U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors have opened a criminal inquiry regarding the matter, according to the New York Times.
News of the federal probe follows the revelation through a separate NBA investigation that the Clippers circumvented the league's salary cap rules, secretly helping arrange sponsorship contracts for Leonard that provided him income beyond the three-year, $150 million contract he signed with the team in 2024.
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Brooklyn is running the investigation, which the Times reported to be in its earliest stages, according to sources familiar with the matter. It remains unclear if criminal charges will result from the federal investigation.
The NBA announced disciplinary action against the Clippers on Sept. 2, after a law firm commissioned by the league shared its findings with Commissioner Adam Silver.
The Clippers were hit with a $30 million fine and have to forfeit five first-round draft picks (2029-2033). Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and two of the team's top executives were suspended for up to a year.
Leonard was fined $700,000 for restitution related to covered personal expenses, but the star player was not suspended from playing during the upcoming 2026-27 season.
The federal investigation began before the league came forward with its findings last week, according to the Times report.
The Clippers were expected to receive forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031, 2033), two second-round picks (2030, 2033), and a 2027 first-round swap in the trade.
The trade was initially agreed on and reported on June 30. The teams acknowledged the deal but held off on executing it while the NBA investigation was ongoing.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Clippers for comment but has not heard back.
MR. THROWBACK -- "Eric Roth Costs a Fortune, Bro" Episode 106 -- Pictured: (l-r) Stephen Curry as himself, Tien Tran as Lucy -- (Photo by: David Moir/Peacock via Getty Images)
Fresh off of bringing the New York Knicks their first title in more than 50 years, Jalen Brunson has been tapped to host the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” It may have to wait until he retires, but Steph Curry should be the next hooper to take the stage at 30 Rock.
The city that never sleeps has been in the midst of a months-long love-fest with the Knicks since they took down the San Antonio Spurs in June. Over two million people attended the team’s victory parade, Karl-Anthony Towns had a star-studded guest list to his wedding, including celebrity super-fans Ben Stiller and Timothee Chalamet, and best of all, owner James Dolan didn’t release a single piece of music.
Brunson will be joined by musical guest Katseye, which is a “global girl group” and not a Third Eye Blind cover band fronted by Karl-Anthony Towns. Don’t be surprised if Brunson’s Villanova buddies Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges cameo in a sketch, probably about Domingo, but Forever Warrior Donte DiVincenzo will probably be too busy rehabbing his Achilles tear to make an appearance.
The reigning Finals MVP will be the fifth NBA player to host the show, following in the footsteps of LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell (he was retired), and Charles Barkley, who has hosted four times, one short of legendary Five-Timers’ Club status. He’s following in the footsteps of New York Knicks forward and future U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, who appeared on the show’s second episode ever to present a trophy to host Paul Simon, after a short film featuring Simon defeating Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins in a game of one-on-one.
September 26 2026: Jalen Brunson 1st Knick host SNL
While Brunson is quite popular in NYC, he hasn’t displayed the same kind of comedic chops as Curry, who has hosted the ESPY’s and appeared in his own mockumentary series, “Mr. Throwback.”
Curry has starred in New York for years, going 12-1 at Madison Square Garden. He scored 54 points in a 2013 game and broke the all-time three-point record during a game in 2021. Even as a visiting player, Curry has received a lot of love from the fans of New York, dating back to when his Davidson Wildcats upset West Virginia in the Garden during his final year of college.
More than that, Curry has shown he’s comfortable on camera, and unlike Russell or James, he’s much easier to fit into a camera shot with normal-sized SNL cast members, standing 6-foot-3. He’s got a lot of Li Ning products to promote. Like SNL itself, Curry has had an up-and-down working relationship with Muppets.
But perhaps the biggest motivating factor for Curry to host Saturday Night Live is the chance to best LeBron again. James was only 22 when he hosted the show, but let’s just say he didn’t set a high bar with his acting.
If they’ve both got four rings, the obvious tiebreaker is SNL hosting performance to determine who the greatest of his generation truly is. And when Steph Curry delivers a tour de force performance on “Snack Homiez,” the real G.O.A.T. will be obvious.
The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into the Clippers' efforts to secure "no-show" endorsement deals for Kawhi Leonard, the New York Times reports. This investigation is being run out of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, the office that has traditionally looked into issues with professional sports leagues.
The investigation is in its earliest stages, and it's unclear what, if any, federal charges could come out of it, according to the report.
The Justice Department investigation comes in addition to the Securities and Exchange Commission looking into Daktronics' role in the scandal, as it had an endorsement deal with Leonard despite never having had a celebrity endorser before and there being no evidence Leonard did anything for the company. Daktronics is publicly traded, and the SEC is tasked with protecting shareholders.
The NBA oversaw a year-long investigation of its own into the Clippers working to circumvent the salary cap with Leonard and last month came down with the harshest penalties ever imposed on a team:
• The Clippers surrender five first-round draft picks (2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033).
• The Clippers are fined $30 million.
• Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from anything to do with the team or the league for one year.
• Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker is suspended for one year, while President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank is suspended for six months.
• Kawhi Leonard must pay a $700,000 fine, and his already-fired business manager, Dennis Robertson (better known as "Uncle Dennis"), is banned from conducting NBA business for five years.'
Ballmer and the Clippers have steadfastly denied any wrongdoing and released this statement after the NBA released its findings and punishments.
"We vehemently reject the NBA's findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner [Adam] Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure its fairness and accuracy."
The Clippers attorney also sent a letter to the league, but the franchise's only recourse now is the courts, and legal experts have suggested that is a serious uphill fight for Ballmer and the Clippers.
Now, that might not even be the worst of their legal troubles.
Stephen Curry intended to turn his post-workout exit in Beijing into an autograph stop. The crowd turned it into an evacuation.
Footage from Curry’s China tour shows the Warriors star emerging from a building in a gray sleeveless shirt, a white towel around his neck and a Curry-branded cap after completing a workout.
Curry initially appeared willing to linger. He briefly stopped as a fan handed him a red jersey to sign, but the opportunity disappeared as dozens of people closed around him with phones, Warriors flags and memorabilia raised overhead.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures after scoring a three-point shot during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., Friday, April 17, 2026. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Security and staff attempted to form a moving barrier, guiding Curry through the crowd toward a group of waiting black vehicles. With fans continuing to press closer, the informal autograph session was abandoned and Curry left the area.
Steph Curry was mobbed by fans after a Beijing workout, ending his autograph attempt as new footage appeared to ease concerns about a possible injury.
The encounter provided an emphatic reminder of Curry’s popularity in China, where he is beginning a new commercial chapter after ending his lengthy relationship with Under Armour.
He signed a 10-year agreement with Li-Ning in June reportedly worth $400 million, pairing the Chinese sportswear company with Curry Brand across basketball, lifestyle and golf products.
It also offered Warriors fans a potentially encouraging visual.
An earlier 21-second video of Curry stepping out of a vehicle in Beijing generated concern online because the 38-year-old appeared to walk with a noticeable hitch. Some viewers interpreted it as a possible injury, although neither Curry’s representatives nor the Warriors announced that he was dealing with a new issue.
Stephen Curry attends the 7th Annual Workday Charity Classic hosted by Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. and Workday on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club in Palo Alto, California. Getty Images for Eat. Learn. Play.
In the footage captured after his workout, Curry does not appear to favor either leg or display the same noticeable limp while walking through the crowd. Completing the workout also offers more useful context than the brief clip that triggered the speculation.
The latest video is not a medical report, and crowd-obstructed footage cannot establish Curry’s physical condition. The concern was understandable after knee trouble limited him last season, but there is currently no official indication of a setback.
This time, the fans’ enthusiasm ended a moment Curry appeared prepared to provide. The encouraging part for Golden State was that his exit seemingly became hurried because the crowd could not be controlled — not because Curry could not move comfortably.
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The probe comes just days after the NBA dropped a staggering punishment on the Clippers, fining the team $30 million, suspending owner Steve Ballmer for one year and stripping the franchise of five first-round draft picks.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Kawhi Leonard received different punishments for the Clippers’ circumventing the league’s salary cap. Getty Images
It wasn’t clear as of Thursday what possible crimes federal prosecutors are investigating, or which people are the target of the federal inquiry.
It also wasn’t clear whether criminal charges would come from the investigation.
Spokespeople for the Clippers and the NBA didn’t respond to messages from The California Post on Thursday asking about the investigation.
“The NBA’s collectively bargained system for determining player compensation is a fundamental component of the basketball competition that the league oversees for the benefit of the teams and players and ultimately the fans,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement after the Clippers’ punishments were announced. “I am deeply disappointed by the flagrant violations of our rules and by the Clippers’ institutional and leadership failures that led to this misconduct. The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations.”
The Clippers aren’t taking the league’s punishment lying down.
The team said in a statement last week that it intends to “vigorously challenge” the NBA’s findings and penalties.
Kawhi Leonard in action against the Sacramento Kings at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Dec. 30, 2025. Getty Images
“We vehemently reject the NBA’s findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner [Adam] Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it’s fairness and accuracy,” the statement read.
But now the stakes are considerably higher.
What began as a dispute over NBA rules has moved into the realm of a criminal investigation by federal prosecutors.
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Friday, March 28, 2025, in Brooklyn, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The league has already delivered a massive blow to the franchise; the federal probe threatens to turn the controversy into an even bigger crisis.
There isn’t an appeal or arbitration process available to the Clippers to challenge the NBA’s findings. In other words, if the Clippers want to fight against the league’s punishments, they’ll have to take it to court.
At the center of the allegations is Leonard, a two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP and seven-time All-Star widely recognized as one of the greatest two-way players in basketball history.
Leonard was forced to pay the NBA $700,000 for restitution for improper benefits provided by the Clippers, while his uncle and former business manager, Dennis Robertson, has been banned by the NBA from all business dealings for five years.
Kawhi Leonard attends the match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Naomi Osaka of Japan during the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Ontario. Getty Images
In a statement he issued after the league’s punishments were announced, Leonard stated he accepted “full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family.”
His statement continued: “I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap.”
Leonard also alluded to returning to Toronto as part of the trade between the Clippers and Raptors that was agreed upon in late June but was halted in light of the investigation.
The Department of Justice is the second government entity to investigate the Clippers-Leonard scandal.
Daktronics, along with Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless and Lockton Insurance, was one of the four companies with endorsement deals with Leonard that were at the center of the NBA’s investigation.
DALLAS - NOVEMBER 18: Owner Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 18, 2009 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks won 99-94. 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 2009 NBAE (Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Spurs Villain Tournament started with many strong contenders in the Haters, Killers, Former Players, and Dirty Players categories. For the most part, the favorites have advanced. Now things get even more interesting as the heavyweights of each region face each other.
The higher seeds dominated, for the most part, with only a couple of surprises so far. The favorites are clear, but there’s room for upsets as the tournament continues. The Elite 8 round should be a good test of whether the juggernauts that everyone expects to see in the finals will get there without much opposition.
To spice things up, I’ll be playing Devil’s Advocate in the matchup descriptions, trying to make the case for the lower seeds to pull off the upset, but ultimately the choice is yours. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the participants that have made it this far, and don’t forget to vote!
Spurs Killers Finals 1. Derek Fisher vs. 2. Ray Allen
There were no upsets in the Spurs Killers region, with the top two seeds advancing. Two heartbreaking shots, two potential championships snatched away. Derek Fisher robbed the Spurs of a potential repeat. So did Ray Allen, though, if you think about it.
San Antonio was the best team in both 2013 and 2014. Everyone knows that they were ready to roll out the trophy in Game 6, as the Spurs seemed to have it in the bag, before the Allen shot. In 2014, the Spurs got even better, and while the loss is often credited with motivating them, the talent for a repeat was there. It’s not crazy to think the Silver and Black could have won two in a row had Allen missed, getting Tim Duncan the one achievement he couldn’t secure and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili five titles.
As for Fisher, while other incidents contribute to his title of Spurs villain, 0.4 stands out most, and it was in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Pistons absolutely destroyed that Lakers team in the 2024 Finals. Are we sure San Antonio would have prevailed had they advanced? The context of the Fisher shot (the Big Three’s prime, the rivalry with Los Angeles, the concrete chance of a repeat, the rule change afterwards) all make it seem like the more painful shot. But Allen’s is at least comparable.
Dirty Players Finals: 1. Zaza Pachulia vs. 2. Karl Malone
Pachulia is often credited with ending the longest stretch of success in modern professional sports by taking out Kawhi Leonard in Game 1 of the Conference Finals. For the Spurs, beating the Warriors that year was unlikely but not impossible, and the post-Duncan future was looking bright. Nothing was the same after Leonard’s injury.
What’s often ignored is that it wasn’t Leonard’s ankle that sidelined him to start the next season and, knowing what we know now, it’s possible that Kawhi would have forced his way out anyway. Even back then, there were loud rumors that Leonard’s ultimate goal was always to go back to Los Angeles. While undoubtedly dirty, by sliding under Leonard, Pachulia probably only cost the Spurs a couple of wins against the Warriors in that series.
Without the Kawhi leaving factor, the dirtiness of the Pachulia play pales in comparison to Karl Malone, a notoriously terrible human, knocking David Robinson out with an elbow to the back of the head. Sure, Malone apologized, but the sheer recklessness of the move is shocking, even today. Does being dirtier, doing more damage, and taking down one of the most beloved Spurs of all time make Malone a bigger villain than Zaza? Up for you to decide.
Former Spurs Finals: 1. Kawhi Leonard vs. 2. Stephen Jackson
The unquestionable favorite to win it all advanced with ease to the finals of his region. Kawhi Leonard left the Spurs in the worst possible way, leading to a period of mediocrity the fanbase was not used to. To make things worse, he went on to win a title with the Raptors. His bona fides as a villain can’t be argued.
The one positive thing that can be said for Kawhi, however, is that once he got out, he seemed to completely move on from the Spurs. He didn’t talk much about them, in part because he simply doesn’t talk much about anything, and seemingly maintained a good relationship with Gregg Popovich, who (unsuccessfully) tried to shield him from the boos of the crowd in one of his visits. While he clearly subjected the franchise and the fans to a horrendous year of rumors and had a messy exit, he did his damage once and then went on with his career.
Jackson’s case is the opposite. He simply couldn’t hurt the franchise as much as a superstar could in just one instance, but he had two different stints that ended poorly and has a media career that often involves trashing the franchise or his former teammates. He first left in 2003 after winning a title, weakening a team that would attempt to repeat. He was looking for his first big payday, so that one is forgivable. Jack letting his ego potentially disrupt the locker room in 2014 to the point of having to be waived close to the playoffs in his second stint, however, is harder to stomach. And then there are the many, many times he has badmouthed the Spurs.
Is that enough to beat Kawhi? Probably not, but had Leonard left in more amicable circumstances, Jack would have a case to win the region.
Spurs Haters: 4. Uncle Dennis Robertson vs. 3. Mark Cuban
The Spurs Haters side of the bracket had the big upsets. Top seeds Phil Jackson and David Stern are nowhere to be found, in part because their villainy feels like old news now and in part because there were a lot of strong contenders in their region, like our two finalists, Uncle Dennis and Mark Cuban.
Robertson frankly looks unstoppable. He’s a newer villain, and his name is fresh in everyone’s mind after the Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention scandal that was recently resolved, resulting in a five-year ban for Uncle Dennis. The way he handled Kawhi’s exit from San Antonio was terrible, and he was happy to talk once things were going well for his nephew in Toronto. It’s hard to make a case for Cuban, who has said a lot of negative things about the Spurs over the years but couldn’t really seriously hurt them, over someone who did direct damage to the franchise.
But is that how we should look at Uncle Dennis? Kawhi Leonard was 26 years old when he forced his way out, hardly a kid. It was easier then to villainize Robertson because Kawhi was quiet and beloved before his heel turn, and to be fair, Uncle Dennis has not helped his reputation at all since then, but the reality is, he was acting on Kawhi’s behalf. And if Robertson is the actual villain, the man who orchestrated everything in the shadows, unbeknownst to his nephew, then why is Leonard also in this bracket? Something to consider before voting.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a new center, a new supporting cast, and for the first time since 2018, no LeBron James.
That prompted former Lakers and Clippers forward Matt Barnes to give them a new nickname.
Welcome to the “Snowtime Lakers.”
Luka Doncic #77 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers hold hands during a time out in the second half of a game against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Getty Images
With James now in Philadelphia and the franchise fully committed to building around Luka Doncic, the Lakers spent the offseason reshaping the roster around him.
They traded two first round picks and two pick swaps for Walker Kessler, giving them the imposing big man to pair with Doncic they’ve coveted for two seasons.
They re-signed Austin Reaves and assembled a supporting cast that has shooting, size, and compliments the new big three nicely.
Barnes took one look at the roster and delivered the line of the summer.
“They’re calling them the ‘Snowtime Lakers,’” Barnes told the California Post in a recent exclusive interview.
The former Lakers forward and current “All the Smoke” co-host laughed at the nickname, a play on the Lakers’ famed “Showtime” era and the collection of white players—seven to be exact—surrounding Doncic.
But beneath the joke was the same question hanging over this roster entering the 2027-28 season that was asked last season.
Can they defend?
“Anytime you’ve got Luka and AR at the head, you’ve got two tremendously score-driven guards,” Barnes said. “I’m someone who looks at defense, so I want to see how they’re able to round out this roster and be able to protect the basket.”
Matt Barnes on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Barnes isn’t the only former Laker asking how this team will defend either.
Four former Lakers — Barnes, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper and Robert Horry — spoke separately with the California Post about the franchise’s first season fully immersed in the Doncic era. All four see considerable offensive firepower. Several also see the potential fault line beneath it.
Scott put it most succinctly.
“You’re going to be able to score, but can you stop anybody?”
That question carries particular weight coming from Scott, a three-time champion with the Lakers who played during the Showtime era and was a formidable perimeter defender. Basketball has evolved dramatically since then, but Scott believes one championship ingredient has survived every stylistic revolution.
“NBA champions — it hasn’t changed in 40 years,” Scott said. “The teams that normally win the NBA championship are normally teams in the top five in defensive efficiency as well.”
Scott praised several of the Lakers’ offseason moves and is particularly intrigued by their first-round draft pick Cameron Carr out of Baylor. The athletic youngster was acquired in a multi-team draft day deal that sent the draft rights to Sergio De Larrea, the 25th overall pick, and cash considerations to the New York Knicks. Scott praised the move, and believes Carr can contribute on both ends of the floor immediately.
Cameron Carr of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of a California Classic NBA Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, on July 3, 2026. Getty Images
Still, he cautioned against treating the current roster as a finished product.
“I don’t think the book is totally written,” Scott said. “We’ve just got to wait and see.”
Cooper, an 8-time NBA All Defense selection, and one of the greatest perimeter defenders in Lakers history, was considerably more bullish.
Put this roster on paper, Cooper said, and championship expectations should follow.
“You’ve got two players who can go out and get 50 on any given night in Reaves and Luka,” Cooper said. “They’re going to be the nucleus of what the new Lakers are about as far as winning a championship. I don’t see anything less.”
That leaves the Lakers trying to construct everything else around them — defense, rebounding, rim protection and enough grit to survive the nights when the jumpers aren’t falling.
Horry believes they may have found some of that nastiness.
The seven-time NBA champion jokingly admitted his college allegiance to Alabama initially made embracing former Auburn center Kessler difficult. Purple and gold, apparently, can heal old SEC rivalry wounds.
“My heart says I can’t root for Walker Kessler because he went to Auburn, but now I have to,” Horry said.
Horry was particularly enthusiastic about Quentin Grimes, whom he described as a “nasty, gritty guy.”
“There’s a saying that we like to say: You’ve got to bring some nasty to the game,” Horry said. “I think that’s one of the things that he will do.”
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić leaves the InterContinental Hotel for a team dinner during the Lakers’ team mini camp. Andrej Tarfila/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
For the first time, there is no ambiguity about whose Lakers these are.
James is gone. Doncic is healthy. Reaves is back. Kessler is waiting around the rim and a new roster has been constructed around the superstar the franchise believes can carry it into its next championship era.
Whether the “Snowtime Lakers” can win a championship will ultimately depend on something far less catchy than a hilarious new nickname.
They already know they can score.
Now they have to prove they can play defense.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 22: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The acquisition of Miles Bridges will undoubtedly change the geometry of the Suns’ offense. He replaces Royce O’Neale in the starting lineup, a player whose primary offensive function was to catch the ball and shoot it. O’Neale averaged 2.63 seconds per touch last season, the fourth-lowest mark on the team among players who appeared in more than 50 games.
Miles Bridges will add a much-needed layer of downhill attacking, rim pressure, and versatility to the Suns’ offense. Yes, Phoenix is going to sacrifice some three-point shooting from the starting five to get there. But as we hypothesize about what this offense will ultimately look like, I can’t help but wonder what that means for Dillon Brooks.
Brooks is coming off a career-high 20.2 points per game while taking 17.1 shots a night. A lot of that was circumstance. The Suns were consistently dealing with injuries to Jalen Green, Devin Booker, or both, and somebody had to step up and take those shots. Brooks willingly did so, and I applaud him for it. The confidence he displayed, combined with his surprising ability to consistently put up 20 points, became one of the biggest surprises of last season and even pushed him into the All-Star conversation.
The challenge with Brooks offensively is that when he gets the ball, he tends to keep it. He likes to work in isolation, using the moves he practices to create his own shot in one-on-one situations. And to his credit, he succeeded. Brooks averaged 0.98 points per possession while using 12.4% of his possessions in isolation.
What worked for Brooks last season could become something that jams up the Suns’ offense this year if it’s used too frequently.
That’s where Miles Bridges changes the equation. His ability to attack downhill gives Phoenix another way to create shots for everyone else. Penetration forces defenses to collapse, and once that happens, the floor opens up. A kickout can create a clean look from three, and if the defense recovers, the next player can attack the closeout and get downhill again. That puts defenses on skates. It forces them into scramble mode, creates rotation after rotation, and generates opportunities both from beyond the arc and at the rim as defenders try to recover.
The expectation is that we’ll see plenty of penetration and kickouts with the addition of Bridges, and if that’s the case, that isn’t exactly a strength of Dillon Brooks. Brooks averaged 20.1 passes per game last season. More importantly, he received 37.3 passes per game, creating a 17.2-pass differential that ranked second-highest on the team. Only Devin Booker received more passes than he dished out.
Holding the ball and dribbling the air out of it probably isn’t the preferred method of attack for this offense anymore. Adjustments will need to happen, both philosophically and in execution, and Brooks may be the player asked to sacrifice the most. Jalen Green and Devin Booker both possess the ability to get downhill in different ways. Green brings elite athleticism and the ability to blow by defenders. Booker relies more on craft and technique to get to his spots.
That likely pushes Brooks into the fourth option offensively. And honestly, that’s a great thing for the Suns. Brooks has already shown that he has the confidence and ability to score when called upon. If Phoenix stays healthy, he shouldn’t need to do it with the same frequency he did last season. But when the offense needs him to step forward, he can still provide that production.
I’d much rather have Dillon Brooks as my fourth option than some of the fourth options that exist around the Western Conference. Would you rather have Jake LaRavia? Or Max Christie? How about the career 21.9% three-point shooting of Amen Thompson? Brooks is more offensively equipped to be productive as a fourth option.
So, as we prepare for the season to begin, it becomes an interesting question to ponder. What does Dillon Brooks look like in this version of the Suns’ offense? He doesn’t need to become a different player. He needs to become a more selective version of the player he already is. If Bridges, Booker, and Green are creating more of the initial action, then Brooks can attack advantages rather than manufacture them. And attack them he will, like a well-trained Kung Fu disciple.
The Los Angeles Lakers spent like Walker Kessler must become much more than a conventional center.
Kevin O’Connor and Raj Chipalu believe he could be the piece that stabilizes the Lakers on both ends — and turns its revamped core into a relentless regular-season operation.
Los Angeles Lakers Walker Kessler throws out the first pitch before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. Wally Skalij for CA Post
Discussing Kessler on “The Kevin O’Connor Show”, O’Connor said the 7-foot-2 big man was “amazing when he was healthy” and argued that the Lakers’ steep investment reflects how difficult his skill set is to find.
Los Angeles sent Utah unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus swaps in 2028 and 2030, to complete the sign-and-trade, then gave Kessler a four-year, $130 million contract.
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O’Connor described him as an “elite interior defender,” lob target, finisher and screener. He also pointed to Kessler’s early experimentation with spot-up 3-pointers, a development that could determine whether the deal eventually resembles an overpay or an underpay.
The immediate fit beside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves is uncomplicated. Kessler can create advantages without demanding post-ups or midrange touches: set a sturdy screen, roll hard, catch lobs and punish defenses on the offensive glass. He led the NBA with 4.6 offensive rebounds per game in 2024-25.
Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks goes up for a shot as Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz defends in the first half at Madison Square Garden in New York on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
His larger responsibility is covering for breakdowns at the other end. Kessler contested 7.5 shots per game at the rim in 2024-25 and held opponents to 54.8 percent shooting there, placing him behind only Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren among the league’s highest-volume rim defenders.
Chipalu called the Kessler-Dončić-Reaves trio a “regular-season wins machine.”
His reasoning centered on coach JJ Redick, who guided the Lakers to 53 wins last season even though Dončić and Reaves played only 41 games together. Adding a low-maintenance center who blocks shots, rebounds and complements both creators should raise the team’s nightly floor.
The postseason question is harder. Elite defenses can sag away from centers who do not shoot, clogging Dončić’s driving and passing lanes. Kessler made six 3-pointers in only five games last season, but that remains a tiny sample rather than proof of a dependable weapon.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers hold hands during a timeout in the second half of a game against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Getty Images
Health carries equal weight after a torn labrum and shoulder surgery ended that season. The Lakers have limited conventional center depth, making availability essential. Robert Horry has already called Kessler the team’s key, while Kessler has said the franchise’s investment makes him want to “run through a brick wall.”
Kessler does not need superstar usage to justify the gamble. If he stays healthy and masters the role around Los Angeles’ two creators, the enormous price may begin to look less like an indulgence and more like infrastructure.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 15, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Opening night — October 21 vs. the Charlotte Hornets — is still six weeks away and the internet is filled with hope, tempered by widespread predictions of calamity and doom, but one thing is certain and is likely to be throughout the season — Mikal Brown Jr. along with Egor Demin are the focus of the organization, whether it be basketball operations or marketing.
Julius Randle may be a three-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA selection. Michael Porter Jr. may be coming off his best season in his seven-year career and their only player with a ring. But for better or worse, they are viewed as mercenaries, short-termers. The kids, leaders of a band of nine players 23 or younger, are the franchise future, promoted by the organization across social media and by fans as well.
We don’t know the source of this piece of art but it’s typical.
Sounds risky to the fan psyche so when someone from the outside says Nets fans should be “really, really, really excited” and compares his mindset to a future Hall of Famer, it’s time to take notice. Brian Lewis did just that this week when quoting Donovan Mitchell’s comments to Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter on their Cousins podcast.
A fellow Louisville product, Mitchell talked about Brown Jr.’s curiosity even in high school and how it shows in his basketball IQ . Here’s his full take.
“What I love about Mikel is there are not many high school kids that pay attention to the details,” Mitchell said. “I’m having a conversation with him like I’m talking to James Harden. I’m sitting here like, ‘Bro, how old are you?’ He’s like, ‘I’m 16, 17.’ I’m like, ‘What?’ He’s asking about the low man, he’s asking about strong-side help, he’s asking about the gap help, he’s asking about pickups. … That’s one thing I really respected about him. He was like, ‘Man, I want to work. I just want to work.’
“And even when he got to Louisville — and he obviously got paid a lot of money and all — the process mentally, the phone calls never changed. It was always like, ‘I want to be the best I can possibly be.’ And obviously a phenomenal kid, phenomenal family. But that’s where our relationship grew, because we had a game in Miami, I flew to watch him play against Kentucky — we beat them by the way, badly — and I’m sitting on the sideline and he’s looking at me so I can give him things in-game.
“That’s something I would do when Dwyane Wade was sitting courtside in Utah, so it was crazy to be able to do that. And I’m not saying I’m the reason he’s having success. He’s phenomenal, and he’s going to do amazing things in Brooklyn. Nets fans should be really, really, really excited, because they got one in him.”
Three “reallys” is a lot of excitement, but what might be even more exciting is Mitchell’s comparison to Harden’s mentality. Put aside his time with the Nets and ugly departure (which he now reportedly regrets), Harden has always had a reputation as a “basketball savant,” as one Nets insider described him to ND during his time in Brooklyn. His knowledge of the game from draft prospects to ancient NBA history is seen as second-to-none.
Mitchell isn’t alone, either as Lewis wrote. Rajon Rondo is another. The two-time NBA champion and Kentucky product would host Brown Jr. at his Louisville home where they would watch game film and play chess. Rondo, said Brown Jr., was a trio of former NBA point guards he modeled, the others being Steve Nash and Chris Paul.
“You don’t need to overcomplicate it. You’re extremely talented. Just keep it simple,” Rondo told him, according to Brown Jr., per another recent story by Josh Sloan of Roundtable Sports.
Brown Jr. himself talked recently about how his relationship with Mitchell evolved and continues to thrive.
“[Mitchell] first saw me at OTE,” Brown said of the Overtime Elite team he played for. “I got to speak to him in a little interview in a podcast, and we exchanged numbers. And ever since then, we’ve been very, very close. Obviously, I went to the same school, Louisville. So, yeah, we definitely have a really close relationship.
“He gives me tips, and I ask him questions on how it is to play at the highest level and how do you deal with adversity. I think that’s really been the biggest thing for me coming up to this point, is how you deal with it, because it’s going to come at some point. It’s inevitable. So he’s been really great with that. And also, I can’t wait to compete against him.”
Sean Marks sees Brown Jr. not just as his point guard of the future, but a team leader, saying what Nets scouts saw and heard about him helped cement their choice at No. 6.
“When you’re talking to the staff at Louisville and, honestly, everywhere he’s been,” said Marks. How he wanted to take care of his teammates and those stories that he likes breaking bread with teammates and taking ’em out and spending time socializing with them, that goes a long way when we’re trying to build a team culture, trying to build a connected group. … It’s important to bring guys in there that actually want to facilitate that.”
The Nets are heavily promoting Brown Jr. and Demin in their marketing, both with longer form episodes of The Bridge and Nets Generation which can be seen on the Nets YouTube channel and social media, particularly their official Twitter account.
But on the court, Brown Jr. says his sponge
“It’s gonna also help because I get to learn from them,” Brown said. “You want to soak up as much knowledge as possible as a young player coming into this league. To be able to ask them and pick their brain on a lot of things, and to be able to play alongside them, it’s going to mean the world to me. And you know we’re gonna try to bring a chip.”
Like we said, in seven weeks we will know more, but at the moment, it’s good to be hopeful.
It's another edition of Knicks Mailbag, with SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley ready to answer your questions surrounding the team. Let's get started...
What’s your read on McBride's future with Knicks? Is he a likely trade piece for a big? Love him but feels hard to see him extended - @SBart_89
**This one is tricky because Miles McBride has definitely earned a raise. He’s outplayed his contract (3 years, $13 million) by a significant amount. The problem here is that the Knicks are up against the NBA’s second apron. According to owner James Dolan, the Knicks will not exceed the second apron in team salary ($221 million) this season. Let’s assume Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and – eventually – Jalen Brunson sign extensions. With those extensions on the books, the Knicks will have significant money committed to the starting five.
Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado are also under contract for multiple seasons. So there isn’t much financial wiggle room for a McBride extension.
Things can change, of course. Maybe the Knicks move off of future salary in a trade and open up some money. Maybe Dolan and the Knicks decide to increase future spending without regard for the second apron. It's worth noting that the Knicks and McBride’s representatives have been in regular contact ahead of the season. In a perfect world, those conversations would produce a multi-year extension for McBride.
The longest-tenured Knick, McBride loves New York, loves his teammates; he was an integral part of this team’s rise. The fact that he’ll likely have to play this coming season with contract uncertainty is a shame.
Yes, McBride on an expiring contract is one of the most valuable trade chips in the league. He would garner significant interest if New York made him available via trade – either in-season or in the offseason. We’re certainly not there yet. But logic tells you that’s where things could be headed.
Feb 5, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) dunks during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. / Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Do you think any of the second-year Nets guys are poised for a breakout season? - @Jayis2serious
Have to go with their highest 2025 first-rounder, Egor Demin. He showed the most promise as a rookie and, according to friend of The Putback, Albert Ghim, organizationally, at least one of the Nets’ five first-rounders needs to take a jump this season. If that happens – and lottery pick Markel Brown Jr. shows promise – the Nets will be building a nice foundation amid the rubble of the Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving-James Harden era.
We all know the starting five and the two or three first guys off the bench, but is there someone you can see on this roster outside of those guys turning into a big-time contributor? - @tbrucato
Just looking at the roster, there is no direct path to minutes for any of the young guys. But last year’s club relied on strong stretches from multiple non-rotation players. Mike Brown didn’t hesitate to go with younger players if a rotation player got hurt or struggled. That said, it’s hard to see any of the young non-rotation players making consistent, significant contributions this season. The top of that rotation seems to be set. One other note on free agent signings ahead of training camp: veteran center Tony Bradley has also been a player on the Knicks' radar. The Knicks do not currently have a third center, but there is a strong degree of confidence internally in the Karl-Anthony Towns-Andre Drummond duo at the position.
** I answered a question from @AndrewA59778512 last week, but I cited @sbart_89 as the reader. My apologies for the mix-up. My opinion on @sbart_89’s background photo remains the same as it was last week. I love it.
“I wanted to go to a winning culture,” Kuminga said after he was asked about his priority, despite having opportunities to sign with other teams for money.
Kuminga said that leading into his decision, he spoke to players and members of front offices of the teams that were interested in him, but felt that the Timberwolves had “the type of vibe I was looking for.”
“I asked God to guide me and give me the best decision, and I think this was the best decision for me,” Kuminga said. “… I think this was one of the best winning cultures I could actually have of all the options.”
Los Angeles Lakers catch stray during Jonathan Kuminga introdcutory press conference. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Through his five-year career, Kuminga has primarily served as a sixth man, coming off the bench.
Turner noted that with this opportunity, and if Kuminga elects to enforce his player option next season, he will have more leverage for a higher contract next offseason.
Kuminga’s former teammate, Draymond Green, said his decision to spurn the Lakers could get dicey in the future, as he could find himself going back to his role, coming off the bench, if the Warriors start losing games.
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Former Boston Celtics star, now Philadelphia 76ers player Jaylen Brown decided to get in the squared circle with absolutely no preparation in Nigeria.
Brown took part in a boxing match earlier this week, a little over a month before the start of his first season in his new city. Footage of the boxing match was shown on Brown’s clips page on Instagram.
Brown commented on the post saying he ‘had 0 prep for this,” although he does have some boxing in his blood with his father being former WBU champ Quenton Marselles Brown. The match appeared to call extra attention to Brown’s 7uice Foundation, which, according to social media, “partners with leaders and institutions to bridge opportunity gaps and empower youth through education and innovation.”
In July, Brown was traded by the Celtics to the 76ers for Paul George and a pair of future second-round draft picks. Brown and the Celtics won the NBA title in 2024 after destroying the Mavericks in five games, where Brown was named Finals MVP.
Alex Toohey, the forward from Canberra, Australia, originally drafted by the Golden State Warriors before being waived is coming back for training camp, according to multiple reports.
Alex Toohey of the Golden State Warriors arrives at the arena before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NBAE via Getty Images
Toohey was Golden State’s top selection in the 2025 draft, at No. 52 overall, but has yet to appear in an NBA game and played only two games for G League Santa Cruz because of a knee injury. He was waived in December so that the Warriors could sign Malevy Leons.
Toohey and Leons will be among the crop of players competing for the Warriors’ pair of two-way slots when they open training camp later this month in Hawaii. Also expected to be in the mix are sharpshooter LJ Cryer, rookie guard Lajae Jones and Deivon Smith and Graham Ike, who like Toohey both inked Exhibit 10 deals for training camp.
Alex Toohey of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2025 NBA Summer League on July 15, 2025, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
The signing brings the Warriors’ roster to 20 players, one shy of the offseason maximum. After a quiet summer, they’ve rounded out their 15-man roster in recent weeks with veterans Georges Niang and Brandon Williams on minimum contracts.
Dalen Terry, the former Bulls first-round pick, will also be in training camp but must earn a spot on the full-time roster; the 6-foot-6 wing is ineligible for a two-way contract.
The Warriors report Sept. 29 for training camp, which runs through Oct. 3 on the campus of BYU-Hawaii, before opening their preseason slate against the Clippers on Oct. 4 in Honolulu.
From bobbleheads celebrating current stars to ones honoring key figures of the past, to Hello Kitty – yes, Hello Kitty – the Lakers are slated to have a well-rounded promotional nights schedule for 2026-27.
The team announced Thursday their full slate of promotional nights and special recognitions for the upcoming season.
The Lakers are having bobblehead giveaways of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves during the 2026-27 season. Getty Images
They’ll celebrate superstar guard Luka Dončić as the NBA’s 2025-26 scoring champion with a bobblehead giveaway during the Nov. 1 home game against the Raptors.
Lakers star guard Austin Reaves will also have his own bobblehead giveaway night during the Dec. 27 home game against the Grizzlies.
The franchise will also honor legends through its new “League of Stars” program, which will include throwback bobbleheads of two-time All-Star and NBA champion Norm Nixon (Dec. 14 vs. Pelicans), NBA champion coach Paul Westhead (Jan. 14 vs. Magic) and four-time NBA champion Kurt Rambis (March 17 vs. Suns).
Keeping up with celebrating their past, the Lakers will have a 2020 Championship ring replica giveaway on Jan. 24, when they’re slated to host Anthony Davis and the Wizards.
The Lakers are hosting their first “Hello Kitty” night during the 2026-27 season. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A few other promotional nights include a Lakers x Dodgers baseball-style jersey giveaway on Nov. 18 vs. the Jazz, the franchise’s first Hello Kitty night on March 7 vs. the Nets, in addition to giveaways during Opening Night against the Warriors on Oct. 21 and the 76ers on Christmas Day.
Lakers’ 2026-27 promotional nights
Oct. 8: LGBTQ+ Pride Night with Pride t-shirt
Oct. 21: Opening Night vs. Warriors
Nov. 1: Luka Dončić scoring champion bobblehead
Nov. 17: Veterans Appreciation Night
Nov. 18: Lakers x Dodgers baseball-style jersey giveaway
Dec. 1: League of Stars honors Norm Nixon with bobblehead
Phil Jackson is one of several Lakers legends who’ll be honored with a bobblehead during 2026-27. REUTERS
Dec. 25: Christmas Day vs. 76ers
Dec. 27: Austin Reaves bobblehead night
Jan. 14: League of Stars honors Paul Westhead bobblehead
Jan. 24: Lakers 2020 Championship ring replica giveaway
Feb. 10: Mental Health Awareness Night
March 7: Hello Kitty Night
March 17: League of Stars honors Kurt Rambis with bobblehead
April 9: Phil Jackson statue unveiling and Phil Jackson bobblehead
