The trade sending Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers to the Raptors is on hold until an investigation into his endorsement deal with the now bankrupt Aspiration company is concluded. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors have put the brakes on acquiring Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers, announcing Thursday that the trade is on hold until the NBA investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented salary cap rules is complete.
“The NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi,” the Raptors said. “In light of this, we will wait until the league’s investigation is complete.”
The trade sent Leonard to Toronto for forward Brandon Ingram, shooting guard Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks. Leonard has spent the last seven seasons with the Clippers after leading the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship.
The probe was triggered in September when the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast aired an episode detailing a contract Leonard received from Aspiration, a self-described “socially-conscious and sustainable banking services and investment products” firm. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $60 million in the now-defunct company that in turn agreed to pay Leonard $28 million for endorsements he never fulfilled.
The investigation is being conducted by Wachtell Lipton, a high-powered New York law firm the NBA has frequently used when attempting to determine off-the-court wrongdoing by team owners, players or referees. There is no timetable for its conclusion, and the league had no comment Thursday.
Ballmer invested $50 million in Aspiration in September 2021. A month later, the Clippers announced a $300-million sponsorship deal with the company. Ballmer nearly granted Aspiration naming rights to the team’s new $2-billion venue as well, but instead chose financial services firm Intuit.
Two years later when Aspiration was experiencing severe financial difficulties, Ballmer made an additional $10 million investment and Clippers co-owner Dennis Wong — Ballmer’s former college roommate — invested $1.99 million in Aspiration nine days before Leonard received a $1.75 million payment from the company. Leonard ultimately was paid $21 million of the $28 million agreed upon in his contract with Aspiration.
Leonard averaged 25.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.7 steals over six seasons with the Clippers and was selected to four All-Star teams, four All-NBA teams and two All-Defensive teams while in L.A. Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points while playing 65 games last season.
“The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans,” the Raptors said.
But the Knicks' feel-good news stories amid that championship appear to be short-lived.
According to a Wired article, celebrities and other dignitaries who have attended home games at Madison Square Garden have been assigned "risk" scores. The database also tracked celebrities’ race, gender identity, and sexual orientation; even labeling nearly 100 people as “LGBTQIA." There are nearly 40,000 entries in the “talent” database, each with specific labeling designations.
Wired reported in April that security staff for Knicks owner Jim Dolan tracked a trans woman's movements using that surveillance and spying on her for the better part of two years. On June 12, ShinyHunters, a hacking group, said it would leak nearly 26 million records if MSG didn't fork over a ransom demand. Four days later, they released those records and are now facing three class-action lawsuits alleging the publishing of personal data, whicn was stolen from the World's Most Famous Arena.
USA TODAY Sports has reached out to Dolan and Madison Square Garden for comment.
This newly reported database is hardly surprising, as it was reported years ago that the arena was using facial recognition technology on those entering the facility.
The database is part of a much larger trove of documents published last month by ShinyHunters, a criminal hacker collective.
Some celebrities who have a “DO NOT HOST” tag include hip-hop producer Pete Rock, actor Will Harrison, comedian Adam Pally, and actress Julia Fox.
The database lists rapper Lil Tjay, who got into a fight with security at The Theater during a boxing match in February 2025, as “BANNED FROM MSG."
Some of the "low risk" people on the list include actors Mariska Hargitay, Edie Falco, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller, musicians Ice Spice, Selena Gomez, and Benson Boone, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.
The "medium risk" folks include actors Lily Allen, David Harbour, and country singer Morgan Wallen. A few hip-hop artists appear on the "high risk" side of the database, including Freddie Gibbs, Lil Jon, DaBaby, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on April 10, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thursday marks the day that previously agreed-upon trades in the NBA can be finalized with the start of the new league year, but one deal isn’t taking place — at least not for now. The the massive trade for Kawhi Leonard between the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors is on hold, and won’t be completed until the NBA has completed its 10-month investigation into the star and the Clippers for alleged cap circumvention.
That investigation began after bombshell reporting by Pablo Torres seemingly uncovered a scheme by the Clippers to pay Kawhi Leonard money in addition to his NBA contract through “Aspiration Partners,” a company the Clippers invested in. This company would pay Leonard as a no-show employee, which Torres said was a way for the Clippers to pay him above and beyond his max-level contract.
The Clippers continue to deny any wrongdoing, while remaining confident the trade will eventually go through, releasing a statement to ESPN:
For the past 10 months, our organization has fully cooperated with an NBA investigation, participating in dozens of interviews, providing tens of thousands of documents, and facilitating access to our staff. While the process has been challenging, we have remained committed to transparency.
On June 30, we reached an agreement in principle to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. We have since been informed that the trade can only be finalized if the Raptors’ ownership group assumes the risk of penalties related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and we expect the trade to be finalized following its conclusion.
At the heart of this investigation are Joe Sanberg and Aspiration. We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
We recognize the uncertainty this has created and the impact it has had on our team, our fans, the Raptors organization, their fans, and the players whose futures remain affected while this process continues.
We remain confident that, when the facts are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said from the beginning: We have not done what we are accused of doing.
Regarding our planned trade with the LA Clippers for Kawhi Leonard, the NBA League Office informed us that as a result of an ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation regarding Kawhi.
In light of this, we will wait until the league’s investigation is complete.
The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans.
It appears as though Toronto has put the brakes on the deal for now until it knows exactly what it is getting itself into. The predominant risk for the Raptors would be to broker this massive trade, send away their players and draft capital — only to have the NBA then void the remaining years of Leonard’s contract, or suspend him for a significant time as a result of their investigation.
It’s expected the deal could be completed as early as Tuesday of next week, when the league is set to hold its Board of Governors meeting.
There has been a curious delay in the formal announcement of the Kawhi Leonard trade that is shipping him to the Toronto Raptors. Now, the teams involved are clarifying why.
Although the new NBA league year began Monday, July 6, neither the Raptors nor the Los Angeles Clippers, Leonard’s former team, have consummated the trade agreed to June 30 that is conveying Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks back to Los Angeles.
On Thursday, July 9, the Clippers and Raptors each issued statements to disclose the delay, indicating the deal would not be completed until the ongoing NBA investigation into the Clippers is finalized.
“On June 30, we reached an agreement in principle to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors,” the Clippers said in their statement. “We have since been informed that the trade can only be finalized if the Raptors’ ownership group assumes the risk of penalties related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and we expect the trade to be finalized following its conclusion.”
In their own statement, the Raptors acknowledged this assumption of risk and indicated that they will also wait until the league’s investigation is complete.
“The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans,” the Raptors said.
In spite of the optimism from both sides that the deal would be executed upon the conclusion of the investigation, which began in early September 2025, the language in Toronto’s statement suggests that it could change its mind if it deems any potential discipline stemming from the investigation to be too severe.
The Clippers have repeatedly maintained their innocence in the matter and have stressed that the executives running Aspiration were at fault.
“At the heart of this investigation are Joe Sanberg and Aspiration,” the Clippers continued. “We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.”
Leonard, 35, remains one of the elite two-way players in the NBA, when healthy. A seven-time All-Star, Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists across 65 games last season. He’s also a versatile defender whose length and instincts make him a problem, even for the more gifted offensive players in the NBA.
“We recognize the uncertainty this has created and the impact it has had on our team, our fans, the Raptors organization, their fans, and the players whose futures remain affected while this process continues,” the Clippers concluded. “We remain confident that, when the facts are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said from the beginning: We have not done what we are accused of doing.”
Kusturica, from Serbia, is 17 years old and will play college basketball for at least two years, as he's two years away from being eligible for the NBA draft. The 6-foot-9 forward is the youngest player to ever appear for FC Barcelona's senior team.
He chose the Bruins over Kentucky, Michigan and Gonzaga, according to reports.
“Nikola is an elite prospect with great size, skill and a competitive fire which is hard to find," Cronin said in UCLA's announcement. "As a 6-foot-9 guard, he can play all over the floor. He impacts the game as a scorer, playmaker and shot blocker. For a very young player, Nik has had a decorated career with the Serbian national team and his club team in Barcelona.
"UCLA appreciates the support of his international team and his club for their cooperation and development of Nikola."
Kusturica averaged 24.6 points with 6.9 rebounds in the FIBA Under-17 World Cup from June 27 to July 5 in Turkey. He also won Best Defensive Player after averaging 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game, and scored 37 points against the United States in Serbia's gold-medal game loss.
Kusturica was also named MVP of the 2025 FIBA Under-16 Eurobasket tournament in Tbilisi, Georgia, after averaging 20 points with 7.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, leading Serbia to its first title at the tournament since 2007. He scored 18 points with 14 rebounds, eight assists and five steals in the championship game.
One of he youngest players in college basketball will likely play a huge role from the start for the Bruins, which has signed multiple European recruits in the past year. Cronin signed Mississippi State transfer Sergej Macura and Auburn transfer Filip Jovic in the transfer portal this offseason, and also announced Kusturica's signing with fellow incoming freshman Gunārs Grīnvalds from Latvia and Real Madrid.
Nikola Kusturica highlights
Here are Kusturica's highlights from his 37-point game against the United States in the FIBA Under-17 World Cup:
"The next chapter," Spears Jr., the son of former NFL defensive lineman Marcus Spears, wrote in an Instagram post that also had the Texas "HookEm" hashtag.
He chose Texas over the likes of Arizona, Arkansas, LSU and Alabama among other power conference programs.
"Texas basketball is becoming a big thing again, and I am excited to be part of it," Spears Jr. told ESPN. "The Texas fans can expect a worker with a lot of energy. I will be trying to bring Texas a national championship."
As noted by ESPN, Spears Jr. was the only player to rank in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding on the Nike EYBL circuit this spring, averaging 20.9 points and 8.7 rebounds. He additionally helped lead USA Basketball to a gold medal at the FIBA U16 Men's AmeriCup in 2025.
He becomes the second member of the Spears family to play at Texas as his older sister, Cari Spears, is a member of the Longhorns' volleyball team. Cari Spears started all 30 matches for the Longhorns this season and earned AVCA Third Team All-American honors.
Miller lands his second five-star recruit to the Longhorns' 2026 recruiting class, with the other being Spears Jr.'s fellow Dynamic Prep teammate, five-star strong forward Austin Goosby, the No. 18 best player in the class according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings.
Coming off an improbable Sweet 16 run, Texas is expected to have one of the top rosters in the country next season, as they landed Isaiah Johnson, Amari Evans and Elyjah Freeman in the transfer portal this past offseason.
Here's more on Spears Jr.:
Marcus Spears Jr. 247Sports
Stars: Five
National: No. 2
Positional: No. 2
State: No. 1
247Sports' Composite Rankings had Spears Jr. listed as a five-star recruit and the No. 2-ranked player in the 2027 recruiting class. He was additionally the second-ranked power forward and the top-ranked player in the state of Texas in the class.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Nate Ament talks to the media during a press conference during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Nate Ament is officially a pro, signing on Thursday with the Milwaukee Bucks. Ament, a former 5-star, top five overall player in the class of 2025, went to the Bucks with the 13th overall pick in the NBA Draft. He went one and done with Tennessee, continuing a recent string of NBA Draft success under Rick Barnes.
Ament signed a four-year contract with Milwaukee, where he will make $25.9 million. Annually, Ament will make $5.5 million as a rookie, with that money increasing up to $8.6 million in year No. 4 of the deal. He will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2030-2031 season.
At Tennessee, Ament signed as Rick Barnes’ highest ever rated player. To beat out Duke and several other top schools, the Volunteers paid Ament somewhere in the $4 million range. Following a slow start to his time in college, scouts and executives were split on his pro prospects. There was some chatter about a potential return to Tennessee, but ultimately Ament declared and felt comfortable enough about his draft slot.
His decision turned out to be the right one, and now he’s set to take on a massive opportunity — replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo. Tennessee did just fine too, likely ending up using that money to land Juke Harris to put the cherry on top of an outstanding transfer portal class.
Ament’s Summer League debut comes on Friday (July 10) at 4 p.m. ET on Prime. Ironically, he’ll take on the Miami Heat.
LeBron James' decision on where to play next is the one big bit of drama left in free agency, and he is taking his time doing so. Here are the latest rumors around his decision.
As a reminder, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are considered the leaders in the chase, with the Philadelphia 76ers potentially on that tier depending on who you ask. Also still in the mix are the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
LeBron’s decision timeline
Get comfortable, we could be here a while.
While there was an expectation — or, maybe better phrased as a hope — in some league circles that LeBron would announce his decision this weekend, while the NBA media was largely assembled in Las Vegas for Summer League, it looks like things will drag out longer than that. NBA Insider Marc Stein put it this way in an appearance on the A Must Win Game podcast.
"More people than not that I speak to do not expect a resolution this week. The feeling is that this is going to seep into Summer League and will last until at least next week."
"He can join any team at any time. He can join a team in December. Because of that, there's no reason not to see how things develop and see if anything alters the decision. Just because you think one way on July 10th doesn't mean he'll feel that way on July 20th.
"The timeline is completely his. It's up to him. Because it's smaller money, there's no penalty for him to wait. I think this is what veterans are looking for. You see this in the NFL with veteran players near the end of their careers who aren't playing for top dollar can do: sit, wait, and watch the market. He definitely has a favorite in his head, of course he would at this point, but there's no penalty for waiting."
So we wait.
Would LeBron be happy in Philly?
Bob Myers made the case for LeBron to join the Philadelphia 76ers, and it is pretty straightforward: If he wants another ring, this is his best chance.
"If he was (on the podcast), I'd say, 'I honestly believe this is your best chance to win. You have to decide all the other things that are equally important. … What I would say is if it's about winning, 'Let's talk about that team because you can win in Philadelphia.'"
Winning is part of the equation for LeBron, but not the only — and not necessarily the most important — factor in his decision. Which is something ESPN's Windhorst got into on the network's Get Up. It's about his happiness.
Brian Windhorst on LeBron and the Sixers:
“I don’t necessarily know if it is the most attractive because you’re making a basketball case and LeBron has said it’s a happiness case. Can he be happy living in Philly? The big factor here is Tyrese Maxey.” pic.twitter.com/4hpuOPB2y0
League sources continue to tell NBC Sports that, reading the tea leaves, it feels like LeBron is headed back to Cleveland. That said, LeBron and his team are playing this very close to the vest, and nobody is sure exactly what he has planned.
Steph Curry on the possibility of playing with LeBron James:
“I’d say more so I’m interested to just play golf with LeBron. We’ll handle the basketball stuff, but I want to see the golf LeBron free agent. He’s out here really grinding on the game. But I’m sure we obviously would… pic.twitter.com/aGcZhc5PYI
As much fun as a LeBron and Curry pairing would be to watch, it seems increasingly unlikely. Even if LeBron has been hanging out with Draymond Green lately.
Los Angeles, CA - April 07:Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28), right, joins a huddle with teammates before a game against the Oklahoma Thunder at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
While most fans focus on projected starting lineups and ponder whether their stars are good enough, teams have to think about everything from top to bottom.
That’s why the Lakers remain focused on finding the best players possible, even though their stars are in place and they’ve announced the signings of Quentin Grimes, Walker Kessler and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
They still have at least one position open, and signing the right player could raise their ceiling or limit how good they can be.
On Wednesday, a report by Dave McMenamin on ESPN detailed where things stand in free agency and how important the final roster spots are to the Lakers.
A Lakers source told ESPN that the last spots “will be critical” for next season’s team.
The Lakers have had discussions with free agent wing Jonathan Kuminga, sources told ESPN, pitching opportunity over the veteran minimum salary they can offer.
Since the Lakers need wings on their roster, it’s no surprise they are considering adding Jonathan Kuminga. He is a player they’ve been linked to since the Hawks declined his team option.
LA figuring out how to sweeten the deal for Kuminga will be a challenge given their salary cap situation, but that’s the task in front of Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka.
Whether Kuminga ultimately signs here or not, the Lakers have to be smart with how they use their remaining spots.
So, perhaps another center can be signed as insurance for Kessler if the Lakers can move some end-of-the-rotation players.
It should encourage fans that the Lakers are doing everything they can to maximize every roster spot. To win it all, teams need top talent and depth. That doesn’t happen unless you sign a wide variety of players with upside in different areas.
Pelinka nailing these final additions won’t be viewed as blockbuster moves, but it could be the difference between the Lakers having backups they can trust or praying none of the top players get hurt because there is no one on the bench worth playing.
Lakers fans should be hoping for the former scenario.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: Jacari White #50 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center on July 06, 2026 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 NBA Summer League officially tips off on Thursday afternoon in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Virginia Cavaliers are well represented. The Summer League is one of the most raw and exciting events of the NBA calendar, so to get you set for all the action inside the Pavilion and the Thomas & Mack Center, here’s a look at every former ’Hoo set to take the floor over the next two weeks.
Ugonna Onyenso (Detroit Pistons)
The only former ’Hoo selected in the 2026 NBA draft, Ugonna Onyenso, will get his first taste of professional basketball with the Detroit Pistons (who acquired his draft rights from the New York Knicks shortly after Onyenso was selected 53rd overall).
Despite his wholesome disbelief at being selected on draft night, Onyenso should play a big role in the Pistons’ Summer League rotation. Onyenso will be expected to step in as a defensive stopper and shot-swatting force from day one.
July 9: Pistons vs. Philadelphia 76ers at 5:30 p.m. (Prime Video)
July 12: Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers at 4:00 p.m. (Prime Video)
July 13: Pistons vs. New York Knicks at 4:00 p.m. (Prime Video)
July 15: Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns at 6:00 p.m. (ESPNU)
Malik Thomas (Toronto Raptors)
Another face of Virginia’s 2025-26 roster, Malik Thomas, will get his Summer League opportunity with the Toronto Raptors despite going undrafted. The second-leading scorer for the ’Hoos this past season (12.4 points per game), Thomas will need to show more consistency from beyond the arc while flexing his knack for getting to the bucket to stand out this summer.
When and where to watch Thomas:
July 10: Raptors vs. Boston Celtics at 9:00 p.m. (ESPN)
July 11: Raptors vs. Houston Rockets at 9:30 p.m. (Prime Video)
July 13: Raptors @ Indiana Pacers at 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
July 16: Raptors @ Miami Heat at 9:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
Jacari White (LA Lakers)
Perhaps the most exciting Cavalier this past season, Jacari White, will get the chance to make some highlights with the Los Angeles Lakers. L.A. took part in the California Classic from July 3-6, giving it three games under its belt before heading to Las Vegas.
Unfortunately, White has had a tough time cracking the Lakers’ rotation in the early going, seeing the floor for just ten minutes in their third game, an 88-84 win over the San Antonio Spurs. White finished with five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT) in the contest, hopefully a sign he deserves more playing time in Vegas.
Regardless, White has already found his professional home for the coming season, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Antwerp Giants of the BNXT League (the former pro home of Thijs De Ridder) this past week.
Former Virginia guard Jacari White has signed a one-year deal with the Antwerp Giants of Belgium’s BNXT League.
His former UVA teammate, Thijs De Ridder, also played for the Giants from 2020–23.
July 10: Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder at 10:00 p.m. (Prime Video)
July 11: Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks at 10:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Tuesday, July 14: Lakers vs. LA Clippers at 10:00 p.m. (Prime Video)
Thursday, July 16: Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls at 6:00 p.m. (Prime Video)
Reece Beekman (Washington Wizards)
Reece Beekman made 36 total appearances between the Golden State Warriors and the Brooklyn Nets during his rookie season in 2024-25 but spent the entire 2025-26 season in the G League with the Osceola Magic. Now, Beekman will get a chance to reignite his NBA career this summer with the Washington Wizards.
With the eyes of the basketball world on No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, Beekman will have the perfect opportunity to prove his worth as a defensive stopper (beginning with a big test against No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson on Thursday evening) and as the offensive glue for Washington’s young Summer League roster.
When and where to watch Beekman:
July 9: Wizards vs. Utah Jazz at 9:00 p.m. (ESPN)
July 12: Wizards vs. Sacramento Kings at 8:00 p.m. (Prime Video)
July 14: Wizards vs. Chicago Bulls at 8:00 p.m. (Prime Video )
July 15: Wizards vs. LA Clippers at 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Long-lost ’Hoos edition: Isaac McKneely (Atlanta Hawks), Jabri Abdur-Rahim (OKC Thunder), Igor Milicic Jr. (San Antonio Spurs)
The Atlanta Hawks got in some early action at the Salt Lake City Summer League, where Isaac McKneely averaged 8.3 points per game over three contests. The former Cavalier, who spent his final collegiate season at Louisville, flashed his three-point stroke throughout the week in Salt Lake City and debuted newfound range, connecting on 7-of-16 attempts from beyond the arc (43.8%). McKneely will continue his Summer League journey as the Hawks begin their week in Sin City against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday afternoon (4:30 PM ET on ESPN 2).
On the other side of that Thursday afternoon matchup is Igor Milicic Jr., who will suit up for San Antonio. Milicic bounced around college basketball after leaving Virginia following the 2021-22 season, spending two seasons at Charlotte and one at Tennessee, before playing professionally for the Delaware Blue Crabs in 2025-26. Milicic was on the outskirts of San Antonio’s rotation in their early action at the California Classic, registering just 23 total minutes in two appearances (3.5 PPG).
Another major blast from the past, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, is the final former Cavalier taking the floor this summer. Abdur-Rahim, one of the highest-rated high school recruits of the Tony Bennett era, had a cup of coffee in Charlottesville in 2020-21 before transferring to Georgia and later finishing up his collegiate career at Providence. Abdur-Rahim spent the 2025-26 season with the Oklahoma City Blue in the G-League, where he averaged over 10 points per game on 38.8% shooting from the floor, but he played just three total minutes across three OKC games at the Salt Lake City Summer League.
Clarkson played in 72 games for the Knicks last season, although his minutes fluctuated, and he averaged 8.6 points and 1.3 assists per game. His role shrank in the playoffs, for example he played just 30 minutes across the five NBA Finals games.
Clarkson can still go get a bucket, which is a boost off the Knicks bench, and he was popular with teammates in what was a tight Knicks locker room. He's a good fit to bring back.
The Knicks may also be interested in center Jonas Valanciunas, whom the Denver Nuggets just waived. The Knicks and Valanciunas talked when he was a free agent in 2024 and he is a former client of Knicks president Leon Rose, points out Knicks insider Ian Begley. New York is looking for depth at the five behind Karl-Anthony Towns, and while they have signed Andre Drummond they are eyeing one more center to fill the role Mitchell Robinson did a year ago (he signed with Boston as a free agent).
Jan 7, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; PAC 12 sports broadcaster Jacob Tobey prior to the game between the Oregon State Beavers against the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Well, here’s a direction no one saw the Spurs’ summer going. After two seasons, Spurs’ television play-by-play announcer Jacob Tobey has reportedly been fired after allegedly having an affair with Loren Waters, the sister of Spurs player Lindy Waters III. The news was first reported by Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports, citing sources.
Glass Break: Jacob Tobey, a talented young broadcaster, is out as Spurs PBP announcer after his girlfriend accused him on social media of cheating on her with a relative of a player on the team https://t.co/1gnBZ2uAzs
Rumors started to swirl Monday night/Tuesday morning when a post appeared on Tobey’s Instagram account, presumably posted by his girlfriend, stating the following:
“This is my girlfriend of six years. But I cheated on her with Loren Waters. @lorenkwatrs So feel free to continue following me if you really think I’m a good guy because I’m not. :)”
Tobey has not posted anything since and has locked or protected all his social media accounts. Neither the Spurs or Tobey have confirmed the report or his dismissal, but it has gained steam and been cited by other credible sites, including MySanAntnio.com (a sister site of the San Antonio Express News, SA’s main newspaper), so it is presumably a creditable report. We will provide updates here when/if the news is confirmed (or proven inaccurate) by a source more closely affiliated with the Spurs.
Tobey joined the Spurs broadcast team ahead of the 2024-25 season after longtime announcer Bill Land retired while dealing with a form of blood cancer. He quickly started building a good partnership with Sean Elliot and the Spurs community and was often a part of community events supporting Native American Heritage. If this is the last we’ve seen of Tobey with the Spurs, his final duty would have been conducting the introduction press conference for the Spurs’ 2026 draft class.
It will be a big position for the Spurs to fill but a highly touted one with them reaching the NBA Finals last season and having a long, promising future ahead of them with a young core led by Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 22: Joan Beringer #19 of the Minnesota Timberwolves listens to instruction from assistant coach Pablo Prigioni in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Target Center on February 22, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans Date: July 9th, 2026 Time: 2:30 PM CDT Location: Cox Pavilion Television Coverage: Prime Video
The Minnesota Timberwolves kick off their Las Vegas Summer League slate today against the New Orleans Pelicans, which means we have officially reached that strange portion of the NBA calendar where every fan base convinces itself that a 22-year-old who scores 18 points against a group of future EuroLeague rotation players may have just solved the franchise’s biggest problem.
Summer League is ridiculous that way, and yet it always matters just enough to keep us watching. Last year, Wolves fans entered Vegas with their eyes locked on the young trio of Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark, and Rob Dillingham. After back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota needed cheap internal development in the worst way. The roster was expensive and the expectations were real. The Wolves needed those young guys to show they could become actual NBA contributors, not just theoretical rotation pieces fans talked themselves into during July.
Shannon did his part, at least in the desert. He put together some of the most dominant performances of the entire summer, attacking the rim with the kind of force that made Wolves fans immediately start penciling him into the rotation like he was the answer to the NAW departure. Unfortunately, that Summer League dominance never fully translated into the major year-two leap many hoped for, with injuries slowing him down and preventing him from carving out the consistent role that seemed possible after his Vegas breakout.
Dillingham’s arc was even more complicated. He entered last summer as the presumed heir apparent to Mike Conley Jr., or at least the young player Minnesota desperately needed to become a viable answer at point guard. The roster had a glaring hole there, and Dillingham’s skill set made him the obvious player fans wanted to dream on. But after a shaky Summer League and an uneven start to his NBA career, his biggest contribution to the Timberwolves ultimately came as the trade chip Tim Connelly used to acquire Ayo Dosunmu at the deadline. That may not have been the romantic version of development anyone envisioned, but it still helped the Wolves make it past Denver in Round 1. Sometimes your young guard becomes the future. Sometimes he becomes the receipt for the guy who helps you survive the present.
Now the calendar has flipped to 2026, and the Summer League spotlight has shifted from the backcourt to the frontcourt. After trading away Julius Randle and Naz Reid, Minnesota suddenly has a crater-sized opening at power forward. For the last several seasons, the Wolves were defined by size. They were the team with too many big bodies, the team that could throw wave after wave of frontcourt strength at opponents. Now, almost overnight, that identity has been flipped on its head. The Wolves have LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards in the backcourt, Jaden McDaniels on the wing, Rudy Gobert anchoring the middle, and a whole lot of uncertainty sitting at the four.
That is what makes this Summer League intriguing. Joan Beringer, last year’s 18th overall pick, is suddenly more than just an interesting developmental prospect. He is now one of the few internal players who could theoretically help patch the frontcourt hole. During his rookie season, the young French big was not ready for prime time, but he showed enough flashes to make Wolves fans raise an eyebrow. What was missing was the polish, the consistency, and the physical readiness required to survive real NBA minutes on a team trying to contend.
That is fine for a rookie. It is less fine when the depth chart starts looking like someone forgot to finish the frontcourt section. Beringer does not need to look like a finished product in Vegas. Nobody should expect that. But he does need to look like someone who has taken a step forward. He needs to be more comfortable defensively, more decisive offensively, and more physically prepared to handle contact. The Wolves do not need him to become a starting-caliber player overnight. They need signs that he can be trusted, even in limited stretches, when the real games begin.
Rocco Zikarsky may be just as interesting. He spent much of last season either in Iowa or buried at the end of the bench, but his combination of size and shooting is exactly the kind of thing Minnesota could use after watching its frontcourt depth get stripped down. Players with legitimate size who can stretch the floor do not grow on trees. For the Wolves, Zikarsky represents a possible internal lottery ticket at a position of sudden need.
The question is whether either big can do enough this summer to give Wolves Nation something resembling comfort. Can Beringer look like a player ready to push for minutes? Can Zikarsky show that his size and shooting are more than a theoretical skill package? Can one of them step forward enough that fans stop refreshing LeBron James rumors every 11 minutes like Minnesota is waiting for the final rose in some deranged NBA version of The Bachelor?
That last part may be asking too much.
Ultimately, Summer League is not about final answers. It is about clues. A year ago, Wolves fans watched Shannon explode and Dillingham wobble, and both developments mattered in ways that carried into the season, even if not exactly as expected. This year, the focus shifts to the bigs because the roster demands it. Minnesota has made its splash. LaMelo Ball is here. The backcourt suddenly looks electric. The power forward position, meanwhile, looks like a blown fuse.
That makes today’s opener against New Orleans more than just a casual summer run. It is the first look at whether Minnesota has any internal answers.
The game will be televised on Prime, and the Canis Hoopus faithful will have the comments section ready, because if there is one thing this fan base knows how to do, it is care deeply about a July game that may or may not matter six months from now.
The Knicks are bringing back Jordan Clarkson on a one-year, $3.9 million deal, SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley confirms.
The shooting guard played in 72 regular season games in his first season with the Knicks after joining them on a veteran minimum contract last offseason. He averaged 8.6 points in the regular season and 4.9 points during the playoffs.
Clarkson came to New York to be a scoring threat off the bench -- he averaged 17.5 points in the previous six seasons with the Utah Jazz, mostly in the same role. The 33-year-old even won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2020-21.
His role with the Knicks quickly diminished, though, as he saw the fewest minutes per game (17.8) of his career.
Nevertheless, Clarkson shot 45.1 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from three and enjoyed success on a championship-winning team.
In his career that spans 12 seasons with the Knicks, Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, Clarkson has averaged 15.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game and 2.8 assist per game.
Another important contributor to the Knicks’ championship run is back. Jordan Clarkson is re-signing with the team, The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported Thursday, on a one-year deal worth $3.9 million.
Since it is a veteran minimum deal, Clarkson gets the full negotiated salary but it only counts for roughly $2.5 million against the cap for second apron purposes. The move now leaves them $3.3 million under the second apron, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, with just one spot left to fill. Owner James Dolan, at the start of the offseason, stated that he intends to stay under that second apron, and the Knicks have acted accordingly.
Jordan Clarkson was a spark plug off the bench for the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Knicks now have 13 players on the roster, one short of the mandated 14 standard contracts. Teams can temporarily dip down to 13, though it is complicated.
The move means just one main rotation player — Mitchell Robinson — from last year’s team is gone. Ariel Hukporti also departed, though he hardly played. The Knicks managed to bring back Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, Mohamed Diawara and Clarkson and replace Robinson with Andre Drummond for a total cost of just $17.5 million against the cap.
Clarkson joined the Knicks last year and, after an up-and-down regular season, emerged as a valuable bench piece by the postseason — he averaged 10.8 minutes per game in the playoffs. A shot-happy scorer and offensive-minded player most of his career, he reinvented himself last year with the Knicks after falling out of the rotation midseason. He became a strong on-ball defender and rebounder, qualities that helped him make an impact off the bench and regain a place in coach Mike Brown’s rotation.
Jordan Clarkson played some critical minutes in the playoffs. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
And at 34 years old and having played 12 years in the league, he was an important leader and voice in the locker room.
“You can have leadership in a lot of different ways,” Brown said at the end of the year. “As of late, the reality of it is, a guy like Jordan Clarkson is starting to separate himself and showing that he’s one of the leaders of the team. Just because you start, just because you score a ton or shoot a ton, or you’re one of the best defenders, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a leader. Because one of the things is, leaders aren’t afraid to tell the truth. They do what they say. Being a leader means you gotta be on point all the time. You can’t be worried about whether your teammate likes you at the time because you’re saying something that’s truthful or you’re holding people accountable or not.
“So when you look at a guy like Jordan, who’s been through a lot, who’s still stayed ready, even when he was out, for him and listening to him speak up in front of the group now, that’s starting to show real leadership.”
For that 14th roster spot, the only remaining hole is a third center to replace Hukporti behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Drummond. The Knicks will have to continue to shop for free agents who would sign a veteran minimum in order to fully complete their goal of staying under the second apron.
Second-round pick Jack Kayil was added to the team’s Summer League roster. He was not originally included on the roster, but will in fact join the team in Las Vegas. A 20-year-old guard from Germany, the Knicks drafted him with the No. 39 pick last month.
The Knicks are set to open their Summer League slate on Friday against the Nets.
