BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Morez Johnson Jr, Aday Mara, and Yaxel Lendeborg pose for a photo during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23 , 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Michigan men’s basketball program currently has 12 representatives on NBA Summer League rosters. These players range from 2026 lottery picks to players a few years older who are fighting for an opportunity. With each team a few games into the Summer League, here’s how each Wolverine is currently performing.
F Morez Johnson Jr, Dallas Mavericks
Johnson has proven to be worth a lottery pick and then some for the Mavericks. He’s scoring 18.5 points (admittedly through just two games), grabbing 6.5 rebounds and blocking three shots per game. His Summer League debut in particular was incredibly impressive.
What an NBA Summer League debut by the No. 9 overall pick, Morez Johnson Jr. 🔥
Mara has struggled in the early goings of the Summer League. Fortunately, there is plenty of time to improve. Through two games, he’s scoring just six points per game, but the playmaking is still there as he’s dishing out 2.5 assists in 24 minutes per game. The scoring touch will come in time.
Lendeborg has also flashed potential to be a breakout star. The boisterous forward has made quite a few headlines with his interview of Johnson and shenanigans with Mara. However, his play on the court can’t be overlooked, as he is averaging 17.5 points, six rebounds and five assists per game.
Gayle has not missed a single shot yet in the Summer League. Yes, you read that correctly. He is shooting 100 percent from the field through two games. After going undrafted, Gayle is just looking to secure a contract from either the Detroit Pistons or another franchise. Ten points per game and a flawless shooting percentage is a great start for him.
Roddy Gayle HAS NOT MISSED through his first two games in the NBA summer league
Burnett signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Toronto in hopes of getting a full or two-way contract down the line. He has struggled to find his shooting stoke just yet, as he’s just 11 percent from beyond the arc through three Summer League games. However, he is still scoring 9.3 points per game and had this nice dunk we’ve seen a time or two in Ann Arbor.
Wolf had a decent first year in the NBA with the Nets, despite the team itself being horrible. Brooklyn opted to have Wolf go back to the Summer League for a second year. Early results are promising, as he is averaging 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Wolf will look to establish himself as part of the Nets’ core moving forward.
Goldin was on a two-way contract with Miami during his rookie year and is primed to do so yet again. He isn’t setting the world on fire in the Summer League, but his game also doesn’t always stuff the stat sheet. He is averaging eight points, 6.3 rebounds and two blocks per game. Goldin is still a bit unpolished at the NBA level, so it will be fascinating to see how he fits in with the Heat.
Vladislav Goldin backs down Bogoljub Marković and dunks it over him and another Bucks player (with a replay).
After transferring from Michigan to Miami last offseason, Donaldson went undrafted before being scooped up by the Heat. He’s off to a fast start, as he is averaging 17 points and 4.5 assists per game. More importantly, he’s showing an improved effort on the defensive end. Donaldson is still a ways away from a full roster spot, but he’s turned some heads in the Summer League.
After being drafted in the first round last month, Reed was immediately traded to the Spurs. Through two games, he’s scoring just 9.5 points but is also collecting 9.5 rebounds per game. Averaging nearly a double-double will turn some heads at the Summer League.
Bufkin is one of the oldest players participating this summer, as he’s still working to make a name for himself at the NBA level. He has played incredible, as Bufkin is averaging 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, three assists and two steals per game. He’s in the top-15 of all Summer League participants in scoring.
🏀 SATURDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏀
Kobe Bufkin's 10 4Q PTS helps lead the @PelicansNBA to an 18-PT comeback win in NBA Summer League play!
Somehow only going into Year 2 in the NBA, Dickinson returned to the Pelicans’ Summer League squad this offseason. The big man is scoring 13.3 points while hauling in 5.7 rebounds per game. He recently signed a two-way contract with New Orleans, so he will hope to play more than the five games he did last year.
C Colin Castleton, Orlando Magic
I debated whether to include Castleton on this list or not. I leaned in favor, as he did in fact spend a full season in Ann Arbor. He is on a two-way contract with Orlando and was a bit of a surprise to be sent to the Summer League given his age (26). He had a great performance against Portland followed by a few underwhelming appearances.
Victor Wembanyama choosing to take a discount and leave roughly $50 million on the table in his latest contract to help the Spurs build and maintain a championship team is exactly what is wrong with the system in the eyes of David Kelly, the new executive director of the NBPA (the players' union).
"Our position would be that the system should not require a player to carry all that burden," Kelly said during his introductory press conference last week. "It should not put a player in a position where he has to carry the burden in order to keep a team together. A system that does that, we have a problem."
Kevin Love was more direct, saying the second apron has essentially become a hard cap. He referenced how Brad Stevens and Boston traded away Jaylen Brown because he felt he couldn't have two supermax players together and build out a championship roster, or how the tax is already impacting decisions for the Thunder and Spurs.
"I'll tell you, selfishly, what's really f****** stupid, these aprons are f****** with the game," Love said in an appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast. "That's on our side, [the owners] know exactly who they are that did it…
"You're telling me Oklahoma City can't keep those three guys together because of these aprons? That's bulls***. You're telling me Sam Presti, the greatest, all the things that he's done, is handcuffed because of these f****** aprons?"
To NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the system is working as designed.
"It's certainly not an unintended consequence," Adam Silver said when speaking to the media after the NBA Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas on Tuesday. "When you have a salary system in place as we do, every general manager is going to need to make mixed basketball and business decisions. Frankly, they make them regardless of whether you have a cap. You see that in other sports. People manage budgets. People recognize that you can't — at some point, you can't have unlimited resources, whether it's for a team or any business....
"The purpose of the system is ultimately to create competition throughout the league, and from that standpoint, I think the system is working incredibly well. The goal isn't necessarily to have a different champion every year, but we've had eight different champions over the last eight years. As I've said previously, one of the things we were hoping to accomplish in this latest collective bargaining agreement was to dispel this notion that only certain markets were in a position to truly compete. We just saw a Finals between, essentially, the largest market in the league in New York and one of the smallest markets in San Antonio."
What the owners and Silver wanted was parity — and they got it, or at least closer to it than the league saw before. Fans may hate that the Thunder and Spurs, at the start of potential dynastic runs and an elite rivalry, are already having to get players to take discounts — OKC's Chet Holmgren took the exact same discount Wembanyama did — and think about breaking up their star trios, but the owners love that. If Boston feels it has to trade Brown, he just goes to another team and makes them better in the 30,000-foot view of the league.
There is a push in some circles to allow teams that draft and develop a max player — a guy who stays with his team — to get a salary cap discount so they can build around their homegrown star. For example, in Wembanyama's case, he could put the Rose Rule escalator in his contract and get 30% of the salary cap in his next deal (about an extra $10 million a year), but on the official team books, it would only count as 25%. That could help a team like Boston keep Brown and build around him (because both Brown and Jayson Tatum would qualify). It's something Warriors owner Joe Lacob brought up when he had Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green together (it was a selfish proposition on Lacob's part, but that doesn't mean it was wrong).
All of that will be part of the next CBA negotiations, but the owners like this current system. They wanted a hard cap, instead the owners got a second apron that is essentially the same thing (only one team was over it last season, Cleveland, and only one is now, Oklahoma City, and it may make a move to get below that number). If the players want to change it, what are they willing to give up in the next CBA negotiations?
KONYA, TURKIYE - DECEMBER 5: A view of butterflies as ten thousand butterfly cocoons have been placed at Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden for visitors to the Seb-i Arus events organized for the 751st death anniversary of Mevlana Jalaluddin al-Rumi in Konya, Turkiye on December 5, 2024. People who come to the city for the commemoration ceremonies to be held on December 7-17 will have the opportunity to watch the first wing flaps of butterflies in the garden. (Photo by Serhat Cetinkaya/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
Shouts out to the animal lovers in the comments. You make our jobs easier. Here’s today’s list of links and notes for you to enjoy.
Per HoopsRumors, Jordan Clarkson waived the trade-veto rights he would normally receive after re-signing with the Knicks on a one-year deal. No, Clarkson is not getting traded tomorrow, but this concession could prove key mid-season when/if the Knicks need someone to match salaries or find the final piece to complete the back-to-back-champions puzzle. Are all Filipinos this charming?
The Knicks might still be searching for another center, but we’re starting to lose it with the targets, aren’t we?
CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn went much bigger and shared his “ultra aggressive backup center idea” for the Knicks ahead of next season. Can you guess the target? Tip: in Quinn’s estimation, it’d take sending a 2032 swap and a 2033 unprotected first the other way.
Former St. John’s standout and SummerKnick guard Oziyah Sellers talked to the New York Post’s Zach Braziller and spoke highly of both the Red Storm and Knicks organizations, among many other things. Worth the read, here’s a tease:
“Coming from St. John’s, I feel like we had that same mentality. We wanted to win really bad. It wasn’t too hard of a transition mindset-wise. Two kinds of similar programs in terms of mindset. It’s definitely something you have to bring every day.
“Obviously, being at St. John’s we play pretty much all our home games at the Garden. So I feel like we have a lot of the same fanbase. Knicks fans, a lot of them are St. John’s fans. It’s kind of like a perfect fit, transitioning right to the Knicks. I’m just grateful for it, for sure.”
Sports Illustrated’s Isaiah De Los Santos has seen enough from Jack Kayil to think the Knicks might have no excuse not to sign him.
Adam Silver washed his hands and clarified that the NBA did not pause the Kawhi trade. Silver claims the very own Raptors and Clippers chose not to complete it while the investigation remains open.
Silver also defended the second apron, saying the roster disruption is an intended consequence of it and that the system is creating competition across the league.
“It’s certainly not an unintended consequence… the purpose of this system is ultimately to create competition throughout the league and from that standpoint I think the system’s working incredibly well. The goal isn’t necessarily to have a different champion every year but we’ve had 8 different champions over the last 8 years”
Kevin Durant spent part of Tuesday doing what he does best, no burner accounts needed.
Bronny James’ future with the Lakers is reportedly not automatically tied to father LeBron, reports The Athletic’s Dan Woike. Shocker! Bryce, warm up.
The Kawhi Leonard investigation has expanded beyond the original Aspiration sponsorship issue. Investigators have examined whether the Clippers paid expenses for Leonard without reimbursement and whether he had another undisclosed endorsement agreement. Remember, Kawhi is an in-limbo Clipper with the Raptors left out in the cold for now.
Spain beat France 2-0 at the World Cup.
There is a name renaissance underway in College Football and no one is talking about it pic.twitter.com/d6NRLSPvwg
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Kasparas Jakucionis #25 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on July 12, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Tom O'Connor/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We are now three games into the Vegas Summer League, with the fourth coming tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. One of the main drawcards that had fans excited to watch the Summer Bucks in Vegas was that we’d get to watch Kasparas Jakucionis and Nate Ament—both acquired from Miami in the Giannis trade—play in Bucks colours for the very first time.
Granted, it’s extremely early and there’s context to consider, but neither player has lit the world on fire so far. Jakucionis has struggled to finish at the rim and turned it over far too frequently, while Ament has looked unable to handle NBA physicality even at the Summer League level. And don’t get me wrong, I’m nowhere near ready to give up on either player, especially as they are just 20 and 19 years old. That said, I can’t say I wasn’t expecting more.
Therefore, we wanted to put it to you, the fans: have your feelings changed about the Giannis trade package after seeing parts of it in action?
First things first: this sort of question tends to generate answers based on one of two perspectives: what we as fans would prefer for our own viewing pleasure versus what we as fans think is the best outcome for one of our own. Both are valid perspectives, up to a point.
Last season as a rookie, Powell demonstrated the athleticism, skills, and grit to defend at the NBA level, a major reason he landed in the NBA Draft’s first round at pick 22. Everyone knew, and Drake embraced, the need to develop an offensive skill set that would force NBA defenses in turn to respect him on the other end of the floor. As a rookie, he averaged 21 minutes in 63 appearances, contributing 6.5 points with 47.3% eFG%. Drake shot 28% from three last season on 182 attempts, mostly as a spot-up threat.
As a result of that backdrop, Powell entered Summer League play with attention focused on his offensive development. The result in his first four games were disastrous. Drake scored a total of 11 points and missed 27 of 28 shots attempted, including 0-14 from three, in a competition where defense tends to be light. To his credit, he’s attempting to develop a more versatile offensive game, putting the ball on the floor to create for himself or others. Unfortunately, the results draw the kind of attention no professional player wants, the kind of attention that can get into a player’s head.
Last night’s game saw Powell break out of his slump, scoring 18 points on 6-10 (4-7) shooting. Then again, Brooklyn scored 115 points against a Sacramento squad that struggled to hold onto the ball with 28 turnovers and didn’t have much energy left for defense. All of Powell’s field goals were uncontested, either wide open spot ups in transition or dunks. At no point did Powell successfully put the ball on the floor against a defender.
On top of all that, the Nets invested another first-round pick at guard with Louisville’s Mikel Brown, in addition to the four first-round guards acquired last season. They picked up Keon Ellis, a 26 year old three-and-D shooting guard with four years of NBA experience, for $9 million. Powell projects to be the Nets’ third shooting guard, which likely means inactive many nights. It’s hard to see Powell getting the 1,300 minutes he had last season as the third-string PG behind Egor Demin and Keon Ellis.
Powell remains deeply uncomfortable putting the ball on the floor, and that’s something that typically requires a lot of live reps to overcome. The question then becomes whether Drake, clearly an NBA-level athlete, might have benefitted from working on his offensive game at the college level. Henri Veesaar declared for the draft in part because he says he’s a more efficient learner when surrounded by players better than he is, which seems like excellent self-awareness. Not all learners are wired that way, though.
It would have been interesting to see Powell in UNC’s rotation last season at 30+ minutes a game, taking all of Bogavac’s minutes and all of Kyan Evan’s after his demotion. Given the perimeter space created by Wilson’s and Veesaar’s presence, and given how much UNC struggled at guard on both ends, it potentially could have been an excellent developmental platform and showcase for Drake, a win-win for both the player and program.
Powell’s achingly poor offensive showing in the NBA’s Summer League doesn’t mean he won’t — in the end — have a highly successful NBA career. Danny Green only played in 20 games his rookie season for the Cavs and eight the next for the Spurs before his offensive game clicked into place. But, for the moment, it feels like the development curve on offense necessary for Drake to stick in the NBA is overwhelming him.
Do you think Drake should have stayed at UNC another year, despite his first round grade after last season? Let us know in the comments.
Mar 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives past Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves are rolling the dice after trading for LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets earlier in the offseason.
This could be a long-term investment that ultimately ends in a championship for the Twin Cities. Bleacher Report contributor Andy Bailey predicted who he believed would be the top 30 players in the league by 2030. The Wolves were the only team with multiple players in the top 10, with Ball clocked in at No. 10, while Edwards landed at No. 5.
“The Charlotte Hornets are betting that we may have already seen the best of LaMelo Ball, or that the injury problems will resurface, or both,” Bailey wrote. “But over the last five seasons, regardless of what you think about how he puts up his numbers, the fact is that LaMelo produces in a way we’ve rarely seen.
“In that stretch, he’s averaged 21.8 points, 7.6 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 threes, while shooting 36.7 percent from deep.”
“There’s a very real chance that Edwards, with his three-level scoring and still-developing playmaking, could be the best player in the NBA in 2030,” Bailey added.
In order for the Wolves to have the best pairing in the league, they need Ball to remain healthy. The fact that he’s only 24 years old suggests that his prime could be on the horizon, but he needs to be available in order to make that happen.
Edwards is also only 24 years old right now, meaning that the best of his career might not have arrived just yet.
The Wolves have a few years to improve this core as much as possible. If they can maximize their potential, they might be NBA champions by the end of the decade.
Canis Hoopus community, how do you feel about the potential Ball and Edwards have as a duo in the backcourt? Let us know in the comment section below.
The 2026 ESPYS will gather notable names from the sports and entertainment world to celebrate the year in sports.
The award show, hosted by ESPN, is an annual event that honors and recognizes some of the recent successes and moments created by the stars in their respective sports.
The NBA will be well represented with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in attendance. Brunson helped lead the Knicks to their first NBA Championship in 53 years earlier this year.
Gymnasts Simone Biles, track star Allyson Felix and Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn are among the Olympic gold medalists expected to make an appearance. Vonn crashed during an event at the Winter Olympics that resulted in her fracturing her tibia and breaking her right ankle on Feb. 8.
Vonn also developed compartment syndrome that required her to have surgery that saved her leg from being amputated. Vonn had decided to ski in the Olympics just a week before tearing her left ACL on Jan. 30, during an event in Switzerland.
Who will be honored at the ESPYS this year?
Former NBA player Jason Collins will be posthumously honored with the 2026 Arthur Ashe Courage Award. In 2013, Collins became the first openly gay active player in the four major American pro sports leagues. Collins died of brain cancer on May 12 in Los Angeles. He was 47 years old.
Who's performing at the ESPYS this year?
The ESPYS will feature musical performances from rappers Ghostface Killah, Slick Rick and hip-hop group De La Soul. The Savannah Bananas are also slated to perform.
How to watch the 2026 ESPYS
The ESPYS will air live from David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York on Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). The show will air on ABC and be streamed on ESPN+.
When and where is the 2026 ESPYS being held?
When: Wednesday, July 15
Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
Where: David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center (New York)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Blake Hinson #25 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the LA Clippers during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 12, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Writing this preview, I am in quite the dilemma. I intend to drum up anticipation for the Jazz to play the Spurs this Wednesday at 7:30 PM MDT. However, I do not intend to mislead the reader by making it seem that this game matters more than it does. I’m rooting for each of these players, but smart money says that none will ever play a significant role for the Utah Jazz during their professional basketball career, given that our more established players (Ace Bailey, Darryn Peterson, Cody Williams) have each presumably called it quits (I think there’s a chance Cody plays one more game).
The Spurs have had a relatively successful Las Vegas Summer League so far, with 2 wins and 1 loss. As for players to watch, Carter Bryant would be the big name if ends up playing. I wasn’t as wowed as others by his performance during the Spurs finals run – his defense didn’t slow down Shai as much as some singular defensive possessions would make you think, and the offense was legitimately very debilitating. He has tons of room for improvement, but it will be worrying for the Spurs brass if he has an inefficient game against a unexciting Jazz Summer League squad. Tarris Reed is the other player on this Spurs team that I believe has a chance to play meaningful minutes during this upcoming regular season. Luke Kornet was uninspiring for long stretches during their playoff run, and rebounding was a constant issue. Tarris Reed has the potential to compete for the backup center position from day one. He was drafted 26th overall after an impressive collegiate career at Michigan and UConn. In his senior season, he was one of the best big men in the country and led the Huskies to the National Championship game. Jonas Aidoo has been a strong player on both ends throughout Summer League, and will have his work cut out for him against a mature, NBA-ready big man.
Nevertheless, even if none of the Jazz players have the same pedigree as Bryant or Reed, I believe they each have (varying degrees of) potential to win their uphill battle and eventually carve out a role in the NBA. Blake Hinson showed some serious play-finishing chops to end the 2025-2026 season, with his size combined with his dynamic shooting. He’s disappointed me throughout Summer League so far, but it is to be expected that his playstyle is not the most consistent – it’s a make-or-miss league, and Hinson really relies on making his shots and doesn’t provide much when he isn’t. However, the Jazz are in need of a big forward in the reserves (especially if the regular season version of Cody Williams plays anything like he has in Summer League), and Hinson has time in the system – he has a realistic path to filling a real niche. If the Spurs play Carter Bryant (a big, athletic, disruptive forward defender), he will likely be slotted to guard Hinson – if Blake can get any momentum against Bryant, it would do a lot to confirm that he’s a legitimate NBA player and not just a shooter who got hot at the right time.
One player we won’t be seeing any of is Utah’s newest two-way signing, Trey Alexander. He had a scary fall at the end of the Jazz’s win against the Bulls, which led to him being stretchered off the court in a neck brace. Thankfully, it has been reported that he has been diagnosed with a rib contusion – painful, to be sure, but probably the best case scenario for the circumstances. We will likely have to wait till October to see Trey suit up for a Utah-based team, be it the Jazz or the Stars.
Many people were concerned last night after Trey Alexander was taken off the court on a stretcher and visibly in pain.
The Jazz tell me Alexander has been diagnosed with a left rib contusion.
When analyzing Summer League games, it’s important to know what to look for – outside of the aforementioned Hinson and Alexander, here is one question to answer for each of Jazz’s players who have seen any significant amount of playing time in the Las Vegas Summer League. I’m not sure which will play against the Spurs, but this should cover all our bases.
Max Abmas: Does he have the capability to get to the rim against athletic defenders? It’s a tough outlook for this non-defending, sub 6 foot guard, but he can give himself a punchers chance with consistent paint pressure.
Jonas Aidoo: How will he hang against Tarris Reed, who has about 25 pounds of weight over him?
Tamar Bates: How comfortable is he with the ball in his hands? He’s known for his outside shot and has shown good energy, but can he combine those to attack closeouts or burst out of the pick and roll?
Matthew Cleveland: Can the rangy defender show confidence on his outside shot? In a one-game sample, whether he makes them is less important than how comfortable he appears when taking them.
Eric Dixon: Does the surprisingly agile forward use his weight to create efficient offense? So far, he’s been too quick to settle for tough jump shots.
Anderrson Garcia: How does his defense look in an isolation setting? I’m consistently impressed with his off-ball help and activity on the rebounds, but is he the type of player we can put on a hot opposing scorer?
Hayden Gray: Does he have the capability to get his own shot from the pick-and-roll? I like his decision making on both ends, but he may lack the physical tools to put the necessary pressure on the defense.
Justin Harmon: Nearly the inverse of Gray – can Harmon make plays for others in the pick-and-roll? He’s shown flashes as a shooter, driver, and defender, but he is point guard sized, and will need to playmake if he wants a real role.
Kylor Kelley: Can he be impactful on the glass? In college, he was a dominant shot blocker, but his rebounding always left something to be desired – both are necessary if he wants a role as a rim-runner at the NBA level.
Jaxon Kohler: How is his positioning on defense? He’s strong, and energetic, and has good touch, but I would like some more tape on whether his positive traits actually translate to positive defense.
Bez Mbeng: Is he comfortable dribbling the ball more than 2-3 times? This is a similar story to Harmon – he’s guard sized, and has yet to show consistent guard skills.
Orlando Robinson: How comfortable is he with his outside shot? That was one of the most tantalizing pieces of his profile while back at Fresno State – if he projects as purely a rim-runner, he doesn’t have the necessary athleticism to be too intriguing. However, if the shot is a genuine part of his game, there may be a spot for him.
Cody Williams (a man can dream): Can he be more than “potential” on defense? The length is there, and the strength has obviously progressed, but he rarely accomplishes anything beyond looking like a good defender. If he can be a legitimate difference maker as a big wing on defense, there’s a clear role for him on the regular season team.
What are you looking out for from this best-of-the-rest Jazz Summer League squad in their game against the Spurs? Sound off below!
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards during 2026 NBA Summer League on July 12, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Victor Wembanyama gave NBA fans a good reminder not to overreact to Las Vegas Summer League after the San Antonio Spurs selected him at No. 1 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Wembanyama’s summer league debut was a dud as he finished with nine points on 2-of-13 shooting from the field. It’s safe to say Wemby’s career would turn out just fine after he led the Spurs to the NBA Finals in his third season at age-22.
Still, it’s hard to shake a bad first impression for rookies entering the league. Fans want to think their new players are bound to be stars, or at least dependable role players. When rookies disappoint in summer league, it’s still a bummer even it means basically nothing for the long-term outlook of their career.
Here are the rookies who have underwhelmed in summer league so far. If nothing else, it will be helpful to look back on this list if and when these players become solid contributors to show future rookies that a bad start to summer league isn’t that big of a deal.
Aday Mara, C, Oklahoma City Thunder
Mara was arguably the biggest winner of March Madness, going from a player typically projected in the mid-20s to a surefire lottery pick after Michigan’s national championship run. The Thunder selected him at No. 12 overall, and his rim protection plus high-level passing ability felt like a natural fit for their system. I was on the Mara bandwagon in the predraft process, but during my conversations with front office people and other writers I started to notice that he was perhaps the most polarizing player in the class. Some people viewed him as a low ceiling center who should be a fringe first-round pick, while others had him in the top-10.
Mara has struggled a bit away from Michigan’s amazing infrastructure at the start of his summer league run. He’s only shot 46 percent from the field through his first four games, which is pretty underwhelming for a 7’3 guy. His touch has looked shaky around the rim, and there are moments of passivity defensively. There are positive flashes on the tape too of course, like this overpowering drive and dunk, and some of his signature passing to cutters on the move. I do think it’s fair to question Mara’s scoring utility if he struggles to get deep post position because of a high center of gravity, and there’s no doubt he has to earn his early minutes on the defensive end. I’m not worried, but the Mara skeptics have a little more ammunition after this summer league run.
Dailyn Swain, G, Chicago Bulls
I had a front row seat at the NBA Draft Combine scrimmages, and was surprised to see Dailyn Swain on the court. The combine scrimmages are typically only for fringe draft picks, and by this point Swain had already solidified himself as a mid first-rounder. Even more surprising was that Swain did not play particularly well in a setting where he should have been the best player on the floor, showing a slow and hitchy release on his jumper and looking a bit lost offensively. The Bulls were undeterred and selected Swain at No. 15, but his struggles have continued through his first couple games in summer league.
Swain shot 3-of-10 from the floor in Chicago’s opener in Las Vegas, then shot 0-of-9 from the floor in his second game and 0-of-7 from the floor in the third game. The Bulls have indicated that they see him as a ball handler long-term, but he’s clearly struggled to handle against pressure thus far. That would be less of an issue if Swain had a reliable off-ball game, but right now his jumper looks as broken as ever. The Bulls did Swain no favors with this roster construction, failing to put a dependable point guard next to him that could handle against ball pressure and get him some easier shots. Instead, Swain has admitted he’s overthinking every move on the court. There have been some flashes of the downhill driving that popped this past season at Texas, but for now it’s clear Swain isn’t a point guard and needs to put plenty of work in on fixing his jumper.
Darius Acuff, G, Sacramento Kings
Acuff had a legendary scoring season at Arkansas, but sharp scouts noticed concerns with process on both ends of the floor. The point guard’s shot profile was pretty mid-range heavy, and while his three-point shooting numbers were excellent in the small college sample, they were more concerning if you include the high school data. Acuff’s real questions came on the defensive end, where he didn’t show much effort in addition to having poor tools. These concerns have continued in summer league, where Acuff has posted underwhelming scoring efficiency and ghastly defensive tape while still showing the talent that made him a certain lottery pick.
Acuff hasn’t done anything to show that his NBA defense will be better than the level he showed in college. So far, lazy closeouts, spacey off-ball defense, and a lack of hustle have been all over the tape. It often feels like he’s not actively engaged in the game when his team doesn’t have the ball. There’s going to be a high bar to meet offensively for a guard who is this poor on defense, and Acuff hasn’t been close to it yet. He’s scored 78 points on 82 shots through four games. His decision-making hasn’t been great as a passer either with 18 assists to 14 turnovers. I was way low on Acuff on my mid-season board before he started to win me over by consistently delivering in big games at Arkansas. Will the Kings ever play in any big games while he’s on the team? I hope so, because that fanbase deserves better.
Keaton Wagler, G, Los Angeles Clippers
Wagler hasn’t made anything look easy in summer league. The No. 5 pick has struggled to create separation off the dribble, he hasn’t been a plus with his playmaking, and he’s basically a non-factor on the glass. Wagler’s 8.2 PER is the worst of any top-10 pick through two summer league games despite getting hot in the second half against Utah in his second game. The athletic concerns entering the draft appear to be valid for now. Wagler just doesn’t have a lot of burst as a ball handler, and even some of his effective drives have been pretty ugly. He got dusted by Darryn Peterson on a couple occasions, including on the No. 2 pick’s poster slam where he struggled to get under a screen. With five assists and four turnovers, he looks better suited for shooting guard than point guard at the moment. Wagler has admitted that leaving Illinois’ five-out system has been challenging, and I suspected that would be the case entering the draft. Wagler is naturally going to add muscle to his thin frame as he goes on in the league, and being in an NBA strength and conditioning program should be very good for him long-term. The Clippers can give him both on-ball and off-ball reps this year, and that should be good for his development. When the off-the-dribble shot-making is falling, Wagler looks terrific. He’s far from a finished product, but Clippers fans should still be feeling encouraged long-term.
Christian Anderson, G, Charlotte Hornets
Anderson should have a shot to be Coby White’s backup as a rookie after the Hornets traded LaMelo Ball, but he’s looked pretty far away from being a real contributor during his summer league run. Through three games, Anderson has been unable to catch a rhythm with his shot while struggling with turnovers and not doing much on the defensive end. Anderson had a reputation as one of the draft’s best shooters, but his inability to play to contact inside the arc means he’s settling for a lot of tough pull-up threes right now, which has hurt his scoring efficiency (43.2 percent true shooting). I liked his live-dribble passing at Texas Tech, but the passing windows haven’t been there yet, and it’s resulted in a 6.7 percent assist rate compared to a 20.1 percent turnover rate. Anderson isn’t too big or too athletic, so it’s hard to expect him to be a monster driving to the rim. That means he’s likely going to have to live off tough shots. It’s a good thing the Hornets are one of the best offensive rebounding teams around.
Nate Ament, F, Milwaukee Bucks
While Brayden Burries has been arguably the most impressive rookie at summer league thus far, the Bucks’ other lottery pick Nate Ament hasn’t looked very assertive or effective. Ament has only scored 21 points in 65 minutes, and just doesn’t seem very comfortable getting into his shot yet. He knocked down a couple threes against the Suns, and focusing on spacing the floor and making an impact on defense is probably his best path forward early in his career. Ament has the frame to be a good defender in time, but he’s just not there yet. His awareness is pretty poor right now, and he can struggle with physicality. As long as Ament is a good three-point shooter, he’ll have some immediate utility on offense, and his defense should improve in time as the Bucks continue to beef him up. Until then, just enjoy the Brayden Burries show, Bucks fans.
Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week, the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — gives their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: There has been some speculation about the Suns possibly trading Jalen Green for Dejounte Murray. What is your opinion of this idea?
zenzino: This one doesn’t irritate me like some other ideas. I still say ‘pass’, though.
I know people are hard up for a point guard. But I think Murray is as much a shooting guard as a point guard and he peaked in the 21-22 season. 33% career from 3 and around 30% the last two seasons. He’s five years older than Green, coming off of a torn Achilles.
This would probably be a 1-for-1 trade. Green’s trade value has never been lower because of an injury season. It would definitely be a ‘buy high, sell low’ situation. This seems like a mid-season trade instead of an off-season trade.
We’ve only seen a glimpse of what a fully healthy Jalen Green can do. I’m not ready to write him off yet. I remember the East Coast road swing when Green & Book were scoring 70+ per game.
Let’s get 50 games where the team is healthy as possible and see what happens. Last season was the only season of Green’s entire career he’s missed a significant number of games so I wouldn’t be surprised if he played all 82 this season. If we’re getting close to the trade deadline and it’s obviously not working with Green, then a trade like this (with added picks) would be understandable.
The Suns included Camara in a trade as an afterthought and now we have a heavy ‘what might have been’ sigh every time we play Portland. I don’t want to watch Jalen Green highlights in a Grizzlies uniform without first giving him a chance here.
And, for the love…, can we please stop trading with the Wizards, Hornets, and Pelicans? How about getting some Thunder or Celtics players?
Ashton: So when I see a question like t I am wondering if Rod is pulling a fast one. He pulled it off social media or SI, things of that nature to create another thought exercise. It turns out I did not have to go far on the search engines to find a top result. This site’s own Bruce Veliz opined on this topic two months ago.
Thanks Bruce! I didn’t have to use AI (I would not anyway in writing), and Mr. Veliz states he would not do it. That link should cover analytics.
Well, count me in on not trading. My main problem with Green was his injuries and not really getting the correct game sample size if he could be an initiator on offense along with Booker. I am not a “johnny-come-lately” (I am not James Cagney either – let’s just see how old some of these posters are) type of person looking for the next shiny toy, so let’s see what he can do with a healthy season in a stable rotation. Yes, Jalen Green is trade bait in some comments, but why? He deserves another season.
OldAz: I get that Green is positionally too similar to Booker, and just about any good player who is more of a PG is going to be a rumored target by Suns fans. That being said, can we stop floating or latching onto proposed trades of a player half a decade older and coming off major injuries that have cost him almost 2 seasons? That team trading said player with recent injury issues might just know something the Suns don’t.
On the other hand, for those who REALLY want to see Jalen Green traded, at least Murray was back for 14 games at the end of last season and did look good for a player coming back from an Achilles injury, an injury others have recovered well from. His previous injury (fractured hand) is a totally different part of the body and seems more like a freak injury. Despite the age difference and not really seeing Green at full strength last season, I guess I could be talked into liking this one IF the Suns were able to do a full and independent assessment of his recovery and future prognosis from the Achilles injury.
Rod: At 30, and coming off a bad injury that sidelined him for almost all of last season, I’d definitely say no to this one. I will say that a fully healthy Dejounte Murray would likely be a better fit for this team than Green but it would take New Orleans throwing in at least a couple of unprotected 1st round picks as part of the deal to get me to seriously consider it…which I seriously doubt they would do. It makes a little sense as Murray would likely be a better fit next to Booker, but there are too many negatives attached to Murray to make it a good trade for the Suns.
Q2: How do you think the Suns SHOULD manage the center rotation and minutes for Mark Williams, Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro this season?
zenzino: I think it should be a fairly even split between Mark and Oso as starters based on matchups. Managing minutes is key for MW, and Oso showed that he is a workable starting center in most instances.
As an overly simplified example, I’d start MW against teams with longer centers and Oso against more physical centers. Obviously, there are more factors to determine matchups, but you get the picture. Playing 60-65 games is fine for MW as long as the coach decides which games and not injuries.
We’ll know a little more about Man Man’s progress after Summer League and pre-season (he looked good in the first game). Like everyone else, I’d love to see him get a lot more playing time this season and be a solid part of the backup rotation. If he’s ready. Unlike many people here, I am trusting the coaching staff to determine that. A big reason Ott was hired was his experience in developing young players. If Man Man is not playing much, it’s because he’s not ready.
We tend to think of MW as the vet. While he has been in the league four years to Oso’s two, he’s only played 23 more NBA games (166 vs 143). While tenure matters, as you can learn a lot just by being around professional players and coaches, it’s still easy to forget that our center rotation is very young. I expect all three of them to get better.
The small ball haters should be prepared to hate. I see a fair amount of small ball happening this season with Bridges and maybe even Sheer at the 5 for significant stretches.
Ashton: I think it was already settled that Mark Williams does not do back-to-back games. But he is the starter in an NBA market starved for trying to find back-up centers. They are at a premium, and I consider Mark Williams to fill that role on most other teams. And let’s face it, he will need his minutes reduced to avoid injury.
Which leads us to Oso and KM. Maluach has a lot to prove in Summer League, and judging by the first game against Portland, I thought he did well. Especially if KM and Peat develop a rapport.
But the obvious answer is that Oso as next off the bench. There is no way to determine minutes due to who plays or not due to injury or rest management or even if a small-ball lineup is utilized. So, let’s go with this in a normal rotation:
Mark Williams: 27 minutes per game (normal health)
Oso Ighorado: 13 minutes per game
Maluach: Rest of the minutes to continue his development in either garbage time, rest management, small rotations, or injury. This one is too hard to set for actual minutes
OldAz: In the first couple Summer League games, KM looks bigger and more under control. I just wonder how much of this is a product of the Summer League competition. To me, Williams is the clear starter this season but should be limited to 20-25 minutes a game to keep him healthy over the long haul. KM should also get as many minutes as he shows he is ready for (again up to 25 or so a game).
The center position is physical and demanding, and we want the Suns center to play fast and with sustained energy, so keeping these minutes on the low end of that range is a good thing. This leaves very few minutes for Oso, which I am A-OK with. There are places that his defensive energy helps, as well as his offensive facilitation. However, I would much rather see him get a few minutes trying to fit on the floor as a PF with KM (since KM can shoot from deep a bit). IMO, if the Suns are playing Oso more than 15 minutes a game as the center, they are in for a very long season.
Rod: I just hope that Ott will be flexible with his center rotation this season, adjusting it game-to-game. Of course, Williams should start (for now), but both Oso and Khaman should be getting minutes in almost every game to keep Mark’s wear and tear down to a minimum. With Oso and Khaman, who gets the bulk of the bench minutes should be determined on which one is having the best night on the court and/or the best fit against the competition.
Two things Ott should always keep in mind are that Khaman needs the reps and Mark needs to keep his minutes down. Sooner or later, one of the three will likely be moved, but until then, I believe they can find minutes for all three even though a three-player rotation at one position isn’t generally viewed as optimal.
Q3: What are your thoughts on Ryan Dunn’s probable role this coming season?
zenzino: This one is tough. Unlike Oso, Dunn didn’t show much progress last year from his rookie year. Which is not to say we won’t see a jump this season. Progress is rarely linear.
However, Rod posted a graphic in the Feed last week showing the net ratings of various lineups. Dunn was in the two highest ones (so was GA, btw). So he has that going for him.
Dunn is not a good generalist, so he needs to be a specialist. If he can’t get his 3-point shot going, he should concentrate on rebounding, defense, and getting downhill. I’ve always thought he should do more slashing and be a lob threat, as much as he loves to throw it down.
If he built his identity around something like rebounding, for example, whenever the team is getting beat on the boards, the coach will think, ‘we need Dunn out there to get rebounds.’
I think he is really going to have to fight for minutes. If Highsmith is fully healthy (like he should be), he is a more experienced defender and a much better 3-point shooter.
In order to get regular minutes, Dunn may need to be the Swiss Army knife and adjust what he can do within his skill set to what the team needs done.
Ashton: Not much. This guy has been like the invisible man to me, to the point that I forget he is on the roster. He was originally drafted by the Nuggets in a complicated 2024 draft trade that flipped him to the Suns with the expectation of a defensive role. And I will say this again, as I have said at that time, there should be no expectations of an Anthony Guy Bennett (former Virginia coach) led defense that develops 3 and D wings in college. They are just defense, no threes.
I am still having a hard time seeing his role. Sure, since we just talked about MPG in Q2, Dunn has averaged north of 19 minutes. His three-point shooting percentage is enough to ask for Grayson Allen back. Defensively? Okay, not bad but not earth-shattering. I will salute that he never seems to be injured on the Suns squad.
But if I read that Dunn was shipped out in a future trade, I would not cry a dry wash river.
OldAz: After a promising rookie season, Dunn just never found his footing with the new defensive scheme last season. That is where Dunn must turn things around to make any significant impact this season. I know his shot is still inconsistent, but his form is not bad, so I still think that is a confidence thing. The best way for him to gain confidence and earn playing time is to fit in and make an impact defensively and on the boards. Triggering fast breaks is also the best way to get into rhythm and gain confidence offensively.
However, with Brooks, Bridges, and Fleming in front of him, the presence of veteran options like Highsmith, along with Ott’s willingness to play smaller wings (Goodwin, or sliding Green or Book to that wing spot for extended minutes), Dunn will have to earn any playing time he gets. Swapping Allen and O’Neale for only 1 player in his way for minutes did very little to help Dunn IMO, as his path to more playing time is 100% on him to perform.
Honestly, I think it is more likely that even if he performs well early, he will be talked about all season as one to include in a deal at the trade deadline to fill whatever Phoenix’s biggest need turns out to be.
Rod: At this moment, I would say that Dunn’s role on the team is trying to carve out a role in the rotation this fall. With the new roster additions, competition for minutes is going to be fierce. So far, Dunn’s been an up-and-down player without a lot of consistency…especially on the offensive side of the court. His defense has been good but not stellar; at best, he’s been a streaky three-point shooter, his ball handling is fair but not really good enough in traffic for him to drive through traffic….sigh.
It sounds like I don’t like the guy, but that’s not the case. He puts in the effort on the court and has a great attitude, but that’s just not enough to get consistent rotation minutes in the NBA…not on a good team. Unless he makes some significant progress in at least one aspect of his game this season, I see his role being a deep depth (3rd string) bench player.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quotes of the Week
“The three-pointer is something good but it’s not my main focus…really it’s just the icing on the cake.” – Khaman Maluach
“I always play with a chip on my shoulder.” – Khaman Maluach
Suns Trivia/History
On July 14, 2004, the Suns signed unrestricted free agent point guard Steve Nash to a six-year, $66 million deal to bring their former 1996 1st round draft pick home after trading him to Dallas in 1998 for Pat Garrity, Martin Muursepp, Bubba Wells and a 1999 1st round draft pick.
On July 14, 2009, the Suns signed Channing Frye as a free agent. Frye would play 4 seasons with the Suns, averaging 14.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 38.8% from three on 6.3 attempts. In the summer of 2012, Frye was diagnosed with an enlarged heart, which necessitated him sitting out the entire 2012-13 season while undergoing medical treatment for his condition. Frye’s treatment was successful, and the following season he returned to the Suns’ active roster, playing in all 82 regular season games for the only time in his 13-year NBA career as he helped the rebuilding Suns finish with a surprising 48-34 record, just falling short of making the playoffs in an extremely strong Western Conference.
On July 18, 1999, Joe Proski, the Phoenix Suns’ only trainer in its history to that point, retired, following 32 years with the franchise, 40 years in professional sports, and 41 years as a trainer. His career spanned 2,789 games, including playoffs.
On July 18, 2001, due largely to being charged with domestic abuse of his wife, the Suns traded 3-time All-Star Jason Kidd (and Chris Dudley) to the New Jersey Nets for Stephon Marbury, Johnny Newman and Soumaila Samake. Marbury would play 3 seasons for the Suns, averaging 21.3 points and 8.1 assists per game, although the Suns would only make it to the playoffs once in those three seasons and were eliminated in the 1st round by San Antonio 4-2. In 2004, the Suns would trade Marbury, Anfernee Hardaway and Cezary Trybański to the New York Knicks for Howard Eisley, Maciej Lampe, Antonio McDyess, Charlie Ward, Milos Vujanic and two first-round draft picks. Shortly after that, the Suns traded those 2 1st round picks to the Utah Jazz in a salary dumping move. One of those picks was later used to select one-time All-Star Gordon Hayward.
On July 19, 2001, the Phoenix Suns re-signed Dan Majerle to a one-year, $1 million contract. Seven years earlier, Majerle was traded to Cleveland for John “Hot Rod” Williams, a move the Colangelos later regretted. Majerle would play one final season in the NBA and retire as a Sun.
On July 19, 2017, Brandon Knight suffered a torn ACL while playing pickup basketball in Florida. The news broke a week later on July 25, while hitting the papers for the first time on July 26. Knight would miss the entire 2017-18 season and never play for Phoenix again.
Important Future Dates
July 9-19 – NBA 2K Summer League 2026 in Las Vegas July 15 – Suns vs. Pistons 3:00 PM (local), 6:00 PM (ET) ESPNU The Suns will play a fifth game based on the results of their first four. Late September (dates TBD) – NBA Training Camps open
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 26: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers arrives to the arena before the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Most bad first impressions are our own fault.
Maybe you spilled a drink on someone. Forgot their name five seconds after hearing it. Tried a joke that landed somewhere beneath the Earth’s crust.
Paul George doesn’t get that luxury.
In a few months, he’ll walk into an arena full of people who have already decided they don’t like what he represents before he has even checked into his first game.
Paul George has already done one smart thing as a Celtic. He waived a $3.9 million trade bonus that would have added to Boston’s cap burden, giving the front office a little more breathing room before he ever put on the uniform.
Nice gesture. Thoughtful. Team-friendly. Good optics.
But something tells me the waived trade bonus will be completely forgotten the first time George appears on the injury report with right knee soreness.
The first few days after the Jaylen Brown trade belonged to anger, confusion and what felt like a 500% increase in Google searches for “optionality.” Jaylen had been here for a decade, won a championship and built enough memories that his eventual return will probably require tissues and an extra commercial break.
The shock is wearing off. The F-minus trade grades have been filed, sports radio has mostly stopped trying to fire Brad before lunch, and Summer League clips have started washing over us like a deeply needed shower.
Celtics fans are beginning to look at this roster and ask the colder question that eventually follows every emotional transaction: Did this trade make the team better?
George is the only part of this trade that can lace up sneakers.
Draft picks can hide inside future seasons. Optionality can spend the summer hiding behind Brad Stevens at a press conference. A shorter contract cannot miss an open three or get beaten backdoor. But Parquet P has to take the floor in front of 19,000 people and turn Brad’s crossed fingers and future assets into actual basketball.
That is a hard first impression anywhere.
In Boston, it’s meeting-your-Lakers-fan-father-in-law difficult.
Boston will grade the player before the plan
So far, the Celtics have been careful about how they describe George.
Brad Stevens did not pitch him as a one-for-one replacement for Brown. He talked instead about the total package: George, draft capital, a shorter contract and the flexibility to keep shaping the roster.
That is probably the fairest way to discuss the trade. Brown brought force, durability and years of chemistry with Jayson Tatum. George brings something different, and intentionally so. The Celtics believe those differences can fit into the team they are building now.
Celtics fans will be grading with a red pen.
George’s first quiet night will not be treated as one. It will become an audit.
Four missed jumpers in the first half? Here comes the return of the trade grades.
A maintenance day in November? Someone will post Jaylen’s 2025-26 season minutes before the coffee finishes brewing.
A bad game against Philadelphia? NBC Sports Boston may as well cut to the 2031 first-round pick sleeping peacefully in its crib.
The new plan also includes Mitchell Robinson, future picks, a larger role for Payton Pritchard and whatever Boston can pull from its young group.
Boston didn’t trade Jaylen for Paul George. They traded Jaylen for an entirely different idea of how to build a roster. George just happens to be the face on the front of the package.
Brad Stevens said multiple times that "optionality" was gained by trading Jaylen Brown. A question was asked about how trading for Paul George, who makes similar money for just one less season, provides that.
He is also 36, carries a long injury history and is stepping into the space once occupied by a player woven deeply enough into the city that October 24 is officially Jaylen Brown Day.
George’s reputation will follow him, too. None of his stops since Indiana ended the way those fanbases hoped.
That is how players start collecting narratives. Every injury becomes proof they’re washed. Every playoff loss becomes evidence they cannot win. Every podcast episode becomes another reason to question whether basketball still comes first.
Paul Hudrick, who covered George during his two seasons in Philadelphia, pushed back on that perception during a recent CelticsBlog Feed Q&A.
Hudrick described a player who may have pushed his body too far during a miserable first season in Philadelphia. George played through knee, groin and finger injuries, took injections to stay on the floor for a 24-win team and stopped recording his podcast.
More than anything, Hudrick came away impressed by George as a leader. During his suspension last season, he could still practice with the team and would often finish sessions playing one-on-one against younger teammates and giving them pointers. When Philadelphia’s lost season turned into a parade of 10-day contracts, Hudrick overheard George introduce himself to one new arrival and give him his phone number.
A future Hall of Famer did not have to make himself available to a guy whose contract might expire before the road trip ended. George did anyway.
He also remained accountable to the media and appeared to understand the responsibility that came with his contract. None of that repairs his knee or guarantees he will stay healthy, but it rounds out the person Boston is bringing into a locker room filled with young players who will suddenly be asked to do more.
Boston tends to appreciate that level of investment in a team. Still, George’s effort will need to be visible from the balcony.
A deflection into the third row will help. So will making the extra pass or defending someone bigger than him in a game the Celtics need to win, which Celtics fans consider to be all of them. George does not need to arrive declaring that Boston is his city now. If you’re reading this, Paul, please do not do that.
He needs to make a few winning plays and let the Garden reach its own conclusion.
The useful version of Paul George still fits
The Celtics did not trade for the Paul George who finished third in MVP voting in 2019.
If Boston spends next season trying to locate him, someone should unplug Brad’s brain and force a hard reboot.
The encouraging part is that the Celtics may not need anything close to that version.
Hudrick described the best current version of George as an elite 3-and-D player who can occasionally create offense. The burst that once made George a genuine star may never fully return, and George himself has acknowledged that uncertainty. But Hudrick was impressed by how well he still defended Tatum and Brown during the playoffs (too soon?), and said George’s off-ball defense remained elite throughout his time in Philadelphia, even when injuries limited him elsewhere.
That player has a locker waiting for him in Boston.
The fit starts with shooting. George is a career 38.4% shooter from three and, as fellow staff writer Jacob Issenberg noted, has made 41.3% of his catch-and-shoot threes over the past nine seasons. That creates a very different decision for defenses when Tatum drives or Derrick White gets into the paint. Leaving George alone is still dangerous, even if the rest of his game no longer looks like it did in Indiana.
He’s also perfectly comfortable operating without dominating the ball. Philadelphia used him alongside Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe. The best stretches came when George accepted a supporting role, defended, spaced the floor and occasionally took control of a young, bench-heavy unit.
Boston does not need another player fighting Tatum for the steering wheel. Someone who knows when to take it for a few exits? Yes please.
Forget the 1A + 1B conversations. Tatum is the unquestioned first option, while White and Pritchard will handle more creation. George shouldn’t require 20 shots or an offense built around his preferred elbow touches. He can move between roles depending on the lineup.
Most nights, Boston can ask him to space the floor, disrupt passing lanes and occasionally rescue a possession after the offense has spent 18 seconds wandering around without a plan. We know those possessions well.
Boston also finished fourth in defensive rating last season despite ranking 29th in forcing turnovers, an area where George could immediately help. As Nate Moskowitz highlighted, George graded in the 93rd percentile at his position in defensive turnover impact while averaging 1.7 steals and 4.1 deflections per game.
Nobody should read “93rd percentile” and start fitting him for Gary Payton’s handcuffs. They have Tatum, White, Hugo González and other younger legs for the exhausting assignments. But George can work as a help defender, read the floor and punish the careless pass Boston too often watched sail harmlessly through the lane last season.
There is also something appealing about plugging him into a system that should not ask him to drag an offense through February.
The Celtics won 56 games despite playing most of the season without Tatum. Joe Mazzulla could probably coax 48 regular-season wins out of five shooters, a folding chair and one deeply committed second-round pick. They have enough depth to manage George’s minutes, skip back-to-backs when needed à la Al Horford and resist treating every road game in Charlotte like a referendum on toughness.
Boston can ask less of George. Sadly, it cannot make him younger.
The knee remains the biggest concern. Hudrick said George did not look right until after his suspension last season, and even then, the old burst never fully returned. The glass-half-full take is that he finished the season healthy, did not need another procedure and should have a normal offseason of training.
Normal would be a great start.
The Garden does not believe in grace periods
First impressions are funny. Some people meet their future spouse and know immediately they’re the one. Others spend six months finding them annoying before realizing they are the best thing that ever happened to them.
Celtics fans generally give you somewhere between six possessions and halftime before making up their minds.
George could play well for three weeks, miss one nationally televised game against New York and find himself on trial in Boston Common by midnight. One strong quarter against Philadelphia could turn the Garden into a revival meeting. One bad quarter could swing it right back. The opinion changes will be violent and deeply unserious.
George’s job is to help Boston win, not make anyone forget Brown.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 28: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
That means defending, spacing the floor and being healthy when it matters. The Celtics cannot ask him to replace Brown’s force, become the Energy Shifter™ and play 70 games. They need the player Hudrick described: useful, competitive and still capable of reminding everyone why he made nine All-Star teams.
First impressions are often remembered as cleaner than they really were. The spilled drink becomes a funny story. The person you could not stand somehow ends up beside you ten years later, insisting you hit it off immediately.
George may win Boston over quickly, or he may spend half the season trying to get the stain out of his shirt.
Either way, the Garden will begin making up its mind about 18 seconds into his first shift.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 10: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles during the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson is on a quest for his second championship after ending the Knicks’ drought of winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy this summer.
Brunson led a movement that snapped a 53-year drought of losing, but he hopes to bring another ring to the Knicks. Bleacher Report contributor Andy Bailey believes Brunson will be the 24th-best player in the NBA by the start of the new decade.
“Brunson has already had to learn how to dominate at both a size and athleticism deficit. He’s done it with skill and craft,” Bailey wrote. “And neither trait is likely to abandon Brunson over the next four years. In fact, there’s a real chance he only sharpens those between now and 2030. We just witnessed Chris Paul remain very effective well into his 30s, and the similarly built Brunson could do the same.”
Brunson turns 30 this summer, which could suggest that he is heading towards a decline. However, the injuries he has faced over the years have not slowed him down, and there’s reason to believe that he isn’t stopping anytime soon.
The top 30 players in the NBA in 2030, predicted by @BleacherReport
1. Victor Wembanyama 2. Luka Dončić 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 4. Nikola Jokić 5. Anthony Edwards 6. Cooper Flagg 7. Cade Cunningham 8. Cameron Boozer 9. Tyrese Maxey 10. LaMelo Ball 11. Darryn Peterson 12. AJ… pic.twitter.com/IvkNBkQnZ1
There is still potential that Brunson has not played up to the best of his abilities quite yet. It’s possible he could have another gear in him, which would be great for the Knicks.
With his co-stars Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby lining up for extensions coming up, the Knicks could keep this core together for the next several years in hopes of winning another championship or two.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 24: Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco on San Antonio's West Side cheer as San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) runs toward the court during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News via Getty Images)
My mom recently sent me a photo of Luke Kornet. How is my mother grabbing off-court photos of the Spurs center? He was at 6:00 a.m. mass at a local Catholic church this summer, the same church my parents attend. One of the parishioners asked and Kornet respectfully complied.
For those who are unaware, Kornet is a devout Catholic. In fact, when he was with the Boston Celtics, Kornet launched a blog in which he posted about the churches he visited while traveling with the team.
During the playoffs, the Spurs got an emotional and spiritual boost from the Saletian Sisters of St. John Bosco. There was a viral video of him being blessed before the game.
This time last year Luke Kornet was considered the steal of free agency. The 2024 NBA Champ came in to back up Victor Wembanyama and add a veteran presence to the young Spurs roster. He shined throughout the season, elevating the team and helping the Spurs get to their first Finals appearance in a dozen years.
Last week, Kornet made a phone message inviting LeBron James to consider the San Antonio Spurs as for his twenty-fourth season. If you haven’t listened to it yet, it is hilarious. Kornet really has a great sense of humor.
Luke Kornet’s voice memo for LeBron to join the Spurs:
“Mr. James, it’s Luke Kornet. You can play alongside a generational player (in myself), Victor too. We have SeaWorld, La Panaderia, it’s bussing. You’re chasing number 5, we have 5, we’re chasing 6. Around the same… pic.twitter.com/ASuyrYlTVy
Today, Luke Kornet turns 31. Hopefully, he is embracing his time off, enjoying his family, and recharging for next season.
Happy birthday, Luke.
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CORPORATE - 5/12/26 - The Disney Advertising Upfront is a showcase event that brings together all the content corners of The Walt Disney Company on one stage. On Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at North Javits in New York City, an incredible roster of all-star talent will tout their connections to storytelling, Disney, and each other while showcasing their latest projects for the upcoming year.(Disney/Michael Le Brecht II) COOPER FLAGG (Photo by Michael Le Brecht II/Disney via Getty Images) | Disney via Getty Images
Dallas Mavericks star forward Cooper Flagg is on a trajectory to be one of the top players in the league when he reaches his prime.
Flagg has not even turned 20 yet, but he is showing signs that he can be elite in the league. Bleacher Report contributor Andy Bailey believes he will be the sixth-best player in the NBA four years from now.
“As an NBA rookie, he averaged 15.7 points and shot 26.4 percent from deep in his first 19 appearances. Over the rest of the campaign, he put up 23.0 points and shot 30.8 percent from three,” Bailey wrote. “His assist numbers saw similar upticks too. And when you watched him play, it was clear that things were sort of clicking for Flagg with each successive appearance.
“At this rate, the three-point shot is bound to come along at some point. His playmaking is only going to keep getting better too. And with his competitiveness, the thought of being the sixth best player in the league in four years would only make him push even harder to be first.”
The only players that ranked ahead of Flagg were Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.
It will be intriguing to see how Flagg operates under new head coach Dusty May. The Mavs have a vision for the future and Flagg is at the forefront of it. He showed in his rookie year how dominant he already is, but with a tailor-made plan for him over the next couple of years, Flagg could be a major problem for the other 29 teams in the league.
Mavs Moneyball community, how high do you think Flagg’s ceiling is? Chime off in the comments section below.
At this stage, James has all the information he needs from teams and is weighing his options, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly comment on the specifics of James’ thinking. As a result, a decision could be imminent.
James, 41, is a player who has unparalleled stature in the NBA. As such, he’s calculated and deliberate about his decision making and is able to decide his future on his own terms. James has earned that right, and he’s being intentional about his decision.
James, a 22-time All-Star and four-time champion, has played a record 23 seasons in the NBA and wants to compete for another championship.
On one hand, given James’ tenure and stature in the league, the Cavaliers and Heat would appear to make the most sense; James has played for both before and has helped deliver championships to each franchise.
Cleveland selected James first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, and he’s from Akron, Ohio. In fact, if James were to join the Cavs, he would be playing in his third different stint with the team. James willed Cleveland to its first championship in franchise history at the 2016 NBA Finals, when the Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 series deficit to win. James would be joining a Cavs team that got swept in the Eastern Conference finals but features star guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
In Miami, James played arguably the best basketball of his career, winning Most Valuable Player in two of his four seasons there. The Heat also won two Finals, and the system, coaching staff and front office are mostly the same from when James played there, from 2010-14. The Heat just recently acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he and James would making an intriguing pair of fastbreak threats, alongside Heat captain Bam Adebayo.
And while it may appear to be an odd fit for James to join a new team at this stage of his career, each of Philadelphia, Golden State and Minnesota present interesting options.
Although he turned 41 years old in December, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games this season. James owns a number of all-time records, including points (43,440), games (1,622), postseason points (8,521) and postseason games (302).
