time here together this week at an undisclosed location during a Tuesday appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show,” Bleacher Report’s Zach Bachar wrote.
In a recent report, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that Green is currently one of the biggest recruiters for James. Green is reportedly doing everything he can to convince James to join the Warriors and make a run at another championship.
“They’re really close friends… [Draymond Green] is doing everything he can to recruit LeBron James to the Warriors,” Charania said.
There is no telling how long the process will take before James finally makes his decision, but Green is expected to remain one of the biggest voices in Golden State’s pursuit. Green and James have developed a close relationship over the years, especially with both players being represented by the same agent, Rich Paul.
James was on a $101 million contract last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, but his next deal is expected to be significantly smaller. Green is doing everything possible to bring James to Golden State, but the only question is whether it will be enough. Until James makes his final decision, Green will continue making his case for the Warriors.
Throughout the California Classic and the start of the Las Vegas Summer League, Yaxel Lendeborg has demonstrated his deep skill set in a first impression for the Golden State Warriors. On Sunday evening in Las Vegas, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft continued to impress while helping lead the Warriors to another Summer League win.
Lendeborg joined Nicholas Boyd and Lachlan Olbrich to lead the Warriors with 14 points. Lendeborg finished with 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting from the field with four assists, three steals and two rebounds in 24 minutes. Lendeborg has continued to shoot the ball well from beyond the arc, drilling four triples on eight attempts from deep. Dating back to the California Classic, Lendeborg has shot 13-of-21 from 3-point range.
Last season at Michigan, Lendeborg only hit four or more 3-pointers in four games for the Wolverines, with his game-high of five made triples coming against Michigan State. Through four games in the Summer League, Lendeborg has hit four 3-pointers in two contests.
Lendeborg has now secured Summer League wins over his Michigan teammates and fellow first round picks, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara.
Watch highlights from Lendeborg's performance via NBC Sports Bay Area YouTube:
Behind Lendeborg, the Warriors are now 2-0 in the Summer League. Golden State's next contest in Las Vegas comes on Tuesday, July 14 against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been very active this summer as they continue reshaping the roster following LeBron James' announcement that he would not be returning. The first major move came when Los Angeles acquired Walker Kessler in a trade with the Utah Jazz.
“The Lakers are actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks. After gaining two second-round picks in the Deandre Ayton trade, Los Angeles could consolidate those assets in a deal immediately for a starting-caliber wing,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
Knecht could be looking for a fresh start after beginning his rookie season with the Lakers on a strong note. The former first-round pick was briefly involved in a trade to the Charlotte Hornets, but the deal was ultimately rescinded.
“In the span of a week, Dalton Knecht went from playing for the Los Angeles Lakers to joining the Charlotte Hornets to going back to the Lakers after the trade that sent him to Charlotte was rescinded,” ESPN insider Dave McMenamin wrote. “Knecht said he was at the Lakers' practice facility on Feb. 5 going through his normal routine before his shooting drills -- needing to make 25 shots from the foul line -- when he was interrupted after his 20th free throw.”
With Vanderbilt and Knecht's futures with the organization uncertain, the duo would typically be expected to focus solely on offseason training. However, both players have been in Las Vegas attending Summer League games, which has raised some eyebrows.
While it is somewhat surprising to see the two players attend Summer League amid trade speculation, it also speaks to the type of teammates they are. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their futures with Los Angeles, both players continue to support the organization and their teammates.
Vanderbilt and Knecht's contracts combine for $66 million, and the Lakers appear to be attempting to move them together in a potential trade. So far, no deal has been completed.
Until a trade happens, Vanderbilt and Knecht will continue representing the Lakers organization, regardless of the circumstances. Their decision to show up and support the team amid uncertainty surrounding their futures is certainly notable.
Alex Caruso believes the Thunder’s versatility and depth will be a major plus this coming season. I got the chance to ask Caruso about his team while catching him coming off the 18th hole.
“Yeah, just versatility, you know? Having depth at that position (center) is big; at every position, I think we've got two really good guards, wings, and bigs. And you never know what will happen during the season, so just having guys who can play…It's always good,” Caruso told me.
Last year, when I spoke to Caruso at the 2025 American Century Championship, he celebrated OKC’s continuity after coming off a seven-game NBA Finals triumph.
“It's the challenge of winning, having the target on your back. Obviously, great to have the same team back. That's what makes it a little easier to start off the season, knowing everybody and kind of how you want to play. So by no means will it be easy, right? You'll have the target on your back. Everyone's coming for you, but it's part of the challenge,” Caruso said.
The target is no longer on the Thunder’s back, having lost in the Western Conference Finals to the San Antonio Spurs. Still, Caruso certainly likes the continuity heading into the 2026-27 season, which includes re-signing Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams.
The only loss OKC had was Branden Carlson, who signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. Running a great team back is always a good thing.
Especially one as physically gifted and deep as the 2026-27 roster is.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been busy this offseason, making a series of major moves as they continue building the franchise around Luka Doncic. The superstar reportedly gave the organization a list of players he wanted to play alongside, and the Lakers were able to bring back most of them.
“I try not to think about it. Honestly. I've said it a million times. I want to be in L.A. I love it," Reaves told ESPN. "Even though the other extension was turned down, that doesn't mean that I'm trying to go get a f---ing gigantic number that don't make sense. I want to be here, I want to win. I want to do everything that can help this organization be better. So I don't try to think about those things."
The Lakers faced competition for the former undrafted guard, but Reaves ultimately decided to stay in Los Angeles and agreed to a maximum contract.
"Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Reaves declined his $14.9 million player option to pave the way for this new max deal, which is the richest contract in NBA history for an undrafted player,” ESPN wrote.
Reaves has become a cornerstone of the Lakers over the past several seasons, and on Sunday, the organization officially announced his return.
The next chapter of Lakers basketball will be led by Doncic and Reaves, who now stand as the franchise's two cornerstone players. The organization believes it has found the faces of its future.
This will be Reaves' first season without LeBron James as a teammate, but he will continue playing alongside another superstar in Doncic. If Doncic is unavailable at any point during the season, Reaves will be expected to take on an even larger role. What once seemed like a dream has now become a reality for one of the Lakers' biggest fan favorites.
Caleb Wilson has been one of the biggest standouts of the 2026 NBA Summer League so far. As the fourth overall pick by the Chicago Bulls, everyone expected Wilson to be a hit, and so far, he has been stellar.
When it comes to his game, Wilson was mostly profiled as an athletic wing with upside on both ends of the floor. Most projections for his offense were mostly restricted to the paint or the mid-range, but he has surprised a lot of people with his three-point shooting at Summer League.
Caleb Wilson is glad his apparent lack of shooting got him selected by Chicago
Billed as a high-upside athletic wing, Wilson was always going to be a project player. He is not the most complete player in the class, but he has already proven that he is ready to work hard to become a star for Chicago.
Wilson has been working with the renowned shooting coach, Chris Matthews, better known as Lethal Shooter on social media. They have worked together to improve Wilson's shooting, which was considered by many to be his biggest weakness.
During his year playing for the University of North Carolina, Wilson did not shoot many threes. This led draft experts and scouts to see his shooting as a negative. However, it seems Wilson is glad that happened because it helped him land in Chicago.
While Wilson was not a promising shooter back then, he had the bones of being one. The shooting form was always mechanically good, which is why working with Matthews has helped him, because they optimized his jump shot.
Now, Wilson looks even better than he did as a prospect. He is only entering his rookie year, but he has the right attitude with improving his game, which is a big plus for a rebuilding team like the Bulls.
For many months, Austin Reaves was expected to opt out of his contract this summer and become a free agent. While it was generally assumed he would re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, there was a bit of anxiety that he could leave to join another team -- or end up signing a new contract with the Lakers for an unjustified dollar amount.
On June 24, Reaves agreed to a four-year, $185 million contract to stay put. While the dollar amount is a bit steep, it was still a bit less than the max offer he could've gotten. On Sunday, that new contract became official.
General manager Rob Pelinka released a statement on Reaves' new deal and what the guard means to the organization.
“Austin’s relentless pursuit of improvement, fierce competitiveness and commitment to winning have made him an integral part of our organization,” said Pelinka. “From the moment he joined the Lakers, Austin has embodied the work ethic and selfless approach that define our culture. We’re thrilled to continue building with him as a cornerstone of our team as we pursue our championship goals.”
Reaves is a rare rags-to-riches story in the NBA. A native of Newark, Ark., a small town with a population of just over 1,000, he first went to Wichita State University and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma. He went undrafted in 2021 but quickly emerged as a diamond in the rough, and he has increased his scoring average every year following his rookie campaign.
This past season, Reaves averaged 23.3 points and 5.5 assists a game while shooting 49% from the field and 36% from 3-point range. He has become L.A.'s second scoring option, and with LeBron James gone, he could perhaps boost his scoring average yet again this coming season.
His four-year, $185 million contract is the largest an undrafted NBA player has ever signed.
The Atlanta Dream could once again be without one of their biggest stars when they return to the floor Monday night. Angel Reese missed her first game of the 2026 WNBA season on Saturday after suffering a leg injury late in Atlanta's win over the Seattle Storm. Without the three-time All-Star, the Dream fell 102-92 to the Portland Fire, extending what has been a difficult stretch after one of the league's hottest starts.
Now, Atlanta has released another update on Reese's status ahead of a key matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Angel Reese remains questionable for Dream vs. Sparks
The Dream listed Reese as questionable on Sunday's official injury report with a right leg injury. The injury occurred late in Thursday's 89-78 victory over the Seattle Storm when Reese rolled her ankle with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. She exited the game limping and did not return.
Although Reese was initially listed as questionable for Saturday's contest against Portland, Atlanta ultimately ruled her out, marking the first game she has missed all season. Her status remains uncertain entering Monday's game, creating another challenge for a Dream team looking to halt its recent slide.
Reese has continued to put together another standout campaign in her first season with Atlanta. Through 22 games, she's averaging 15.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists while earning her third consecutive WNBA All-Star selection.Her rebounding, physicality and interior presence have been central to Atlanta's success throughout the season.
Dream hoping to snap recent skid
Atlanta opened the year as one of the WNBA's biggest surprises, racing out to a 12-4 record and looking like a legitimate title contender. Since then, however, the Dream have struggled to maintain that momentum.
The loss to Portland dropped Atlanta to 13-10, continuing a difficult stretch that has seen the team lose ground in the standings after its red-hot start. The injury report includes another notable name as well.
Veteran forward Brionna Jones, who has been sidelined throughout the season with a knee injury, is also listed as questionable after previously being ruled doubtful before Saturday's game. If both Reese and Jones are unavailable, Atlanta could again find itself shorthanded in the frontcourt against Los Angeles.
The Sparks aren't entering Monday at full strength either. Los Angeles continues to be without stars Cameron Brink and Kelsey Plum, both of whom remain sidelined as the team attempts to stay in the playoff race.
The Sparks enter Monday's contest with a 10-11 record, making the matchup an important opportunity for both teams as the second half of the WNBA season begins. Tipoff between the Dream and Sparks is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, with Atlanta hoping Reese will be cleared in time to return to the lineup.
The Indiana Fever have spent much of the 2026 WNBA season proving they can score with anyone. The problem has been making those performances translate into consistent wins.
Indiana enters Sunday's nationally anticipated matchup against the Las Vegas Aces at 13-9, sitting fifth in the WNBA standings and firmly in the playoff picture. The Fever own one of the league's most explosive offenses, led by Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, but defensive lapses have prevented them from taking the next step into the championship conversation.
That reality wasn't lost on veteran guard Sophie Cunningham, who delivered an honest assessment of where the team stands after 22 games.
Sophie Cunningham says Fever still haven't reached their full potential
Despite Indiana's winning record, Cunningham made it clear the Fever know they're capable of much more. Speaking to reporters, Cunningham admitted the group is still searching for consistency on both ends of the floor.
"There's a lot of stuff we have to clean up," Cunningham said, via Tony East of The IX Sports. "We're starting to get a little more consistency, which is great… I don't think we have all clicked on the same level yet."
It's a refreshingly candid evaluation from one of Indiana's veteran leaders. The Fever rank second in the WNBA in offensive rating at 113.2, but they're near the bottom of the league defensively. That imbalance has shown up repeatedly throughout the season. Indiana has eclipsed the 100-point mark seven times, yet owns just a 3-4 record in those games, illustrating that even elite offensive performances haven't always been enough.
Still, Cunningham believes the ceiling remains much higher.
She added that once the Fever begin playing complete basketball on a consistent basis, "it's going to be scary."
Sophie Cunningham on Fever's halfway point: "There's a lot of stuff we have to clean up. We're starting to get a little more consistency, which is great... I don't think we have all clicked on the same level yet. Once we do, it's going to be scary."
Cunningham isn't the only member of the organization preaching patience. Head coach Stephanie White has repeatedly emphasized that consistency is the biggest hurdle facing Indiana. The Fever have shown stretches where they look capable of beating anyone in the league, only to follow those performances with defensive breakdowns or uneven execution.
That inconsistency has been one of the defining storylines of Indiana's season. While Clark has continued to attract national attention and Mitchell remains one of the WNBA's premier scorers, the Fever have often struggled to string together complete 40-minute performances. The encouraging part for Indiana is that there's still plenty of basketball left.
With half the regular season remaining, the Fever have time to improve defensively, build chemistry and establish the consistency Cunningham referenced before the playoffs begin.
Indiana's next opportunity to show that growth comes Sunday against the Las Vegas Aces. The matchup carries added intrigue with Clark expected to return while continuing to play under a minutes restriction after her recent injury absence. Facing one of the WNBA's elite teams provides another measuring stick for a Fever squad trying to prove it belongs among the league's true contenders.
If Indiana can pair its elite offense with improved defensive execution over the second half of the season, Cunningham's prediction about the team's potential could quickly become reality.
Darius Acuff Jr. was one of the best point guards in the country during his year at Arkansas. He was playing under head coach John Calipari, a man who has an elite pipeline when it comes to NBA players.
The guard position, in particular, has had a lot of big names under Calipari's programs. This includes Derrick Rose, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and John Wall. The last one has been quite vocal in his post-NBA career about the most recent products of Calipari's system.
John Wall celebrates Darius Acuff Jr.'s NBA future
Acuff is now one of the biggest favorites to win Rookie of the Year in the 2026-27 season. He is playing for the Sacramento Kings, a team that is looking for a star player they can keep building around.
While Acuff has not been playing at the highest level at NBA Summer League, he is still quite a promising player. He has the skill set that can help him thrive in the modern NBA as both a scorer and a playmaker.
Considering Wall was a multi-time All-Star during his NBA career, his opinion matters when it comes to the young guards. Wall also recognizes that Acuff is a fellow Calipari product, so he knows the talent is there.
Wall talking about Acuff is a bit of a passing of the torch. Both of them were standouts under Calipari in college, but now, it is time for Acuff to prove that he belongs in the rarified group of Calipari point guards who also succeed in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers were next-to-last this past season in bench scoring, and they had no one, other than perhaps Rui Hachimura, who could consistently get buckets off their bench. When Hachimura, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes left in free agency, the Lakers' need for scoring from their reserves only grew stronger.
That is presumably why they pursued guard Collin Sexton in free agency. They got him to agree to a two-year, $19 million contract with a player option in the second year, and as of Sunday, the signing is official. He will wear jersey No. 10 for the Lakers.
While Sexton, who is 6-foot-3, is regarded as a poor defender, especially against bigger guards, he also has a reputation for being a high-motor and ultra-competitive player. He can not only be an instant offense man off the bench and assume ball-handling and facilitating duties, but he is also very speedy and athletic and can create pace and fast-break opportunities.
Many Lakers fans are bearish about his addition, but he fills multiple clear needs and has the ability to be a key member of coach JJ Redick's rotation.
Sexton averaged 15.4 points and 3.3 assists in 23.7 minutes a game while shooting 48.5% from the field and 40.1% from 3-point range this past season. He is 27 years of age and has played eight years in the NBA after he was the No. 8 pick in the 2018 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The NBA Summer League has already been exciting because of the rookies standing out. However, it made huge headlines when former Miami Heat teammates Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro were involved in an incident that saw the former punch the latter.
It was reminiscent of what happened with the Golden State Warriors a few years ago when Draymond Green was caught on camera punching Jordan Poole. Now, it has led to some backlash from Green, as he has called out Udonis Haslem for being the duo's veteran for a long time.
Udonis Haslem puts Draymond Green on blast after the Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro situation
When the footage of Green's punch went viral, Haslem was one of the most outspoken people who reacted to it. For the longest time, Haslem was known as the most reliable veteran in the league for the Heat.
That made him a respected figure around the league and a veteran who is always a person who can be relied upon. However, that left a bad impression on Green, who is also considered a good veteran, but that was ruined after the punch.
Green himself went off on Haslem, citing that Adebayo and Herro were players who learned from the longtime Heat leader. Unfortunately for Green, Haslem has responded in kind with a pointed reply to both Green and Jimmy Butler.
"Ion really vibe you and I think you know that so unless it’s me on prime talking hoops I won’t mention you at all. You brought me into this and I am retired and out the way. I suggest you keep it pushing cause I ain’t giving out no more hall passes bra," Haslem said to end his five-paragraph response to Green.
It was an amazing response because he not only defended his former coaches and teammates, but he also pointed out some of Green's problems. He even pointed out Butler, who is now Green's teammate, who also had a lot of questionable moments throughout his career.
Reaves was undrafted out of Oklahoma but has become a foundational piece for the Lakers.
In 2025-26, he averaged 23.3 points per game for L.A.
“Austin’s relentless pursuit of improvement, fierce competitiveness and commitment to winning have made him an integral part of our organization,” Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said in the team statement announcing the contract. “From the moment he joined the Lakers, Austin has embodied the work ethic and selfless approach that define our culture. We’re thrilled to continue building with him as a cornerstone of our team as we pursue our championship goals.”
Reaves will become even more crucial for the Lakers going forward. LeBron James has departed, so it's the Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves show.
To reach their ceiling as a team, the Lakers will need Reaves to continue growing and thriving.
He's now got a big payday to prove just how important he is in Los Angeles.
Sunday’s game between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces was highly anticipated. It was a chance for fans to see Caitlin Clark face A’ja Wilson again in a battle of WNBA superstars.
The three-time All-Star guard quickly turned heads. Clark didn’t waste time making her presence felt by knocking down a step-back triple over Wilson, giving Indiana an early 5-0 lead.
Jun 24, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates a made shot in the first half against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Caitlin Clark’s injury status
Clark missed Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Mercury. It was the second night of a back-to-back set, and Indiana opted to rest her due to back issues. She also saw limited action on Wednesday versus the Los Angeles Sparks, playing 16 minutes.
The Fever are taking a cautious approach on their superstar to preserve her for the playoffs. Clark missed the entire postseason last year due to different injuries, and the team wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again. She will likely continue being in a minutes restriction until her back fully heals. Indiana will have a four-game homestand after Sunday’s fixture.
LAS VEGAS -- Brooklyn Nets rookie forward Joshua Jefferson had to wait a long time before he could officially step onto an NBA floor as a member of the Nets. The trade that brought Minnesota forward Julius Randle to Brooklyn was officially completed on Friday, paving the way for Jefferson to make his Las Vegas Summer League debut and he gave his thoughts on how he played.
"Definitely. I think today was my first game in like four months since March when I got hurt. So, it's really been a long time since I've been in a playing setting because I wasn't able to get any practice reps either," Jefferson said to the media following Saturday's 83-76 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Jefferson finished the game with nine points and two steals, but he also shot just 1-of-8 from the field.
"So, I definitely think I'm gonna be fine. I showed some glimpses today of what I can do with the ball in my hand so I just got to keep playing," Jefferson continued before explaining how his skillset fits with Brooklyn's roster. "I think just the way my passing can affect the game, making everybody feel involved, get the ball flying around. It's easy to guard people when the ball's sticking in one person's hand."
Coming into the 2026 NBA Draft, Jefferson, whom the Nets selected with the No. 28 pick, was heralded as a forward with the versatility to be a playmaker within an offense along with bringing some intriguing long-range shooting if he improves in that area. Jefferson wasn't able to practice with Brooklyn in an official capacity until the trade was finalized, but he made up for lost time with how aggressive he was on the offensive end.
Heading into the 2026-27 NBA season, Jefferson is likely to be coming off the bench at the forward spot given that Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle will be in the starting lineup come opening night. However, if Jefferson's debut is any indication, he is looking to earn playing time from now through training camp, especially now that he is officially able to play during summer league as a member of the roster.
With LeBron James’ stint with the Los Angeles Lakers coming to an end earlier this summer, many are wondering where the four-time NBA champion will spend his 24th season in the big leagues.
Additionally, the Stein Line’s Jake Fischer noted that the Warriors are 'still involved as any team', confirming that the seven-time NBA champions are firmly in the mix for the 22-time All-Star.
On Sunday, Heavy’s Sean Deveney revealed when James is expected to make his highly anticipated free agency decision.
“The whole league is in a holding pattern, of course, based on the pending free-agent decision of LeBron James," Deveney wrote. "Thus far, he has done well to send multiple signals and misdirections that have kept all teams involved thinking they at least have a chance to sign him.”
“The Cavs, Warriors, and Heat are still the favorites, but that’s only based on the educated guesses of those around the league. The expectation is that James will decide this week, and that should free up the market for the rest of the top players.”
While many were under the impression that James would drag things out to help build up the suspense, it sounds like he could be near an NBA-altering decision. The Warriors could certainly use James’ Hall of Fame-worthy contributions in 2026-27, as they could be left with just one elite offensive threat to start the year (Jimmy Butler is still recovering from his ACL injury).
At the end of the day, the ball is in James’ court, and if he feels the Warriors will help him finish his career the right way, a blockbuster signing might be on the horizon.
Setting a screen for Bennett Stirtz, Aday Mara rolled to the rim. The two first-round picks connected. The seven-footer capped off the textbook pick-and-roll play as he barely needed to jump off the hardwood to get an easy layup. Even with a lopsided scoreboard, those two made this a fun watch.
The Oklahoma City Thunder remain winless in the July extravaganza. They fell in a 104-79 Summer League loss to the Golden State Warriors. That said, Mara and Stirtz looked much more comfortable. That's all you can ask for at this event.
In a matchup between two former Michigan teammates, Mara one-upped Yaxel Lendeborg — who's been a Summer League darling. The former blocked the latter on a second-chance look. Even with the Thunder falling behind early, his play left you encouraged. They were in a 27-16 deficit after the first quarter.
The second frame probably saw Mara's best stretch in Summer League. He backed down Lachlan Olbrich in the post. A couple of power-dribbles later, he went up for the one-handed jam. Later on, he went at Graham Ike in the post. This time, on a turnaround jumper he was fouled on. The Thunder scored 22 points in the second quarter. They entered halftime with a 53-38 deficit.
The second half was much of the same story. The Thunder stayed behind by double-digit points. Will Richard knocked down an outside jumper to make it a 63-43 contest with seven minutes to go in the third quarter. At that point, the Thunder were in a 20-point hole just three minutes into the second half. Any intrigue from this game — in terms of the final result — was lost early on.
Mara and Stirtz ran some pick-and-roll action. Both had double-digit points after the third quarter. With just 18 points in the frame, the Thunder were in a 73-56 hole. As has been the case in all of OKC's Summer League fourth quarters, the final 10 minutes were pretty skippable. Both sides had the end of the bench play out most of it.
The Thunder put up 23 points in the final frame. They trailed by as many as 26 points. Thanks to the shortened games in Summer League, this one didn't overstay its welcome at under two hours. Even with a second half filled with choppiness and fouls every other possession.
The Thunder shot 44% from the field and went 8-of-30 (26.7%) from 3. They shot 6-of-12 on free throws. They had 17 assists on 30 baskets. Three Thunder players scored double-digit points.
Mara finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Stirtz had 13 points and two assists. Payton Sandfort dropped 11 points off the bench.
Meanwhile, the Warriors shot 44% from the field and went 15-of-41 (36.6%) from 3. They shot 11-of-13 on free throws. They had 23 assists on 34 baskets. Six Warriors players scored double-digit points.
Lendeborg had 14 points and four assists. Ike finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Nick Boyd and Olbrich each scored 14 points apiece. Lajae Jones and Chance McMillian both scored 10 points apiece off the bench as well.
We're a little over a week in and it's pretty obvious the Thunder just aren't rostering a talented group in this year's Summer League roster. And the top two billing names are perhaps being asked to do too much and in the wrong roles. That said, this was about as good as it gets for OKC. Mara finally showed out. Stirtz continues to look even more comfortable.
That's kinda the whole point of Summer League. You want to see incremental improvement throughout the two weeks. Even if there's not much sustainable to take away from these sets of games, it's always a plus to see your top picks conjure up a bundle of highlights. Even if the Thunder have had all blowout losses.
Let's look at Thunder player grades:
Aday Mara: A-minus
Demanding the ball in the post, Mara licked his chops at the one-on-one matchup with Olbrich. He power-dribbled underneath the rim. Elbowing some wiggle room, the 7-foot-3 titan went up for the animated two-handed dunk. Nobody on Golden State had a prayer to stop him.
Mara finished with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, nine rebounds and four assists. He shot 0-of-1 from 3 and went 1-of-1 on free throws. He also had one block.
That's one way to shut up the critics. After Mara had a complete no-show last time — with folks wondering his long-term fit in the NBA — he reminded skeptics why he was in the lottery conversation for months. His best Summer League outing showed that you can't teach size. Especially when you tower over most of the NBA sans one guy.
Busy in the middle quarters, Mara flipped the switch as a scorer. He wasn't required to be a scoring machine at Michigan. Rather, he played within the flow of the offense. But in this Summer League matchup against his former college teammate, he asked for the ball deep in the post. A sight most Thunder fans have been begging to see.
You saw why their outcries were vindicated, though. Mara bullied his way to the rim. His size overwhelmed any Golden State defender. When that didn't happen, the Thunder finally cracked the code at throwing the ball up in the air on his rolls to the rim. He even showed off his jumper with an outside attempt and a turnaround fadeaway jumper.
Elsewhere, Mara had the chance to be at the wheel in OKC's offense. He helped with his secondary playmaking. He was also a monster on the boards. Something that's a must for him to improve on. While mostly having positives, the 21-year-old still showed he had things to work on. Such as his ball security. Can't turn it over at the rate he's had so far as a center.
That said, you're very encouraged by what Mara showed. After how bad he was last game, his response would be very telling. At least in terms of what his intangibles are made of. Against Lendeborg — who's been showered with praise for his scoring output in this environment — he outplayed him in their one-on-one matchup.
Swishing in a couple of one-legged jumpers, Stirtz has grown fully comfortable. It took about a week, but we finally reached the part of Summer League where his shot-making talents have translated over to another level of competition. That's four years in a row now.
Stirtz finished with 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, two assists and one rebound. He shot 1-of-4 from 3 and went 1-of-1 on free throws.
We're now seeing what Stirtz looks like in an ideal setting. He's let his scoring do the talking for him. In a variety of ways, too. Even though he only made one outside jumper, the volume was encouraging. He did it both in catch-and-shoot ways as well as creating his own stepback looks.
Within the perimeter, Stirtz showed he can finish through traffic with a driving layup. His chemistry continues to improve with Mara. They both fed each other buckets. Finally, the Thunder are highlighting their two-man game. Took longer than anticipated, but their rapport has improved with each rep.
At this point, Stirtz has shown he can reach double-digit points by running mostly elementary stuff. The Thunder have put the ball in his hands more often as we've progressed through Summer League. Interested to see what else he can do for the rest of the way. But at the halfway mark, the 22-year-old has given you tangible evidence he can help OKC's offense function.
Swishing in the fadeaway jumper, Sandfort showed he's not a one-trick pony. Even when the outside jumper isn't falling, he showed he can stuff the box score in other ways. The 24-year-old continues to be one of the more consistent players for the Thunder in this Summer League.
Sandfort finished with 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting. He shot 1-of-4 from 3.
The outside jumper betrayed him, but Sandfort showed he can help in other ways. A couple of timely cuts helped him get layups. He also swished in a couple of mid-range jumpers. Scoring points has proven to be a grit-your-teeth task for this year's Thunder Summer League squad. So it's nice to see at least one guy who can help in that department.
Consistency has been Sandfort's friend this Summer League. You can bank on double-digit points. Even if he's off the bench and with limited touches. Honestly, he's outplayed all three of OKC's two-way players. Will be interesting to see if he garners interest elsewhere for one of those prestigious spots.
Brooks Barnhizer: C-minus
Cutting baseline, Barnhizer helped Mara get another assist with a driving layup. That duo's chemistry has improved with each possession. Just last game, they had a loud miscue as the ball sailed out of bounds. Now, they've learned each other's tendencies a little more.
Barnhizer finished with six points on 3-of-6 shooting, five rebounds and one assist. He also had one steal and one block.
Honestly, kinda difficult to figure out who else to write about. Mara and Stirtz were awesome. But the rest of the Thunder were pretty meh. At least Barnhizer looked better in a downsized role. They've kinda put him in a bad spot for most of Summer League as the primary ball-handler. But in this game, he looked a lot more comfortable as an off-ball cutter.
That role suits Barnhizer a lot better. He's a small-ball forward, not a playmaker. The less, the better for him. You can't even get too mad at his mistakes when he's run the offense because that isn't his strength. He was asked to do a lot more than you could reasonably expect because of the rest of OKC's Summer League roster.
The Golden State Warriors have put together their teams through a variety of ways over the years, yet few approaches have proven as successful as the NBA draft. More than anything else, the most talented players to represent the Warriors have arrived in Golden State either by being selected directly in the annual draft or through trades executed on that same night.
The Golden State Warriors have taken many of their top stars through the draft, but have also landed a number of notable players over the years as well. From tiny colleges to blue blood programs, these alumni have contributed significantly to the team's roster over the years. So, we chose to take a closer look at which Dubs came from which schools over the years.
So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Warriors out of NYU.
Joel Kaufman - guard
Draft year and position: 9th round (3rd pick, 99th overall), 1950 NBA Draft
Seasons at NYU: 3
Seasons played with Warriors: did not make the team
Barry Kramer - forward
Draft year and position: 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 1964 NBA Draft
Seasons at NYU: 3
Seasons played with Warriors: 1
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
The Houston Rockets have had players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers (and have one not part of any numerical series for Houston assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson) since their founding at the start of the 1967-68 season, worn by just under 500 players in the course of Rockets history.
To honor all of the players who wore those numbers over the decades, Rockets Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who wore them since the founding of the team all those years ago right up to the present day.
With seven of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Rockets of all time to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.
And for today's article, we will continue with the ninth of 16 who wore the No. 21, forward alum Nana Papa Yaw Mensah-Bonsu. After ending his college career at George Washington, Mensah-Bonsu went unselected in the 2006 NBA Draft, instead signing with the Dallas Mavericks.
The London, United Kingdom native played the first 12 games of his pro career with Dallas. He also played in other leagues and for the San Antonio Spurs, and the Toronto Raptors before he signed with the Houston Rockets in 2009. His stay with the team lasted until he was cut next fall.
During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Mensah-Bonsu wore only jersey No. 21 and put up 1.3 points and 1.0 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
Aliyah Boston’s popularity continues to grow as she dominates on the WNBA court and turns heads off of it. Her outfit on Sunday ahead of the matchup against the Las Vegas Aces drew a lot of attention.
The four-time All-Star arrived at Michelob Ultra Arena wearing a white, sleeveless, ribbed cropped tank top. She paired it with loose-fitting wide-leg track pants featuring a thick white waistband. Boston accessorized with a red shoulder handbag and styled her hair in long, dark braids.
The WNBA posted Boston’s tunnel walk on X, along with her teammates. She was the second player featured in the clip, after Caitlin Clark.
Boston and the Fever are aiming to win their second consecutive game after defeating the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday. A victory on Sunday would also give them a lot of momentum before they start their four-game homestand.
Jun 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Indiana Fever center-forward Aliyah Boston (7) celebrates a play with guard Caitlin Clark (22) and guard Sophie Cunningham (8) against the Washington Mystics during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Aliyah Boston’s season stats
The 6-foot-5 center is enjoying her best season through 20 games. She is averaging a career-high 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds, along with 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks. Boston’s strong play has been one of the reasons why her team has turned its season around.
Indiana started by splitting its first 10 games of the season. However, the Fever are now 13-9 and are well-positioned at the midway point of the campaign to make the playoffs. They are currently fifth but have a good chance to continue to climb the standings.
LAS VEGAS — Phoenix Suns 7-footer Khaman Maluach has been the team’s best player so far in Las Vegas.
Double-double menace. Knocking down 3s. Vocal leader.
Javonte Cooke and Darius Brown II have led the Suns in scoring in each game, respectively.
Rasheer Fleming has shown flashes of his potential. Koby Brea can’t make a 3.
Then there’s Koa Peat.
Here are takeaways after Phoenix’s 81-75 loss July 12 to the New Orleans Pelicans (2-1) at Cox Pavilion in their second NBA Summer League game
Darius Brown paced the Suns (1-1) with 18 points Sunday after Cooke led Phoenix with 21 in Friday's 81-79 comeback victory July 10 over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Suns take on the Milwaukee Bucks on July 13 at Cox Pavilion in the second of a back-to-back.
Who should Suns shut down rest of Summer League?
The Suns could easily sit Maluach and Fleming the next game if not the remainder of Summer League.
They’re second-year guys who are looking to become rotation players this season, but Summer League gives them a chance to gain more in-game experience.
"We were getting great looks. We had some open 3s that didn't go down. Even some layups there and then we were able to get the offensive rebound."
Chaisson Allen on Suns 31.4% (2-of-15 3s) in 1st half of 81-75 loss to Pelicans.
"We'll check in with those guys,” said Suns coach Chaisson Allen when asked about Maluach, Fleming and Peat. “We'll obviously be smart about it, but as many reps as they can get in this Summer League, we'd like for them to do so to carry us over into the season."
Maluach posted 15 points and 15 rebounds Sunday after going for 19 and 11 Friday.
He’s 5-of-11 from 3 through two games. Been vocal on the floor and from the bench.
Maluach committed seven turnovers in Game 1.
He watched film, went over the mistakes, adjusted, and didn't commit a single one Sunday.
“Being a young big, when the season gets here, a lot of people are going to pressure up and try to make me turn over the ball," Maluach said. "Just got to be able to take care of the ball so my coach can trust me with the ball.”
"It's been good. It's been a lot of learning experiences."
Khaman Maluach double-double (19-11 and 15-15) and 5-of-11 from 3 in Suns 1-1 start to Summer League.
"It's been a lot of stuff to get better on."
7 turnovers Friday vs. Blazers. 0 Sunday vs Pelicans.
Of the three, Maluach has earned a rest day, even though he’s just 19 and could use the reps like everyone else.
CJ Huntley is still out with a right hamstring injury.
“His rehab process has been good here in Vegas,” Allen said. “He's still questionable and working to get back.”
If Huntley were healthy, that’d give the Suns even more reason to sit Maluach.
What about Fleming?
Fleming was icing his left hand and wrist after an 11-point game Sunday.
Another solid outing, but Fleming still seems indecisive when looking to attack the paint off the dribble.
He made a nice baseline cut for a dunk off a Peat interior feed, but the 6-9, 240-pound forward is going to the step-back jumper instead of attacking the paint with his size.
Koa Peat X Rasheer Fleming = bounce pass for two-handed dunk.
As for Peat, he certainly needs the reps more than Fleming and Maluach being a rookie.
He’s shown growth throughout the two games. He made some mistakes with his decision-making, but Peat is looking to create for his teammates, a skill this team needs.
More on him later.
Why is Brea struggling from 3?
As for Brea, it’s strange watching him repeatedly misfire.
Through two games, the two-way guard is shooting a woeful 0-of-10 from 3. He’s scored a total of seven points on a bleak 2-of-17 shooting.
He's shown a tendency to over-dribble and hasn't demonstrated catch-and-shoot looks.
Brea is exerting energy on defense, which may be impacting the lift on his jump shot.
Brea needs to keep playing to work his way out of this slump and regain some confidence. The guy is a knockdown shooter. He knows it. The Suns know it, too.
The young man has talent and has been more than solid in Vegas. He's scoring off the dribble. Finishing around the rim. He posted 12 points Sunday after going for 17 in his Summer League debut on Friday's win over Portland.
Peat is shooting 11-of-21 from the field. Mostly from close range, but he's been an offensive threat, creating shots. He's doing a decent job on defense.
He’s still struggling to make jump shots, but Peat hit a big one late in the fourth against the Pelicans to keep the Suns within striking distance.
One, he just continues to play. Has a steady pace that leads to him being in the right place to make a play or score.
Two, his playmaking instincts have been good. Committed seven turnovers in the two games and had only one assist Sunday, but he’s looking to make a play.
Three, taking on the challenge. Peat found himself in a losing battle with Pelicans big Malik Dia, a 6-9, 250-pound forward out of Mississippi who went undrafted.
The 22-year-old finished with 18 points, eight boards and two blocks Sunday.
Power player who knocked down a 3 Sunday.
Like his game, but Peat took on that physical challenge.
It’s a mentality that falls in line with Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd saying Peat won’t back down. Peat has the size and frame, but the 19-year-old will gain more strength in the NBA.
If Peat can put it all together at this level, improve, extend the range on the jump shot and become even more solid on defense, the Suns have something in the future.
If he can speed up the process, like really accelerate it, his time may come sooner rather than later.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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In many ways, this is the kind of player the Cavs needed to find.
For all their talent in 2025-26, they didn't necessarily have a guy who could come off the bench and go into attack mode. Cleveland had plenty of shooting, but not quite the score-first playmaker like this.
He doesn't need to have a big role early. James Harden is still technically a free agent, but he'll sign to return and keep playing in the backcourt with Donovan Mitchell.
But if Thomas can play off the bench with some quality minutes early, and maybe even develop into more, that'll be a big deal for Cleveland.
The Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 87-75 despite a late push from the Las Vegas version of the Raptors, Celtics second round pick Dillon Mitchell leading all scorers with 24 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field overall (including a promising conversion of 2 of his 3-point attempts).
Mitchell also had 8 rebounds, 6 steals, and 2 blocks in his breakout game with the Sin City Celtics. Forward John Tonje put up another 17 points along with 5 rebounds, wing Hugo Gonzalez added 14 points, 4 boards, as many assists, 3 steals and a block in the Boston win among notable starters.
Off the bench, guard Milos Uzan chipped in 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, and forward Tucker DeVries added another 11 points to secure the victory for the Summer Celtics.
After defeating the Summer Hornets, Boston imrpves to 2-0 in Las Vegas Summer League action to date.
The Sin City Celtics will next play the Summer Atlanta Hawks squad this coming Monday (July 13) evening at 6 pm ET on Amazon Prime Video.
The Summer League is a great opportunity for franchises to evaluate talent that could prove useful in both the short and long term.
For the Los Angeles Lakers, there are plenty of high-upside contributors the organization should keep close tabs on.
Former Creighton forward Arthur Kaluma is one of them, as he’s off to a promising start to the exciting offseason event. The Boston, Massachusetts, native has improved his scoring in each of his first four contests in Las Vegas, finishing with 12 points against the Golden State Warriors, 16 against the San Antonio Spurs, 18 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and a remarkable 34 against the Dallas Mavericks.
Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand is a fan of the young pro’s game and believes the Lakers should consider signing him to a two-way deal before it’s too late.
“Lakers need to give Arthur Kaluma a two-way contract before someone else does,” Starkand wrote on X/Twitter Saturday.
Considering all of Los Angeles’ two-way roster spots are full, the 17-time NBA champions would have to cut ties with one of the contributors who possess one of the contracts. When a user asked Starkand whether the Lakers could replace Peter Suder (undrafted shooting guard out of Miami, Ohio) with Kaluma, the Lakers journalist made it clear that it's a viable possibility.
“Yes, they’ve done it in the past,” Starkand replied.
Kaluma, who shot 55.6% from three with the Los Angeles G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, last season (five games), has continued to find his touch from beyond the arc as a confident catch-and-shoot weapon.
The 24-year-old is shooting 38.1% from three-point land through four Las Vegas Summer League contests, and has made positive contributions as a slasher when defenders over-commit on the perimeter.
Kaluma is also an active defender who’s regular in the right spots in help-side situations and has proven he can hold his own in one-on-one situations as an on-ball defender.
While Suder is known for being a prolific shooter dating back to his senior season with the Redhawks (42.1%), his space-creating woes and defensive limitations would justify the Lakers’ potential decision to remove him from two-way consideration.
LAS VEGAS — It’ll be another three months before Sandro Mamukelashvili takes his first real shot for the Lakers – his main quest after signing with the franchise shortly after free agency started last week.
But on Saturday night while the Lakers summer league team was taking on the Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center, Mamukelashvili took other kinds of shots for his new team.
Sandro Mamukelashvili joined the Lakers in free agency on a 4-year, $52 million contract. NBAE via Getty Images
Mamukelashvili became the latest NBA player to trade in his jersey for a photographer’s camera, shooting the first half of Saturday’s game from the first row of the courtside media section inside of the arena.
“I love doing extra stuff,” Mamukelashvili told the California Post. “They call me Side Quest King. So I definitely love it. I’m enjoying it. I’m learning a lot.”
Mamukelashvili, who’s had an interest in photography (“Sometimes I try to take artsy pictures that don’t make [any] sense,” he said. “But I’ve got to explain to people why they’re good.), quickly found out the challenges of the craft.
He exclaimed “Ahh, I missed it!” after Arthur Kaluma’s pump-and-drive layup 4 ½ minutes into the game.
Mamukelashvili joined the Lakers at Summer League to serve as team photographer during a game. Khobi Price for the CA Post
He talked about how much he liked to zoom in, but realized he had to find the balance of how far to zoom in and how much space to give his subject.
By the second quarter, he started stretching out his wrists as the weight of the camera started to set in.
“Oh my god, it’s crazy, how hard is it to hold the camera steady at the same time, make sure you zoom in correctly, zoom out,” Mamukelashvili told the Post. “Definitely need some strength on your wrist, it’s tough.”
During a Lakers fastbreak in the first quarter, he said outloud to himself “Run run run…give me action.” Another time, he was saying “I’m ready…I’m ready.”
Eager to show off his work, Mamukelashvili sat in press row to share it with reporters. Khobi Price for the CA Post
Mamukelashvili got so into the side quest that he found himself cheering for a Mavericks player to dunk. And when jokingly asked by the Post who he was cheering for, he quipped “I need a statement!”
“The challenging part is, I would say, making sure you are catching the right moment,” Mamukelashvili said.
At one point in the first quarter, Mamukelashvili gave his photography skills a grade of B+
“Still got a little bit of action to go,” he said. “So, let’s see what I can cook up here.”
And then Mamukelashvili met the moment, capturing William Kyle III’s two-handed dunk late in the opening quarter, which bumped Mamukelashvili’s self-assessed grade up to an A-.
By the time the second quarter rolled around, Mamukelashvili found his flow.
“I’m creating art right now, man,” he said as a Laker social media employee gave him Meta Glasses to capture more content.
What was his best shot of the game?
“It’s too many of them,” he responded.
Arguably the best photo of Mamukelashvili’s day was this two-handed dunk. Khobi Price for the CA Post
Soon, Mamukelashvili will find himself back in a familiar position on the other side of the camera.
But it’ll be in the Lakers’ Purple and Gold after playing for the Raptors (2025-26), Spurs (2023-25) and Bucks (2021-23) since being the No. 54 pick in the 2021 draft.
“Just the name itself – all of the legends play for the Lakers,” Mamukelashvili told the Post of why he signed with the Lakers. “The organization is a very high-level organization. They’re starting a new page and it’s just unbelievable to be part of it.”
Mamukelashvili, who got a “Mamba Mentality” tattoo while he was in college at Seton Hall, grew up a fan of late Lakers icon Kobe Bryant.
“I could only imagine this really in 2K, that I would be playing for this team,” Mamukelashvili said. “I’m so excited, so happy. The coaching staff is amazing and I can’t wait to just put the jersey on, go out there and just play my heart out every night. You gotta have a chip on your shoulder when you play for the Lakers.”
Mamukelashvili is a significant part of the Lakers’ roster reconstruction around superstar guard Luka Doncic.
Mamukelashvili is expected to bring size, physicality and an ability to stretch the floor, which should pair well with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Getty Images
Mamukelashvili (four years, $52 million), along with Reaves, Kessler and Grimes, were among the players who signed long-term deals with a player option for the 2029-30 season.
This deal signified the belief president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick have in Mamukelashvili in the team’s long-term vision.
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Mamukelashvili is coming off of a career-year with the Raptors, receiving three third-place votes for Sixth Man of the Year.
His scoring average (11.2 points), field goal percentage (52.3%), rebounds average (4.9), assists average (1.9), steals average (.8) and blocks average (.5) with Toronto in 2025-26 were all career-best marks.
“They just see me as a basketball player who can go out there, play multiple positions, bring the rhythm,” Mamukelashvili told the Post. “They know I’m gonna play hard, I won’t take possessions off and they understand that I really want to win. That’s where I fit.
“Having players like Luka, Austin Reaves, all those guys who are such amazing creators that’s gonna help me so much offensively, just flow in it and hopefully get a lot of open corner 3s and then just knock them down.”
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton did not finish the New York Liberty's 93-91 loss to the Toronto Tempo after being ejected for throwing a shoe.
Laney-Hamilton exited the matchup at the 1:48 mark of the fourth quarter following a play where teammate Sabrina Ionescu drew a charge. As the play was stopped for review, Laney-Hamilton threw a shoe that Jonquel Jones had lost moments before. The shoe hit Tempo guard Marina Mabrey in the back.
After further review, Laney-Hamilton was assessed a technical foul for throwing a "projectile onto the court" and was ejected from the game. The technical was her second of the matchup, warranting the automatic ejection. Mabrey shot the technical free throw after Laney-Hamilton left the court, putting Toronto up two.
"I've never seen anything like that. We had all the momentum in the world. A shoe hit somebody. Ejected, free throws. I've also never seen a ref make such an atrocious call when he's on the other side of the floor," Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco said postgame."The ball is clearly off the defender and (the referee) comes over and overturns and gives the ball back to the Tempo. Then again, I've never seen one of the best players to ever play in this league attack the rim and get fouled, and absolutely no call. Atrocious, pathetic. It was pathetic."
A postgame pool report confirmed that Laney-Hamilton was ejected for throwing the shoe.
"Betnijah Laney picked up a shoe and threw it at Marina Mabrey, and it hit Marina in the back, so she received her second technical foul and subsequently was ejected from the basketball game," referee Kevin Fahy said.
Laney-Hamilton's ejection came at the end of a tension-filled matchup for the forward. She also picked up a technical foul at the 3:19 mark of the third quarter after a dustup with Mabrey. Mabrey pushed Laney-Hamilton to the floor, and both players, who had been chippy throughout the game, were assessed technical fouls.
Additionally, Laney-Hamilton picked up a flagrant-1 foul at the 2:08 mark of the second quarter. She and Mabrey were on the court, in a scramble to collect a loose basketball. During the push to get the ball, the Liberty forward's arm made contact with the Tempo guard's face. Postgame, Mabrey and Laney-Hamilton both addressed the shoe incident. Mabrey told on-site media she didn't think Laney-Hamilton threw it on purpose. Laney-Hamilton appeared to confirm that notion.
"I would never intentionally try to hit someone with a shoe, especially while they're not looking. The teammate was without a (shoe), so I did my best to try and get it to her. Unfortunately, it did hit someone," Laney-Hamilton said.
"I know just by the way that things were going throughout the game that it can look a certain way, but that's just not something that I would personally do... especially in a moment like that where (the) game is on the line."
The Las Vegas Aces (17-6) come off one of the biggest blowouts in NBA history on Saturday night to host the Indiana Fever (13-9) at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday night.
Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) dribbles the ball during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
A’ja Wilson finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds in just 25 minutes as Las Vegas routed the visiting Phoenix Mercury 106-58 on Saturday night. The 48-point margin was the third-largest in WNBA history, with the Aces leading by 54 at one point. Justine Pissott, who signed off Indiana’s development roster on Friday, scored 19 points in the fourth quarter in her WNBA debut, and Chelsea Gray went for 15 points and 12 assists.
Kelsey Mitchell’s layup with 10.1 seconds left gave the Fever the lead in their 92-89 road win at Phoenix on Thursday night. Mitchell scored a game-high 29 points and also handed out eight assists as Indiana played without Caitlin Clark on the back end of a back-to-back. Aliyah Boston returned to the lineup with 21 points and nine rebounds, and Tyasha Harris scored 15 points.
Wilson averages 25.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks for the Aces, with Jackie Young scoring 16.2 points per game and Gray putting up 12.4 points and 7.5 assists a night. Mitchell comes in with an average of 22.5 points, while Clark, a game-time decision for Sunday night, gets 20.5 points and 7.9 assists per game, and Boston posts 17.3 points and 8.7 boards per outing.
This is a great WNBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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Las Vegas — In their second game of the NBA Summer League tournament, the Pistons secured a 103-94 victory over the Cavaliers on Sunday at the Thomas and Mack Center.
The Pistons improved to 1-1 in their five-game Summer League schedule.
Chaz Lanier led the Pistons with 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting from the field, including seven made 3-pointers. He began the game scoring 17 points in the first quarter.
Ebuka Okorie had another strong performance, scoring 14 points, but struggled with his shooting, going just 5-for-12 from the field. A significant part of his impact came on the defensive end, where he recorded seven steals, four of which occurred in the first half. Brice Williams added 18 points while shooting 6-for-8 from deep.
The Cavaliers were led by their second-round pick in last month's draft, Meleek Thomas, who finished the game with 30 points.
▶ Better performance for Onyenso: Lanier was not the only player to recover from a subpar performance three days ago. Ugonna Onyenso looked more at ease than in his Summer League showing and showcased his defensive potential. Onyenso led the team with four blocked shots, and each rejection was an impressive highlight in its own right. His best block came late in the second quarter when he rejected Cavaliers forward Riley Minix's dunk attempt.
Onyenso is entering the league as a below-average shooter but has the makings of becoming a respectable one. At the start of the second half, Onyenso nailed his only 3-point field goal of the day, which gave the Pistons a 61-49 lead.
▶ Harristhrilled to join Pistons: Gary Harris made his first appearance since being traded to the Pistons in a six-team deal on Tuesday. He sat courtside alongside Daniss Jenkins and Tolu Smith III and later expressed his excitement during an interview with ESPN. As a former Michigan State guard, Harris said he is looking forward to returning to Michigan and is eager to resume playing winning basketball after a disappointing season with the Bucks.
LAS VEGAS — The Detroit Pistons got their first win of the 2026 NBA Summer League schedule on Sunday, July 12, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-94. They are 1-1 overall through two games, after dropping Thursday's opener against the Philadelphia 76ers.
It was a breakout performance from 2025 second-round pick Chaz Lanier, who led the Pistons with 25 points after hitting seven of 12 3-point attempts. Motor City Cruise wing Brice Williams added 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting, and two-way forward Isaac Jones tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds. 2026 No. 17 overall pick Ebuka Okorie scored 14 points, with six assists and seven steals.
The Pistons' lone draft pick from last year finished with 12 points while shooting 1-for-6 from 3 in Thursday's Vegas debut. The coaching staff wanted him to be aggressive on Sunday, and he obliged.
Lanier scored 17 of his 25 points in the first quarter, showcasing the quick trigger and range that made him a Pistons draft target. He opened the game with back-to-back 3-pointers and followed with a layup, scoring the Pistons' first eight points. After a 3-pointer from Williams, Lanier then score their next nine points – on three straight 3-pointers.
The 24-year-old was responsible for 17 of the Pistons’ first 20 points, knocking down five of six 3s. He cooled off afterward, missing his next three attempts before hitting his sixth midway through the third quarter. But he helped the Pistons close out the victory, with his seventh 3 extending their lead to 92-81 late in the fourth quarter.
It was a needed performance from Lanier, who has worked on movement shooting this offseason in preparation for his second season.
Egbuka Okorie struggles offensively, stands out on defense
After leading the Pistons with 20 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, Okorie wasn’t able to find his groove Sunday. He finished with 14 points on just 5-for-17 shooting while being harassed by the Cavaliers’ defense, as he wasn’t able to convert several attempts at the rim.
Okorie fared better on defense, tallying seven steals. He has quick hands and good anticipation, which allowed him to poke the ball away from opposing ballhandlers. Through two games, he has nine steals. The Pistons believe Okorie will be effective at applying full-court pressure in the NBA. Sunday showed why they are high on him on that end of the floor.
A prolific scorer during his final season of college at Nebraska in 2024-25, Williams averaged 14.7 points per game with the Motor City Cruise last year. He only hit 35.3% of his attempts from 3, but he was the Pistons’ best scorer other than Lanier on Sunday.
Williams only took 3-pointers and knocked down six of his eight attempts from the arc. He found his rhythm in the second quarter, during which he knocked down three of them. Standing 6-foot-7, he has good size for an NBA wing and shot 37.7% from 3 during his two seasons at Nebraska.
Next up for the Pistons: Knicks
The Pistons (1-1 in Summer League play) return to action on Monday (4 p.m., Prime Video), facing the New York Knicks at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. The reigning champs' Summer League squad has been blown out in its two Vegas games, though first-round pick Pacôme Dadiet (No. 25 overall) is averaging 16.5 points a game.
LAS VEGAS — The Detroit Pistons got their first win of the 2026 NBA Summer League schedule on Sunday, July 12, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-94. They are 1-1 overall through two games, after dropping Thursday's opener against the Philadelphia 76ers.
It was a breakout performance from 2025 second-round pick Chaz Lanier, who led the Pistons with 25 points after hitting seven of 12 3-point attempts. Motor City Cruise wing Brice Williams added 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting, and two-way forward Isaac Jones tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds. 2026 No. 17 overall pick Ebuka Okorie scored 14 points, with six assists and seven steals.
The Pistons' lone draft pick from last year finished with 12 points while shooting 1-for-6 from 3 in Thursday's Vegas debut. The coaching staff wanted him to be aggressive on Sunday, and he obliged.
Lanier scored 17 of his 25 points in the first quarter, showcasing the quick trigger and range that made him a Pistons draft target. He opened the game with back-to-back 3-pointers and followed with a layup, scoring the Pistons' first eight points. After a 3-pointer from Williams, Lanier then score their next nine points – on three straight 3-pointers.
The 24-year-old was responsible for 17 of the Pistons’ first 20 points, knocking down five of six 3s. He cooled off afterward, missing his next three attempts before hitting his sixth midway through the third quarter. But he helped the Pistons close out the victory, with his seventh 3 extending their lead to 92-81 late in the fourth quarter.
It was a needed performance from Lanier, who has worked on movement shooting this offseason in preparation for his second season.
Egbuka Okorie struggles offensively, stands out on defense
After leading the Pistons with 20 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, Okorie wasn’t able to find his groove Sunday. He finished with 14 points on just 5-for-17 shooting while being harassed by the Cavaliers’ defense, as he wasn’t able to convert several attempts at the rim.
Okorie fared better on defense, tallying seven steals. He has quick hands and good anticipation, which allowed him to poke the ball away from opposing ballhandlers. Through two games, he has nine steals. The Pistons believe Okorie will be effective at applying full-court pressure in the NBA. Sunday showed why they are high on him on that end of the floor.
A prolific scorer during his final season of college at Nebraska in 2024-25, Williams averaged 14.7 points per game with the Motor City Cruise last year. He only hit 35.3% of his attempts from 3, but he was the Pistons’ best scorer other than Lanier on Sunday.
Williams only took 3-pointers and knocked down six of his eight attempts from the arc. He found his rhythm in the second quarter, during which he knocked down three of them. Standing 6-foot-7, he has good size for an NBA wing and shot 37.7% from 3 during his two seasons at Nebraska.
Next up for the Pistons: Knicks
The Pistons (1-1 in Summer League play) return to action on Monday (4 p.m., Prime Video), facing the New York Knicks at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. The reigning champs' Summer League squad has been blown out in its two Vegas games, though first-round pick Pacôme Dadiet (No. 25 overall) is averaging 16.5 points a game.
LAS VEGAS — The Detroit Pistons got their first win of the 2026 NBA Summer League schedule on Sunday, July 12, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-94. They are 1-1 overall through two games, after dropping Thursday's opener against the Philadelphia 76ers.
It was a breakout performance from 2025 second-round pick Chaz Lanier, who led the Pistons with 25 points after hitting seven of 12 3-point attempts. Motor City Cruise wing Brice Williams added 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting, and two-way forward Isaac Jones tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds. 2026 No. 17 overall pick Ebuka Okorie scored 14 points, with six assists and seven steals.
The Pistons' lone draft pick from last year finished with 12 points while shooting 1-for-6 from 3 in Thursday's Vegas debut. The coaching staff wanted him to be aggressive on Sunday, and he obliged.
Lanier scored 17 of his 25 points in the first quarter, showcasing the quick trigger and range that made him a Pistons draft target. He opened the game with back-to-back 3-pointers and followed with a layup, scoring the Pistons' first eight points. After a 3-pointer from Williams, Lanier then score their next nine points – on three straight 3-pointers.
The 24-year-old was responsible for 17 of the Pistons’ first 20 points, knocking down five of six 3s. He cooled off afterward, missing his next three attempts before hitting his sixth midway through the third quarter. But he helped the Pistons close out the victory, with his seventh 3 extending their lead to 92-81 late in the fourth quarter.
It was a needed performance from Lanier, who has worked on movement shooting this offseason in preparation for his second season.
Egbuka Okorie struggles offensively, stands out on defense
After leading the Pistons with 20 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, Okorie wasn’t able to find his groove Sunday. He finished with 14 points on just 5-for-17 shooting while being harassed by the Cavaliers’ defense, as he wasn’t able to convert several attempts at the rim.
Okorie fared better on defense, tallying seven steals. He has quick hands and good anticipation, which allowed him to poke the ball away from opposing ballhandlers. Through two games, he has nine steals. The Pistons believe Okorie will be effective at applying full-court pressure in the NBA. Sunday showed why they are high on him on that end of the floor.
A prolific scorer during his final season of college at Nebraska in 2024-25, Williams averaged 14.7 points per game with the Motor City Cruise last year. He only hit 35.3% of his attempts from 3, but he was the Pistons’ best scorer other than Lanier on Sunday.
Williams only took 3-pointers and knocked down six of his eight attempts from the arc. He found his rhythm in the second quarter, during which he knocked down three of them. Standing 6-foot-7, he has good size for an NBA wing and shot 37.7% from 3 during his two seasons at Nebraska.
Next up for the Pistons: Knicks
The Pistons (1-1 in Summer League play) return to action on Monday (4 p.m., Prime Video), facing the New York Knicks at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. The reigning champs' Summer League squad has been blown out in its two Vegas games, though first-round pick Pacôme Dadiet (No. 25 overall) is averaging 16.5 points a game.
Victor Wembanyama had every reason to chase a maximum payday. Following a unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award, an All-NBA First Team selection, and an NBA Finals run, he qualified for a 30% supermax extension worth roughly $303 million over five years.
Instead, he signed a standard 25% max contract on Friday: five years and $252 million with a player option in the final season. By leaving nearly $50 million on the table, Wemby prioritized the team's financial flexibility.
By passing on the supermax, Wembanyama gives San Antonio roughly $10 million more in cap room per year. The Spurs will need that space to extend Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper when their rookie contracts expire.
It is the same approach Jalen Brunson took with the New York Knicks before beating San Antonio in five games in the NBA Finals, and the same logic Chet Holmgren used with the Oklahoma City Thunder a year earlier.
San Antonio has done this before. Tim Duncan took deep discounts in his 30s to keep Boris Diaw, Danny Green, and Patty Mills -- the core that won the 2014 title. This time, a 22-year-old Wembanyama is making that call at the start of his prime rather than the end of his career.
Spurs will basically build the team for next season around Wemby without any doubt because he is the face of the franchise right now at 22. He averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and a league-best 3.1 blocks last season, leading San Antonio to a 62-20 regular season record and its first Finals trip in over a decade.
The Spurs fell short of championship this past season, but the scoreboard shows that every match they lost was incredibly close. Some fans felt bad luck held the young core back.
However, with Wemby choosing financial flexibility over max money, just like Duncan used to do, San Antonio is betting that this discount is the first step toward building a roster strong enough to overcome any so-called bad breaks next season.
Let me explain. Last season, despite a dynamite shooting campaign off the bench in the year prior, Gary Trent Jr. agreed to return to the Milwaukee Bucks on a minimum contract. This year, after a decidedly middling campaign in which Trent averaged just over eight points per game while shooting only 36 percent from the 3-point line, Trent declined a player option. The Bucks still gave him a four-year, $64 million contract to stay in Milwaukee for the foreseeable future. Huh?!
But something doesn't add up here. In an NBA where all 30 teams are seemingly being much more stringent about their salary cap usage than ever before because of things like the second tax apron, why would the Bucks commit so much money and term to an average-at-best player like Trent ... right after one of the worst seasons of his career? That doesn't make sense. Whatsoever.
Surely, knowing it would be a form of salary cap circumvention that is against the rules, Trent definitely wouldn't have agreed to a handshake deal to take a lower salary as Milwaukee worked (and failed) to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo, with the Bucks promising to pony up with a monster contract afterward ... right?
Unfortunately, that is exactly the accusation being levied against the Bucks and Trent right now:
Free agent guard Gary Trent Jr. has agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Lucas Newton tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/hZMDvuA816
It is that mentioned discrepancy in performance and pay that makes the Bucks' and Trent's dealings here look so shady. It'd be one thing if Trent was coming off a lights-out season, establishing himself as a must-have role player any team would love to have. But that wasn't the case. On a forgettable Bucks team, Trent was just a guy, someone who faded into the background with few standout moments. He had the kind of campaign that should have earned him another minimum NBA contract, at best, not generational wealth in the form of $64 million.
Sure, you could argue the Bucks had a lot of money to spend to fill out their roster in the wake of the Antetokounmpo trade to the Miami Heat. That's fine. Without any further interrogation, I can see that argument. Still, that doesn't mean they had to give it to a mediocre player like Trent of all people. Which is what makes their intentions look so suspect in this situation.
You have to admit, though. It's kind of funny to potentially watch an NBA team getting caught for salary cap circumvention because they gave a lot of money to a middling player at the worst possible time. You don't see organizations stepping on this kind of rake all the time. Appreciate it while you can.
Is the NBA investigating Gary Trent Jr. and the Bucks for salary cap circumvention?
While this Trent Bucks contract and its timing look extremely suspicious right now, at the time of this writing, there does not appear to be any inkling of any formal NBA league investigation into the Bucks or Trent. That could obviously change in the coming days.
LeBron James is getting pitches from a bevy of NBA stars who want him to join their teams, and Draymond Green is one of them. The Golden State Warriors star has officially sent a pitch to James, and he's telling the world about it.
Will it work? Well, James hasn't confirmed a landing spot yet. But, when Green talks, people listen, and that includes James.
On Sunday, the former Michigan State player released an episode of his podcast, the Draymond Green Show, and admitted that he gave a pitch to James. It's not a surprise, but this is the first time Green has dished on what he said to James and how he's trying to get the 41-year-old veteran to Golden State.
Draymond Green issues his pitch to LeBron James to join the Warriors
"I'd be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to throw my pitch in there," Green said on his show, as shared on X. "I'd be crazy if we're together for x amount of days and at no point am I like, 'Yo, we need to chop it up. What the hell (is) going on? What we doing?'"
He added, "Of course I did that, and of course the pitch was crazy... with the things I shared in it, it's definitely gonna make the brain work a little bit... but we wasn't going to hang out for a recruitment pitch."
Does it move the needle for James to join the Warriors? Frankly, these pitches do more than one might think. It has to mean something to James to know that the players he's going to be working with respect him and really want him on the team. So, this pitch could mean more than people realize.
Ever since James and the Los Angeles Lakers parted ways, he's been getting lots of interest. He doesn't appear to be in a rush to make a decision, so the NBA world has to wait.
The Minnesota Timberwolves may have gotten a steal with the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
That's when they took Isaiah Evans out of Duke after he spent two seasons with the Blue Devils.
Evans may be skinny, but he's got the kind of skillset that could work out in the NBA.
At 6-foot-6, he just averaged 15 points per game while shooting 36.1% from 3-point range for Duke.
He did less than that as a freshman as the Cooper Flagg-led Blue Devils had other perimeter talents, but Evans hit 41.6% of his 3s as a frosh.
Now, he's joining the Timberwolves, and it's official this weekend.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype shared that Evans has signed his four-year deal with Minnesota:
The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Isaiah Evans to a four-year, $9.3 million deal, which includes three fully guaranteed years and a fourth-year team option, league sources told @hoopshype. Evans was the 33rd pick of the 2026 NBA Draft and was an All-ACC Team selection at Duke. pic.twitter.com/yWlm2jhTgT
It's just one step on the way toward Evans hoping to become an NBA contributor.
The Timberwolves won't need immediate firepower on the perimeter with LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards holding the keys there. Evans could prove himself useful if he shows he can get hot in a hurry off the bench.
Now, he doesn't have to worry about getting that rookie deal signed. He can just focus on growing his game and being ready for what's to come.
LAS VEGAS -- Brooklyn Nets forward Chaney Johnson is heading into his second season in the NBA and for now, he's working on preparing to be the best Two-Way player on the roster. Brooklyn has been evaluating how Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. look against NBA competition, but Johnson is showing that he is looking for more than just minutes in the G League.
"All glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He just fuels me with everything I need. I kind of do be nervous coming into games, but I be praying with my trainer and even praying on the bench," Johnson said after Saturday's 83-76 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Las Vegas Summer League. Johnson finished the contest with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals in 32 minutes, all while playing out of position as the team's starting center.
"He just kind of calms me and just gives me everything I need to go out there and play hard. I feel like my main goal is just to be the hardest playing player out there," Johnson continued. "I just hang my hat on going out there and playing hard and just controlling everything I can control."
Johnson, 24, is coming off. a 2025-26 season in which he averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 54.3% from the field and 30.0% from behind the three-point line. He played in just 17 NBA games as he spent the majority of the season playing for Long Island, Brooklyn's G League team, where he showed that he had some potential of being an NBA player based on his skillset and attributes.
Nets summer league coach Dutch Gaitley has acknowledged that Johnson is playing out of position given that he's listed at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, but he gives Johnson more credit for being able to do what he's asked to do while excelling at it. Johnson is doing whatever he can to make an impact and for those wondering how he's doing what he's doing, he just says that he's playing hard and letting the rest take care of itself.
In 2010, he transformed the future of the NBA by creating the "Heatles" trio in Miami. In 2014, he returned to his roots, ultimately bringing an emotional championship to Cleveland. In 2018, he pursued the bright lights of Los Angeles, joining the list of legends to wear a Lakers uniform.
Now, for likely the last time in his storied NBA career, LeBron James has another decision to make. The 41-year-old, who remains one of the best all-around talents in the league as he fights off Father Time, will officially depart the Lakers after eight seasons — and while retirement has been pushed back for at least one more year, James is reportedly open to any destination for Year 24.
Acquiring James, even at his age, is a move that extends beyond the court. The team that lands him will forever be associated with an NBA legend, will garner league-wide interest for a potential retirement tour in 2026-27, and will undoubtedly have its eyes on title contention with his elite talents. While a Cavaliers reunion or a star team-up with Stephen Curry in Golden State appears to be the top destination for James, he's also known to keep his future plans quiet until the time is right.
Once again, all eyes are on James' free-agency decision. What new star duo will he create in the twilight of his career?
The Sporting News is tracking the latest reports and rumors surrounding LeBron James' free agency. Follow along with the rumblings on James' future below.
Windhorst reports that a source told him James has a deal with a team in "another city" than Cleveland. It's unclear how serious these rumors are, and Windhorst didn't give any other information besides that.
LeBron's leading suitors making pitches via voice notes
James' agent, Rich Paul, is reportedly fielding voice notes from teams interested in securing his services, including the Cavaliers, Warriors, Heat, Timberwolves and 76ers.
Jaylen Brown tells streamer iShowSpeed he thinks James is Philly bound
While the internet streamer was in action while watching France vs. Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals, new Sixer Jaylen Brown joined iShowSpeed. On Thursday, Brown stated a sentence that Philadelphia fans may love.
According to Brown, "I think he’s going to Philly bro."
Teams 'skeptical' they can beat Cleveland's case for James
Windhorst said he "suspects" that James will be aiming to find a fit where he can play a lighter role in the regular season, but teams he's talked to are "skeptical" that the appeal of Cleveland's homecoming aspect can be beaten.
The ESPN analyst also said he believes James will be viewed as a "supporting piece" on his new team
Bob Myers pitches Rich Paul on James' fit with Sixers
Bob Myers, now in a front office role with the 76ers, made an appearance on Rich Paul's "Game Over" podcast with Max Kellerman on Wednesday, making a direct pitch to James' agent about his fit in Philadelphia.
"If LeBron is here, I would honestly say this is your best chance to win," Myers said of the 76ers.
James remains "first priority" for Cavaliers after Donovan Mitchell extension
The latest from Charania is that from talking to teams, the three contenders for James "that continue to come up" are Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia.
“When the Sixers got Jaylen Brown, I did some research. ... (LeBron) is taking their pitch very seriously," Charania said. "When I talk to teams now I have a hierarchy of Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, and then I think there's some teams on the peripheral.”
Opposing teams don't have 'optimism' to land James due to Cavs allure
Fans may need patience in waiting for James' decision, as his agent, Rich Paul, reportedly said: "I don’t think this happens anytime soon." He added that he doesn't "think it’ll be the next few days."
The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski reports that Minnesota is "ramping up" its push to land James, also having "full belief that they are very much in the hunt" to sign him. The Timberwolves also "firmly believe they have the best situation" for James, pitching his fit alongside LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jalen McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
Speaking on the "Game Over" podcast, James' agent, Rich Paul, used a whiteboard to detail potential destinations for his client. Paul listed the Warriors, Heat, 76ers, Cavaliers, Timberwolves and Nuggets as possibilities, while mentioning the Spurs, Celtics, Mavericks and Knicks on the outskirts.
Paul went on to say the Knicks would be an easy choice for James if they hadn't won a championship.
Timberwolves 'continue to hope' James will choose them
The Timberwolves are leaving a spot open for James and "continue to hope" he will choose them, Scotto reports, though there is no indication of whether the NBA legend is seriously considering Minnesota.
Sixers 'trying to make a pitch' to James along with Warriors, Cavs, Heat
Charania said on ESPN that along with the expected contenders for James, Golden State, Cleveland and Miami, now Philadelphia is "trying to make a pitch" to land the NBA legend.
The 76ers have added Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons already this offseason and are still eyeing more.
There hasn't yet been much 'back-and-forth' between James' camp, teams
Windhorst said Thursday that while teams have expressed interest in James, there hasn't yet been any "traction" in scheduling a meeting with his representatives or being given an opportunity to make a pitch to the star.
On the same day they partook in a blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown, the Philadelphia 76ers are reported to be "expressing interest" in the former Lakers' star. With James, a potential starting five would include Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Brown, James, and Embiid.
After signing Tobias Harris to improve their frontcourt, Stein reports that the Spurs are not expected to pursue James. However, he does list the Nuggets as a team interested in James' services.
The Nuggets are one team that has contacted James as he hits free agency, per The Denver Post. With the franchise looking to continue pursuing a second championship with Nikola Jokic, James could bolster the team's frontcourt.
LeBron has had 'discussions' about documentary for 2026-27 season
There isn't yet much concrete information about potential James suitors, but Haynes reports that the Warriors and Cavaliers are "in play," while the Heat have "interest."
Like Charania, Haynes reports that James' decision will not be motivated by money and he will be patient, eyeing championship contention.
James' agent, Rich Paul, said Wednesday that the Lakers wanted James back for 2026-27, but no meetings ever happened because James and his representatives didn't want to waste time. Paul said that James valued having "complete happiness," rather than more money, and he could have gotten a more significant dollar amount from the Lakers.
When Paul and James first met about his free agency, a return to the Lakers felt "80%" likely, but that number fell over the coming weeks.
James' free-agent decision will 'not be driven by money'
Per Charania, James' free-agent process will be valuing "happiness" over financial details, although a timeline remains uncertain on when he'll make a decision. Charania also said that every contending NBA team will be considered in the process, but the Cavaliers, Warriors and Heat are expected to emerge as the top fits.
Charania also later said that James will value being able to "compete at the highest level" and he won't be in a "rush" to make a decision.
James officially departing from Lakers, but will play in 2026-27
Rumblings about James' future in Los Angeles ran rampant throughout the 2025-26 season, and virtually ever since the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic as their star of the future. And while a re-signing to be a secondary option to Doncic and Reaves appeared to be in the cards, especially with the Lakers' late-season success behind James, it was Charania's report on Tuesday that sparked soon-to-come pitches from any other NBA team to land the megastar.
Charania dropped the bombshell that James will not yet be retiring, but has also informed the Lakers that he is not returning to the franchise in 2026-27. That decision officially brought an end to James' time in L.A., winning the 2020 NBA title, breaking plenty of records and playing alongside his son, Bronny.
Per Charania, Lakers president Rob Pelinka and James' agent, Rich Paul, spoke on Tuesday and James informed the team that he appreciated their run together, but he would be moving on. Los Angeles had previously "expressed to James that they wanted him back," but James' decision was driven by "happiness" rather than financials.
Where will LeBron James play next season?
At the time, there's truly only one team who it's been confirmed James will not play for in 2026-27: the Lakers. Initial reports about his free agency plans indicate he's open to joining any other contending franchise — which does likely rule out franchises like the Nets, Bucks, Kings and Grizzlies.
Teams like the Nuggets, Spurs and Timberwolves have been floated out as sleeper candidates, but in reality, many reports indicate there will be three clear frontrunners for "The King."
Warriors
Ever since James and Curry teamed up on Team USA in 2024, rumblings around the NBA have indicated that, at the very least, there was some mutual interest in creating the pairing in Golden State. Until recently, it seemed unlikely — but reports have increased over recent weeks about the Warriors' pursuit of James.
When Draymond Green declined his player option for next season to become a free agent, Shams Charania reported that the move was made with intentions of helping Golden State pursue James, then potentially a trade for Anthony Davis afterward. It would appear difficult for the Warriors to acquire both James and Davis, especially after re-signing Kristaps Porzingis, but even if they only bring in the NBA's all-time leading scorer, it would mark a historic team-up between Curry and James, once viewed as rivals.
The appeal for James to join Golden State isn't hard to understand: not only would he be playing alongside two friends in Curry and Green, but he could contribute to playoff-level basketball and pursue a final championship with a franchise in its final stand as a dynasty. Steve Kerr would have an old team, but also one with Hall of Fame talent galore.
On some level, James joining the Warriors may not receive the league-wide warm welcome he may want, though. After all, Golden State was once his top rival in title contention, losing three separate Finals to the Warriors in his Cavaliers career.
But even in the twilight of their careers, a James-Curry pairing would bring plenty of highlights next season. If Golden State still somehow added Davis via trade afterward, Kerr might just have himself a real contender, barring health all-around.
Cavaliers
This possibility needs little explaining by now. It would be a Hollywood ending for James, returning to where it all started for one last ride — after emerging as an All-NBA talent in Cleveland, leaving for Miami, then returning and bringing a championship to the Cavaliers, he could return to his home city for a retirement tour.
The familiarity is already there for James, as is his strong relationship with the fanbase and community. There's little doubt that he would be welcomed back with open arms. On the court, however, things are a bit more complicated — the Cavaliers have been a consistent playoff team behind their core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, but even after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals with James Harden last season, they couldn't break through.
Whether James can fit on the roster financially, let alone be the missing piece for a good, but flawed team, is unclear. Cleveland does need talent on the wing, and Harden is reportedly waiting to sign an extension with the Cavs until they get an answer from James. But in a conference that is slated to get more competitive in 2026-27, James might have to be convinced that Cleveland has the roster to compete for a title.
Ideally, James could function as a "connector" type of wing, offering secondary playmaking to Harden, secondary scoring to Mitchell and some defensive capabilities to alleviate the burden on Mobley and Allen.
It would be a more complicated fit. But when considering James' ties to Cleveland, one last return home makes a lot of sense.
Heat
Had Miami not recently gone all-in on title contention by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, they might not be viewed as a serious contender for James' services. But now that Pat Riley pushed in his chips, with two All-Star big men already in place, the Heat are seeking to fill out their roster with as much talent as possible.
A trio of James, Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo would give the Heat an extremely high floor — at the least, that it a top-5 seed in the Eastern Conference. The question is whether James can be the kind of complement to the two big men that Miami needs.
While it's not quite Cleveland, there's also the element of James being familiar with the franchise. Of course, he spent his "prime" years in Miami, winning his first two championships — and by signing with the Heat now, he'd have eyes on a third in the uniform, but with a much different roster.
Riley and the Heat continue to hunt for stars. James is the biggest one out there. That makes an off-the-court fit obvious, especially with James' previous stint — but his fit alongside Antetokounmpo and Adebayo would be a storyline to monitor in that scenario.
James' tension with the Lakers only increased after the franchise went all-in on its next star, trading Davis to acquire Doncic. Since then, reports indicated that L.A. was ready to focus on its Doncic era, while James was gradually pushed aside, becoming the team's third offensive option by the midway point of the 2025-26 season.
Ultimately, Charania recently reported that James' decision to leave the Lakers came down to his desire to play "meaningful, competitive basketball," pursuing "complete happiness" above all else. The Lakers have continually fizzled out in the playoffs during the latter years of James' tenure, and with plenty of signs pointing to the franchise's desire to build around Doncic, James chose to walk away.
Interestingly, he leaves behind a major part of his Lakers legacy: his son. Bronny James remains under contract with L.A., and he is expected to stay with the team even after his father departs.
One of the surprises of the night during UFC 329 on Saturday was WNBA and Indiana Fever star guard Sophie Cunningham serving as a guest ring girl for one of the fights.
Cunningham said it was her first-ever UFC event and she ended up being a guest ring girl during the co-main event between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint-Denis.
No surprise, Cunningham had a blast.
“Went to my first live fight last night, which was so cool,” Cunningham told reporters on Sunday. “The whole experience overall was wonderful.”
Cunningham serving as a guest ring girl was not initially in the plans for her evening.
She said it came together “literally like five minutes before” she went into the Octagon after she spoke with UFC president and CEO Dana White, who she has become friends with.
“Dana came over to say what’s up and I was like, ‘Hey, if you need a ring girl, let me know,’ and he’s like, ‘Alright, first round for the Paddy fight, that’s you,'” she revealed.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, hah,’ and he was like, ‘No, seriously,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, God,'” she said with a laugh. “It was so much fun, though. It was a great environment.”
“I love Sophie Cunningham,” White told the media after the event.
“We’ve created a relationship, and she was here tonight. When she walked in, she goes, “Oh, I want to walk around that.’ I said, ‘Then you’re gonna walk around it,'” White explained.
Ultimately, everything went off without a hitch. Cunningham absolutely crushed her guest role.
As if Cunningham serving as the ring girl wasn’t awesome enough, the WNBA star also re-enacted her viral pointing standoff with UFC fighter Max Holloway after the main event.
A disappointing finish to UFC 329
Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor (red gloves) looks on in a welterweight bout against Max Holloway (not pictured) during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
While Cunningham had a great night, one of the participants in the main event, UFC legend Conor McGregor, who was making his return to the Octagon after five years, did not.
McGregor suffered a knee injury that forced a stoppage of the fight against Holloway after a little over one minute, which amounted to one of the most disappointing turn of events at a UFC event in the company’s history.
McGregor’s return had a ton of hype, as evidenced by the UFC breaking its gate record by pulling in $25 million, which was $3 million more than the previous record.
German guard Jack Kayil reiterated on Saturday that he wants to play with the New York Knicks during the 2026-27 season, rather than remain in Europe for another year.
Kayil was the 39th pick after averaging 12.2 points, 3.6 assists, three rebounds and one steal while shooting 37.7% from the field last season, helping Alba Berlin to the German League title. He was named the 2026 Bundesliga Best Young Player.
While the 20-year-old said after the draft that his plan was to play with the Knicks, Ian Begley of SNY reported on June 30 that the team planned for him to stay in Germany next season. Kayil said he still wants to join the Knicks, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.
Kayil said his dream is to play in NBA, for Knicks but said “we’ll see what happens” when asked if he knows if he’ll join New York this year or play overseas.
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) July 12, 2026
Kayil was highly touted entering the draft this year because of his versatility and ability to play either guard position. He is a crafty scorer who can get into the paint and finish or pull up in the mid-range or beyond the arc, with a smooth step-back shot.
The 6-foot-3 Kayil debuted in the NBA Summer League on Saturday, recording 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in a 70-49 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He went 5-for-14 from the field in 21 minutes off the bench.
Kayil will have a few more opportunities to play with the Knicks during their stint in Las Vegas, which continues on Monday. From there, he and the team will need to finalize their plan for next year.
Now that the 2026 NBA playoffs are in the rearview mirror, I think we can safely crown the 2026 Western Conference Finals as the most epic series clash. Sure, the eventual NBA champion actually became the New York Knicks — despite being contrary to popular belief.
But the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs went the distance in a series that featured the NBA's top two teams all year. Both were 60-win juggernauts that blew teams out left and right. When they faced off, it was a meeting of NBA heavyweights — ala The Rock and John Cena at WrestleMania.
In a Feb. 2026 podcast clip with Dylan Harper that has recently gone viral, what he said on Vince Carter's and Tracy McGrady's 'Cousins' podcast aged like fine wine. Of course, the 20-year-old popped off in the NBA playoffs. He was arguably San Antonio's second-best player in their run to the NBA Finals.
Harper's old comments resurfaced as he pinpointed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams as two of their toughest defensive assignments. The Spurs took four of five over the Thunder in the regular season, but a lot of caveats filled those matchups thanks to injuries.
"Shai and Jalen Williams from OKC," Harper said. "When we first played them, we beat them. But I was like, 'Them two kinda hard to guard.'"
The Thunder and Spurs were in a tier of their own throughout the year. It felt inevitable the two would square off in the Western Conference Finals. When it did happen, the duel was somewhat spoiled. Williams only played one entire game healthy and Ajay Mitchell missed the last four games of the series. Without those two, OKC's offense eventually fell apart.
Meanwhile, Harper's ascension helped the Spurs be ahead of schedule. Because of his unusual landing spot, the 2025 NBA draft No. 2 pick didn't get the same opportunities usually associated with his status. Instead, he was a bench player to San Antonio's win machine.
That said, Harper broke out in the NBA playoffs. He averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds. Even though they fell short of an NBA championship, the consensus was he'd be the long-term Robin to Victor Wembanyama's Batman.
In their playoff series, the Spurs were allowed to fully pay attention to Gilgeous-Alexander and ignore the rest. The strategy almost backfired. Jared McCain had a couple of 20-point games to put OKC in a 3-2 series lead. Alas, the talent discrepancy was too much to overcome. You needed to be fully healthy to beat San Antonio. And the Thunder just didn't have the same health luck as the previous two years.
"They got four ball-handlers. Shai, just the way he creates angle, gets to your body, tempo," Harper said. "He's always going. He don't like playing against a crowd. If he misses or makes, he's gone."
Who knows how the series would've played out if Williams was healthy? After all, he was an All-NBA talent the year before. He helped the Thunder bring home an NBA championship on an injured wrist. But four hamstring strains in five months completely ruined his season. He was just never healthy for a long enough stretch of time to gain a rhythm.
"JDub uses his body. Gets to the rim and uses both hands," Harper said. "Guarding the two, I think was like, 'Alright. When I play them, I got to make sure I know everything.'"
I know it's a little disingenuous to see Harper's comments resurface right now. They're being presented as if it recently happened — rather than at the NBA All-Star break. If you look online, he's being buried on social media for excluding Brunson and the Knicks. That said, I don't think his thoughts should change too much.
The Thunder pushed the Spurs to the brink of elimination. All with Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring numbers being affected by the constant pressure and Williams basically being a no-show in their playoff series. If OKC had a little better injury luck, it's easy to see things shake out differently. Alas. Can't get stuck in playing the what-if game in the NBA.
Dylan Harper on the hardest player to guard in the NBA -
When it’s all said and done, it isn’t far-fetched to suggest the Philadelphia 76ers will have a strong case for being crowned one of the biggest winners of the offseason.
In addition to adding Jaylen Brown to the fold in shocking fashion, the 76ers signed former Boston Celtics sharpshooter Anfernee Simons to give them an electric second-unit scorer with valuable experience in a large NBA market.
Philadelphia also brought $38 million (career earnings) ex-Cleveland Cavaliers elite defender Dean Wade on board.
“Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey announced today that the team has signed Dean Wade,” the 76ers’ press release stated. “Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.”
“Wade joins Philadelphia after appearing in 59 games and making a career-high 38 starts for Cleveland last season, averaging career highs in points (5.8) and assists (1.5) to go along with 4.2 rebounds in 22.3 minutes. His three games with at least three steals and two blocked shots led the Cavaliers in 2025-26.”
“Wade recorded double-digit scoring on 13 occasions and posted a season-high 14 points twice, shooting at least 50% from three in both contests. The seven-year pro appeared in all 18 of Cleveland’s postseason contests in 2026, averaging a playoff career-high 4.4 points on 46.2% field goal shooting and 37.5% three-point shooting) and 3.9 rebounds.”
While Wade is undoubtedly a serviceable offensive player, he makes his money on the defensive end. From holding his own on the interior against bigger, stronger post players to using his lateral quickness to keep speedy wings out of the paint, the 29-year-old is as versatile as it gets as a defender (he boasts a 112.6 career defensive rating)
If Wade plays his role perfectly with the 76ers in 2026-27, he should be in for another impactful campaign as a second-unit defensive specialist.
LAS VEGAS -- Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Ellis could have signed anywhere in free-agency this offseason after experiencing a deep playoff run with the Cleveland Cavaliers just a few months ago. Brooklyn has been looking to add quality depth to the team over the course of the free-agency period and after they signed Ellis, he explained what led to his decision to come to the Nets.
"How much they wanted me. I think other teams were kind of offering, but I think just with how much they were offering that kind of just speaks to how much the team wants you as well," Ellis said to the media during halftime of Brooklyn's 83-76 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Las Vegas Summer League on Saturday. Ellis signed a two-year, $18 million guaranteed deal with the Nets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
"Obviously you've got some guys on the staff that you've been with before, so you kind of know the ropes a little bit," Ellis continued. "And then the opportunity here as well. So, when you combine all those things, I think they just lined up."
Ellis, 26, is coming off a 2025-26 NBA season in which he averaged 6.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting 44.0% from the field and 36.3% from behind the three-point line in 72 games played. Ellis split last season between the Sacramento Kings and Cavaliers, but he had better production with Cleveland given that he had a bigger role for them than he did for Sacramento.
Ellis joins a crowded backcourt for the Nets as Egor Demin is likely slated to be the starting shooting guard with Nolan Traore and Mikel Brown Jr. competing for the starting point guard job. Ellis, regarded as one of the better 3-and-D players in the league, should be able to bring his valuable skillset to one of the youngest teams in the Association and make his impact the way he anticipated when he signed with the Nets in the first place.
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle — and, it seems, almost the full roster — went to Las Vegas to watch their Summer League squad compete.
Carlisle joined the ESPN broadcast during their opener to discuss the coming season, and he has been struck with the performance of Yuki Kawamura, a 25-year-old 5-foot-7 guard from Japan who has 40 games of NBA experience over two seasons.
"He's an easy guy to like," Carlisle said. "He just kind of explodes into the game. When the coach points to him on the bench, he just flies up to the scorer's table, and then stuff just happens.
"He really knows how to play. He's seeing things before they happen. He has a great sense for how to draw contact and put the defense in jail. He goes hard."
Kawamura has averaged 10 points and 3.5 assists in two Summer League games. The Pacers have games scheduled for Monday and Wednesday.
Tyrese Haliburton missed the 2025-26 season with an Achilles injury suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Carlisle said Haliburton has been playing 5-on-5 for a while.
"It's going to be a journey for him," Carlisle said. "He's aggressively attacking the summer and looking forward to being back on the court."
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on Ivica Zubac
The Pacers traded for center Ivica Zubac in February. He played a handful of games before injuries slowed him. Carlisle is eager to see how he fits into the Pacers' system.
"We've not had a guy that can put the kind of rim pressure he can put on with rolls, seals, and (scoring) at the rim," Carlisle said. "There's great opportunity here."
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on Jarace Walker
Jarace Walker, the former No. 8 overall draft pick entering his fourth season, got a lot of playing time in the Pacers' rough 2025-26 season. Carlisle wants to see how Walker reacts to being a vital reserve.
"We need him to be a star in his role as a system player for us," the coach said. "He has some star capabilities, but we're such an ecosystem type team that you can't approach things from an individual standpoint."
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle — and, it seems, almost the full roster — went to Las Vegas to watch their Summer League squad compete.
Carlisle joined the ESPN broadcast during their opener to discuss the coming season, and he has been struck with the performance of Yuki Kawamura, a 25-year-old 5-foot-7 guard from Japan who has 40 games of NBA experience over two seasons.
"He's an easy guy to like," Carlisle said. "He just kind of explodes into the game. When the coach points to him on the bench, he just flies up to the scorer's table, and then stuff just happens.
"He really knows how to play. He's seeing things before they happen. He has a great sense for how to draw contact and put the defense in jail. He goes hard."
Kawamura has averaged 10 points and 3.5 assists in two Summer League games. The Pacers have games scheduled for Monday and Wednesday.
Tyrese Haliburton missed the 2025-26 season with an Achilles injury suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Carlisle said Haliburton has been playing 5-on-5 for a while.
"It's going to be a journey for him," Carlisle said. "He's aggressively attacking the summer and looking forward to being back on the court."
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on Ivica Zubac
The Pacers traded for center Ivica Zubac in February. He played a handful of games before injuries slowed him. Carlisle is eager to see how he fits into the Pacers' system.
"We've not had a guy that can put the kind of rim pressure he can put on with rolls, seals, and (scoring) at the rim," Carlisle said. "There's great opportunity here."
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on Jarace Walker
Jarace Walker, the former No. 8 overall draft pick entering his fourth season, got a lot of playing time in the Pacers' rough 2025-26 season. Carlisle wants to see how Walker reacts to being a vital reserve.
"We need him to be a star in his role as a system player for us," the coach said. "He has some star capabilities, but we're such an ecosystem type team that you can't approach things from an individual standpoint."
The Minnesota Timberwolves signed former Duke guard Isaiah Evans, the 33rd overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, to a contract, the team announced on Sunday.
Evans was a third-team All-ACC selection last season, averaging 15 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 36.1% from 3-point range in 38 games. He ranked third in the conference in 3-pointers, with 101, leading the Blue Devils.
The 6-foot-6 Evans reportedly agreed to a four-year, $9.3 million pact with the Timberwolves, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The first three years of the contract are fully guaranteed, with a team option in the fourth season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Isaiah Evans to a four-year, $9.3 million deal, which includes three fully guaranteed years and a fourth-year team option, league sources told @hoopshype. Evans was the 33rd pick of the 2026 NBA Draft and was an All-ACC Team selection at Duke. pic.twitter.com/yWlm2jhTgT
Evans was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in the four-team trade involving three-time All-Star Julius Randle. The trade, agreed to on June 22, was officially completed on Friday, clearing the way for Evans to sign his second-round contract.
The 20-year-old missed the Timberwolves' summer league opener on Friday while awaiting the completion of the trade. He debuted with the team on Saturday, recording four points, five rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot in 26 minutes.
Evans will have the opportunity to log extended minutes over the Timberwolves' remaining schedule in Las Vegas, which continues on Monday against Portland (11 p.m. EDT, ESPN2).
There is some increasing speculation that LeBron James is definitely heading back to the Cleveland Cavaliers and that it is only a matter of time before he makes an official decision. Some NBA fans even seem to think that he may wait until after the final game of the World Cup, which will take place on July 19, to make an announcement so that he can ensure he gets the most attention possible.
But there is also considerable doubt that James could win the NBA championship with the Cavaliers. A number of people around the league recently expressed their cynicism that the 41-year-old is the right man to put the Cavaliers over the top, with one scout even saying, "They don’t want another old guy."
Sports commentator Colin Cowherd said that if Cleveland adds James, it will become slow and defensively challenged.
"LeBron (James) will make you the worst defensive team," Cowherd said. "Slowest player in the NBA last year was James Harden. He's a Cav. You know the second-slowest player? LeBron James, if he goes to Cleveland. They'll be the worse team in terms defensively, and they weren't very good last year, even with rim protection.
"... Slow is not what you need in the NBA. Youth, speed, and athleticism is."
Harden and Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers' starting guards, are weak defenders, and they were exposed and hunted by the New York Knicks when the Knicks swept Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals several weeks ago. James has notoriously not put much effort into that end of the floor for the last several years.
While James led the NBA in fast-break points per game this past season, he picks and chooses his spots as far as when to attack and create pace. All too often, especially in the second halves of games, he walks the ball upcourt and milks the shot clock, which is asking for trouble in the NBA.
The Cavaliers were 19th in fast-break points and 13th in pace, as well as 15th in defensive rating, this past season. If coach Kenny Atkinson wants to make them into more of a fast-breaking team that defends at a high level, James may not be the man to make that happen.
Things may have just gotten a bit more complicated for the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.
According to The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, the franchise’s potential Jarred Vanderbilt-focused sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks for former Golden State Warriors lottery pick Jonathan Kuminga may not be limited to just two teams after all.
“It's believed that the Lakers hope to package their lone tradeable first-round pick swap left over in 2032 along with Jarred Vanderbilt in a sign-and-trade proposal for Kuminga,” Stein wrote Friday. “Sources say Atlanta, however, has not considered taking back Vanderbilt in a deal that sends out Kuminga.”
“There are said to be multi-team scenarios that the Lakers could pursue that offload Vanderbilt to a different team than Atlanta. That would help the Lakers provide Kuminga with an offer richer than the two-year, $20 million deal that sources say they originally presented him.”
The Hawks' reported stance on acquiring Vanderbilt isn’t all that surprising. The Kentucky product’s do-it-all defense has been his calling card thus far, but he’s failed to develop other aspects of his game in Los Angeles.
Vanderbilt has been a sub 33% three-point shooter since joining the Lakers in 2023, and isn’t as comfortable putting the ball on the floor as Los Angeles likely anticipated he’d be at this stage of his career.
If the Lakers have to find a third team to help them facilitate a sign-and-trade for a promising young NBA champion in Kuminga (who will likely be inserted into the franchise’s starting lineup), they shouldn’t make a big deal out of it.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard Labaron Philon continued his impressive start to NBA Summer League, delivering another standout performance Saturday night to lead the Sixers to a 100-93 overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Philon took control when the game mattered most, scoring timely baskets in overtime and making several clutch plays down the stretch. The former Alabama star finished with a game-high 24 points, six assists, three rebounds and one steal, further strengthening his case as one of the breakout performers of Summer League.
The 6-foot-3 point guard showcased an advanced offensive arsenal throughout the contest. His mid-range pull-up jumper repeatedly proved nearly impossible to defend, while his explosive first step and polished footwork consistently allowed him to create space against Indiana’s defenders.
Philon powers 76ers past Pacers with overtime heroics
Philon displayed the poise of a seasoned floor general, controlling the tempo while making smart decisions with the basketball. His ability to score from multiple levels and create opportunities for teammates has quickly become one of Philadelphia’s biggest storylines in Las Vegas.
This marks the second consecutive game in which Philon has played a pivotal role for the Sixers. In his Summer League debut against the Detroit Pistons, he recorded 18 points and seven assists, flashing the playmaking ability and confidence that made him a first-round selection out of Alabama.
Against Indiana, however, Philon looked even more comfortable operating at the NBA pace. Rather than forcing shots, he let the game come to him, taking advantage of defensive mismatches and knocking down difficult jumpers when the Sixers needed offense most.
His performance also complemented another strong outing from big man Johni Broome, who contributed 23 points and 11 rebounds as Philadelphia improved to 2-0 in Summer League play.
While Summer League results should always be viewed with perspective, Philon has already demonstrated why the 76ers were so intrigued by his combination of scoring, court vision and competitiveness. If his first two games are any indication, Philadelphia may have found another young guard capable of contributing sooner rather than later.
For a rookie still adjusting to the professional game, Philon has looked remarkably composed, and his stock continues to rise with each performance in Las Vegas.
Indiana Fever and WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark made her return to action for the Wednesday night contest against the Los Angeles Sparks after a two-game absence.
However, Clark (back) did not play the following night against the Phoenix Mercury, as the Fever wisely sat her out on the second leg of the back-to-back with the intention of slowly working her back into regular playing time.
With the Fever taking the floor against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday night, here’s what we know about Clark’s status for the contest.
Jul 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to a play during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Caitlin Clark is officially listed as probable for Sunday’s contest, but head coach Steph White revealed on Saturday that she would indeed be available against the Aces.
That said, just like she was in her return on Wednesday, Clark will be limited. The expectation is Clark will play 20 to 25 minutes, which would amount to an uptick from the previous game when she played 16 minutes.
“Caitlin Clark will be available against Las Vegas (on Sunday), Steph White says, on a 20-25 minutes restriction,” the Indy Star’s Chloe Peterson relayed.
Shaking off the rust
Jul 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to a play during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Clark clearly wasn’t herself in her first game back, which was to be expected because she hadn’t played in a game in a few weeks.
But it also didn’t help that Clark played in three-minute bursts throughout the contest, something the WNBA All-Star admitted after the game.
“It’s really, really hard to get into a flow,” Clark said after the game. “For the most part, I got good looks, some of them went, some of them didn’t. I probably didn’t get to have a feel for the game as I usually do, like it’s just really, really hard for me to play in that scenario, but overall, my body feels great, so that’s the positive I can take from today.”
White revealed the goal with the three-minute spurts was to help Clark build up her stamina. The Fever won’t be deploying her like that again on Sunday, though, White said.
UFC 329 was full of surprises on Saturday night, from the disastrous Conor McGregor comeback to Paddy Pimblett blowing through Benoit Saint Denis in less than one minute.
But before Pimblett stole the show in the co-main event, it was WNBA fan favorite Sophie Cunningham who generating buzz and trending on social media.
Cunningham, who became a star thanks to her role as Caitlin Clark’s enforcer on the Indiana Fever, made an unexpected cameo as a UFC ring girl before the start of the co-main event. Cunningham walked around the Octagon to signal Round 1, and then dropped her viral finger point taunt.
At the post-fight press conference, UFC boss Dana White explained how the Cunningham cameo came to fruition, saying it was a last-minute decision that was made on a whim “about eight minutes before she did it.”
Dana White says he hired Sophie Cunningham as the ring girl “about 8 mins before she did it” pic.twitter.com/CF4aRQ49LC
“We’ve created a relationship, and she was here tonight. “When she walked in, she goes, “Oh, I want to walk around that.’ I said, ‘Then you’re gonna walk around it.'”
Cunningham was in Las Vegas ahead of the Fever’s Sunday night showdown with the A’ja Wilson and the Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena in primetime. Let’s hope that things go better for Cunningham and the Fever than they did for the UFC in the main event on Saturday night.
Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham works as a ring girl during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Suns trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half.
Javonte Cooke paced Phoenix with 21 points, hitting 5-of-8 from 3. Khaman Maluach posted a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds while rookie Koa Peat added 17 points in his Summer League debut.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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Jon Elmore didn't get a chance to show what he could do in the Los Angeles Lakers' first NBA Summer League game in Las Vegas.
On Saturday, though, Elmore got to play, and in 19 minutes, he proved he can contend with the rest of the players in these games.
Elmore is 30 years old, balding, and not your typical-looking NBA player.
But his skills? He's a bucket.
He was a legend at Marshall University and his filled it up in various places around the world since college.
Elmore has never played an NBA game, although he was very good in the G League last season for the Stockton Kings.
On Saturday night, he took three shots, all from beyond the arc, and hit two of them.
Sergio De Larrea with a gorgeous high lob to Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu for the alley-oop dunk (with replays). Jon Elmore with the corner 3 at the other end. pic.twitter.com/2ACk1LvDXt
He filled the stat sheet beyond his six points. Elmore had five assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
He turned it over just once, and he was a plus-16 in his 19 minutes.
A guy like Elmore playing at Summer League isn't just trying to impress the Lakers. He's hoping to catch the eye of someone from any of the NBA's teams.
If he keeps playing like that, he'll have a chance.
Over the last couple of weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers have been making what has thus far been a quick and painless transition from the LeBron James era to the true start of the Luka Doncic era. James officially decided to leave the Lakers in free agency on June 30, and the team moved swiftly to trade for center Walker Kessler and nab guards Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton, big man Sandro Mamukelashvili and center Kevon Looney in free agency.
There are quite a few Lakers fans who have been doing back flips ever since James decided to bid farewell to the Purple and Gold. It may be a breath of fresh air in some ways for the franchise, but the 41-year-old did play eight years for it and make it relevant again upon his arrival in 2018, not to mention leading it to the NBA championship in 2020.
Derek Fisher, who won five NBA titles alongside Kobe Bryant, told Yahoo Sports Daily that he doesn't understand why Lakers fans don't appreciate James' time with the team more than they do.
“A lot of people in L.A. didn’t love LeBron’s time here and it’s been confusing to me,” Fisher said. “The reaction to him deciding not to return to L.A., a lot of people have celebrated it and almost had a parade as though this is the greatest thing ever. I’m not saying this is doomsday for the Lakers by any means. I think the organization will be fine, it’s been here for 80 years, it’ll be fine. But, I’m surprised at the reaction for sure and yeah, I think people have moved on, a lot of fans have.”
Fisher was then asked why fans didn't embrace James the way they embraced previous Lakers greats.
“That’s a great question,” he said. “You think about the greats of Lakers' past, many of those guys were kind of born and raised as Lakers for the most part. You think about James Worthy -- No. 1 draft pick. You think about Magic Johnson, even though Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar], formerly Lew Alcindor, was traded to L.A., he spent a considerable amount of time here in Los Angeles and really felt like a piece of the fabric of L.A. And so many greats, even Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal), eight years here and it’s like people forgot he played in Orlando as well. But it’s the years here in L.A. that changed everything. Obviously, Kobe being here for 20 seasons. I think other stars felt more like they became who they were as Lakers and I think a lot of Lakers fans had a difficult time receiving the fact that LeBron was already LeBron before he got here.”
Unlike the legends Fisher mentioned, James came to Los Angeles late in his career. He already had a full body of work at that time, and there was even a perception among some fans that he was infringing on Bryant's territory, although Bryant gave his blessing for James to take the franchise torch.
The four-time MVP averaged 25.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.9 assists during his time with the Lakers in the regular season, as well as 25.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game in six postseason appearances with L.A. He may have enhanced his legacy during that time simply by continuing to play at his usual level into his 40s and establishing the greatest longevity of any NBA player ever.
It is anyone's guess which team James will suit up with this fall. But even if plenty of Lakers fans won't want to admit it, he made his mark on the storied team's history.
Victor Wembanyama has officially signed a five-year, $252 million maximum rookie-scale contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs. The new deal will pay him an average of $50.4 million annually and includes a player option for the final year.
However, the biggest talking point around the NBA is that the franchise star voluntarily gave up more than $50 million that he could have earned under a larger extension.
The decision did not come as a surprise to Spurs young star Carter Bryant. Speaking ahead of San Antonio's Summer League game on Saturday, Bryant shared his thoughts on Wembanyama's willingness to sacrifice a significant amount of money in order to help the organization.
"I don't think anybody was surprised. He's a winner. Whatever he can do to make the team better, that's what he's going to do every time,” Bryant said.
Like Bryant, fans will also accept that money has never appeared to be the driving force behind Wembanyama's career decisions. Back in December, the Spurs superstar was asked whether the NBA Cup prize money served as extra motivation. Wembanyama made it clear that accumulating wealth has never been one of his life's primary goals.
The French big man earned All-NBA First Team honors and won the Defensive Player of the Year award last season. Hence, he became fully eligible for a "Rose Rule" supermax extension worth up to 30% of the salary cap.
Instead, he opted for a standard 25% maximum contract without any salary escalators. By doing so, Wembanyama has provided the Spurs with valuable financial flexibility under the NBA's restrictive tax apron rules. The front office now has more room to strengthen the roster and continue building a championship-caliber team around its young superstar.
After scoring 27 points on 7-for-18 shooting in his Houston Rockets debut, Bruce Thornton looked to follow up that performance Saturday against the Toronto Raptors on the second night of a back-to-back. While Thornton didn't quite match his scoring output from Friday's game, the former Ohio State Buckeye once again showed the polish that made him a steal at the beginning of the second round.
In 32 minutes, Thornton scored 17 points to go along with six rebounds, six assists and a whopping five steals. Although he missed 11 shots for the second straight night (6-for-17 shooting), Thornton converted on 50% of his 3-pointers and is now 6-for-14 from beyond the arc in his first two games.
Although Thornton already figures to be in the Rockets rotation this upcoming season, the opportunity to develop under veteran guards like Marcus Smart and Fred VanVleet will only benefit his career for seasons to come.
The San Antonio Spurs are coming off an outstanding season that saw them reach the NBA Finals for the first time in a decade. Rookie standout Dylan Harper emerged as one of the team's biggest contributors throughout that impressive postseason run, although San Antonio ultimately came up short in its quest for the championship.
During a recent interview, Harper was asked to identify the toughest player he had to defend this season. The Spurs rookie didn't need much time to think before giving his response, immediately naming Oklahoma City Thunder stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams as the most challenging matchup he faced.
“SGA and JDub. We beat them, but… damn… them two kinda hard,” Harper said.
Harper and the Spurs punched their ticket to the NBA Finals after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in a hard-fought seven-game Western Conference Finals series. Although San Antonio had enjoyed success against the Thunder during the regular season, the conference finals proved to be a far more demanding challenge. The series went the distance before the Spurs secured a 4-3 victory.
Coming off an MVP-winning regular season, Gilgeous-Alexander showcased why he is regarded as one of the league's elite scorers. Williams complemented him perfectly as Oklahoma City's second star.. Even while dealing with injuries late in the series, Williams continued to make his presence felt, particularly with his rebounding and all-around impact.
Throughout the seven-game battle against the Thunder, Harper also played an important role in San Antonio's rotation. However, despite overcoming Oklahoma City to reach the Finals, the Spurs were unable to finish the job, ultimately falling to the New York Knicks in the championship series.
The Indiana Fever are changing their approach with Caitlin Clark. After the All-Star guard expressed frustration with how her minutes were managed during her return from a back injury, Indiana is adjusting its rotation ahead of Sunday's marquee showdown against the Las Vegas Aces.
Clark is officially set to return to the lineup, but the Fever have made one important decision that could help her get back into rhythm much faster.
Fever change plan for Caitlin Clark's return
Head coach Stephanie White confirmed Saturday that Clark will play against the Aces after sitting out Indiana's most recent game against the Phoenix Mercury. Clark will still be on a minutes restriction, with White saying she is expected to play between 20 and 25 minutes.
However, according to Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star, Indiana does not plan to use Clark in the same stop-and-start rotation that frustrated her during Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Instead of playing in short bursts of just a few minutes at a time, Clark is expected to receive longer stretches on the floor, giving her a better opportunity to establish a rhythm offensively.
It's a significant adjustment after Clark openly admitted the previous plan made it difficult to impact the game.
They will not be doing the same minutes strategy of 3-minute bursts, Steph White added. https://t.co/lts068Z6hQ
Clark explained why the previous restriction was difficult
Clark returned against Los Angeles after missing two games with a back injury and spending nearly two weeks away from game action. She played just 16 minutes, finishing with nine points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal in Indiana's 106-92 loss. Following the game, Clark didn't hide her frustration with the way those minutes were distributed.
"It's just really hard when you're playing three minutes, (sub) out, three minutes, three minutes, then you're on the bench," Clark said.
"It's really, really hard to get into a flow. For the most part, I got good looks, some of them went, some of them didn't. I probably didn't get to have a feel for the game as I usually do. It's just really, really hard for me to play in that scenario."
For one of the league's highest-usage guards, finding a rhythm is a critical part of her game, making Indiana's adjustment an important one.
Fever need Clark at her best against A'ja Wilson, Aces
Even with the revised rotation, Indiana will continue monitoring Clark's workload as she works her way back to full strength. Clark has averaged roughly 30 minutes per game this season, so Sunday's expected 20-to-25-minute workload represents another step toward returning to her normal role.
The timing couldn't be more important. The Fever face one of their toughest tests of the season against an Aces team that enters the matchup 17-6 after dismantling the Phoenix Mercury 106-58 on Saturday.
Las Vegas has also welcomed back four-time MVP A'ja Wilson, who has immediately returned to dominant form. Wilson followed a 32-point, 10-rebound performance against the Portland Fire with 21 points and 15 rebounds in just 25 minutes against Phoenix. Indiana hopes Clark's revised rotation will allow her to settle into the game more naturally and make the kind of impact the Fever need against one of the WNBA's premier championship contenders.
After making her feelings known following her previous return, Clark will now get an opportunity to play under a plan designed to help her do what she does best: control the game from the opening tip until it's time to come off the floor.
LAS VEGAS -- The Philadelphia 76ers improved to 2-0 in the summer league when they knocked off the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, 100-93 in overtime. The Sixers received strong efforts from just about everybody, but rookie Labaron Philon Jr. continues to shine.
Philon had 24 points on 9-for-22 shooting with six assists and came up with a big bucket in the 2-minute overtime to lift Philadelphia out in steamy Las Vegas. He shot 2-for-5 from deep and had three rebounds in order to help the Sixers get the job done.
With that being said, summer league coach TJ DiLeo sees room for improvement after the win over the Pacers. Naturally, there is work to be done for Philon following only two summer league games under his belt, but DiLeo wants him to understand how to attack pressing defenses.
"It's just like being a little bit more decisive on it, punishing the pressure," DiLeo stated. "We got to help him a little bit. Like, some of our guys were a little slow getting up past half court. Like we got to get those guys to the corner a little faster, and just give him more space to go by guys."
Philon only had two turnovers, but there were plenty of times when he was unable to really get the ball past half court, which hurt Philadelphia's execution in the second half when they saw a 24-point lead slip away.
"It's something that he's gonna see in the league, and just learning how to handle through that pressure," DiLeo added. "Like, have the strength and body control to get off those little touches that they're letting you do, and it's a great lesson for him."
When asked how he would attack pressure defense moving forward, Philon focused on an upcoming film session. Obviously, he is just a rookie so there is a lot of work to do, but he is embracing it as he moves forward.
"I mean, basically they're just trying to wear us down," Philon explained. "They were trying to pressure the ball the whole game. I feel like once they do that, they get tired themselves. So, we just got to be able to maintain the level of confidence of just like bringing the ball down the court and getting into our actions. So, I feel like that's a great thing for us to see, and we’re gonna move forward. We’re gonna watch the film. We’re gonna learn."
The Sixers will continue the summer league on Tuesday when they take on the Houston Rockets.
LeBron James’ whiteboard of options seems to have come down to three final contenders whom the 41-year-old considers as realistic destinations for his 24th NBA season.
Even at 41 years old, LeBron can make NBA free agency grind to a halt by simply making himself available.
While James is not expected to make his decision anytime soon, it seems only three of the 10 teams that his agent Rich Paul considered as options for James are still in the running.
LeBron James is choosing between two familiar homes and one new challenge
ESPN’s Shams Charania shared an update based on conversations with his front office sources that former LeBron teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are considered frontrunners, alongside the Philadelphia 76ers.
“When I talk to other teams, they look at Cleveland a lot, Miami, and Philadelphia. Those are the 3 teams that others view as strong here.”
Charania also added the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves as two extra teams on a potential five-team shortlist.
“Every team that’s in it still believes they have a chance and is still engaged with Rich Paul on a daily, hourly basis. Figuring out what it would look like, what the vision is. CLE, MIA, GSW, MIN, PHI, these are the 5 most teams that I’ve been hearing.”
LeBron James’ decision will make one of these teams a contender
The 76ers and Cavaliers will be considered in the running to win the East without LeBron, while the Heat are expected to be among the major contenders in their first season with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
LeBron has a clear role in the starting five in both Cleveland and Philadelphia, while Miami has a rougher roster after the Antetokounmpo trade.
His two former NBA teams will have fanbases that will love him regardless, but the pressure of joining the 76ers with a one-year window to win a title might take the enjoyment out of what might be his final year.
The Cavs seem like the best destination, all things considered. It brings comfort, continuity, and contention to LeBron’s plate in front of a fanbase that already pedestalizes him.
The Timberwolves might be the best win-now destination, and the Warriors might make him the happiest, but it seems everyone is still trailing behind the Cavs in terms of being an attractive destination.
As Derrick White and Jordan Walsh went through a workout on one of the Cox Pavilion courts Saturday morning, head coach Joe Mazzulla detailed the respect he has for Brown, what Boston will miss most about him and the need to create a new path forward without him. After 10 highly successful seasons with Brown, Boston will take on a different look with Paul George, Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley now on the roster. “There needs to be a grieving process for losing not just a player in Jaylen, but a person in Jaylen,” Mazzulla said in an interview with The Athletic. “There needs to be a grieving process that this guy, what he has done on the court and what he’s done in the community and what he’s done for the city of Boston, there should be a grieving process. But the … gray area is throughout that loss, you’re also gaining.”
IShowSpeed: "You going to Philly? You going to tell them to pick me up, bro?" Jaylen Brown: "That's a crazy business, bro. Don't become a basketball player. There's no loyalty." IShowSpeed: "What happened? You just got traded?" Jaylen Brown: "That's a good question. I think a lot of people want to hear that. I don't know. I just got packed up." — 7/10/2026 YouTube
The former NBA Finals MVP and five-time All-Star was shockingly traded to the Boston Celtics' division rival — and team that beat them in the playoffs — in a deal that featured multiple draft picks and Paul George going to the Celtics. Payton said the deal swings the shift in power to the Eastern Conference and makes the Sixers the top threat to the New York Knicks — who are the defending NBA Champs — for Eastern Conference supremacy. "Yes, that places them right there, especially with Tyrese Maxey," said Payton in a one-on-one interview on behalf of his new organic hemp rolling papers through the RAW brand. "We have to get him to be healthy. He's never been healthy, so you got to get him healthy. And then with that young guard that just came up, the one they just drafted last year, the rookie (V.J. Edgecombe) he is a very, very exciting basketball player. They have four players that can play, and in that East, all you need is to have four players to play. You've seen Philly, what they did this year in the playoffs, and they just ran out of steam. Now you add Jaylen Brown, who is going to be there, I think the whole season where he's going to play, it's going to make it a problem for a lot of people in the East, and that Philly team is going to be somebody to reckon with." — 7/10/2026 Action Network
Derek Fisher: "I am surprised that a lot of people in LA didn't love LeBron's time here and that it has been confusing to me the reaction to him deciding not to return to LA. A lot of people have celebrated it and almost had a parade as though this is the greatest thing ever. I am not saying this is doomsday for the Lakers by any means. The organization will be fine. It has been here for 80 years. It will be fine. But I am surprised that some of the reaction for sure and yeah, I think people have moved on. A lot of fans have." — 7/11/2026 YouTube
The HEAT Realm: Dwyane Wade says it’s difficult for LeBron James to retire because he’s still playing at an elite level: “I’m just here to appreciate what I’m witnessing…because we’ve never seen this before. It has to suck a little bit to get to this point in your career and still be really good….like I can still play — I can go play right now and still be able to play but I won’t be that good so it’s easy for me to decide to walk away. It’s hard to make that decision when you’re still really f*cking good….how do you walk away from being a GOAT when you’re still a GOAT?” (via @wynetwork)
As Derrick White and Jordan Walsh went through a workout on one of the Cox Pavilion courts Saturday morning, head coach Joe Mazzulla detailed the respect he has for Brown, what Boston will miss most about him and the need to create a new path forward without him. After 10 highly successful seasons with Brown, Boston will take on a different look with Paul George, Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley now on the roster. “There needs to be a grieving process for losing not just a player in Jaylen, but a person in Jaylen,” Mazzulla said in an interview with The Athletic. “There needs to be a grieving process that this guy, what he has done on the court and what he’s done in the community and what he’s done for the city of Boston, there should be a grieving process. But the … gray area is throughout that loss, you’re also gaining.”
Jaylen Brown’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers has led to a concerning warning from Kevin Garnett.
For the first time in a decade, Jaylen Brown will wear an NBA jersey other than the Boston Celtics after getting traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The reactions have been mixed, with some believing that the Celtics made a mistake by parting ways with the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, including franchise legend Kevin Garnett.
Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images
Kevin Garnett gives Kevin Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns reality checks to the Boston Celtics
During a recent episode of the KG Certified podcast, the 2008 NBA champion discussed how the C’s will be impacted by the Brown trade, and it seemed like a warning to the 18-time NBA champs.
“It’s like Minnesota kicking themselves over the KAT trade. I think Boston gonna look back on this. It’s like when KD left Golden State, and then he turned around like, ‘What the f___?’
“This is one of the moments where you don’t break a great thing up. This is a great thing,” Garnett said.
He added, “Those two have been tested through time. So this is just a relationship; it ain’t always going to be great. It would have to be something detrimental for me to break that up.”
Indeed, both the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves ultimately regretted parting ways with Kevin Durant and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Brown finished last season with 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, and it won’t be easy for the Celtics to replicate his production in the 2026-27 season.
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