Another video emerged on Sunday afternoon featuring a fan telling Thompson, “We need you on the Warriors, buddy,” to which Thompson responded, “Never say never.”
Stein added that the Miami Heat have had interest in bringing Thompson down to South Beach via trade and having him play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
The Warriors are considered a favorite to make the biggest move of the offseason in pursuit of acquiring LeBron James. NBAE via Getty Images
While Thompson clearly has an interest in returning to the Golden State next season, there have been no indications from the Warriors’ front office whether the feeling is mutual.
With Thompson set to turn 37 next season, the end of his career is near.
During his time with Golden State from 2011–2024, Thompson was one half of the “Splash Bros” alongside Steph Curry, with the Warriors winning four NBA championships.
Thompson was one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA and was a five-time NBA All-Star during his time with the Warriors.
In Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Thompson tore his left ACL, which caused him to miss the rest of the final plus the next season.
On his way to recovery, he suffered another major setback when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon during a pickup basketball game in November of 2020.
Thompson returned to the court in 2021 but he never looked the same and he was eventually reduced to a reserve role.
The Warriors have been considered a favorite to make the biggest move of the offseason in pursuit of acquiring LeBron James.
While the NBA continues to wait for LeBron James to announce where he's going to play next season — and there is NBA business held up because of it — there are still other talks and things going on. Here are some of the latest non-LeBron rumors.
Lakers, Hawks not close on Jonathan Kuminga
There is a segment of Lakers fans talking them into Jonathan Kuminga as a difference-maker, likely the same fans who talked themselves into Deandre Ayton being a difference-maker a year ago despite a long history suggesting otherwise (which echoes Kuminga).
"...it appears that momentum has stalled with the sides far apart on terms and L.A. not overly motivated to push significant draft capital into sign-and-trade scenarios. Still, he appears to be the biggest upside play left on the table, and could re-emerge as a target if his market remains tepid. Cleveland, according to league sources, is the team most-often connected to Kuminga other than the Lakers."
Atlanta reportedly wanted the Lakers' 2032 first-round pick swap — the only first-round pick the Lakers can trade right now — and that was not on the table (nor should it have been). Then there is the issue of Kuninga's next contract, he is rumored to want around $25 million a season average, while the Lakers reportedly offered two years, $20 million total.
The Lakers have filled all their roster spots, they will ultimately need to clear a roster spot for anyone they acquire, like the rumored interest in Matisse Thybulle.
Pistons, Duren still not close
With all due respect to LeBron, the best free agent still technically available is Pistons All-NBA center Jalen Duren. He's a restricted free agent, the Pistons have zero interest in trading Cade Cunningham's running partner in a sign-and-trade (and no team has the money to make a max offer to Duren, which the Pistons would just end up matching anyway). Ultimately, it's a matter of the Pistons and Duren working out a deal.
Detroit made some moves this offseason, bringing in John Collins, Isaiah Joe, and Gary Harris. However, the two primary goals heading into the summer were to get a high-level secondary shot creator to go next to Cunningham and to re-sign Duren, and the Pistons have struck out on both fronts. It's not been a great offseason in the Motor City.
Trey Murphy available?
My leader for most perplexing offseason is the New Orleans Pelicans, which changed coaches to Jamahl Mosley but, aside from that, is running back a 26-win team and expecting different results.
A number of teams have expressed interest in trading for two-way wing Trey Murphy, but the asking price has been so high that no deal has come to pass. Will that change when the teams that strike out on LeBron start to look for their next move? Maybe, reports John Hollinger at The Athletic.
Chatter about a Trey Murphy trade, while lessened, hasn't vanished and is one of many potential pieces of league business that could resurface once LeBron James' next destination becomes clear.
At this point, it feels unlikely a deal gets done, but it's something worth watching.
Arena fight in Portland
One topic discussed more around the Las Vegas Summer League than expected was the decisions by new Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon, specifically around needed upgrades to their arena, the Moda Center.
More than one person pointed out to NBC Sports that Dundon appears to be following the Clay Bennett playbook, when he bought the Seattle Supersonics with every intention of moving the team to Oklahoma City. That includes fighting with the city about upgrades to the arena, as Jason Quick at The Athletic details.
"I think we are very far apart," said a team source Sunday, one of two within the Blazers who were granted anonymity to discuss the situation freely.
On Friday, the city of Portland sent the Blazers a term sheet for a 20-year-lease agreement. If the Blazers agree to the terms, the team would receive $600 million in public funds to renovate the Moda Center. Of significance, the city is asking the Blazers to pay $3 million annually for a property tax offset, which would escalate over time. Additionally, the deal would require the Blazers to hire union workers and set caps on project-cost overruns.
"The term sheet is a non-starter," the source said. "I don't know why they sent it to us, because they know very little of the stuff we would agree to. They are playing politics at this point." The city and Trail Blazers have until the end of the year to work out a deal, otherwise, another $365 million in state money for the renovations would go away.
To be clear, Dundon has never talked about moving the team, and even in Quick's story team sources deny any intention to move the team. That said, actions speak louder than words, so it's a concern. The Trail Blazers moving out of Portland remains highly unlikely. First, it would get a lot more pushback — including from the league office and other owners — than Dundon might expect. Also, with expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas coming, that is two big markets off the table for a move. Still, this negotiation is something to watch.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 13, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It is not breaking news to say that the LeBron James watch, as it is about to enter week three, has all the eyes and ears of the league. A subplot of LeBron’s latest destination decision is that teams around the league are placing a pause on their decisions until this is all sorted out. One of those players who appears to be impacted is fellow wing Jonathan Kuminga.
In an article written by The Athletic’s Dan Woike, Kuminga has garnered interest from the Los Angeles Lakers since late June. However, “it appears that momentum has stalled with the sides”, with Woike noting that the Lakers aren’t “overly motivated to push the significant draft capital into sign-and-trade scenarios.”
It appears that the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking hard into the services of Kuminga if the Lakers interest dissipates. “According to league sources, (Cleveland) is the team most-often connected to Kuminga other than the Lakers,” Woike noted.
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This makes sense as the Cavaliers appear to be looking to upgrade their wing rotation. Obviously, they have been a prominent name in the LeBron James sweepstakes; Kuminga appears to be their second pathway to ensuring there is an influx of talent.
Kuminga could be a necessary gamble for the Cavaliers. His talent has not necessarily translated to someone who projects as a difference-making wing. What Kuminga does offer is an upside play on potentially a cheaper deal than most younger wings his age. It is also good to note that Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has a prior relationship with Kuminga from their shared time on the Golden State Warriors together.
It appears that there could be more movement on the free agent front once teams and players have an idea of where the King will preside this upcoming season. The NBA’s silly season never ends, and neither does the league’s intrigue about LeBron James.
Draft position is a sensitive topic when it comes to NBA prospects.
Warriors first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg had choice words when asked about Memphis Grizzlies No. 3 overall pick nd former college rival Cameron Boozer, after Golden State took down Memphis 94-90 in the NBA Summer League championship game at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center.
“I think about [revenge] every time I play him,” Lendeborg said of Boozer, whose Duke handed Lendeborg’s Michigan a loss in their regular-season meeting last season (h/t ESPN’s Ben Golliver). “Every game we play, them refs be saving him. … It is a competitive nature [with] everybody that gets drafted ahead of me.”
Warriors' Yaxel Lendeborg on getting revenge against Grizzlies' Cameron Boozer in Las Vegas Summer League championship game after Duke beat Michigan in February: "I think about [revenge] every time I play him. Every game we play, them refs be saving him. … It is a competitive…
The Michigan alum had a fantastic summer, but Boozer wasn’t far behind. The former Blue Devil averaged 18.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. In their first matchup against one another, Lendeborg displayed his physicality against Boozer.
The Warriors are currently in limbo waiting for LeBron James to make a decision on where he’ll play next season. Lendeborg’s playing time could be impacted based on the outcome. Boozer, on the other hand, will be asked to come in and contribute right away in Memphis.
The Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers back in June. Memphis received veteran forward Jerami Grant, reserve wing Kris Murray, and cash considerations in the deal. This trade ended Morant’s seven-year tenure with the Grizzlies.
The Warriors had the second-oldest roster in the NBA last season, so Lendeborg brings much-needed youth to the franchise.
The 2026 NBA Draft class is projected to be one of the best in a long time. The 2003 draft was stacked, and this group of young talent is being compared to the year James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh entered the league.
Time will tell which players will emerge as NBA stars, and both Lendeborg and Boozer have the potential to become great — with or without the referees.
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #6 and Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 21, 2022 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LeBron James’ free agency has carried on through much of July, but is presumably coming to an end soon. On Thursday, James spoke at Fanatics Fest and told the crowd, “I won’t hold you guys up too much longer,” suggesting a decision would come soon. Even with that quote, it seemed obvious that a decision wouldn’t happen until this week at the earliest, as James was unlikely to drop the news on a weekend that featured the World Cup final and a major golf championship.
But now those things are in the rearview mirror, and perhaps that means it’s decision time. Former NBA player Patrick Beverley certainly thinks so, as the 12-year veteran took to social media on Monday to say that he’s heard James will reveal his next team today.
It’s unclear if Beverley, who played with James on the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-23, has any reason to believe that claim, or if he’s just having fun on social media. Anyone who has followed this era of the NBA knows that the three-time All-Defense selection is always looking for a way to have a good quote go viral. But then again, NBA players do move in their own social circles, and it’s entirely plausible that Beverley has actually heard something.
James, a 22-time All-Star who is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is widely expected to choose between the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers. It’s unclear how he’ll choose to announce his next (and presumably last) team. But it could happen at any moment!
LeBron James has kept the NBA and its fans twisting in the wind. Dragging out an announcement of where he’ll continue his illustrious basketball career.
In some ways, it's too late to reverse the reputational damage.
James, at 41, still has the ability to play like a man half his age. Now he’s acting like a man half his age as if desperate for attention.
If he chooses any team but the Cleveland Cavaliers, he risks alienating the fans in a city where he’s considered the prodigal son. Regardless, the process already has dredged up memories of “The Decision.’’
That decision took place in 2010. A one-hour special hosted by Jim Gray that aired on ESPN. During "The Decision,'' James announced, "I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.’’
Now it's James' failure to say where he's taking his talents that's created irritation, frustration and, ultimately, resentment?
On June 30, James informed the Lakers he was moving out and playing elsewhere next season. His agent, Rich Paul, confirmed as much and since then has announced drips and drabs of so-called news.
Finally, James spoke for himself.
He made an appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York on July 17. Then toyed with the crowd about his undisclosed decision. Like he has indirectly toyed with the fan bases in Cleveland, Golden State, Miami, Philadelphia, and Minnesota.
James relishes being in the conversation as the NBA’s GOAT and he deserves it. But can you imagine Michael Jordan drawing out a decision like this? Or any of the NBA’s all-time greats?
This has dragged out longer than Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.’’ But this saga is missing a heroic figure, Odysseus.
On the court, James is a hero, winner of four NBA titles, four MVPs, the league’s all-time leading scorer. But there's nothing heroic about this process.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke last weekend about how James' decision (or lack thereof) affects the league.
On June 30, James informed the Lakers he was moving out and playing elsewhere next season. It’s been 20 days without a decision as of Monday, July 20.
A year after "The Decision,'' James half-apologized.
He better be prepared with a full apology for this mess.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics talk after the game during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As we — and the NBA schedule makers — await the news on where LeBron James is heading for the 2026-27 season, we did get a bit of Sixers news.
The Boston Celtics revealed their preseason slate, which features two games against the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season.
While a home-and-home preseason set against Boston makes sense logistically, it’s a little surprising the NBA wouldn’t want these matchups to happen during the regular season. While where James signs will have a massive effect on the schedule, Sixers-Celtics should absolutely be a game that happens on opening night after the blockbuster trade that landed Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia.
Brown will surely get a hero’s welcome at TD Garden. He was there for a decade and won a championship, taking home Finals MVP. It’s been widely reported and confirmed by Brown himself that he never wanted to leave Boston. Plus, Brown’s first game in Philly against the Celtics will also be appointment viewing. The Xfinity Mobile Arena crowd will be going nuts for their new star against his former team. Let’s also not forget what happened the last time these two teams played.
Maybe the Sixers hold Brown out for those contests, hoping to save all the juice for when the games count. It just seems like an own-goal on the NBA’s part.
The Sixers have yet to announce their full preseason campaign, but at least we know two games and the timeframe. We’ll keep you posted when the entire preseason schedule is available.
As for the regular season, we’ll have to see where The King puts his crown before we know that.
Could LeBron James finally be making his decision on where he will play basketball next season?
On Monday morning, James’ former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Patrick Beverley made a cryptic post on X, fueling the rumors that James could be making his decision soon.
“Rumor has it Bron makes his decision today!!!” Beverley, who played for the Lakers for part of the 2022-’23 season, wrote in a social media post on X.
It’s unclear if Beverley actually knows if James will be making a decision anytime soon on where he will be playing next season, but recently, the future Hall of Famer has been receiving pressure to make his decision soon.
Patrick Beverley drops a major hint on LeBron James’ decision timeline.
With James on the open market in the NBA for the first time in eight years, the rumor mill has been swirling.
LeBron James speaking at Fanatics Fest over the weekend, amid free agency rumors. BACKGRID
Over the weekend, James helped keep the rumors afloat when he said, “Trust the process,” during an interview at Fanatics Fest in New York, leaving fans in attendance wondering if the 76ers were the favorites to land the legend.
Aside from potentially joining the 76ers, James has been linked to a potential reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat.
Another potential destination that has been constant, even before James decided to hit free agency was him joining his former NBA rival, the Golden State Warriors.
Last week, his agent Rich Paul jokingly said if he joined forces with Steph Curry, the NBA would have to give them “60 nationally televised games.”
Whether Beverley knows something or not, the pressure James has been facing from the NBA would leave one to speculate he could be making his decision soon.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Jameer Nelson, Nick Nurse and Jaylen Brown attends a game between the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers on July 11, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Choi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA preseason schedule is officially out, and with it comes the first opportunity for Jaylen Brown to return to TD Garden since the blockbuster offseason trade that sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Celtics will host Philadelphia on Oct. 10 before making the trip to face the Sixers on Oct. 16, giving Brown two chances to face his former team before the regular season begins.
Jaylen Brown will return to TD Garden for a preseason game on Oct. 10. His first game in Boston since the trade from the Celtics to 76ers.
Whether Celtics fans actually see Brown on the floor in Boston, however, remains an open question.
Veteran stars often play limited preseason minutes, if they suit up at all, and Philadelphia could choose to ease Brown into training camp rather than having him play in both exhibition games. Even if that’s the case, Oct. 10 now stands as the first date Boston fans can circle as Brown’s return to TD Garden draws closer.
If Brown does play, it’ll mark his first appearance in Boston since the trade that ended one of the most successful individual tenures in recent Celtics history.
Selected third overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, Brown spent nine seasons with the Celtics, developing from a raw, athletic wing into a four-time All-Star, NBA champion and one of the franchise’s cornerstone players. Alongside Jayson Tatum, he helped lead Boston to multiple Eastern Conference Finals appearances and delivered Banner 19 before the organization made one of the boldest roster moves of Brad Stevens’ tenure this summer.
The preseason matchup also offers the first opportunity for Brown and Paul George to face their former teams following a trade that reshaped the balance of power in the Eastern Conference. Assuming both veterans are available, the Oct. 10 game would provide an early glimpse of two Eastern Conference contenders, even if the result won’t count in the standings.
Preseason games are notoriously unpredictable when it comes to star availability. Teams frequently prioritize conditioning, experimentation and evaluating younger players over giving established veterans extended run, particularly in the first week of exhibition play. Brown, George and several other key contributors could ultimately see only a handful of minutes, or none at all.
Still, the schedule release gives Celtics fans something they didn’t have yesterday: a date for Brown’s first possible return to the Garden.
Boston’s full preseason schedule is as follows:
Oct. 8: at Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET)
Oct. 10: vs. Philadelphia 76ers (8 p.m. ET)
Oct. 14: vs. Charlotte Hornets (7:30 p.m. ET)
Oct. 16: at Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m. ET)
The Celtics have announced their preseason schedule.
The NBA has not yet announced the 2026-27 regular season schedule, meaning these preseason meetings will be the first chance for Brown to reunite with his former team.
Whether that reunion lasts 30 minutes or simply consists of Brown waving to a familiar crowd from the bench will depend on Philadelphia’s plans once training camp gets underway.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrates scoring the game tying shoots a three point basket during the game against the Toronto Raptors on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LAS VEGAS — It’s 6pm on July 19th, and I’m sitting along the baseline of the Thomas and Mack Arena to watch the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship.
Cameron Boozer and Yaxel Lendeborg, two of the most intriguing picks from the 2026 draft class, both warm up by their respective baskets as the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies prepare to square off.
The arena is sparsely attended — just days ago, the very same gym was inundated with fans, players, coaches, media, and front office executives — but the fans who are here are thrilled to be here. Dozens of kids wear Warriors jerseys and repeatedly belt out “Yaxel!” during warm-ups. The 23-year-old, No. 11 overall pick has quickly blossomed into a Summer League fan favorite, in part due to his elite on-court play, but mostly because he’s taken the time to wave to, sign autographs for, and chat with more kids than I have ever seen a professional athlete do. (Regardless of city affiliation, I am now a lifelong Yaxel enthusiast. I keep joking he’s the physical embodiment of LeBron’s ‘I can’t believe this is my life’ meme).
For the Grizzlies, Saturday’s title game is much bigger than basketball. Seven years ago, Brandon Clarke won Summer League Championship MVP, and the NBA holds a moment of silence before tip-off in his honor. In May, Clarke tragically passed away at just age 29, and every single Grizzlies coach and staff member dons a ‘BC’ pin in his honor, including Summer League head coach Erik Schmidt, who has worked with Clarke since 2019.
Last day of Summer League!
Grizzlies vs Warriors face off, but first a moment of silence for Brandon Clarke.
I wish more Grizzlies fans were here to see this, to see how the organization has made sure that every detail in this Summer League title run honors the former beloved Grizzly. But, based on how every single Grizzlies staff member spoke with me about Clarke, I imagine it’s the first of many such odes.
There are so few reporters left in attendance that the NBA asks me to cast a vote for Summer League Championship MVP, an honor I mull over for hours before ultimately selecting Lendeborg after he powered the Warriors to a 94-90 title win. I spent all game thinking about how every player impacted each and every possession, going back and forth in my decision so many times that I had to chase down NBA PR to secure my final vote in the waning seconds. (I’ll never judge a Finals MVP voter again).
As I walk out of the arena, I chuckle. There’s quite literally no reason for a Celtics beat writer to still be here.
Yet, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Why I love NBA Summer League
My absolute favorite part of covering the Celtics is going to NBA Summer League. That might seem counterintuitive to some, because there are certainly moments during the year that are far more high-profile, and certainly stretches in the season where there are way more eyes on my work. I’ve covered an NBA championship, blockbuster trades, and an unexpected 56-win season, all things that were uniquely challenging and rewarding.
But there’s a beauty to Summer League, a specific joy that it cultivates, that I haven’t experienced anywhere else in my career. I don’t actually like Las Vegas all that much — the casinos are a little too smoky, the food a little too pricey, the air far too hot — but Summer League? That’s my favorite place in the world.
For two weeks, I find myself submerged in basketball nirvana. Hundreds of players who have dedicated their entire lives to the nearly-impossible dream of one day making the NBA get the chance to put it all on the line. Coaches who never thought they’d ever take the lead role get to run the show for two blissful weeks.
Take Caleb Grill, for example. The 26-old-year Celtics Summer League guard has an uphill battle to climb to achieve his ultimate goal of making the NBA, but Saturday afternoon was a good start. After sitting on the sidelines for most of his Vegas stint, Grill erupted for 18 points, suppressing a grin as he hit three-pointer after three-pointer. Grill has laced up for four different colleges and two different G-League teams.
Now, donning a Celtics jersey, with Celtics front office executives like Mike Zarren and Alison Feaster sitting courtside, Grill reached a flow state.
“I was just super blessed to get the opportunity to come out here and play,” he tells us reporters afterwards with a smile.
This July was my third time covering NBA Summer League. Each time, I’ve arrived on the first day and left on the last, just in case this year was the year the Celtics made the playoffs (spoiler alert: it’s yet to happen during my tenure). The Celtics assistant coaches joke to let them know in advance when I decide to not stay through the title game, because that’ll be the year they make it.
Summer League has gotten increasingly more fun as I’ve become more experienced in this career, in part because I’ve gotten better at my job (I hope!) and in part because the circle of people in the NBA space that I know (and love!) has progressively grown.
This year, my Summer League experience began with the rare opportunity to sit down with Joe Mazzulla for a lengthy 1-on-1 conversation that centered around his summer spent traveling the world, the Jaylen Brown trade, and an offseason of dramatic change.
A few weeks ago, when I saw Mazzulla visit Neemias Queta in Portugal and Hugo Gonzalez in Spain, I was quite literally itching to tell the story of why he’s decided to go all-in on deepening his relationships. Sometimes, I feel so compelled to write a story I see unfolding from afar that I experience a genuine endorphin rush when I get the chance to do so. This was the epitome of that.
Another cool moment?
Chatting with Neemias Queta about what it was like to sign a $56 million extension earlier this month. Queta is the ultimate Summer League success story — he’s previously competed in four Summer Leagues as a player, which is honestly hard to fathom. Very few players lace up that many times and ultimately make it as decisively as he has.
So, seeing him arrive in Vegas with an extra pep in his step, sitting courtside with teammates Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Jordan Walsh, was pretty cool.
We caught up with White, who joined Amile Jefferson’s coaching staff as an assistant coach for the very first time. That was fun to watch — he argued calls, grabbed the clipboard, and looked like he belonged, as Jordan Walsh confirmed.
Amile Jefferson loved having White, a close friend, assist him on the sidelines.
“He’s a natural,” Jefferson said. “If he wanted to be, he’d be a head coach. I truly believe that. If he ever wants to do it, he’d be amazing. He just has a great feel for people. Obviously, we all know how cerebral he is and his basketball mind, and so he’s a natural. He’d be amazing at it.”
And, there are players like John Tonje, who knew going into Vegas that Summer League would be a make-or-break moment. Tonje balled out, and his odds of making an NBA roster are a lot higher than they were a few weeks ago.
The joy of chit-chatting at Summer League
But the true joy of Summer League is the moments in between, the conversations. It’s talking to Brandon, the 20-year-old sports journalism student who thoughtfully asks me for 20 minutes of my time because one day, he’d like to cover the Celtics too. It’s meeting Bella, the NBA communications girl who I only knew for one hour, but who instantly felt like a lifelong friend. It’s catching up with Katie, who I only know from my summers in Vegas, but with whom I’ve never had a conversation that was not profound. It’s seeing Vanessa, the Houston Rockets sideline reporter who has made it a point to welcome me into the industry each and every time we’ve crossed paths.
That paragraph could have gone on forever.
Coaches are willing to chat longer. I learned at Summer League the many different paths coaches can take to get to where they are, from Amile Jefferson getting his start as a former Duke University star to Matt Reynolds learning how to cut film as an intern who never played basketball at a high level. Almost every Celtics assistant coach that I now know well, I first had a meaningful conversation with at Summer League.
Front office executives are willing to — off-the-record, of course — share the inner workings of trades, disclose deals that didn’t happen, and give their perspective on the Celtics’ young prospects. I could sit at a restaurant for 12 hours if the topic of the day was the NBA, and I’m reminded of that each July.
Above that, I can’t help but continuously think one thing.
The people of Summer League are each so different. We have entirely different upbringings, strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. But we are bonded by one thing: an almost irrational love for basketball.
And, boy am I glad my own obsession once again led me to Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Buddy Boeheim #27 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a three point basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors during a 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 12, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The final stop on the NBA Summer Leagie schedule was the 2026 Summer League in Vegas. Seven former Orange were on rosters in Sin City: William Kyle (Lakers), Nate Kingz (Heat), Buddy Boeheim (Thunder), Jesse Edwards (Bucks), Chris Bell (Pelicans), Quadir Copeland (Rockets) and Maliq Brown (Spurs).
Here’s how they fared in Sin City:
Kyle- 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal vs Thunder
4 points on 2-2 shooting vs Mavericks
2 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks vs Clippers
4 points and 3 rebounds vs Bulls
2 points and 1 block vs Warriors
Kingz – DNP vs Bucks and Magic
10 points and 3 rebounds vs Cavaliers
2 rebounds and 3 assists vs Raptors
3 points and 1 rebound vs Pistons
Boeheim- 8 points on 2/8 shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal vs Lakers
6 points on 2/7 shooting vs Celtics
10 points on 4/5 shooting vs Nuggets
13 points and 3 steals vs Mavericks
3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists vs Nets
Bell- 0/2 shooting, 1 assist and 1 steal vs Timberwolves
DNP vs Hornets
3 points against the Suns
12 points and 2 rebounds vs Cavaliers
2 points vs Pacers
Brown- 0/2 shooting, 4 rebounds and 3 steals vs Hawks
8 points, 8 rebounds vs Knicks
4 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals vs Bucks
7 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals vs Jazz
DNP vs Suns
Edwards- 1/1 shooting, 1 assist and 1 block vs Heat
6 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist vs Spurs
DNP vs Suns
4 points and 3 rebounds vs Hornets
DNP vs Sixers
Copeland- 14 points on 4/6 shooting, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 9 fouls vs Nuggets
9 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 8 fouls vs Raptors
6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals (and only 3 fouls) vs Sixers
13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.
24 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals vs Grizzlies
Will these performances be enough to make an Opening Night roster? Outside of Brown, it would seem like unlikely at this point, but we’ll be watching in the early Fall to see what happens.
Any chance to compete is an opportunity the Warriors don’t want to waste, including during the NBA’s summer league.
Development is the top priority every year during summer league. Teams aren’t dictating their future based on the production of their top picks. But good play jumps off the page just as much as bad. Seeing the growth of second-year players as roster competitions come together is as big of a win as any numbers on the scoreboard.
Just don’t tell that to the players and coaches.
Warriors assistant Khalid Robinson, who served as the team’s summer league head coach, made it clear before any games were played what his top goals were for these few weeks.
“We want to develop our guys and help them get ready for preseason and next season, but we want to win,” Robinson told NBC Sports Bay Area before the start of summer league. “We want to establish this culture. We’re about winning here, and when these guys come in, we want them to know what we’re about. We’re going into this thing like we want to win. We want to develop and get these guys better on individual skills and team concepts.
“But we want to win games. Building these habits of consistent competition and playing to our identity is part of it.”
On Sunday night, the mission was accomplished in the Warriors’ 94-90 comeback win against the Memphis Grizzlies in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League championship game. The win was the Warriors’ first summer league championship since 2013.
Yaxel Lendeborg, the Warriors’ top draft pick at No. 11 overall, was everything they could have hoped for this summer. His cherry on top was again outplaying Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick, in the championship game. Lendeborg in 32 minutes put together a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double on 9-of-18 shooting with two assists and two steals. He was a plus-7.
Boozer played 35 minutes and was a minus-1 with 19 points and eight rebounds on 7-of-17 shooting.
The kind of culture and identity Robinson wanted established out of his team for the biggest moments came to light in the fourth quarter when the Warriors faced a 12-point deficit against the Grizzlies after the first possession of the final frame. Their first lead in the fourth quarter didn’t come until there were two minutes left and Lendeborg hit a step-back three. He made a driving floater to give them a one-point lead, a three to give them a two-point lead, and then a pull-up jumper to give them a four-point lead before two huge rebounds in the final minute.
For Lendeborg, the fourth quarter truly was winning time three and a half months after winning the national championship at Michigan. He and Will Richard were the only two Warriors to play the entire fourth quarter. Richard scored eight points and was a plus-14. Ledeborg scored nine points and also was a plus-14, also adding seven rebounds – three offensive and four defensive – two assists and one steal.
Lendeborg following the win was named the Las Vegas NBA Summer League MVP. He played all six games in Las Vegas and averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists with 45.9/35.7/80.0 shooting splits. This came after Lendeborg in two California Classic games averaged 15.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists while going 7 of 9 from 3-point range.
Off the court, Lendeborg was non-stop fun as a walking quote machine. On the court, he made his case as a seamless fit in Steve Kerr’s system who should make an immediate impact on the Warriors. But the Warriors’ summer league success wasn’t about only their biggest star.
Down the stretch, it was Lendeborg and Richard who the Warriors leaned on to lead them to a championship. Richard in the fourth quarter of the championship game made three shots, drained two threes and blocked a shot. He was the Warriors’ unquestioned leader of the summer. He also was noticeably stronger and has a quicker shot, resulting in going 9 of 19 from 3-point range (47.4 percent) in Las Vegas.
It was LJ Cryer, not Lendeborg, who was the Warriors’ top scorer this summer. Lendeborg totaled 89 points in Las Vegas and Cryer put up 90. Cryer in six Vegas games took 51 threes. The next most on the Warriors was Lendeborg’s 28 attempts. Cryer wasn’t chucking threes, he was making them to the tune of a 41.2 3-point percentage (21 of 51).
In the very least, Cryer will be back on a two-way contract with the chance to compete for a spot on the 15-man roster. Malevy Leons should also occupy another one of the Warriors’ three two-way contracts and continued to show why. As Leons still needs to improve as a shooter, at 6-foot-9 and 210 pounds, he had a non-stop motor all season and displayed the small details that can go a long way to earn minutes on a veteran team.
The Warriors haven’t decided where second-round pick LaJae Jones will fall on the roster. Jones didn’t show a lot of scoring ability in the summer and is best served to spend a lot of time in Santa Cruz. That could leave forward/center Graham Ike as a prime candidate for the third two-way contract after averaging 10.5 points per game in Las Vegas with a team-high 8.0 rebounds per game and five blocked shots.
Bay Area native Chance McMillian showcased his scoring ability and shot 54.5 percent from three (12 of 22) in Las Vegas. Lance Olbrich is an interesting name to follow as well after playing professionally in Australia, being taken in the second round of last year’s NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls and showing flashes as a clear Warriors fit this summer.
“I live for this moment right here,” Lendeborg said after the Warriors’ summer league championship. “Do whatever we gotta do to win this. We’re the Warriors, we win. We’re gonna get another one next season. Go Dubs.”
The back of Lendeborg’s statement still is in wait-and-see mode, like the rest of the Warriors’ offseason.
Starting with their top pick, though, summer league was nothing short of a smashing success for the Warriors.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 14: (Editors Note: Tonal effects have been applied to this image) Nate Ament #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at UNLV on July 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With Summer League wrapped up, I wanted to discuss Nate Ament and how he moves forward from here. Ament is certainly one of the more difficult prospect evaluations I’ve ever done (not that I’m some expert in this space) because he is a truly unique archetype insofar as he has me thinking “OK, this is certainly a unique skillset, but it doesn’t translate to winning basketball as of yet; how does he get there?” To start, I think the most prudent thing to do is to lay out what I believe are his strengths and weaknesses right now.
Player breakdown
Strengths
Spot-up shooting/attacking hard closeouts
Bodying smaller defenders and shooting over them
Handling the ball in the full-court (context dependant)
Catching lobs
Weaknesses
Consistently beating guys off the dribble in the half court
Finishing around the rim
Being a plus defender (on or off-ball)
Reading the floor well in traffic/limiting turnovers
Which of these weaknesses can be improved upon?
Beating guys off the dribble
I’d bet against Ament ever being able to consistently beat guys off the dribble; he’s just too stiff, and he doesn’t have “shake.” Because of his size and skillset, Ament has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant, but what makes Durant so lethal is his ability to shake defenders out of their shoes with violent crossovers—Ament has never really had that at any level.
Now, what I will say is that Ament does have surprisingly solid dribbling ability and overall coordination at his size—that, at least, is somewhat Durant-like. He really does have the ability to handle the ball and not look out of place. Against legit NBA full-court pressure? No. But he flashed some advanced coordination, and that is one of the main attributes I hope is utilised in practice along with when he inevitably goes down to the G League next season. This is a player who, while he can play off-ball, also needs reps with the ball in hand to maximise his development. Maybe it never becomes a plus NBA skill of his, but the Bucks should absolutely experiment in this space.
Rim finishing
This is an area where I think Ament can certainly improve; it might just take some time. I mean, he just looked so skinny at Summer League that this one might be a slow burn, but I don’t see why he couldn’t become a much better rim finisher as his body develops. Ament’s poor rim numbers at college are also contextualised by him having two teammates crowding the paint at all times; that Tennessee team’s spacing was truly horrid. The one thing that does give me pause is the number of layups that seemed to just roll off the rim in Vegas with pretty minimal pressure; it made no sense how he could have missed some of those shots at point-blank range while being so tall (and thus close to the hoop). One to monitor.
Being a plus defender
Yes, Ament can certainly become a plus defender; he just has to learn technique. He’s got excellent dimensions for it, but has no clue how to use any of his attributes at the moment. His off-ball defence was really poor in Vegas—losing sight of his man, failing to switch onto ball-handlers—and his shot-blocking/altering ability was strangely underwhelming for a player that size as well.
His on-ball defence was somewhat better, but still not where it needs to be to step onto an NBA court. There were lots of what I like to call “fake hustle” possessions, where he got too close to the ball-handler because he was trying to show effort and intent—which I love, don’t get me wrong—but then the defender sped right past him because he reached for the ball and/or allowed his momentum to go too far forward. Giannis, ironically, was a serial offender in this category (and it actually got worse as he got older, funnily enough).
The best defenders can apply pressure to the ball-handler without letting them get past either; there are a bunch of tricks regarding how to do that, but the biggest one is keeping your hands out of the cookie jar and focusing on moving your feet. It’s a skill that needs to be developed over a few years, but Ament has a body type that should allow him to become good at it, whereas there are other body types where it’s near impossible.
Reading the floor in traffic/limiting turnovers
I think there is certainly some room to cut the fat here regarding some of the outright horrendous turnovers, such as when he just threw it to nobody; improved strength will help him avoid being stripped. With all that said, part of the reason I doubt Ament will ever be a primary initiator is that I don’t see him developing advanced passing skills. For example, I don’t see him ever being able to read the low man in a pick-and-roll and distinguish between passing to the roller and the opposite corner shooter; I’m optimistic he can make basic short roll reads, but that’s probably the extent of it. Does that limit his ceiling? Yeah, it does.
The path to NBA minutes as a rookie
To reuse a term, I think the first order of business for Ament in his rookie year will be cutting the fat out of his game. If (and it’s a big “if”) he can demonstrate that he can be passable on defence, there might be a role for him for 8-12 minutes per night just playing as a complementary piece because of his ability to stretch the floor. If I were him, I’d be on the coaches non-stop about the defensive part.
From there, he needs to build his ability to attack closeouts and make simple plays. Also, perfect ancillary skills, like learning to screen and read the on-ball defender. Are they switching? If so, can I slip to the rim and catch them off guard? Are they going over the screen? If so, what’s the best screening angle to get the guard going downhill? Put simply, Ament’s ticket to early NBA minutes will be nailing the basics and playing off others. Once he’s done that, he can build.
Player projections
Given everything I just laid out, the player I think Ament should be modeling his game after is Jabari Smith Jr. Despite having limited on-ball shake, Smith can play 40 minutes in a playoff game because he takes nothing away from his team. He provides spacing on offence, making the stars’ lives easier, but can also body his opponents and get to his (admittedly limited) bag of pull-up jumpers as a Plan B. Crucially, he’s also an excellent defender with elite toughness, size, and instincts. To me, this sounds like a player-type Ament could realistically become one day, though I’m unsure about him ever becoming as strong as Smith.
If you’re looking for someone more in Ament’s weight division—and this is a high-end outcome, to be clear—I see similarities between him and Jaden McDaniels, a secondary creator who works a lot in the mid-range. That said, McDaniels is an elite point-of-attack defender, which Ament most definitely is not right now, but it’s not inconceivable that he gets there. McDaniels was definitely not seen that way coming out of Washington.
Of course—and I hate to mention it—there are also outcomes where Ament becomes Perry Jones. Yes, he is something of a lottery ticket, but one I would take again given 1) the upside of this pick “if it hits,” and 2) me not loving many of the other names on the board for various reasons (small guards, non-shooting wings, undersized and/or injury-prone centres, etc.)
Brew Hoop fam, let me know what you think of my Nate Ament breakdown.
The full NBA regular-season schedule is typically released in mid-August. The Sixers already know they’ll be in East Group B for the 2026 NBA Cup with the Knicks, Cavaliers, Heat and Pacers.
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 12: Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on April 12, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks were part of a three-team trade Sunday that landed them Zaccharie Risacher from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Ryan Nembhard and a second round pick. With the move, Dallas swaps a part-time starter for the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NBA Draft.
This is a very low-risk, potentially high-reward move for Dallas. The undrafted Nembhard was a part-time starter who brought stability to the team last season when guard play was in high demand. He showed flashes of brilliance when it came to ball handling, often producing absurd assist-to-turnover ratios for a solid stretch. Yet, Nembhard is a relatively undersized player who was all but certainly going to lose minutes to the returning Kyrie Irving and newly acquired Marcus Sasser.
Risacher on the other hand, is former first overall pick who has not quite lived up to the status that comes with such a selection, yet nonetheless finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2024-25 and who fits well with the Cooper Flagg timeline; he is two years younger than Nembhard and will play most of next season as a 21-year old. His contract is more robust than Nembhard’s, but the Mavericks hold virtually all the cards.
The nuances of the contract
Risacher comes to Dallas with two years remaining on his contract. The Hawks exercised a club option on him to lock him in for the 2026-27 season, which he will now play in Dallas, getting paid $13.8 million. 2027-28 is the final year of his current contract, but that too remains a team option, leaving the Mavericks with great control of the situation. However, that control comes with a caveat.
On the surface, it appears Dallas could simply walk after this coming season if they don’t like what they see, but there is more to the story. If the Mavericks plan on locking down Risacher and his $17.4 million for the 2027-28 season, they will need to do so just a few games into his Mavericks’ tenure. The Mavericks have until October 31, 2026 to exercise the team option for 2027-28 season. If they choose to exercise the option and Risacher does not work out, Dallas is stuck with him and a $17.4 million bill. If they choose not to exercise the option and Risacher has a breakout season, Dallas will have market competition to retain him. Risacher will no longer be an unrestricted free agent in this scenario, but Dallas will retain his Bird Rights.
What to expect
While we don’t know the philosophical approach the Mavs’ front office will follow, for my hypothetical money, Dallas is going to exercise their option on Risacher and commit to him for the remaining two years on his contract. To me, this is a no-brainer.
Risacher was drafted two years ago, but is of an age that he could easily have been in the Draft this past June. He is just shy of two years older than Flagg, so he is well aligned with the timeline of the face of the franchise. Ultimately, it’s difficult to determine any reason not to take the chance here. Risacher may benefit from a scenery change, and the tutelage of Dusty May, Joe Boylan and the player-friendly coaching staff forming in Dallas could yet bring the best out of him. For what relatively little they gave up to get him, it makes sense for Dallas to commit in the short term to see what Risacher can yet become. This is especially true if the forward-heavy team is trimmed down a bit if and when a veteran or two is moved. In a worst-case scenario, they will have a $17 million expiring contract to dangle as trade bait in 2027-28.
Whatever the case, we have just over three months (or less) until we find out. For now, Dallas continues to put together a young, long and rangy team of athletes around Cooper Flagg, with most of the summer yet to play out.
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