PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 29: Darryn Peterson of the Utah Jaxx attends the WNBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on July 29, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Valkyries 91-89. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Utah Jazz are going to have one of the most interesting seasons of any team this season. What makes it so interesting, besides the shift toward playoff contention, is how many different storylines there are to watch. Multiple players will be competing for different awards and accolades. Whether it’s Darryn Peterson, Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jr., or Ace Bailey, each has unique pathways to stardom.
But what accomplishment is most possible for each of these players? In our latest Jazz Reacts survey, Jazz fans let us know.
According to 44% of Jazz fans, Darryn Peterson winning Rookie of the Year is the most likely thing that will happen this season.
It certainly seems very likely. Peterson has the most talent we’ve ever seen in a Jazz rookie. He’ll also be on a winning team and should be given a starting role to play alongside Keyonte George in the backcourt. If he plays well, gets consistent minutes, and the Jazz win a lot of games, it’s hard to see him not winning.
Keyonte George being an All-Star coming in second also makes sense. He’ll have consistent minutes and will play alongside elite talent that will clear the path for him to take another leap.
What’s crazy is that all of these things have a real possibility of happening. Obviously, that’s not likely, but the fact that all of these things aren’t ridiculous really shows how fun this season is going to be.
At FanDuel, Peterson’s odds have fallen to third now that Summer League is over. We’ll see if that changes as the year goes on. One thing is for sure, that Rookie of the Year race is going to be an epic one.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers works against the defense of Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For reasons unclear, particularly with LeBron James no longer on the team, Dillon Brooks is still throwing jabs at the Lakers.
Brooks’ “feud” with LeBron was remarkably one-sided, featuring multiple ejections and multiple game-sealing baskets scored against him. He tried to troll LeBron during the playoffs by showing up for Game 4 against the Thunder…an opportunity available to him only because he had already been eliminated from the playoffs.
But logic would say that LeBron leaving for Philly would spell the end of his feud with the purple and gold. Alas, logic has never been on the side of Brooks, though.
In a recent video with BleacherReport, Brooks was asked about the Lakers’ offseason and implied they’d be in trouble if Luka Dončić wasn’t averaging 40 points per game.
No one has ever accused Brooks of being smart, a consequence of being ejected twice in games against the Lakers in recent seasons.
It’s also not like the team doesn’t have a new superstar who can torture him. Luka already had a long history of owning the Suns before Brooks. Getting to unleash on him next season would be glorious.
While this came before he signed his recent extension, that surely would only add to his arrogance. He certainly has never been short on confidence, either. Some might argue that might have been his undoing in Memphis.
In case you were worried, though, the Lakers-Suns rivalry will remain alive. Or at least remain relevant as Luka looks to carry on LeBron’s legacy of owning Brooks.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 27: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks reacts after an injury against the Miami Heat in the second half at Madison Square Garden on January 27, 2024 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Heat 125-109. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Most of the time, you don’t know when a singular moment can define a franchise. I don’t think any of us expected that when the Knicks signed Jalen Brunson or hired Leon Rose, but the impact of making those decisions has put the franchise on a course towards ending their 53-year championship drought and bringing a Larry O’Brien Trophy back to New York.
Sometimes you know. Trading Kristaps Porzingis. Trading for Carmelo Anthony. Striking out in the 2019 offseason. Injuries can kinda qualify here.
The grey area is where we sit here. When Julius Randle went down with a shoulder injury on January 27, 2024, it was hard to grasp the feeling. The Knicks were coming off one of the best months in franchise history following the trade for OG Anunoby in late December and were well on their way to a sixth consecutive win that would improve the team’s record to 29-17, fourth in the Eastern Conference and three games back of second.
Randle went down and grabbed his shoulder after a hard blocking foul by Jaime Jaquez Jr., who was attempting to draw a charge. The coming hours and days revealed a dislocated shoulder that had an unclear timeline. Initially, it was believed that it was a 1-2 month injury and that he would be able to return for the postseason, but after two months of attempting to return, a re-dislocation during the rehab process prompted season-ending surgery in April.
While the Knicks found a way to get to the No. 2 seed and win seven playoff games without him, they missed his presence in a depleted lineup. That injury would not just be season-ending, but tenure-ending, as Randle would never wear the orange and blue again. About eight months to the day after that game, he was traded to Minnesota for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Welcome back to Knicks Domino Effects, where we look back at individual moments that, one way or another, led to a monumental franchise pivot that resulted in a championship. Today, we’re going to be asking the question.
What if Julius Randle never hurt his shoulder?
Let’s go back to that day in late January against the Miami Heat. The Knicks led by 17 with 4:30 to go in the fourth, which is still well within the realm of possibility for a comeback. Tom Thibodeau was never going to pull the starters here, nor should he have. So let’s say that Randle, instead of going hard to the cup here, kicks it out to a wide open Brunson after Terry Rozier collapsed to help Jaquez underneath.
Brunson buries the triple, and the starters exit the game a minute later with a 20-point cushion. Randle survives the game and likely doesn’t find a way to injure that shoulder. This isn’t like a torn Achilles situation where wear and tear likely contributed, it’s more of a freak accident.
In the immediate short term, there’s still bad news. OG Anunoby’s elbow randomly flared up after this game as well, so that saga still dominates the final two months of the regular season, but instead of Brunson basically going at it alone with only Donte DiVincenzo as his second-in-command, he’ll still have his fellow All-Star (who will actually get to play with Brunson in the game) by his side.
In real life, the Knicks won the ensuing three games following the pair of injuries before embarking on an ugly 3-8 stretch to end February. That wouldn’t dissuade the Knicks from their charge for the No. 2 seed, as they finished 15-7 to top the pack and finish with 50 wins. How does that change with Randle?
Well, the Knicks relied heavily on Brunson during the stretch run as Randle and partially Anunoby rehabbed injuries. They went 0-3 in games Brunson missed with minor injuries. After Randle went down, JB averaged 31.5 points a night across the final 33 games, a number that would certainly go down with his fellow All-Star healthy.
That means we never see some of his best heroics down the stretch. Seven of the 11 40-point games he had that season came in the stretch run. That 61-point game against San Antonio probably wouldn’t have happened. While the captain has shown this propensity to score in bunches throughout his Knicks career, it was this stretch that truly made him evolve into the force he is today. With Randle ensuring that he doesn’t have to hero-ball for this stretch, do we get the guy we currently have?
Anunoby’s tricky elbow limits the ceiling of the 2023-24 Knicks, but they still get the No. 2 seed with 53 wins. They go into the postseason with the dangerous starting five that ran through the NBA in January and use that for a five-game series victory over the Sixers. It still costs them Mitchell Robinson due to Embiid antics and Bojan Bogdanovic, as the injury bug is probably inevitable, but it saves them mileage.
That saved mileage comes in handy against Indiana in the second round. The first two games go the same way, with the Knicks going up 2-0, but one key thing doesn’t happen.
We all know what changed that series for the worse late in Game 2. In this timeline, it doesn’t happen.
Anunoby averaged a staggering 41.6 minutes a game in the first seven games of the postseason due to the injuries and his importance, which likely caused the soft-tissue injury that essentially ended his season. By wrapping up the Philly game a night early due to Randle’s presence, there’s less mileage. His presence also likely reduces his minutes total as a result.
With Anunoby healthy, the Knicks survive a crazy Game 3 in Indianapolis that originally went much different. After losing Game 4, they come home and take the series in five at MSG to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 24 years.
You might be asking, “Why does a man who has been known for being a playoff dropper change this series so dramatically?” Presence and gravity are half the battle. It’s less attention focused on Brunson as the only offensive threat. It’s less workload on Anunoby because of how thin the roster got, forcing the team to use Precious Achiuwa way more than they wanted. Even if Randle likely underperforms again, it’s enough to push the Knicks to the long-awaited battle with the Celtics.
That series isn’t the easiest to predict. Some are insistent that the January 2024 Knicks could’ve defeated the seemingly unstoppable C’s who steamrolled injured competition the entire postseason, but I find it unlikely for a few reasons. That team was not as well equipped to defend the Jays as the following year’s incarnation of the Knicks, plus the injuries don’t exactly go away.
Robinson and Bogdanovic, at this point, are still out. The overuse of Anunoby and Josh Hart may still lead to their hamstring and abdominal ailments. Even if Randle, Brunson, and Donte DiVincenzo remained upright, it’s unlikely that they have enough to topple the eventual champions, losing in six games but giving themselves renewed optimism going forward.
The start of the offseason still plays out the exact same. The Knicks fiscally cannot afford to keep Isaiah Hartenstein, losing him through no fault of their own. They still massively extend Anunoby and trade a haul for Mikal Bridges, knowing full well that to beat the Celtics, they need a second premier wing defender. The real question lies with what they do after.
We all know that they pulled the trigger on longtime target Karl-Anthony Towns in September, and the fact that Leon Rose and company badly wanted him the entire time means it’s entirely possible it still happens even without Randle’s injury.
Let’s have some fun here. Let’s say that the Knicks elect to wing it with the center depth, banking on an eventual return by Robinson down the road, and go into the 2024-25 season with a center rotation of Jericho Sims, Precious Achiuwa, and Ariel Hukporti. Maybe you could replace Achiuwa with known target Goga Bitadze if they ponied up more than they were willing to, but the main narrative here was no Towns on the team. Randle receives the same three-year, $100 million extension that he got post-trade and is banked in for the long haul.
A lineup of Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Randle-Achiuwa is certainly an interesting one, and with Tom Thibodeau’s known reluctance to play small ball, Randle at the 5 is just not happening. That rough center depth hurts the Knicks greatly over the coming weeks and months, forcing them to be a little less patient with Robinson’s recovery. Instead of debuting on February 28, he’s back on January 15, which helps them in the short term, but leads to a reduced postseason presence due to fatigue.
It’s hard to project the inner workings of a regular season with injuries and workload from an entirely different roster, so the Knicks still win 50 games and end up playing the Detroit Pistons in the first round. Should be simple, right?
Wrong. Remember back to that series and who the keys were for the Knicks. Cam Payne won them Game 1, and though he’ll probably still get signed, does he play with the added backcourt depth on the roster with DiVincenzo? What about KAT, who’s late-game heroics won Game 4? Do the Knicks win either of those?
There’s a very realistic chance that this iteration of the Knicks somehow loses to the feisty Pistons, but I’ll default to a gritty, seven-game series that leaves them ripe for the picking by the defending champions in Round 2. By this point, Robinson has been worked extensively due to the lack of Towns and is severely diminished, if not completely out due to injury.
We don’t remember it as much as the heroics of Bridges, but Robinson was +13 and +19 in the two major comebacks. If he can’t be as impactful as he was with fresher legs, and Randle struggles in the postseason, the Knicks don’t win either of those games. I think they’d still put up a fight, but these small marginal things are enough to swing a series against a supremely talented Celtics team, with the Knicks bowing out in six games for the second consecutive year.
The frustration of losing to a rival in consecutive seasons might’ve even trumped the frustration in real life of beating the team you specifically designed yourself to beat before losing to a different team like Indiana. In this scenario, not only is Tom Thibodeau fired, but the roster is likely remade after it’s made clear that the grand experiment to specifically take out Boston failed.
Mike Brown is still likely to be hired as head coach due to the timing of the firing in May 2025, but it might not have been as simple as running back the same framework for Towns as it was the prior offseason. As we know, the biggest motivation behind trading Towns wasn’t his personal ability, but the massive second apron concerns.
In this timeline, instead of Jimmy Butler going to the Warriors from Miami in a midseason blockbuster, it was Towns going to team up with Chef Curry in the Bay Area for 2024-25. They were the only other known team to moderately pursue the All-NBA big man, so their aggressive front office goes all-in to finally give Curry the pick-and-pop partner he’s dreamed of.
So the options for the Knicks to remake their roster going into 2025-26 were limited. That was until the Bucks called them regarding the desire of Giannis Antetokounmpo to play in the bright lights of New York. In real life, the Knicks weren’t very motivated to get something done because of their belief in a new core, but after multiple years of a Brunson/Randle pairing, Rose and company have seen enough.
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 7: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks look on during the game on April 7, 2024 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Randle, Bridges, and DiVincenzo head to the Bucks for Giannis and salary filler. The Knicks go all-in on a Big 3 of Antetokounmpo, Brunson, and Anunoby in a trade nobody saw coming. The desperation comes as Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum still go down with injury, leaving the Eastern Conference wide open.
That team is as good as advertised. Brunson remains the consistent 25-PPG scorer he’s been this whole time alongside a player who takes Randle’s slashing ability and puts it on steroids. Brown’s ideal offense, pace and space, has to take a back seat as a result, but they still surround the pair with as many pure shooters as possible, even after losing Donte. The elite training staff that has kept the Knicks healthy has a good chance of doing the same for Giannis and his balky calf, but they know the playoffs are more important than the regular season.
As disappointing as it sounded when the team-up was initially announced, the Knicks were fine with being the No. 4 seed and winning 51 games. They were whole entering the postseason, allowing them to sweep the Toronto Raptors in the first round. An obstacle presented itself in a tough Pistons team in the second round, but surely they’d have enough to keep it going, right?
Here’s the problem. Some of the players who turned into New York legends during our legendary championship run never put on the orange and blue. The presence of DiVincenzo in 2024-25 led to Landry Shamet never being signed. Guerschon Yabusele is never signed because the team trades for Giannis and suddenly has frontcourt depth, leading to the mid-level exception being used on Gary Trent Jr. instead, which means no Jose Alvarado at the trade deadline. Maybe Jordan Clarkson is replaced by someone like Taurean Prince as a result.
None of these guys are totally useless, but in the quest to find more shooting, they lose part of their identity. Their offense plays into the defensive strengths of Detroit, and it’s a gritty series that sees many games end 99-92 as a result. The lack of ball pressure by trading Mikal leads to added responsibility on Deuce McBride, who is diminished as he was in real life due to core surgery.
The Knicks don’t win that series. After making the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024 with the January Knicks, they fail to make it back in each of the next two seasons. Wishcasting from that team continues. The voices grow louder about Leon Rose’s job, Brunson’s viability as a top option, and even Mike Brown as coach.
I’m not quite sure what happens from here. Most likely, the Knicks would run back the same core and hope for better results. Maybe they get aggressive in adding another piece and make Hart and McBride expendable. Robinson is likely still around just because they can’t afford to let them go. Does LeBron come to town? Are they a second apron team?
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 20: the sneakers of Isaiah Stevens #40 of the Sacramento Kings against the Charlotte Hornets during the 2025 NBA Summer League Championship game on July 20, 2025 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 03: Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Miami Heat during the second quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on March 03, 2026 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. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nets can extend Michael Porter Jr.’s expiring $40.8 million contract right up to next July’s free agency. There’s no real deadline, but Tuesday may offer a signal as to the Nets thinking on the 28-year-old who put up 24/7/3 last season, a career high, as the Brooklyn rejected trade offers at the February deadline.
As Brian Lewis explained Saturday:
The upcoming season’s deadline is expected to be Feb. 11.
Due to the quirks of the CBA, that does make this Tuesday worth watching.
If Porter gets an extension — with a raise of 5 percent or more than two additional seasons — then he can’t be traded for six months.
And if the Nets renegotiate his contract, he also can’t be moved for six months.
That means if Marks plans to do either of those things with Porter, he’d either have to do them by Tuesday, otherwise the forward couldn’t be traded until next summer.
If the Nets and MPJ can’t come to an agreement, there’s speculation both sides might want a separation, but a trade now, with most rosters set, might not be the time. Assuming nothing changes before the deadline, and he keeps playing at tha same pace, he could be a valuable piece for a contender. But Sean Marks & co. give every indication they want to keep him, although it’s uncertain what’s progressed..
“I’m sure we’ll have those discussions,” Marks said at the end of the Vegas Summer League. “We value him a lot. He had a terrific year last year, arguably his best year as a pro. I give him a lot of credit for that.
“I also give Jordi [Fernandez] and the coaching staff a heck of a lot of credit for putting him in places where he can have that type of success. It’s been great to see what Mike’s done for us. So I look forward to having those discussions, and just seeing what Mike can do the rest of the summer and the rest of the season…
“As I said before, I love Mike, the guy, the person, the player, and I hope he is part of this team. But we’re just gonna have to have those discussions between the two of us and our representatives and go from there.”
Porter Jr.’s agent has expressed similar sentiments, and Porter Jr. himself has lavished the organization with praise. But money is money and flexibility is flexibility. There’s also a league-wide trend to keep contracts short unless a team is trying to keep a superstar on the roster.
MPJ has been eligible for a four-year, $234 million deal since June 19. That’s an annual average value of $58.5 million. That isn’t happening, but it does seem that if Brooklyn and he can agree to a deal, it may turn out to be creative. Mark Bartelstein, Porter Jr.‘s agent, also has a reputation for making things work using the CBA’s nooks and crannies.
The most rumored — and that’s all it is, rumored — solution is for the Nets to take their remaining $4.9 million in cap space and re-jigger MPJ’s remaining deal so he gets an immediate $4.9 million raise this year to $45.7 million then tag on a multi-year extension starting at perhaps $35 million in 2027-28, the length of which being the key issue. (Brooklyn would still have a $9.4 million room MLE and be a good $10 million under the luxury tax threshold.)
Porter spoke this week on just how long he intends to play in the league. He’s still bothered by a bad back suffered in college. He said once he settles down, it will be about family.
“When we start having kids, I don’t want other people really raising my kids,” Porter said on the “Girls, Disrupted” podcast. “But the thing is, I don’t want to play basketball for 10 more years. I want to be done in the next five, six years. So then, during that time, I’m fine being home a lot. I’m a chill dude. I want to raise my kids.”
Sounded like a hint he’s planning long-term right now.
Losing MPJ would, barring some surprise, put the Nets in an offensive straitjacket. Finding a missing 24 or 25 points a game would not be easy. The most likely return on a deal would be more draft assets of which the Nets have plenty. Moreover, in his time in Brooklyn, Porter Jr. has become a mentor and leader for the team’s younger players, an added and unexpected bonus for Brooklyn.
it does seem the Nets want to keep him. In June, they traded Nic Claxton to add anther high-scoring forward, Julius Randle, in hopes of igniting Jordi Fernandez’s offense. Both are proven NBA vets: Porter started on an NBA championship team and Randle is a three-time All-Star and two-way All-NBA selection with a love of the city … and things to prove after the Knicks unceremoniously dumped him for Karl-Anthony Towns at the beginning training camp in 2024..
So, we shall see starting Tuesday where things are headed.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 01: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against Anthony Gill #16 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 1, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Preseason hoops begin in less than two months. And the Washington Wizards remain one standard contract short of the NBA limit.
The Wizards currently roster 14 players on standard deals. They have roughly $11.5 million in luxury tax space and own the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is valued at roughly $15 million.
Plenty of time remains between now and when rosters become official on opening night in late October. But as it stands, here are four players Washington could sign to its final roster spot.
The savvy veteran: DeMar DeRozan
The Wizards have held talks with free agent forward DeMar DeRozan in recent weeks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. Washington is one of four teams — alongside the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat — that have expressed interest in the 37-year-old.
The six-time NBA All-Star averaged 18.4 points across 77 games with the Sacramento Kings last season. His 26,711 career points rank 16th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
If Washington signs DeRozan, its already crowded rotation would welcome another proven veteran alongside Khris Middleton on the wing. Depth is a good problem to have, but it’s unclear whether DeRozan would immediately be part of the Wizards’ rotation.
Among teams with reported interest, it appears the Wizards could offer the most money. But if DeRozan prefers the destination with the best opportunity to win a championship next season, rival suitors make more sense.
While Washington has expressed interest, this appears a long-shot pairing.
The in-house candidate: Anthony Gill
Some may view this as an unexciting signing. But Gill provides stability for a team undergoing noteworthy changes — both in personnel and expectations.
The 33-year-old forward is the longest-tenured Wizard. A return would mark his seventh season in Washington, many of those years spent mentoring the team’s young players.
Gill averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds across 55 appearances last season. He’s likely not the most skilled option, but his relationships within the organization and suitable contributions as a small-ball five could keep him around for another year, especially as the team’s 15th option who’s seldom asked to play meaningful minutes.
Fills a need: Gabe Vincent
It’s no secret Washington needs guard depth after trading two guards — D’Angelo Russell and Jaden Hardy — in deals that brought back a forward (Khris Middleton) and center (Deandre Ayton). Recent reports from Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto confirmed Washington’s interest in adding another point guard.
The Wizards’ current guard rotation includes Trae Young, Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington. AJ Dybantsa, Will Riley and Bilal Coulibaly are capable of playing guard, but all three are better suited on the wing or at forward.
Vincent was linked to Washington in early July when Jake Fischer reported the team’s interest in the veteran guard. The 30-year-old averaged 4.4 points on 34.1% 3PT across 53 appearances with the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks last season.
Vincent has 60 playoff appearances under his belt and could serve as a capable depth guard if Washington signs him.
Fun signing: Brandon Williams
Williams, 26, is a shifty guard with impressive handles and tough shotmaking ability.
The Arizona product stands just 6-foot-1, but he can get to the hoop at will. And when he isn’t finishing contested layups, he’s breaking down defenses before spraying passes to open teammates.
Williams averaged 13.0 points and 3.9 assists on 47.2% FG last season. His 23.2% clip from 3-point range is one of the few blemishes on his otherwise skilled offensive game.
The Wizards need point guard depth. Williams is a younger option who could fill that hole for this season and possibly beyond.
On Friday, Aug. 7 the Tar Heels landed South Dakota and All-Summit League center Cameron Fens out of the transfer portal, giving Malone and Co. a 7-foot, 255-pound big man on the interior.
"One of the most surreal moments of my life," Fens wrote in an Instagram post on Aug. 7. "Humbled to wear Carolina Blue and to represent this university. Excited to get to work. Go Heels! AGTG."
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died in May from the effects of heroin and cocaine, authorities said Friday.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said the 29-year-old basketball player's death was accidental.
Clarke was found dead inside a home near Los Angeles on May 11. A person familiar with the terms of the investigation told The Associated Press after the Grizzlies announced Clarke's passing that drug paraphernalia was found at the residence. The person had spoken on condition of anonymity because those details had not been released publicly.
Clarke was under contract to be with the Grizzlies through the 2026-27 season.
About six weeks before he died, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on charges of speeding, reckless driving and possessing a controlled substance. He was with Memphis for all seven of his pro seasons after finishing his college career at Gonzaga.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 01: The DAZN logo is seen on a microphone prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Per recent reporting by Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal, a new player is entering the local NBA broadcast space. U.K. based streamer DAZN (pronounced da’zone), a platform primarily known for boxing and MMA, secured streaming rights for New York-based MSG and YES networks, making them the exclusive digital provider for all non-national TV New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets games.
Karp also reported from multiple sources that DAZN was close to deals with the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Pacers, Grizzlies, Magic, possibly the Hornets, and the San Antonio Spurs. Nothing is official, but DAZN CEO all but confirmed, telling Sports Business Journal, “We are in discussion with many other teams, and I can promise you that more teams will follow very soon.”
This marks a notable shift in local sports broadcasting, which, until now, was handled by regional sports networks (RSNs). These are Fox Sports Southwest, Bally Sports Southwest, and most recently, FanDuel Sports Network Southwest. All of which are no more, with FanDuel Sports Network officially folding this year.
This can hardly be a surprise. RSNs have been a dying business model, limping along for years now. As the name changes suggest, the networks have changed hands several times, with one parent company, Diamond Sports Group, going through bankruptcy in 2023. DAZN was looked at as a potential buyer of the entity in 2025, but ultimately decided not to, perhaps seeing the future opportunity down the road.
These struggles have had real consequences for NBA teams beyond just their own revenue. As RSNs underperformed, the NBA salary cap can’t be propped up by the lucrative national TV deals. As a result, the salary cap did not hit its 10 percent maximum growth, instead settling for 6.7 percent.
While this isn’t a decline, it isn’t the growth the owners and players want. Other RSNs will either need to adapt or face the same fate as FanDuel Sports Network.
Streaming is the natural progression, and DAZN stepping in makes sense. The company is already a rights holder for the NBA in several international markets, and is looking to grow its U.S. rights portfolio. The aforementioned anticipated deals could be only the beginning as the platform wants to pursue the rights to be the NBA’s centralized local streamer down the road.
What about the fans?
This is all well and good for the NBA and DAZN, but what does it mean for fans?
Provided the deals go through, it will mean streaming becomes the exclusive medium for Spurs broadcasts.
Karp reports that DAZN is willing to put forth a good amount of capital for marketing to create awareness. A small handful of games will be broadcast over-the-air or free from DAZN before fully switching over to streaming exclusively.
How that is received will largely be dependent on the price. Currently, DAZN has a few package options. The least expensive of which is $249.99 yearly. If you are only signing up for the Spurs, that may or may not feel worth it. It’s possible those prices could change, and the idea of a less expensive, team-only or basketball-only package is feasible.
Overall, it’s a big shift but a step towards the future. RSNs simply aren’t a viable option if they can’t sustain themselves. The details are still being ironed out, but it’s certain that how fans watch the Spurs will change for the 2026-2027 season.
ST. FRANCIS, WI - AUGUST 8: Larry Harris, Milwaukee Bucks General Manager (L) introduces Bobby Simmons (R) to the media during a press conference at the Milwaukee Bucks Training Center on August 8, 2005 in St. Francis, Wisconsin. 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 NBAE 2005. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
I can remember it vividly. Year 11 (junior year to most of you). My best friend’s voice riding the wind across the yard.
“Did you see it?”
I looked up, mouth ajar, eyes staring as if I was mid matrices exam. Then the follow-up.
“The Bucks have signed Bobby Simmons!”
Dilation. Pupils, mouth. Everything.
It was true. A quick—okay, slow (we’re talking ADSL speeds)—Google search (or was it Ask Jeeves?) confirmed the news. The NBA’s reigning Most Improved Player (MIP), coming off a season in which he averaged 16.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.4 SPG on .466/.435/.846 shooting, was joining the Bucks on a 5-year $47m contract.
And they were movin’ on up.
The promise
My excitement was palpable, even as a closet fan. Coming off a 25th-placed 30-52 season the year prior, Simmons’ arrival signalled change and upward trajectory in Milwaukee. But he wasn’t alone. T.J. Ford—yes, that new assistant coach—was back after missing his entire sophomore season due to a severe spinal injury, Michael Redd had just re-signed on a six-year deal (remember those?), and Andrew Bogut had arrived in town after being selected with the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft. Youth and promise. Sounds familiar, right? Oh, and they had a new coach too, moving off one Terry (Porter) for another (Stotts).
But the roster revitalisation wasn’t done. Not yet. Two months later, Milwaukee would trade for All-Star centre Jamaal Magloire in a deal that sent out Desmond Mason and a 2006 first-round pick (that would become Cedric Simmons). And just like that, the starters were set: two seven-footers up front, a big-bodied forward on the wing, a sweet-shooting two, and an exciting, young point. Read that sentence again and you could easily confuse it for this year’s squad.
So, with a revamped starting five that also strengthened the bench—2004-05 starters Joe Smith, Mo Williams, and Dan Gadzuric became reserves—the Bucks looked primed for a playoff push.
Bright beginnings
The season started with a bang—a 117-108 overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers—and Simmons looked every bit the key free agent signing Bucks fans had hoped for, dropping 22 points to go along with a career-high-tying 12 rebounds. Up next, New Jersey. Kidd, Vince, RJ. SEGABABA. And when my best mate told me he’d organised his next door neighbour to record it on VHS for us (it was our only access to full NBA games), I became Bango after nailing an overhead half-court shot.
We watched it that afternoon (time difference and all that), dragging dining chairs into the corner of his room so we could get as close as possible to his box TV. The mid-2000s style meant every basket was a grind, and when Dan Gadzurichit the Bucks’ first field goal—an isolation, face-up jumper from the left block with 6:43 on the clock to make it a 9-3 Nets lead—I could finally move off the front of the chair. At the end of the first, the Nets led 29-17. By halftime, it was 55-50 and Simmons had gone just 1/6 from the field. He didn’t improve much after the break, missing his only attempt, but a 33-point second-half explosion by Redd secured a Bucks victory. Enthused, we chucked NBA Live into his PlayStation 2, let our inner Larry Harrises out, and had at it.
Three nights later, Simmons looked back to his Opening Night self, putting up 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists to lead the Bucks over D-Wade and the Miami Heat, giving Milwaukee their first three-game winning streak to start the season since 2001-02. They remained hot too. By mid-December, the Bucks were 12-7. By the New Year, they were 17-11. And despite cooling off by the time All-Star break came around, they remained in the black: 27-25.
Simmons, however, wasn’t quite living up to expectations, regressing statistically across the board thanks in large part to the inconsistent play his opening three games foreshadowed. 20 points one night become single digits the next. And across the season’s first three months, he seemed to be hurting more than he was helping (a plus/minus of -46). He would amend that on the back of a season-high 26 points (including 5/9 from three) in a two-point loss to the Houston Rockets to begin February, finishing the second half of the season at +95 despite the Bucks going just 17-20 over this stretch.
Overall, Simmons’ first year with the Bucks was solid if unspectacular: 13.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.1 SPG on .453/.420/.825 splits. More importantly, the Bucks had made good on that playoff promise.
A post-season taster
Despite the excitement, Milwaukee’s playoff run didn’t last long. Playing the second-seeded “Goin’ to Work” Detroit Pistons—Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, and Chauncey Billups—the Bucks were beaten in a gentleman’s sweep, experiencing their only taste of victory in Game 3 thanks to a combined 60 points on absurd 23/31 shooting from Redd and Williams, and a team-leading seven rebounds and 15 assists from Ford. Simmons chipped in with a steady 10 points, four boards, and three assists.
Across the series, though, to say he struggled would be an understatement. In his first taste of post-season action, Simmons was held to just 6.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.8 SPG, shooting a paltry 33% from the field while not attempting a single free throw, despite playing 31.8 MPG. Still, it was a season of growth and Simmons and the Bucks headed into the offseason full of optimism.
The E.N.D.
Despite being released in 2009, much of the Black Eyed Peas’ fifth studio album, The E.N.D.,was recorded in 2006. And its vocally-manipulated spoken-word hidden intro could easily be seen as an epigraph for the 2006-07 Bucks: “Everything around you is changing. Nothing stays the same. This version of myself is not permanent. Tomorrow I will be different. The energy never dies.” After all, the 2006-07 Bucks were changed.
In June, Ford was traded to the Toronto Raptors for Charlie Villanueva. In July, Magloire was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Steve Blake, Ha Seung-Jin, and Brian Skinner. In August, Smith was traded to the Denver Nuggets for Ruben Patterson, while Jiří Welsch left the Bucks for Spanish ACB league club Unicaja Málaga. Then, in September, Toni Kukoč retired.
New recruit Villanueva was limited to 39 games, Redd played just 53, and the Bucks finished the season 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 28-54 record. In June’s NBA Draft, they controversially used the sixth overall pick to select Yi Jianlian out of China.
Simmons returned in 2007-08, mostly in a reserve role, putting up 7.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 1.1 APG. But the winning didn’t—the Bucks finished just 26-56. Then, on June 26, less than three years after inking his 5-year $47m deal, Simmons was traded along with Yi to the Nets for Richard Jefferson. And, just like that, the Bobby Simmons era in Milwaukee was done.
By that time, high school had finished for my best mate and me.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 17: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after a three-point shot against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
How will the Suns’ offense function next season? Will it become predictable again, like it did last year? The Suns weren’t exactly running a complex offense down the stretch, and far too many possessions ended with a three-point attempt.
From February 1 on, Phoenix went 15–18. And during that span, 46.9% of its shots came from beyond the arc. That ranked sixth in the league. They were also third in the NBA in the percentage of their total points that came from three-point range at 41.5%. That’s something the Suns have to change next season because, quite simply, it didn’t work. They need more ways to generate offense. Having players who can get downhill, attack the rim, and create pressure inside is something this team desperately needs.
Suns’ CEO Josh Bartelstein was on with Burns and Gambo earlier this week, and he said that “The league right now has evolved so much. Where the league was three or four years ago, where shooting was in high demand…of course you wanna have shooters…if you watch what’s happening now, it’s guys who can get downhill. Get two feet in the paint. It’s guys who can guard multiple positions. It’s athletic specimens who can meet you at the rim and block your shot. You got to be able to attack and play off closeouts and spray the ball around.”
Why were the Phoenix Suns willing to pay the price to acquire Miles Bridges?
CEO of the Suns and Mercury Josh Bartelstein explained their thought process earlier today.
— The Burns & Gambo Show (@BurnsAndGambo) August 5, 2026
The conversation centered on the acquisition of Miles Bridges and how he could ultimately affect the offense. That naturally leads to another interesting question: Who will be the second-leading scorer on this team next season, assuming Devin Booker remains the top dog? Because if he isn’t, the Suns are going to have a multitude of other problems.
The majority of the community believes Jalen Green will fill that role. In our most recent Suns Reacts survey, 61% of voters picked Green to finish second on the team in scoring. Miles Bridges came in second at 22%.
I agree with the consensus that Jalen Green will be the second leading scorer for Phoenix next season. His talent, combined with his athleticism, should create plenty of opportunities for him to fill that role. Whether he can step into it, embrace it, and execute consistently will be one of the defining storylines of the season.
I can also see a world where Miles Bridges benefits tremendously from Devin Booker’s presence and the gravity he creates, as well as from what Jalen Green can do athletically. One thing Bridges does better when attacking the basket is passing, and that is an area where Green still has room to grow. Green can get blinders when he sees the rim. When he attacks with the kind of ferocity he possesses, finishing becomes the only objective. The more cerebral approach is understanding that defenses know what he wants to do. When they collapse, opportunities open up elsewhere.
In the same breath, that could also be part of what helps Green become the second leading scorer. Bridges showed in Charlotte that he can be a willing passer on his way to the rim. If Green is cutting from the weak side, he can benefit from those passes and use his athleticism to put an exclamation point on the possession.
Regardless of who finishes second on the team in scoring, I think we’re going to see a much more entertaining version of Suns basketball. Don’t get me wrong, everybody in the arena loves it when the team hits a three. It’s kind of like a home run; everybody gives a high five. What really gets people out of their seats, though, is when beautiful ball movement ends with a slam dunk or an easy two points at the rim. That is something Jalen Green can provide with regularity.
And that may ultimately be the biggest difference between this offense and the one we watched stumble through the end of last season. Phoenix shouldn’t have to live and die by the three-point line anymore. If they want to surpass that 38.5 over on FanDuel, Booker will have to create gravity, Bridges will have to collapse defenses, and Green will have to use his athleticism to punish the openings that follow. The goal isn’t to abandon the three. It’s to create better ones while rediscovering everything that can happen before the ball ever gets there.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 7: Luke Kornet #7 of the San Antonio Spurs smiles during 2026 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability on June 7, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, 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 David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In the midst of summer, members of the Spurs are in Paris, France working out and visiting a national art museum. Keldon Johnson made an appearance at a summer basketball camp in Laredo, Texas. And this weekend, the Spurs are hosting a back-to-school at the Frost Bank Center.
Meanwhile, somewhere in San Antonio, Luke Kornet is moonlighting as a roadside assistant.
Way to go, Kornet! Well done! 👏🏻
WATCH: Spurs' Luke Kornet helps out San Antonio motorist having car trouble
A TikTok user posted this video of Kornet as he pulled over to help a motorist who was having car trouble.
It seems no matter where Kornet is, he makes the day brighter. Good on ya, Luke.
Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.
Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: James Harden attends the FIFA Gold Carpet before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Arturo Holmes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images
Earlier this summer, Cleveland Cavaliers free agent guard James Harden was arrested on Saturday, June 26, outside of Houston after having a handgun visible in the car during a routine traffic stop. The handgun was not carried in a holster as it should’ve been. Harden was booked later that same day and released on bond.
It looks like this situation will not follow Harden and presumably, the Cavaliers are not going to have this dark cloud hanging overhead to start the upcoming season. It was reported by TMZ that the case against Harden has been dismissed.
It was also reported by The Athletic that Harden and the Harris County (Texas) District Attorney’s Office “completed an alternative resolution agreement.” Those details aren’t known at this time.
It appears Harden will be able to put this situation behind him and now fully focus on his contract negotiations with the Cavaliers.
Harden has been delaying his new contract with the Cavaliers to offer some flexibility for roster upgrades. It has been rumored that Harden’s deal will be a two or three-year agreement, but the specifics depend on what the Cavs do elsewhere on the roster.
As the season slowly approaches, it is beneficial for both Harden and Cleveland not to have a legal issue dangling over both the player and the team.
Harden played in 26 regular-season games with the Cavs last regular season after being traded to them in February in a deal that saw Darius Garland head to the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds on .466/.435/.840 shooting splits. He also appeared in 18 playoff games with Cleveland, averaging 19.2 points and 5.5 assists per game.
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Gold medalists Team United States pose for a photo during the Men's basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the goals of the current collective bargaining agreement is to break up superteams like the 2024 championship squad — or at least spread the wealth when it comes to high paid talent. New York, particularly Jalen Brunson, had to take considerable discounts to keep the Nova Knicks together and bring home a championship. The Oklahoma City Thunder had to trim around their edges this offseason to stay competitive and maybe more importantly, under the second apron.
Those economics were part of Boston’s decision to trade Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia and while Paul George makes roughly the same amount of money as JB, he has one year less on his contract. PG13 may not be the ideal veteran partner to pair with Jayson Tatum and some have speculated on who might be a better fit as the 28-year-old JT enters his prime.
Last week, longtime beat writer and Sports Illustrated’s John Karalis speculated on a possible deal that would land four-time NBA champ Steph Curry with the Celtics and in a recent SB Nation poll, our readers agreed that he’d be the best fit over Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving.
OK, who voted for a Kyrie reunion, guys?
If you’re looking at a potential timeline for Brad Stevens and the Celtics front office, the next 2-3 years could be Tatum plus the current roster plus some aging superstar/Hall-of-Famer looking for one last run at a championship. Curry might be at the top of that list. AD and KD are probably past their “could be Celtics” phase of their careers, but could it make sense down the road to pursue Damian Lillard or Jimmy Butler?
For now, George is a green and Boston is firmly in the Eastern Conference mix. Our friends at FanDuel have the Celtics (+1400) just behind the Knicks (+950) and Sixers (+1100) to raise Banner 19.
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 22: Matisse Thybulle #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers plays defense during the game against the Phoenix Suns on February 22, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Matisse Thybulle and Zaire Williams have been brought on to bolster the wing position. In the NBA Draft, the Lakers traded up a spot to acquire Cameron Carr, and when you add in two-year forward Adou Thiero, there is suddenly a nice group of players that have a potential for a breakout year.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans which player from this group would outperform their contract, and Thybulle was the top pick.
Thybulle is reportedly healthy now after some injury-riddled seasons. If that turns out to be true and he plays in the majority of regular season games, then he could absolutely be a steal for the Lakers.
As a defensive player on the perimeter, he provides a skill this roster desperately needs. Thybulle was named Second Team All-Defense in his second and third years with the Sixers, and a return to that level would guarantee significant playing time for him.
Last year, with the Blazers, he averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 30 games, while making 39.8 percent of his 3-pointers.
Carr also got a ton of love from Lakers fans, with 34% voting for him. As a rookie, how good he will be is unknown, but his Summer League play was very encouraging.
He was scoring with ease on and off-ball and averaged 18 points per game in Las Vegas Summer League, helping the Lakers advance to the semifinals. Carr played so well that it’s possible he could crack the rotation and log meaningful minutes immediately.
However, he’s still a rookie, and how he’ll play against true NBA competition remains a mystery. Thybulle is a much more established player and likely someone head coach JJ Redick can trust more. Also, given his defensive play, what he provides might be more important than Carr getting buckets.
Whether it’s Thybulle, Carr, or someone else that breaks out for the Lakers, hopefully it’s one of the players on a team-friendly deal.
Winning in the margins is huge in the NBA, and having a player that can outperform their contract is how teams can compete and thrive under this current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
