LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Koa Peat #18 of the Phoenix Suns dunks the basketball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on July 13, 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 Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Former Arizona Wildcats Brayden Burries and Koa Peat faced off for the first time as competitors in the NBA Summer League on Monday night.
Peat and the Phoenix Suns held on to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 95-88 in Las Vegas. Burries led all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, while Peat was second in scoring for Phoenix with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting.
At the half, both players were already in double figures with Burries scoring 12 and Peat 11. Phoenix now stands at 2-1 in the summer league and Milwaukee is winless at 0-3.
In Burriesā first game he scored 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting. He followed it up with a 26-point performance in the next game on 9-of-16 shooting and went 4 of 5 from behind the arc.
Burries was taken No. 10 overall by the Bucks in last monthās 2026 NBA Draft, while Peat went taken 30th overall to the Suns. Before becoming pros they helped get Arizona back to the Final Four for the first time since 2001 and showed why they were selected in the first round. They were the sixth and seventh players drafted from Arizona in the Tommy Lloyd era.
This is the only scheduled matchup of former Wildcats facing off during Summer League play, though depending on final overall records there could possibly be another matchup down the road.
LAS VEGAS ā No LeBron James. Stephen Curry? Probably not. What about Kevin Durant? Team USA is going to look different than it did in Paris.
Tuesday ā July 14, 2028 ā marks two years from the opening ceremonies officially kicking off the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. USA Basketball will enter as favorites and the five-time defending men's basketball gold medalists ā but this team will look very different from the one four years ago. And it will face the stiffest competition Olympic men's basketball has ever seen.
Just as the generations are changing in the NBA, so too will it be on the USA Men's Basketball roster, with some holdovers and plenty of star power, but many new names under coach Erik Spoelstra.
To project who will be on the USA roster in two years, I spoke with a number of front office personnel, scouts, and a couple of veteran media members, compiling a list of who might be those new faces. Let's project who will be on that roster, starting with the locks to make the roster
Team USA Locks
ā¢ Anthony Edwards ā¢ Tyrese Haliburton ā¢ Jayson Tatum ā¢ Cade Cunningham ā¢ Cooper Flagg ā¢ Bam Adebayo
None of these names should be a surprise. Edwards was an early star in Paris and averaged 12.8 points a game. Tatum and Haliburton were on that team as well, even if Hali made a joke out of how little he played.
When I posed a roster question to one former Team USA member, he said, "Cooper Flagg starts" before I finished the sentence. He's probably right. Cunningham also seems a lock with his size and two-way play.
Center is by far the hardest part of assembling the USA roster, in part because you have to build it out thinking about the USA's biggest threat to the gold medal: France with Victor Wembanyama in the middle. Bam Adebayo is a high-level two-way center who has proven he can handle the physicality of FIBA ball, and add in that Spoelstra is the coach, Bam is a lock.
Likely to make roster
ā¢ Chet Holmgren ā¢ Jalen Johnson ā¢ Evan Mobley
Johnson feels like a borderline lock as a two-way wing/forward who can help Team USA in a lot of ways. Mobley, a former Defensive Player of the Year who can face up and score, is a natural fit, and a couple of sources suggested Adebayo and Mobley might be the best starting frontcourt, although if Mobley shot better from 3 I'd be more comfortable with this. Mobley has never played for Team USA before, is he interested?
Holmgren was the most discussed player in my conversations. He is a two-way big man who averaged 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game last season for OKC, shot 36.2% from 3-point range, and blocked 1.9 shots a night on his way to finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. That sounds like he should be a lock for Los Angeles. But we have seen what Wemby does to Holmgren, and FIBA basketball is far more physical than the NBA, and Holmgren is going to struggle with that style of play. Multiple people suggested he might not make the final roster. I'm not sure I'm willing to go there, in part because the other options are limited, but Holmgren is far from a lock, and there are questions to answer.
Wings: Jaylen Brown Scottie Barnes Jalen Williams Amen Thompson Kevin Durant
Centers: Jalen Duren Walker Kessler
The USA is stacked with guards and wings, and there are going to be some tough calls to make. Good players are going to stay home.
Will Durant want to play at age 39 (and will his body let him)? He has said he wants to play if he's able. If he says he wants to go, USA Basketball will not say no to the greatest international player in our men's history, a four-time gold medalist and the USA's leading scorer all-time in the Olympics.
Devin Booker will be just 31, likely wants to return and might be tough to keep off the roster as he won gold in Paris and is a trusted two-way player. Does he beat out Maxey's athleticism, shooting and defense? Bruson is just a winner and will step up in the clutch. Jaylen Brown just finished sixth in MVP voting and is an elite two-way guy, and while he had a public exchange with USA Basketball head Grant Hill after not making the Paris roster, we're going to assume they ask and he says yes this time. Both Scottie Barnes and a healthy Jalen Williams should get serious consideration as well. Amen Thompson needs to develop his shot, but as a defensive wing stopper, he would be a force.
And then there's center. Kessler ā or the idealized idea of Kessler, the guy the Lakers are paying him to be ā would be a great fit, especially since there is no defensive three-second rule in FIBA ball. Duren also would be a fit, although after his recent playoff performance a few executives winced at the idea of him on this big stage ā he needs to prove those playoffs were a one-off.
Wild Cards
Kon Knueppel Donovan Clingan AJ Dybantsa Darryn Peterson Cameron Boozer
Knueppel showed the potential to get into the guard mix, we just need to see another year and growth from him. Clingan is a big body who can move, he is on the fringe of the center discussion. Can anyone from this June's draft class ā Dybantsa, Peterson or Boozer ā be ready for the big squad in two years? (Most likely, all of them are on the USA Select Team, which scrimmages against the primary USA squad.)
Final 12 prediction
Anthony Edwards Tyrese Haliburton Cade Cunningham Tyrese Maxey Jayson Tatum Cooper Flagg Jaylen Brown Jalen Johnson Jr. Bam Adebayo Evan Mobley Chet Holmgren Jalen Duren
First, if Kevin Durant wants to play and is healthy, then he is in, and someone else has to go.
There is plenty to debate about which guards and wings should make the cut, but you also almost can't go wrong. Because I think we need four bigs to deal with Wemby, I couldn't put either Scottie Barnes or Jalen Williams in the final 12. But if you put either of them on the team instead of Jaylen Brown, it's still very good (although I think Brown deserves to go). (Note: If Duren or Kessler step up enough in the next two years and the USA can go with three bigs and lose Holmgren or Mobley, then we can add Barnes or Williams.)
I'll take an improved Maxey two years from now over an older Booker or Brunson, but again, we're talking three players who would make this team better.
Then there's the center position. Ideally, we only need three for a 40-minute game, and Adebayo is a lock. But Holmgren and Mobley are not traditional bigs, and we need some size and bulk to handle Wemby and potentially others like Nikola Jokic or others. The consensus among the people I talked to was that Kessler is, in theory, the better fit, but he needs to play a couple of seasons to prove it and stay healthy. So, for now, we go with Duren, who has done it for a season. Again, as noted above, if Duren or Kessler prove up to the task, we might be able to cut one big (Holmgren or Mobley) and go with another wing or guard.
This roster would be the gold medal favorite ā but this is shaping up to be the toughest road to gold the USA has ever seen.
Illini Isaac is joined by Joey Linn, beat reporter for the LA Clippers, to discuss Keaton Waglerās NBA Summer League performances so far and future role for the franchise.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors chats with Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the end of a preseason NBA game at Chase Center on October 05, 2025 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the handful of teams that are waiting for LeBron James to officially announce where heās playing basketball next season. For the last two weeks, interested teams have been pitching Jamesās agent, Rich Paul, on why he should play for them. Now, it seems like that period is over.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported during the Cavs Summer League game on Monday evening that he spoke with Paul about Jamesās free agent plans. Paul relayed to him that James has all the information he needs. Itāll now be up to LeBron to make the final call, saying James is now in the ādeliberation phase.ā
"I've talked to LeBron James' agent Rich Paul and he said [LeBron] has all the information needed. So now it's all up to LeBron James to make a decision."@ChrisBHaynes with an update on LeBron James' free agency. pic.twitter.com/y0N042t5zv
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Let āEm Know shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homageās Cavs gear HERE.
While we know that James is getting closer to making a decision, which team he will actually sign with is anyoneās guess. Based on reports coming out of Las Vegas during Summer League, nobody definitively knows what LeBron is going to do.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints says that the āoverarching consensus among rival team personnel at NBA Summer League is that James will sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.ā However, Siegel also noted that the Golden State Warriors are a āstronger considerationā for James after he spent time with Draymond Green this past weekend.
Alex Schiffer of Front Office Sports has backed up that the Warriors are still in the race. The consensus of those polled by Schiffer was that James would pick between either Golden State or Cleveland. āSome executives are skeptical of the growing narrative that a third Cleveland stint is a certainty,ā Schiffer wrote.
Weāll see what direction James ends up taking this. He is reportedly looking for āhappinessā from his next destination while also having a chance to compete for a championship. The Cavaliers should check both of those boxes quite well. Whether or not LeBron chooses a final chapter in Cleveland remains to be seen.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Sergio De Larrea #55 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 13, 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 David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Summer Mavericks (1-2) got knocked around by Cam Boozer and the Summer Grizzlies (1-1) early on, but turned it around for a 96-88 win in their third NBA Summer League game on Monday at UNLVās Thomas & Mack Arena.
Morez Johnson Jr. missed the game with calf soreness and is likely done after two games, just like Cooper Flagg last year. Ryan Nembhard also missed the game against the Grizzlies with an illness.
Cam Boozer led the Grizzlies with 21 points and eight rebounds, and former Maverick Olivier-Maxence Prosper had 18 for Grizzlies in the loss. Mavericksā rookie guard Sergio de Larrea came alive late to complete a double-double with 16 points and 12 assists for Dallas in the win.
Here are three key stats from the third of four Summer League games for the Mavs.
4: Alley-oop finishes for Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu
After Boozer bullied the Mavericks starters for six quick points, Mavericks coach Joe Boylan inserted the former Memphis Tiger Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu into the game. Akobundu-Ehiogu immediately ignited a Mavs run by filling running lanes in transition, scoring his first three buckets on the fast break in rapid succession. He also blocked a Cedric Coward driving attempt midway through the first with the game tied at 10-10.
His ability to finish on the run ignited a 20-4 run that lasted most of the rest of the frame, as Dallas finished the first up 24-19. Akobundu-Ehiogu finished the game with 16 points and four rebounds. He will likely get a lot of run in the Mavsā final Summer League game on Thursday.
He guided home his third alley-oop finish of the first half early in the second quarter, displaying a surprising hit of athleticism to go along with his 6ā10ā frame. He was born in Nigeria and now plays in Spainās La Liga for Manresa. His fourth came in the fourth quarter to extend the Dallas lead to 72-77.
5-of-5: First-half 3-point shooting for Jaden Springer and Darin Green Jr.
Darin Green Jr. connected on his first four shots of the game for the Summer Mavs, including his first three from 3-point range. His third came on a drive-and-dish find from Jaden Springer with 3:43 left in the second quarter and put the Mavericks ahead 43-31.
Springer, a Tennessee product and an unrestricted free agent after playing last season for the G-League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, the Birmingham Squadron, hit his first two long balls in the first half as well.
Neither of these guys appears poised to crack the conversation for making the Mavericksā roster (even on a two-way deal) any time soon, mind you.
The Mavs took a 50-46 lead into the halftime break. Green hit his first 3-ball of the second half as well, after stealing the ball from Boozer near the top of the key, then running straight for the 3-point line on a transition sprint-out. He knows what heās there to do, and he was feeling it on Monday. His fourth of the game gave the Mavs a 58-55 advantage midway through the third.
Green led the Mavs with 18 points and five boards in the win.
The Mavericksā second first-round draft pick, Sergio de Larrea, flashed his playmaking ability all night long in his third Summer League game, then he finally found the shooting touch late. He can certainly pass the basketball. See the second embedded tweet above for his connection to Akobundu-Ehiogu on his third alley-oop finish of the first half on Monday.
De Larrea dished 12 assists against the Grizzlies on Monday and turned the ball over just three times. Thatās a hell of a number, especially in light of his four turnovers (to just four assists) in Saturdayās game against the Lakers, and especially in light of how inefficient the shooters are around him in this setting.
If youāre a de Larrea truther, this was your game. He was 0-for-3 from 3-point range and just 2-for-13 for Summer League before he nailed his first of the game with 3:05 left to play. He crossed over and stepped back over Boozer on that make, which gave the Mavs an 82-77 lead late. Those are the plays we want to see to go along with his creativity in finding the open man.
He rattled in a second from the left wing with just a minute to play to make it an 87-80 and give him 12 points and 12 assists for the game.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Meleek Thomas #15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to media during the game against the Miami Heat on July 13, 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 Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Miami Heat 90-73 in their first win of the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League. They were led by rookie Meleek Thomas, who was on fire from start to finish and ended the game with 35 points.
Thomas set the tone early by scoring 11 points in the first seven minutes. His on-ball shot-creation is a standout. Thomas has looked comfortable navigating the floor and dribbling into some supremely confident jumpers. This pull-up from near the logo is an example:
Thomas continued to dig deeper into his bag as the game went on. He nailed a flurry of floaters and mid-range jumpers in the second half. These shot attempts offer a valuable counter for when defenses are packing the paint.
You never want to rely entirely on the mid-range, but a skilled shooter can punish teams that make it too easy for them.
Thomas tied the franchise record for points in a summer league game and fell just seven points shy of matching the overall record of 42 points in a single game. He didnāt seem to care, however.
āJust get a win, thatās all,ā said Thomas, who had 21 points at halftime. āNot really worried about the accolades, if it happens it happens, I wanna win this game.ā
This has been a strong summer for Thomas. The 34th pick has shown elite scoring touch and a level of playmaking that I didnāt know he had. Of course, we take all of this with a grain of salt. But you have my permission to get carried away and start buying as much Thomas stock as you can.
Other standouts from tonight include Ernest Udeh Jr, who played his best game of the summer. Udeh was highly active, scoring 8 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and blocking 4 shots.
Jaxson Robinson and Malaki Branham also contributed double-digit scoring figures. Robinson had 13 points and 6 rebounds while Branham scored 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting.
The Cavs closed the door early in the fourth quarter and earned their first win of the tournament. Theyāll play again on Wednesday, this time against the New Orleans Pelicans at 5:30 PM. This is their last game before the knockout round begins.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 13: Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu #42 of the Dallas Mavericks converts an alley-oop dunk over Olivier-Maxence Prosper #18 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 13, 2026 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. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA Summer League game on Monday night, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, 96-88. Sergio De Larrea led a very balanced effort from Dallas with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Darin Green Jr. was the Dallas high scorer with 18 points. Third overall pick Cameron Boozer ground his way to a 21-point, eight-rebound effort for Memphis in defeat.
With the Mavericks electing not to play both Ryan Nembhard and Morez Johnson Jr (illness and calf soreness, respectively), Dallas went with an all-overseas-born lineup. Memphis forced the ball to Boozer early and, with Vsevolod Ishchenko drawing that defensive assignment, it looked like it might be a rough game for Dallas. However, the Mavericks played strong team defense and pushed after missed Memphis shots to tie the game at 10 halfway through the period. Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu had a surprising impact early, scoring six points via dunks as he flew toward the rim with authority. Dallas grew the lead to double digits before a flurry of Taylor Hendricks threes closed the gap. Dallas led 24-19 after one period.
The Mavericks blitzed the Grizzlies in the second, pushing off of misses and Memphis turnovers, leading to repeated three-point looks on the break. Dallas knocked down shot after shot and rebuilt their double-digit lead from the first period. Back-to-back threes from former Maverick Olivier Maxence-Prosper cut the lead to single digits with two minutes remaining in the half. Memphis cut the lead down to four and entered halftime down 50-46.
The Memphis rally continued to start the second, tying the game a few minutes into the third quarter. The two teams then exchanged baskets, ties, and leads. Strong shooting from Dallas helped them hold off Memphis and the Mavericks entered the fourth quarter up 68-65.
De Larreaās flashy passing paired with Maverick shotmaking helped Dallas hold off the Grizzlies for much of the period. Memphis closed the gap to tie the game at 77 with five minutes remaining. Dallas exploded out of the next timeout, scoring seven straight, including another rim-rocking dunk from Akobundu-Ehiogu on a putback. Boozer connected on a corner three to give Memphis a chance, but a De Larrea and Darin Green Jr. hit threes in the ensuing possessions to effectively end the game. Dallas walked away with their first win in Vegas, defeating the Grizzlies, 96-88.
Sergio De Larrea, Vsevolod Ishchenko make for a fun backcourt
Some may quibble with this subheading, noting that Ishchenko is kind of omni-positional at the moment, but bear with me. These two, dribbling and initiating the Dallas offense, were a delight against a Memphis team that looked ready to be done with Summer League basketball.
De Larreaās playmaking chops and vision are obvious. The question becomes how he deals with NBA physicality and I think that heāll be just fine over the long haul. It helps when teammates make shots, of course, and the Mavericks fulfilled my summer league wish of putting the ball in the basket.
Ishchenkoās more of a mixed bag, but the fearlessness was on full display as he guarded Boozer and put regular pressure on the rim. He really loves a right-handed over-the-head pass when a simpler one will do, but his downhill mindset is more enjoyable than Nembhardās mechanical implementation of the Dallas offense. Heās got to get much, much better about finishing, but getting there is hard enough, so I suspect the strength will come where heās able to lay the ball in through contact.
We know De Larrea is on the Mavericks next season; Ishchenko is still up in the air. I suspect this might be the last time we see Sergio for a while, so I encourage people to seek out this game if they missed it.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Kobe Bufkin #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans plays defense during the game against the Phoenix Suns on July 12, 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 Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Two of their unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), which were the last two first-rounders they had full control over to trade.
Itās no secret how badly the Lakers wanted ā and needed ā Walker Kessler. AP Photo/Anna Fuder
Two first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
In addition to the four-year, $130 million contract Kessler signed with the franchise that starts with a salary of $30.1 million for 2026-27, which makes him the 10th-highest paid center in the league (restricted free agent big man Jalen Durenās 2026-27 salary from his contract will likely surpass Kesslerās).
A significant investment for a player who hasnāt made an All-Star, All-NBA or All-Defense team, and is coming off of playing five games after having left shoulder surgery in November.
Kessler is honored by the investment. And ready to prove the Lakers right.
āIt definitely makes you feel a certain way when you know an organization believes in you,ā Kessler said on Monday during his first media availability since joining the Lakers. āAnd I think what theyāve invested, theyāre showing that belief in a monetary value, not just with money, but like you said, assets. And for me, Iām somebody that if I know that they have that belief in me, Iām gonna run through a brick wall for them. Thatās just how Iāve been wired my whole life and it definitely makes it a lot easier to go out there and compete for a team.ā
Itās reflected in not just what various Lakers have said about Kessler since acquiring him from the Jazz in a sign-and-trade. Getty Images
Doncic made it clear entering the offseason he wanted the Lakers to acquire a high-level center who fits into the archetype he usually thrives alongside: A lob-catcher, rim-runner and rim-protector.
And the Lakers got the job done by adding Kessler, whose jobs will be made easier because of Doncic.
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Kessler has averaged 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes across 201 regular season games since the Jazz drafted him with the No. 22 pick in the 2022 draft.
āPassing the ball, heās pretty good,ā Kessler quipped. āHe has such a big presence on the court, it makes every guy, all four guys around him, it just makes it a lot easier for them to do what they need to do.ā
Kessler added: āIāve never played with a point guard of that kind of size and stature to where heās just a matchup nightmare.ā
And Kessler will look to make Doncic, as well as the rest of his Lakersā teammates, life jobs easier on the court, too.
Heās been one of the NBAās best rim protectors since entering the league out of Auburn
āWhat I can do for [Doncic] is obviously play defense for him, set great screens,ā Kessler said. āGet him some assists. Itās gonna be gonna be a lot of fun.ā
Even on a Lakers roster that has already added eight players, Kessler still has familiar faces around him.
A significant advocate for Kessler in the Lakersā pursuit of the 24-year-old center was franchise superstar guard Luka Doncic. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
āI would say his mindset and being able to come in and give it his all each and every night,ā Sexton said of why Kessler will be a good fit for the Lakers. āAnd heās one of those people thatās very competitive, and I feel like the culture here is trying to bring good guys in who are ready to compete each and every night and give it their all.ā
āHeās a big, goofy dude that just enjoys life and has fun,ā Reaves said of Kessler. āObviously you see what he does basketball wise and how he impacts the game. Heās good defensively, good in the pocket. Just a smart player. So Iām happy to have him on the team and get to play with him.ā
Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds (4.6 offensive rebounds), 3 assists and 1.8 blocks across five games (30.8 minutes per game) during 2025-26 before suffering a season-ending torn posterior labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery.
He said his shoulder āfeels better than itās ever felt in my lifeā and that heās ā100% clearedā after sitting most of last season. Kessler shared that he originally suffered the injury in college but played through it before it got worse over the previous year.
āIām just excited to play again,ā Kessler said. āSitting out a whole year definitely puts a lot of things in perspective. The heart grows fond in absence. I think falling in love with this game again and just realizing I just want to go win. I just want to play to win. And obviously still being able to do the stuff that I kind of showed in the first five games, itās just going to be fun to play.ā
Before his injury, Kessler further experimented with expanding his shooting range with a higher frequency, attempting 1.6 3-pointers per game compared to 0.3 3s per game in his first three seasons. He made 6 of those 8 attempted 3s last season after making 6 of 34 in 2024-25, 4 of 19 in 2023-24 and 1 of 3 in 2022-23.
āCoach JJ [Redick] is obviously hyper intelligent,ā Kessler said. āObviously, being a shooter himself, weāve talked about it and he wants me to be able to do that. Because I think for a big to be able to stretch the floor like that or even have the threat of it, I think it makes other teamsā scouts really difficult. [Because] whether I can do that on the pop or catch on the pop, go second side or be able to roll. Both those things are gonna be really important.ā
A July 13 article from ClutchPointsā Brett Siegel reported that Greenās recent conversations with James, which took place while the two close friends were vacationing in Puerto Rico together, āhave left [James] giving even stronger consideration to the idea than before.ā
LeBron James and Draymond Green were vacationing in Puerto Rico together, as the latter reportedly made a face-to-face pitch to join Golden State. Getty Images
The report adds that Green was constantly pitching the Warriors to James during the vacation, selling him on the storyline of finishing his career by winning a championship alongside Stephen Curry. Whatās more, Green was selling the idea that regardless of whether they won another NBA title, the 22-time All-Star would surely be able to enjoy his final few NBA season in Golden State.
It has been reported that Curry and James have been in contact as well. The sources Siegel spoke with didnāt confirm whether Curry and James spoke directly when the latter was in Puerto Rico with Green, but he said, āitās not crazy to believe Green and LeBron spoke with Stephā during the trip.
Green reportedly told James he could cap off his career by winning a championship alongside Stephen Curry (left). NBAE via Getty Images
The Warriors have always been seen as one of several favorites to land James in free agency this offseason. Now Greenās face-to-face recruiting pitch to the future Hall of Famer appears to have increased their chances of actually signing him.
Itās also worth noting that the Warriors just hired Frank Vogel to be their associate head coach under Steve Kerr. Vogel was the Lakersā head coach from 2019 to 2022, including when they beat the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals.
James has yet to select a team after his shocking decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers. APGreen and the Warriors appear to be making their push at the perfect time, as Jamesā decision seems imminent. Getty Images
This was the only championship James won with the Lakers, and Golden State bringing Vogel on board would appear to be another factor that could compel James to join them.
The belief is that Jamesā hotly anticipated decision could be coming within the next week. Green and the Warriors appear to be making their push at the perfect time.
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards shoots a free throw during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A potential battle between top-4 picks looms for the Washington Wizards on Tuesday as they take on the Chicago Bulls in their third NBA Summer League game.
Game info
When: Wednesday, July 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas
How to watch: NBA on Prime, Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
What to watch for
The names on the marquee for this one are obvious: AJ Dybantsa and Caleb Wilson. The biggest question mark is whether or not the Wizards opt to keep Dybantsa out for this one.
Washingtonās No. 1 overall pick poured in 23 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in his teamās 104-85 blowout win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. Will Riley caught fire in the contest, with 32 points on 6-of-8 shooting from beyond the three-point arc.
But nobody was hotter than Wilson on Friday, when the Bullsā No. 4 overall pick broke the record for the most points in an NBA Summer League debut. The North Carolina alum erupted for 35 points on a 12-of-21 clip, and looked really comfortable shooting from deep with seven triples.
Dybantsa and Wilson did not face off during their one year of college, but they did play against each other in a preseason contest. Dybantsa paced BYU in scoring with 18 points and eight rebounds in a 78-76 win, while Wilson led all scorers with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on July 13, 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 Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Boston Celtics lost 102-90 to the Atlanta Hawks in the teamās first loss of the Las Vegas Summer League, notably without 2025 draftees Hugo Gonzalez or Amari Williams.
Both teams were 2-0 and part of a six-member group of undefeated LVSL teams heading into the game. Following the loss, the Celtics are 2-1, and only the Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, and Philadelphia 76ers remain undefeated.
The Celtics started 2025 draftee John Tonje, 2026 first-rounder Chris Cenac Jr. and second-rounder Dillon Mitchell, Curtis Jones, and Tucker DeVries. Boston did not play Gonzalez or Williams, who started both of the teamās first two games but watched from the bench today on the back end of a back-to-back.
The Hawks starters included Isaac McKneely, Gabe Madsen, Isaiah Wong, Devon Higgs, and Henri Veesaar.
Unlike the Celticsā first two games in Vegas, they got off to a hot start against the Hawks.
DeVries, a 6ā7ā forward who went undrafted this year, immediately hit a pair of three-pointers to put Boston up before Atlanta even scored. John Tonje also hit a couple shots in the first quarter, including one from distance, for 5 early points. Celtics rookies Cenac and Mitchell also got a pair of buckets between them.
However, the Hawks kept pace and took a 20-17 lead with about three minutes left in the opening quarter, thanks to 9 points from Kobe Johnson (who hit all of his first four shots), 8 points from Veesaar (who hit his first three shots, including two three-pointers), and 6 points from Higgs.
Milos Uzan, one of Bostonās best Summer League players so far in Vegas, came off the bench again and scored a couple buckets to help keep it close.
Nevertheless, the first quarter ended with the Hawks ahead by 4, 29-25.
Mitchell got the second quarter scoring started with a nice dime to Hank Morgan, then hit a 14-foot jumper to briefly tie the game up at 29-29.
Unfortunately, Bostonās offense fizzled out in the second frame, while Atlantaās remained hot. Veesaar hit his third three-pointer to give the Hawks a lead again, then Johnson cut into the paint for a layup to put them up by 5 points, 34-29.
Cenac hit a midrange jumper of his own, then blocked Johnson soon after using his length, but Atlanta recovered the ball and Johnson ended up hitting a three-pointer out of the scramble. Johnson hit another shot from distance only a minute later, giving him 17 points on 7/8 shooting from the field.
Behind Johnson and Veesaar, the Hawksā lead ballooned to 15 points, 46-31, with about 3 minutes left to go in the half.
That lead got up to 19 points with about a minute to go in the half, but Boston was able to cut into the deficit with an Alondes Williams three-pointer, a DeVries putback layup, and a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Kyle Mangas to cap off a rough second quarter.
At the half, the Hawks led Boston by 13 points, 52-39, with three double-digit scorers (Johnson with 19 points, Veesaar with 13, and Higgs with 10). DeVries led the Summer Cās in scoring at the half with 8 points. The team as a whole shot only 41.2% from the field and 31.3% from three-point range.
As the third quarter began, Cenacās hands were all over the game, for better or for worse. He fouled a Hawks shooter, gifting Atlanta a free throw that it hit for its first points of the second half, and set an illegal screen a couple minutes later. However, Cenac also scored the first 8 points of the half for Boston and became the teamās first double-digit scorer of the night. He hit a couple impressive shots in the paint, a free throw, and an emphatic putback dunk.
Cenac was subbed out for a quick breather after he missed a thunderous dunk attempt. He was subbed back in after less than a minute on the bench, but did not have the same impact on the rest of the game as he did to open the third.
DeVries hit another three-pointer to bring the lead to 10, 60-50, but the Celtics were unable to build on that momentum as they could not find a way to slow down Johnson and Veesaar. With less than 3 minutes to go in the third quarter, the pair had 42 points between them and the Hawks had a commanding 20-point lead, 75-55.
It wasnāt all negative, though. Cenac had an impressive block (his fourth of the night) that led to an easy Mitchell layup, then a dunk a minute later. Mitchell continued to show a willingness to shoot from the perimeter and buried an open three-pointer to end the quarter.
At the end of the third, the Hawks led 83-62.
Mitchell opened up the fourth quarter with a slick turnaround fadeaway jumper, but the Hawks kept up their pace and hit a pair of three-pointers and a layup over the first two minutes of the frame to take a 91-67 lead.
Johnson continued his hot night, hitting a three-pointer and a layup to get up to 30 points, and helped keep Atlanta in control for the remainder of the game.
With about 5 minutes to go, Boston emptied the bench, and the move seemingly reenergized the team. The bench players narrowed the lead to 14 points after Morgan hit a three-pointer and a free throw, but the bench burst came too late to make the game a real competition.
Overall, Cenac led the way for the Celtics with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks on 46.2% shooting from the field. He also had 5 turnovers and 5 personal fouls.
Mitchell and DeVries tied as the teamās second-leading scorers with 11 apiece. It was the first Summer League game where Mitchell did not record a block or steal.
On the other side, Johnson and Veesaar combined for 50 points.
The Celticsā next Summer League game will be at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, against the Sacramento Kings and the seventh pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Darius Acuff Jr. It will be broadcast on ESPN2.
LeBron Jamesā roots in Akron, Ohio run deep. Can they be deepened?
The recent time James has spent in his hometown only has heightened excitement about him possibly rejoining the Cleveland Cavaliers.
āListen, this is an exciting time for us, right?āā Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson told Sirius XM NBA Radio on Sunday, July 12. āLike weāre in the mix for the greatest player of all-time.āā
(No, Atkinson was not referring to Michael Jordan.)
Itās customary for James to spend time in the offseason in Akron, which helped launch him into basketball stardom. But it seems ever more meaningful as he searches for what likely will be the final destination of his celebrated NBA career two weeks after informing the Lakers he will play elsewhere next season.
If youāre reading tea leaves, James has posted on his Instagram page twice in about the last two weeks. The first was about a custom 1,200-square-foot putting green thatās been installed at the LeBron James Family Foundation headquarters.
The second was of James standing inside āBuckets Restaurant,āā where chicken is served in buckets. Of course, what everybody really wants to know is, where will James be scoring buckets next season?
ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania addressed the timing of James' decision on NBA Today.
āItās decision time for LeBron James,āā Charania said. āBecause all of the information for the most part is in. GMs, presidents, owners, theyāve all been heard from. Theyāre continuing to have conversations with agent Rich Paul here this week as well. Players have also reached out to LeBron James to recruit him.āā
According to Charania, the leading suitors have been Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Minnesota.
What Polymarket says
The Polymarket prediction market posts by percentage the chances of James signing with the following teams:
Cleveland Cavaliers (45%): Itās the one place James could chase another ring (his fifth) and not be derided as a ring chaser. In Cleveland, heāll always be the prodigal son.
Golden State Warriors (25%): Itād be a blast to watch James team up with Steph Curry and Draymond Green. But their collective gas tank might be empty when the playoffs start.
Miami Heat (18%): Could anyone fault James for taking his talents back to South Beach, where he won his first two NBA titles? Well, of course they could!
According to Polymarket, it's also still too early to count out the Philadelphia 76ers (7%), not to mention the Minnesota Timberwolves (3%), San Antonia Spurs (1%) and Denver Nuggets (1%).
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts after LA Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) was called for an offensive foul in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Once again, Austin Reaves is showing how badly he wants to win with the Lakers.
Prior to the start of free agency, Reaves agreed to a reported four-year, $185 million deal to stay in Los Angeles. However, with some time for the Lakers to plan for the future after agreeing to other deals, the two sides adjusted the contract with Reaves taking less money to help the teamās flexibility.
Update on Austin Reavesā contract with the Lakers: Final terms are four years, $180 million, with a player option in 2029ā30, league sources tell me. Reaves agreed to a lower amount than the previously reported $185 million to help give Los Angeles more future flexibility.
This isnāt the first time the Lakers have gotten creative with a contract this offseason. Sandro Mamukelashviliās contract features a dip in the second year as well.
The rationale? Well, it appears the Lakers are looking to create enough cap space to use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception next summer.
Reavesā decision, sources told ESPN, will give LAL more financial flexibility moving forward ā making it possible to pursue a player with the non-taxpayer midlevel exception next summer. https://t.co/7AHGDG2Pbu
The Lakers are going to operate as an over-the-cap team not just for the rest of the summer, but likely for the rest of the Luka DonÄiÄ era. That means theyāre going to have limited means to notably upgrade the roster.
One of those means, if they navigate things correctly, would be the non-taxpayer MLE next season. It will give LA a big contract they can offer in free agency next year and a real big way to upgrade the roster.
The non-taxpayer MLE not only would allow them to sign a player to a deal with an AAV of roughly $15 million, but it would also allow them to trade for someone in that range. LA will be a contending team with the ability to make an attractive offer to free agents next summer.
To ensure the ability to offer that type of deal and make that upgrade to the roster, though, Reaves had to skim a little bit off his deal. Ultimately, itās a millionaire making a few less millions, so thereās only so much credit heās going to get, but itās not common for player to do what he did, so he does deserve some praise.
Jan 22, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Jordan McLaughlin (0) stares down Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the first half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images | Peter Creveling-Imagn Images
The Spurs have filled at their required 14th roster spot, and itās with another returning face. For the second year in a row, Jordan McLaughlin is returning on a minimum deal worth $3.3 million for one year, per ESPNās Shams Charania.
Free agent guard Jordan McLaughlin has agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal to return to the San Antonio Spurs, agent Greg Lawrence of THEā¢TEAM tells ESPN. McLaughlin appeared in 44 games for the Spurs last season and now enters his ninth campaign. pic.twitter.com/o2srVy0psO
McLaughlin came to San Antonio with DeāAaron Fox from the Kings in February of 2025 and has been a valuable veteran off the bench for the Spurs. He appeared in 44 games last season, and although he only averaged 2 points and an assist in 6 min per game, he was always ready when called upon, including in the few instances he got rotation minutes when any combination of DeāAaron Fox, Stephon Castle or Dylan Harper were out.
The signing fills out all the Spursā required roster spots, although they can still sign a 15th player if they choose. They also still have one two-way slot they can fill. With the returns of McLaughlin, Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie, the Spurs are returning their top 11 players in games played, and the addition of veteran forward Tobias Harris and drafting of big men Tarris Reed and Jayden Quaintance shores up what were considered the only weak areas in the rotation. In other words, the Spurs are running back a team that made the finals and were a few blown leads from winning it all, and they still managed to get better despite limited resources (barring a massive trade, which wasnāt needed).
