For teams interested in signing LeBron James via free agency, they have a chance to contact him indirectly to make their pitch for the four-time NBA MVP.
James has not met with any teams in person, so the pitch will have to be made another way.
According to a report from ESPN.com, Rich Paul, James' agent, has made it easier for executives to pitch by sending James a voice note. That note will be sent to Paul, who then will pass it on to his client.
"If you're talking about the Sixers, if he was here, I would say, 'I honestly believe this is your best chance to win.' You have to decide all the other things, that are equally important, because it's his life," Myers said. "He has to play, he has to face the scrutiny of his decision. Half the people will say, 'You should have done this, you should have done that.' Criticize him, or whatever, which is his life, so he's been through all that."
It is not known how many teams have actually sent James a voice memo, as he will enter his 24th and possibly last season in the NBA.
Former Illinois big man Morez Johnson Jr. dominated in his NBA Summer League debut on Thursday night. Johnson Jr. finished with 27 points and eight rebounds, shooting an impressive 12-for-17 from the field in 32 minutes.
The Mavericks fell to the Warriors, who were led by Johnson’s former Michigan teammate Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg and Johnson Jr. picked up right where they left off in college, with both scoring more than 20 points for their new teams.
It surprised many when the Dallas Mavericks selected former Illinois and Michigan big man Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He climbed draft boards more than almost anyone after a stellar performance at the NBA Draft Combine.
Morez reunited with his former coach, Dusty May, at Michigan following the Wolverines’ historic season. Michigan finished 37-3 while winning both the Big Ten regular-season title and the NCAA National Championship.
The Mavericks selected Morez in the lottery and expect him to become an important piece of their future. He was one of the best defensive players in college basketball last season, and that ability appears to be translating quickly to the NBA. In his Summer League debut, he added three steals and two blocks while making his presence felt on both ends of the floor.
At just 20 years old, Johnson still has plenty of room to develop offensively. Against the Warriors, he attempted four three-pointers and knocked down one of them. He also finished with three assists, showcasing the versatility that made him such an intriguing NBA prospect.
Although Johnson and the Mavericks couldn’t get past Lendeborg and the Warriors, he looked every bit like a player capable of contributing in Dallas sooner rather than later.
Morez Johnson Jr. in College
It comes as no surprise that Morez Johnson Jr. looks ready for the next level after the season he put together at Michigan. He earned Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors and was named Second Team All-Big Ten while helping lead the Wolverines to a national championship. Johnson averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds across 40 games.
Before transferring to Michigan, Johnson spent one season at Illinois. The Harvey, Illinois, native committed to the Illini early in high school and arrived in Champaign with lofty expectations after winning Illinois Mr. Basketball and playing in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit. His lone season with the Illini didn’t unfold the way he had hoped, as he was looking for a larger role.
Johnson started eight games and averaged 17.6 minutes per contest as a freshman.
“I just didn’t think that was a place for me in my development,” Johnson said.
Believing Illinois was no longer the best fit for him, Johnson transferred to Big Ten rival Michigan. He was booed inside the State Farm Center and faced criticism from Illini fans on social media throughout the season. By the end of the year, however, he had helped Michigan win a national championship and turned himself into a lottery pick.
For Illinois fans, there will always be a sense of “what could have been” with Morez Johnson Jr. But he’s now in the NBA, and after an outstanding Summer League debut, he’s already showing why the Mavericks made him a top-10 selection.
Los Angeles, CA - March 27: Lakers guard Luka Doncic, #77, winks and points to a player after a play in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Friday, March 27, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The NBA offseason still has a long ways to go, but the picture at the top and bottom of the league is already starting to solidify for the 2026-2027 season. The Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and New York Knicks feel like they’re in a class of their own as an elite tier of contenders. Who’s the fourth best in the NBA right now? Your guess is as good as mine.
The NBA’s new anti-tanking rules mean there are no more free wins on the schedule this season. Still, some teams are likely to be very bad, starting with the Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, and Chicago Bulls. This year’s draft lottery features a “relegation zone” which lowers the odds at a top pick for the league’s three worst teams, though it also comes with the added benefit of falling no further than the No. 12 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. Every other team could slide all the way to No. 16.
A second wave of offseason player movement is likely coming after LeBron James finally makes his free agent decision. There’s still hoops to talk about until then, so here’s our way-too-early look at the league power rankings for 2026-2027 in mid-July.
30. Sacramento Kings
No. 7 overall pick Darius Acuff is going to get a long leash to run the show in Sacramento, but he just doesn’t have much help. Will Domantas Sabonis or Zach LaVine still be on this roster come opening night? The Kings have a decent collection of young talent starting to form with Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell, Nique Clifford, and Alex Karaban, and the goal of this season should be developing them alongside Acuff.
29. Milwaukee Bucks
The Giannis era is over, and the Bucks are left with a funky roster that will probably be pretty bad. Will Tyler Herro actually play for Milwaukee this season, or get flipped closer to training camp? Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. actually looked pretty good last season, and Kel’el Ware is an exciting young big man coming over from Miami in the big trade. Most of the attention will be on how the Bucks’ two lottery picks Brayden Burries and Nate Ament develop.
28. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are going to be fun, but still project as an Eastern Conference doormat. Chicago’s two first-round rookies Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain should get plenty of reps, and it will be fascinating to see if last year’s lottery pick Noa Essengue can make an impact after a lost rookie season due to injury. A Matas Buzelis leap in year three would be huge for the Bulls’ long-term outlook.
27. Washington Wizards
A.J. Dybantsa is the star of the show after going No. 1 overall, and he’ll have a weird roster around him. Trae Young is on a new max contract for some reason. Anthony Davis is here for now, but maybe not for long. Alex Sarr and Tre Johnson are two former top-10 picks who need to develop around Dybantsa for Washington’s future to look bright.
26. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers got great value back for Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac, but this season could be ugly. Rookie No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler has a lot riding on his shoulders long-term, and it will be interesting to see how he meshes with Darius Garland in the backcourt this year. There are still some solid vets here in Brook Lopez, Brandon Ingram, and Derrick Jones Jr., but I’m interested to see how youngsters Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Isaiah Jackson develop.
25. Brooklyn Nets
I think Brooklyn is going to surprise some people this year, and wouldn’t be surprised if they push for a play-in spot. New addition Julius Randle joins Michael Porter Jr. as the leaders of this team, and it’s possible Egor Demin can take a leap in his second season. Jordi Fernandez is an elite head coach and will get the most of this group.
24. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans haven’t done a single thing this offseason yet. Alright, man. There’s some talent here with Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Derik Queen, and Jeremiah Fears, but new head coach Jamahl Mosley has his work cut out for him to mold this into a functional team.
23. Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry is still elite, but the team around him is lackluster at this point. It’s too bad Jimmy Butler will miss most of this season as he recovers from a torn ACL. Is this the year we start to hear real Curry trade speculation?
22. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are young, but the talent is real. Cameron Boozer is a future superstar, Zach Edey could be awesome if he can ever stay healthy, and Cedric Coward complements the two frontcourt stars well as a long 3-and-D wing. I actually like the guard collection quite a bit too with Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Cam Spencer all poised to make an impact.
21. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets punted on LaMelo Ball, and in doing so killed their chances for this season. This team should still be pretty decent with Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, and Coby White launching threes around one of the league’s best offensive rebounding teams, but it’s hard to imagine they can make real noise without injuries to several other East teams.
20. Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg, meet Dusty May. Dallas welcomes back Kyrie Irving from a torn ACL this season, and I like the trade for Santi Aldama. Can Dereck Lively II return from injury? I will be interested to see how Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz continue to put their stamp on this team, because it feels like a lot of these players could be flipped around Flagg.
19. Phoenix Suns
The Suns feel like a classic high floor, low ceiling team. Devin Booker has some good role players around him in Collin Gillespie, Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Mark Williams, and Oso Ighodaro. Miles Bridges is here now too to complete Mat Ishbia’s Michigan State dream. I’m mostly interested in how last year’s No. 10 overall pick Khaman Maluach develops in the middle.
18. Utah Jazz
The Jazz are ready to make a big leap. Darryn Peterson will be an instant impact rookie, and he joins a talented veteran core led by Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Keyonte George. If Will Hardy is as good as a head coach as everyone believes he is, this team should push for the playoffs.
17. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta gave the Knicks their toughest playoff series in the first-round last season, and they continue to build out their future talent pool. Rookies Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor could be instant contributors, and picking up Aaron Wiggins from the Thunder for nothing was a nice move, too. Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu and CJ McCollum feels like a high floor, low ceiling group for this season, but the Hawks continue to move in the right direction.
16. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers are going to be fascinating with the return of Damian Lillard and the trade for Ja Morant. That seems like a poor fit to me, but at least Portland gave up absolutely nothing to get Morant from Memphis. Donovan Clingan and Scoot Henderson are the two most important players on the roster for the future of the franchise, and both could take a leap this season. The defense should be really good, and Deni Avdija will continue to be a battering ram off the bounce, but I don’t know if this team has enough of a ceiling to build on last year.
15. Orlando Magic
Sean Sweeney is the new head coach tasked with getting the most out of a talent Magic roster. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner just haven’t worked as well as expected together, and this might be their last chance with a massive payroll looming. If Sweeney is good and Jalen Suggs can actually stay healthy, I wouldn’t be too surprised if Orlando ends up much better than this.
14. Miami Heat
Pat Riley finally landed his next superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the supporting cast needs work. The front court should be elite defensively with Giannis joining Bam Adebayo, but the offensive spacing will be a question mark. The backcourt has almost no shot-creation, but Erik Spoelstra is better than anyone at developing diamonds in the rough. He’s going to need to do it again for this team to win a playoff series.
13. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been strangely quiet this summer, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a big move coming before the season opens. For now, the main thing to get excited about is the return of Fred VanVleet. Houston’s young core of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. remains enticing, and it feels like all of them can still go up another level this season.
12. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are loaded with top-end talent after the stunning Jaylen Brown trade, but it’s hard to say how it will all fit together. Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe is a great foundation even before you get to Joel Embiid, whose uncertain health hangs over every Sixers season. I’m concerned about the depth and the defense of this team, especially when Embiid inevitably misses half the season.
11. Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton is back from a torn Achilles, and the entire league will be wondering if he can pick up where he left off from Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. The team around him is mostly pretty similar save for swapping out Myles Turner for Ivica Zubac, which should be a big upgrade. Indiana might be the most interesting team entering the season.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers
I expect LeBron James to sign here, but we can’t bake that in yet. The Cavs are pretty good without him coming off a conference finals appearance. Donovan Mitchell is locked in long-term, and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen return in the front court. I just can’t count on a James Harden team (he’ll re-sign soon) to break through at this point.
9. Toronto Raptors
I love the Raptors’ playoff ceiling after the Kawhi Leonard trade if he can stay healthy through an entire postseason run. That’s a huge if. Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Leonard should be an elite defensive trio. Getting anything from Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl this year would be a big boost.
8. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons did some tinkering to the rotation, but it still feels like they have a lot of the same problems as last year. Cade Cunningham is awesome, and gives this team a high floor by himself. Jalen Duren should re-sign soon, and he’s better than he showed during the playoffs. Ausar Thompson might be the best wing defender in the league, and Ron Holland could make an impact there too if either of them could improve their outside shooting a little bit. Swapping out Tobias Harris for John Collins is … fine. Detroit could make the NBA Finals, but they have real pressure to at least make the conference finals this year.
7. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets haven’t done anything this summer as they wait out Peyton Watson’s restricted free agency. It definitely feels like they could make cost-cutting moves on the margins before the season starts, but we can’t factor those in yet. Denver looked old and slow last year, but they still have Nikola Jokic, who remains a top-3 player in the world. I can’t see the Nuggets falling too far as long as Jokic is around.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers went for broke to build around Luka Doncic this summer, and it better work. LA paid a ridiculous price for Walker Kessler, but he is exactly the type of defensive-minded center a team led by Doncic and Austin Reaves needs in the middle. My big hangup here is the lack of wing talent. I love Adou Thiero as much as the next draft guy, but it doesn’t feel great that the Lakers are legitimately counting on him to take a leap this year.
5. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are still going to be really good after trading Jaylen Brown. Boston is essentially replacing Brown with a full year of Jayson Tatum while adding Mitchell Robinson and Paul George. I’m buying a Payton Pritchard leap this year. The Celtics are going to launch threes, crash the offensive glass, and try to avoid turnovers, which is usually a great formula for the regular season.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
The LaMelo Ball trade will define this franchise for the next few years at least. I think Ball is a highly impactful star guard, but his constant injury issues have a chance to derail this entire experience. If Ball can stay healthy, his elite handle, pull-up shooting, and passing vision feels like a perfect fit next to Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels. This team really needs Gobert to fight off father time. I’d like this group more if they had a bigger player in Ayo Dosunmu’s spot.
Championship favorites
3. New York Knicks
The Knicks only won 53 games in the regular season before finding magic in the playoffs on their way to one of the most dominant championship runs in recent league history. The bulk of this team is back minus Mitchell Robinson, who was a sneaky important piece off the bench. The key for the Knicks is going to be avoiding any decline by Jalen Brunson, and keeping Karl-Anthony Towns locked in to the best version of himself. If that happens, another trip to the NBA Finals could very well happen.
2. San Antonio Spurs
How will Victor Wembanyama respond to his crushing NBA Finals loss? Wemby would be wise to pace himself during the regular season, but it doesn’t seem like it’s in his nature to do it. The De’Aaron Fox question hangs over this franchise, because there’s no doubt Dylan Harper is ready to take over as their lead guard. Harper and Wembanyama will be showtime, and the supporting cast around them is improved. I like adding Tobias Harris at power forward in free agency, and I think Stephon Castle could benefit from transitioning from guard to wing. San Antonio will be very, very good around Wembanyama for the foreseeable future.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder may have gone back-to-back if not for untimely injuries to Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. Williams essentially lost the entire season with soft tissue strains, and the Thunder desperately need him back playing at his top level given how big his cap hit is now. Oklahoma City did a nice job keeping their core in place even as they trimmed some salary by trading away Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins. Will Lu Dort be on this roster opening night? Can Chet Holmgren shake off his horrific Western Conference Finals and regain his status as one of the league’s best bigs? The Thunder have an oustanding formula with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot creation and an elite defense. They remain the team to beat until further notice.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: Brayden Burries #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a three point shot against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of the California Classic at Golden 1 Center on July 06, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA Summer League is underway in Las Vegas, where six former Arizona men’s basketball players are looking to make positive strides over the next 10 days.
Five members of the 2025-26 Arizona team are competing in Las Vegas, as well as San Antonio Spurs second-year forward Carter Bryant.
Brayden Burries, the No. 10 overall pick to the Milwaukee Bucks, got a head start in summer league action, as he participated with the Bucks at the California Classic Summer League.
Koa Peat, the No. 30 pick to the Phoenix Suns, makes his professional debut on Friday when Phoenix takes on Portland. Burries and Peat have both signed four-year rookie contracts.
Jaden Bradley, who went No. 50 to the Toronto Raptors, also makes his debut on Friday as Toronto faces Boston. Bradley is on a one-year, two-way contract.
Tobe Awaka is on one-year, two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls. Awaka joined the Bulls as an undrafted free agent. Chicago plays Friday against Memphis.
And Anthony Dell’Orso is competing for the Sacramento Kings on a summer league contract. Dell’Orso did not play in the Kings’ first Vegas Summer League game on Thursday night.
Bryant, meanwhile, is getting in some extra reps with the reigning Western Conference champion Spurs. Bryant averaged 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game as a rookie. In Bryant’s first Summer League action Thursday, he struggled from the field, shooting 4 of 13 including 1 of 7 from three-point range.
Here is the schedule of when Arizona players will be taking the court. All times PST. (credit to Arizona Athletics).
Friday, July 10
1:00pm (PRIME) Milwaukee (Burries) vs. Miami
5:00pm (PRIME) Chicago (Awaka) vs. Memphis
6:00pm (ESPN) Toronto (Bradley) vs. Boston
8:00pm (ESPNU) Phoenix (Peat) vs. Portland
Saturday, July 11
3:00pm (ESPN) San Antonio (Bryant) vs. New York
6:30pm (PRIME) Toronto (Bradley) vs. Houston
Sunday, July 12
12:00pm (ESPN2) Phoenix (Peat) vs. New Orleans
5:00pm (PRIME) Sacramento (Dell’Orso) vs. Washington
6:00pm (ESPN) San Antonio (Bryant) vs. Milwaukee (Burries)
Monday, July 13
1:30pm (ESPN2) Toronto (Bradley) vs. Indiana
6:00pm (ESPN) Chicago (Awaka) vs. Utah
7:00pm (PRIME) Milwaukee (Burries) vs. Phoenix (Peat)
Tuesday, July 14
3:00pm (PRIME) Sacramento (Dell’Orso) vs. Brooklyn
5:00pm (PRIME) Chicago (Awaka) vs. Washington
Wednesday, July 15
3:00pm (ESPNU) Phoenix (Peat) vs. Detroit
4:30pm (PRIME) Milwaukee (Burries) vs. Charlotte
5:00pm (ESPN2) Sacramento (Dell’Orso) vs. Boston
6:30pm (PRIME) San Antonio (Bryant) vs. Utah
Thursday, July 16
3:00pm (PRIME) Chicago (Awaka) vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Jun 2, 2026; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) talks to the press during media day for the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
This is the feel good story of the week.
Carter Bryant, who just finished his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs, recently bought him mom a car.
His mom, Sabrina Torres, an American Sign Language interpreter, can often be seen at home games supporting her son. Bryant played in 71 regular season games and 22 postseason competitions as the Spurs fought their way into the NBA Finals.
The former Arizona Wildcat is currently in Las Vegas participating in Summer League as the team’s season vet.
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Summer League basketball might be for the sickos, but if you’re reading this and preparing to watch every Celtics game in Las Vegas, I happily welcome you to the club of unwell basketball enjoyers.
The Celtics project to have one two-way contract up for grabs after Amari Williams signed his deal and Dillion Mitchell got drafted 40th overall, but the possibility for guys to slide into the Maine Celtics system means some of these faces will remain familiar into the season.
For them, it’s a showcase to fight for NBA opportunities. For us, it’s a chance to get out of the offseason headspace for a little bit, and casually enjoy some basketball.
Let’s take a moment to get to know the faces of this year’s Summer League Celtics.
Mohammad Amini
An undrafted international prospect, the Iranian forward spent the last two seasons with SLUC Nancy in the LNB Elite. That’s the top level in France, and Amini carved out a modest role at Nancy, serving up efficient scoring inside the arc.
A 6’7” wing, Amini averaged 8 points on 50% efficiency in 27 games, though he struggled from three (26%) and from the free throw line (62.5%). He’s a composed slasher with the build to power through contact, and his touch around the short mid-range area is sound.
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo had the 21-year-old Amini ranked 97th on his draft big board.
Chris Cenac Jr.
We’ve talked at length about Cenac’s game and what brought him to Boston with the 27th pick, so we’ll focus on the things I’d like to see from the latest first round pick:
1) Glass dominance: Cenac’s greatest trait from what we saw in his lone season at Houston was his ability to win on the glass, particularly on the offensive end. He tracks the ball extremely well both because of his 7-foot-5 wingspan and legitimate instincts to get into the right spots. The Summer League Celtics have plenty of creators, I want to see Cenac be a play finisher.
2) Shooting confidence: Cenac was a willing outside shooter last season, shooting three attempts per game from beyond the arc, but was just 33% on those looks. Not an egregious number, but Cenac hasn’t proven to be a reliable threat from distance. This is a chance to see where his progress is at. Pick-and-pops at the top of the arc and spot-ups from the corner are the shots he’s looked most comfortable taking, and those are what I want to see in Vegas.
3) Rim Protection: Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson asked a lot out of Cenac at the 5. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but Cenac was praised for his work ethic and commitment even if he wasn’t always comfortable away from the basket. It wasn’t the best shot-blocking season, but Cenac showed potential to be a fleet-footed 5 with ball-denying instincts. Cenac is the second-tallest player on the Summer League roster behind Amari Williams, so expect plenty of opportunities for Cenac to work as the center defending the rim.
Tucker DeVries
Signing an Exhibit 10 contract along with Milos Uzan, Tucker DeVries will have a shot at a two-way contract with opportunities both in Vegas and in training camp.
The 6-foot-7 DeVries was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year at Drake before following his dad and head coach Darian DeVries to West Virginia and, most recently, Indiana.
At Indiana, he averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, though his efficiency dipped from his usual averages, finishing 40% from the field and 33% from three.
Despite a down-year shooting, DeVries has unwavering shooting confidence. He attempted 998 threes in his college career and connected on 36% of them. He’s an active off-ball mover and a strong floor-connecting presence with his ball movement. The potential to work off-ball and as a pick-and-roll threat are there for DeVries. Think Joe Ingles, and you’ll have a good idea of DeVries’ skillset and basketball IQ.
An older rookie, the 23-year-old DeVries is a possible standout among the non-guaranteed Summer League Celtics fighting for their NBA breakthrough.
Hugo Gonzalez
Chances are, it’ll be a brief appearance for Hugo in his second Summer League. He’s primed for a major minutes jump in Year 2 after the Jaylen Brown-Paul George blockbuster, and there really aren’t many question marks with where his game is heading.
Hugo was a jolt of energy every time he stepped on the floor, with the groundwork of his offense mostly coming off catch-and-shoot threes, transition attacks and the occasional drive into his patented euro-step.
Hugo’s Summer League should provide more chances to put the ball in his hands. Unlike last year’s Summer League team, there are more on-ball guards to run offense, but Hugo’s flashed even more on-ball potential this summer with the Spanish national team at the World Cup qualifiers.
This is just another chance to foster excitement for what should be a very strong sophomore season.
Caleb Grill
It’ll be a bit of a reunion trip for Caleb Grill when he plays at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. Grill, 26 years old, played one year of college at UNLV, along with seasons at Iowa State and Missouri.
In his last season at Missouri, Grill was named SEC Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 14 points off the bench and shooting 40% from three.
Last year, Grill’s first season as a pro was spent between spots with the Greensboro Swarm and Windy City Bulls, and in 27 games, he averaged 10 points and 3.5 rebounds on 44/38/71 shooting splits.
Grill’s calling card is his off-ball shooting. A 6’3” guard, he’s a plus-athlete that can really burst into space and leave defenders in the dust. His production stayed consistent between college and the G League, and he’ll come into the Vegas showcase looking to fire away to show off his shooting marksmanship for another pro opportunity.
Curtis Jones
An undrafted rookie out of Iowa State last year, Curtis Jones was, essentially, a Summer League star last July. He averaged 26 points in 20 minutes for the Nuggets, shot 55% from the field and 47% from three, and grabbed 8 rebounds with 7 assists and 1.4 steals.
He was a beast, and it earned him a two-way contract in Denver, which offered him 10 appearances with the top squad and 41 with the Grand Rapids Gold. He was a 21-point scorer on 40/36/84 splits with the Gold, while also grabbing 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Rookie season highlights include a 40-point, 8-rebound game against the Capital City Go-Go, and a 13-point game on perfect 4-for-4 3-point shooting in Denver’s regular season finale against the Spurs.
A good shooter with a multi-faceted skillset and defensive upside, Jones is likely going to be a favorite for that third two-way spot, and another great Summer League will go a long way in keeping him around Boston.
Kyle Mangas
Like Curtis Jones, Kyle Mangas is also in search of his second two-way contract.
Mangas’ journey to pro basketball is truly interesting. He played NAIA Division II hoops at Indiana Wesleyan, earning player of the year honors twice, then made pro-league stops in Czech, Lithuanian and Canadian leagues before a two-way opportunity opened up with the Spurs. That opportunity lasted just nine days before he was waived.
He’s played 100 G League games dating back to 2023, and has proven to be a very solid scoring threat at that level. Last year with the Austin Spurs, he averaged 17 points on 45/40/76 splits along with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal per game.
For a good time, watch his 45-point career high against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. It’s an impressive shooting display, and for what it’s worth, he accounted for 42% of his team’s scoring total.
The 27-year-old, 6-foot-4 guard can light it up on the G League stage, so the opportunity to do the same in the Summer League isn’t far-fetched.
Dillon Mitchell
Mitchell is essentially a lock for a two-way spot after getting selected early in the second round and being showered in praise by Mike Zarren in his post-draft press conference.
This will be an exciting opportunity for unfamiliar fans to see just how dynamic Mitchell can be on defense. He is all over the court making plays, pairing a developed build with high-level athleticism to turn defense into offense.
His open-floor speed and intelligent glue-guy tendencies should also flash. Paired with Hugo Gonzalez, the perimeter defense will be in good hands.
Don’t expect huge numbers from Mitchell, but prepare to be wowed by his energy, his shot-blocking, his rebounding, all the little things that can turn a second round pick into a fan favorite.
Hank Morgan
I wrote a story on Hank Morgan’s journey to the Maine Celtics last season that you can find here, but to summarize, he was the G League’s only Division III player last season, joining with the Celtics not long after the trade deadline after spending a portion of the season with the Salt Lake City Stars along with John Tonje (who we’ll get to in a minute).
A 6-foot-5 forward with a sharpshooter’s touch from deep, Morgan was a 40% 3-point shooter and 47% shooter in 24 G League games. While not a high-volume player, Morgan took advantage of the looks that came his way, and it must’ve reflected well on the Celtics staff, as he’ll get an additional look from the organization this summer.
His claim to G League fame was against the Osceola Magic, when he hit 6-of-7 threes for a 22-point outing in March. It was that game where the Maine social media team affectionately began referring to him as “No Dip Hank.”
It’s pretty miraculous for any DIII athlete to earn a professional opportunity, but Morgan was a unique case last year, standing alone amongst college stars, first round picks, and career G Leaguers hoping to earn that NBA promotion.
Nick Pringle
A 6-foot-10 power forward that had five college stops, including a JUCO stint at Dodge City Community College, Nick Pringle finished with 33 starts at Arkansas alongside draftees Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas in a season that ended in the Sweet Sixteen.
Though never a stat-stuffer in any of his college years, averaging 5 points and 4 rebounds this past season, Pringle flashes exciting athletic upside. He’s got strength, post-up finesse, and serious above-the-rim finishing. His face-up game is also respectable.
Above all though, Pringle is a tough rebounder that owns his space and really battles to come down with the ball. If there’s an area to watch out for in Vegas, it’s this one.
Day Day Thomas
After two years of JUCO hoops and three at Cincinnati, Day Day Thomas enters the pro game with a background as a reliable 3-point shooter and defensive ace.
His 61 steals in his first year with the Bearcats ranks fourth in a single season in program history, and he finished his college career averaging 1.5 steals per game. Despite being an undersized 6-foot-1 guard, he made up for this with constant on-ball pressure, quick hands, and the speed to recover on help and around screens.
As a shooter, he jumped up from 28% 3-point shooting to 40% on the same volume in his first two years before ending his college career converting at a 38% clip as a graduate student.
Cincinnati’s lead guard, Thomas was a pretty balanced showrunner. He flashed good passing vision (3.5 assists to 1.7 turnovers last year), rebounding effort (3 rebounds) and the ability to create his own shot, particularly from deep. He was a double-figure scorer in all three seasons with the Bearcats, averaging 10.7 points for his Division I career.
Feeding in passes to Clippers rookie Baba Miller, Cincinnati could really run the floor and push the pace. Perhaps we’ll see the same next to Cenac.
John Tonje
We weren’t quite sure if John Tonje would be back after the Celtics didn’t pick up his qualifying offer, but now that we know he’s Summer League-bound, it’s good to see him return.
Tonje split time as a two-way between the Celtics and the Jazz last season, moving over to Boston at the deadline through the Chris Boucher trade and impressing in Maine with averages of 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1 steal. He was a 44% shooter from the field and 35% from three, mostly getting his buckets by slashing inside.
The 53rd pick of the 2025 draft out of Wisconsin, Tonje’s slashing ability has been his trademark for some time, blending downhill physicality with an impressive first step. He always has an attacking mindset, and it transitioned smoothly in the G League.
He earned a standard contract late in the season with Boston, featuring in six games, including a 13-point effort in the season finale against Orlando where he hit three of his eight 3-pointers.
He’ll have to really impress to compete for that final two-way roster spot, but Tonje is a familiar face that’s already proven he can be a bucket at the G League level. At 25 years old, he’s less of a developmental pick for that final contract and more of a Ron Harper Jr. pick as someone you want to see dominate at the lower level while seamlessly sliding into a complimentary role if called upon in Boston.
Milos Uzan
The first undrafted signee for Boston from this year’s draft, Milos Uzan was one of the bigger names to not get called, and there’s certainly a reason to get excited about his opportunity on an Exhibit 10 contract.
A starter for 133 of his 141 games between Oklahoma and Houston, Uzan was a key contributor in Houston’s run to the NCAA Championship in 2025, averaging 11 points, 4 assists and a steal on efficient 45/43/78 splits. He showcases maturity running offense, great body control through contact, and a reliable float game, on top of his efficient outside shooting and playmaking vision.
The ball wasn’t in his hands quite as much this past year due to the arrival of Kingston Flemings, though Uzan still averaged 11 points and 4 assists, albeit on lower efficiency with slightly higher shooting volume (38/34/74 splits).
The 6’4” guard has NBA traits and a balanced skillset. The ability to run offense, operate in the pick-and-roll, and find his own shot is going to be on full display in the Summer League, and with a good enough showing and Boston likely riding into the season with a need for more backcourt depth, Uzan has a real chance to stick around and find his place on the roster.
Chauncey Wiggins
A 6’10” stretch big from Florida State and Clemson, Chauncey Wiggins’ primary skill is his ability to cash in from deep.
Wiggins has been an excellent outside shooter for all four of his college seasons, finishing his career as a 37.5% shooter, most recently connecting on 39% of his triples (5.8 attempts per game) in his lone season with the Seminoles. This past season was also his best on 2-point attempts, finishing 62% on 2s and 81% at the rim. As a pick-and-pop threat, Florida State wisely used that to their advantage, utilizing him as a roller more often to open things up. With a career-high 13 points per game, he was second on the team in scoring.
For his size, Wiggins never really proved to be much of a rebounding threat (2.5 rebounds over his career) or a shot-blocker (27 blocked shots in 129 games), making him a true shooting specialist.
Alondes Williams
Alondes Williams might be one of the more recognizable additions to the roster.
At 27 years old, he’s played 13 NBA games between stops with the Pistons, Wizards, Heat and Nets, he was the G League’s Most Improved Player in 2024, and at Wake Forest, he was the ACC Player of the Year in 2022.
He’s had three two-way contracts over his career and has mostly found himself in that zone of “too good for the G, but not quite there for the NBA,” but with the Wizards last year, he got three games of 27 or more minutes, highlighted by a 25-point outing against the Pacers where he shot 9-of-11 from the field with 10 boards, 4 assists and 2 blocks.
He does a little bit of everything. Defensively he shows really strong instincts and the ability to time his slap-downs as shooters get into their motion. On his drives he can really spring up and rock the rim. There’s playmaking chops, rebounding effort, consistent outside shooting. Alondes Williams can really hoop.
In 25 games with the Capital City Go-Go, he scored 23 points on 47/42/78 splits to go with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. At that level, he can simply take over games. It should be no different in the Summer League.
Amari Williams
Another young buck we know pretty well by this point, Williams wasn’t crushing it in his first Summer League, but I certainly expect it this time around.
His passing vision has been on display in every level of the game he’s played in, including spot opportunities with Boston. He recorded multiple triple-doubles in the G League last year, and was one of their biggest highlights on that roster.
He’s back on a two-way contract for a second season, and with the Celtics now locked into a three-big lineup of Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta, and Luka Garza, it seems like Williams will again spend the majority of his time in Maine, though it’s clear from what we’ve seen in his NBA minutes he is capable of holding his own against increased competition.
Mark Pope recently appeared on Kentucky Sports Radio and was interviewed by Matt Jones. We received tons of noteworthy insights from the interview, but he also highlighted a guy on this upcoming roster when asked how the team was looking in summer workouts.
“I like our gym. Our gym feels good. We set out with some very clear intentions as we worked through the portal trying to put this particular team together, and I think I like where we are,” said Pope. I think we have a ton of creator vibe, and we’re seeing that on the practice floor, we’ve got a ton of length, a ton of shooting, and some really fun, different levels.”
Overall, those are the things you want to hear about the team at this point, some cliché things, but some are necessary things that this fanbase was hoping to hear.
Big Blue Nation has some curiosity about the players, specifically, though, who is standing out?
Mason Williams
When asked about freshman point guard Mason Williams standing out in summer workouts, Pope had this to say:
“Mason has got to grow for sure, but he’s coming in with a college-ready body. And he is a voracious worker. He is just relentless in the gym. He’s shooting the ball at an elite level. He’s one of those guys right now that is a young player that I’m trying to get him to stop deferring, and actually go hunt possessions. He’s a great playmaker. He’s got to learn how to play us. He’s going to learn all the freshman stuff, but I’m telling you what, I have high hopes for him and his trajectory. I think he’s got a chance to be a very good player.”
One of the many talking points among the fanbase this offseason has been the backcourt of Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins, two elite creators on offense, but Williams has not been given the respect he seems to deserve. There is a clear role for him as a backup point guard on this team right away. Get in there, shoot when open, take care of the ball, and steady the ship while the starters are out.
Williams was a 4-star guard from Tennessee Collegiate Academy in Millington, Tennessee, and committed to Kentucky on March 27. His Father, Mo Williams, joined the staff three days after his son committed to Kentucky. Some fans speculated that Kentucky just picked up his son to get him on staff, but the incoming guard looks like he may very well crack the rotation this year.
Trent Noah
It’s no secret that junior forward Trent Noah shined bright in offseason workouts last year but failed to live up to that promise once the games got real.
When asked if Noah is finally taking the next step in his development, here is what Pope had to say:
“Trent Noah man, he’s been the best player on our roster in the first four weeks of camp. He tweaked a hamstring, which is nothing, but he’s actually leading in the defensive impact metric right now on this roster. And the thing is, we talk about growing players, Trent is in his third year here. He is completely devoted and dedicated to Kentucky Basketball, and getting better, and we’ll see the fruits of that growth.
“It’s players like Trent Noah, and you watch them rise up, that you build a relationship over the years, he’s going to be really special this year. I am super proud of him. So he is going to have an impact on this roster for sure.
INGLEWOOD, CA - 1972: Jerry Lucas #32 of the New York Knicks goes for a lay-up as Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for the block as Jerry West #44 looks on during an NBA game circa 1972 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Martin Mills/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Wilt Chamberlain is still all over the NBA record book, with about 72 records, including 68 he holds alone. For a couple of easy examples, in 1961-62, he averaged 48.5 minutes per game, due in part to overtimes. For another, in a career that stretched from 1959-1973, he never fouled out.
That’s 1,205 games. And in those games, he averaged 46 minutes per game. It really is astonishing to think that he played that many minutes and never once fouled out.
He factors in a number of things, including a knee injury that Chamberlain suffered in November, 1969, when his shotblocking fell sharply. He tries to account for both his youth and age.
He cites a number of statistical sources to get a workable number, uses several models to approximate what he did in his peak and later years, and the numbers are truly astounding.
In one newspaper article, the reporter said Chamberlain blocked 23 shots in one game. Alonzo Mourning blocked 28 in high school, but 23? In an NBA game?
Ultimately, his best estimate worked out to 8.7 blocks per game over Chamberlain’s career, and a total of 9,058.
To put that in perspective, the official NBA record is held by Hakeem Olajuwon, with 3,830 over 20 years.
Chamberlain did his damage in 14 years, and he missed 70 games due to his knee injury.
Really, his stats are almost cartoonish, including 55 rebounds in a single game.
Quite simply, he was certainly the most gifted big man in NBA history, and is on a very short list of the finest athletes to ever play in the league. His vertical is estimated to have been between 48-50 inches. Here’s a good example from later in his career.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal game against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on December 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You hear weird rumors when you work in basketball. That seems to be especially true if you cover the Cleveland Cavaliers and the subject of those rumors is LeBron James.
Back in March, I had a friend tell me that LeBron was coming back because he heard from someone, who knows a dentist, and that dentist said the James family booked appointments for later that winter. That friend swears on the story, but there’s obviously no way to actually back that up.
I’ve also heard from someone that is supposedly four people removed from LeBron that he is returning to Cleveland, but is waiting until the end of the month for the right moon phase to announce it.
These rumors certainly aren’t ones to put any stock in. Yet, it’s the type of thing you hear repeated around Northeast Ohio. LeBron has just been in the community for too long to avoid things like this. Everyone seems to know someone who knows someone else who claims to know what’s actually happening. None of it is worth reporting or believing from serious basketball insiders. But maybe there is a kernel of truth in some of them.
Let’s get into some of what people on the streets are saying in this massive game of telephone.
First, we have the baker from Cleveland’s Little Italy who told everyone back in May that LeBron was coming back because Charles Oakley told him that’s what Maverick Carter told him.
WE HAVE FAN SOURCES SAYING LEBRON IS 95% COMING BACK!!!!
The next one isn’t from Northeast Ohio. A New York Jets podcaster, Tony Vegas, said that his brother-in-law golfed with Bronny and told him LeBron was coming back to Cleveland. Vegas has since taken the tweets down due to being “yelled at.”
Returning to Northeast Ohio, someone told Emmett Golden of ESPN Cleveland that James was coming back. This person also told Golden of LeBron’s broken hand in the 2018 Finals, so maybe they actually are connected.
🚨🚨🚨The streets are talking and they're telling @egoldie80 that LeBron and Bronny are coming home 👀👀👀
"Someone who reached out to me in the past and was right… reached out to me yesterday, late last night… Bron and Bronny back to Cleveland" 😯😯😯 pic.twitter.com/7ZF0W3Dnlc
Then there was the infamous Cupcake Lady from 2014. Now they run Poke Fresh Ohio in Canton. They said LeBron was coming back, but with Bronny and Draymond Green as well. However, they then walked it back, saying they were just joking.
These aren’t the only ones that are floating around out there. I’ve heard stuff about local golf club pros confirming the return, rumblings from the local youth sports scene, and rumors from other local media members.
The main thread in these rumors is that they’re unreliable and probably shouldn’t be believed. Yet, here they are circulating and being published once again on the internet.
The lack of concrete noise, due to the tight operation LeBron and Rich Paul are running in free agency, has left a vacuum. Almost by design, fans are left to track Instagram photos, planes, and who’s playing golf with who. If the reporters aren’t able to get any actual updates, people are left to try to find out for themselves or create their own narratives.
We’ll find out soon enough what James is planning. All we can say now is either LeBron’s potential second return to Cleveland is the worst-kept secret in the world, or everyone is lying.
This week’s Mavericks-centric poll was about the NBA Summer League, which kicked off last night with a Dallas loss to the Golden State Warriors. We asked what player Dallas fans would be following the most closely.
Nearly six in ten fans will be keeping the closest eye on point guard Sergio De Larrea. This surprised me a little but given how Dallas needs guards who can actualy play at an NBA level. If you read my review, you see he played okay at best, but I feel confident in his game. If you’re a true sicko like me and you’re watching all this Summer League mess, there are things you can bet on with our partner at FanDuel.
The national poll also had some fun questions and responses.
Jaylen Brown is an obvious answer since the Sixers, at least on paper, look really interesting. Giannis being second makes sense but I think the Miami Heat are going to be bleak.
The next question was about the NBA Finals.
The top two teams being the Western Conference Finals teams makes some sense, but I think the Spurs are not the gamble to repeat the path that this poll would suggest. Injury luck plays a big part in all this and they had it good this last time around.
The last two questions were LeBron James centric.
I wonder how people would define an “early playoff exit”? I suppose it depends which team he’s on.
Folks are over the LeBron James experience. It’s been going on for a very, very long time.
Boston, MA - July 1: Boston Celtics draft picks Amari Williams, Hugo González, and Max Shulga leave the Huntington Avenue YMCA on July 1, 2025. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Forget about last year’s playoff exit. Forget about the New York Knicks winning the Finals. Forget about all the Jaylen Brown trade drama.
Boston Celtics basketball is almost back, baby!
The 2026 NBA Summer League is set to kickoff on Thursday, July 9, in Las Vegas, and the Celtics’ last two draft classes are expected to play under assistant coach Amile Jefferson. That includes 2025 draftees Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams, as well as rookies Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell.
While Summer League is never the most meaningful stage for young prospects, it gives rooks a chance to show their stuff for the first time on the professional level, recent draftees an opportunity to show growth, and fringe NBA players a shot at proving their worth to the league.
Sometimes Summer League performances clearly exemplify a young player’s potential on the NBA level. Think Damian Lillard in 2012. Over four games, Lillard displayed immediate signs of superstardom, as he posted 26.5 points per game on solid shooting efficiency while creating for himself and his team at a dominant level. He won the Las Vegas Summer League’s co-MVP award for his play.
Most of the time, the opposite is true. Going back to 2012, does anyone remember who the other co-MVP was? It was the Memphis Grizzlies’ second-round draft pick from the year before, Josh Selby. He put up 24.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game that summer. Selby ended up playing 38 total games in the NBA and averaged 2.2 points per game.
So, regardless of how the young Celtics play this summer, don’t put too much stock into anything, good or bad.
Nevertheless, what can we reasonably hope to see out of the young guns this summer?
Hugo Gonzalez: all-around excellence
BOSTON, MA – MAY 2: Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Now you might be saying, Ryan, how can you ask what can we “reasonably” hope for, then say “all-around excellence” for Hugo Gonzalez?
Well, if you know, you know.
Despite averaging less than 15 minutes and 4 points per game over his rookie season, Gonzalez displayed starter-level potential for the Celtics last year and should be the best player on this year’s Summer League squad.
The 20-year-old, 6’6″ wing has an endless motor, the athleticism to match it, excellent defensive versatility, a solid understanding of the game, and a decent shot to top it all off.
While Gonzalez didn’t get a chance to shine in the playoffs, he should get plenty of opportunities in the Summer League. Last year, he averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists over four games, but shot about 30% from both the field and three-point range.
This year, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him average 15+ points per game as he assumes a larger role as a second-year player, all while maintaining his overwhelming, energetic presence on the defensive end. Gonzalez will likely be asked to serve as more of an offensive creator than ever, given his “veteran” role on the squad, so it will be interesting to see if that aspect of his game developed over his rookie season. Young players often struggle with maintaining efficiency in an expanded offensive role, but I think Gonzalez’s shooting numbers will land closer to last season’s (47.6% from the field and 36.2% from three) than last Summer League’s.
All in all, Gonzalez should be Boston’s best player on the court this summer, serve as a major contributor on offense and defense, and have a chance to show off more of the tantalizing potential he displayed as a rookie.
Amari Williams: recreate his G-League success
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 30: Amari Williams #77 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 30, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Williams, a 6’11” big drafted in the second round last year, didn’t get nearly as much run as Gonzalez in his rookie season. He played in only 22 games at the NBA level (compared to 74 for Gonzalez) and averaged 6.6 minutes per game when he did.
Nevertheless, Williams displayed promising upside during his time in Maine. Over 18 games played in the G-League, he averaged 17.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. With impressive size and length (including a freaky 7’6″ wingspan), as well as strong court vision and passing from the post, Williams could be the next solid big man to come out of Maine.
This summer, I want to see Williams bring some of that G-League production to Las Vegas. Last year, he averaged only 6.3 points, 5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, and was overshadowed by Charles Bassey. While he is likely to start alongside rookie big man Chris Cenac Jr., Williams will be in a prime position to play major minutes in Boston’s frontcourt and serve as an offensive lynchpin in the post due to his playmaking talent.
Williams will have a chance to show that he deserves a bigger role in the Celtics’ frontcourt in 2026-27 but, realistically, he may still be a year or two away from earning one — especially if the Celtics do acquire an additional big in the offseason. However, if he finishes Summer League averaging a double-double in points and rebounds while dishing out 3-4 assists per game, his growth as a player may be difficult for Coach Joe Mazzulla to ignore.
Chris Cenac Jr.: display elite athletic tools, offensive versatility
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 23: Chris Cenac Jr. smiles 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 Laura June Kirsch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics’ latest first-round draft pick is a 19-year-old, 6’10” big man out of the University of Houston, where he averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 1.3 stocks over 24.8 minutes per game.
Like Williams, Cenac is an athletic big who sports an impressive wingspan (7’5″) but, unlike the 24-year-old Williams, he slots in as more of a power forward than a center. That’s due to his ability to shoot from the perimeter (even though he only shot 33% on 3 attempts per game in college), blow by slower big men with a quick first step, and pull up for jumpers in the mid-range. At the same time, he’s a lob and putback threat who demands attention beneath the basket.
With that kind of offensive versatility, one of the most interesting things to keep track of this summer will be how Jefferson utilizes Cenac on the offensive end. Will he be seated in the dunker spot and asked to clean up offensive boards, or be stationed on the perimeter or at the elbow to stretch opposing defenses?
On defense, Cenac has the athletic tools to become a plus defender in the NBA despite an unimpressive 2.6% block percentage during his time in college. He’s got the length and bounciness to deter shots down low, as well as the lateral agility to stick with many perimeter players, resulting in exciting switchability. While he’s still got a ways to go in learning how to best utilize his athleticism defensively, the tools he displayed in college should translate well to the NBA.
Overall, Cenac is still very raw as a prospect, so I don’t expect him to excel in his first go at Summer League. But if he can show A) that he can operate outside of the dunker’s spot, and B) that his athletic tools remain high-quality even amongst NBA talent, I think that’d count as a successful showing.
Dillon Mitchell: cause CHAOS
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Dillon Mitchell #1 of the St. John's Red Storm dribbles during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mitchell, the 40th overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, is an athletic wrecking ball of a 22-year-old.
The 6’7″ wing has absolutely zero shooting touch, as he shot only 6.7% on 0.4 attempts per game from three-point range and 49.4% on free throws during his time at St. Johns. Regardless, Mitchell is an explosive athlete with outstanding speed, strength, and leaping ability, which he leveraged to score 8.3 points per game on 55.9% shooting from the field, as well as tally an solid 7 rebounds per game as a wing.
The vast majority of his points at St. Johns came in the paint as a result of backdoor cuts and athletic slashes to the basket, as well as in transition. He also displayed a respectable passing game, averaging 3 assists during his final year in college, with many coming off of kickouts to perimeter players after breaking into the paint.
However, his athleticism is best displayed in his defense. Lauded by Celtics’ Vice President of Basketball Operations Mike Zarren as “one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball”, Mitchell should be able to make an immediate impact on the defensive end of the court in Summer League.
So, Mitchell’s numbers may not be pretty this summer, but if he can use his athleticism to cause chaos defensively and drive into the heart of opposing defenses to generate rim looks and kickouts on offense, he could be a positive contributor despite his lack of shooting.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA â" JULY 09: A Diana monkey (Cercopithecus diana), a medium-sized primate belonging to the family Cercopithecidae, is seen inside its enclosure at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, Russia on July 09, 2026. Characterized by their striking white beard, crescent-shaped brow, and elegant deep-chestnut back, these highly active and vocal arboreal animals are among the popular exotic attractions for visitors during the summer season. (Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
The Knicks last played a game in mid-June. The Knicks are back in action later today. Well, at least part of them. In any case, you better be there. Here are today’s links and notes.
T.J. Saint will coach the SummerKnicks in Las Vegas, starting on Friday at 6 p.m. EST, and the New York Post’s Jared Schwartz made the case that this could be a real gateway opportunity for the former Mercer University standout. Saint is entering his second season with the Knicks after joining under Mike Brown, specializes in offensive strategy, and is replacing Jordan Brink at the Summer League.
Germany’s außergewöhnlich Jack Kayil is officially (h/t NYP’s Stefan Bondy) on the Knicks’ Summer League roster after a few days of paperwork weirdness. However, he’s still likely bound for his native country once the Sin City festivities are over. Kayil will wear No. 77 in Vegas.
While researching Kayil’s situation, I found that Knicks legend Rokas Jokubaitis was such a Summer League addict that he wore two different numbers (No. 0 and No. 32) for the organization.
Jeremy Sochan got a baby for winning the championship (h/t The Strickland)
Jonas Valanciunas is officially out there after Denver waived him on Wednesday, and the Knicks are among the teams monitoring him, per SNY’s Ian Begley. Emphasis mine:
“NYK was interested in Jonas Valanciunas in ‘24 offseason. ‘We had a lot of talks with different teams. New York (was) one of them,’ (Valanciunas) said then. NYK will have solid depth at center if Valanciunas, a former client of Leon Rose, chooses Knicks in his current free agency. He is among centers on their radar.“
If Valanciunas chooses another path, one of them goes through Lithuania.
If the Knicks choose another player to fill one of their two open roster spots, perhaps Nick Richards is the man. A awful lot of y’all in the comments section have mentioned him, and Sports Illustrated’s Joseph Randazzo made a case for it yesterday.
Josh Hart is all jokes and/but he is already over the Mitchell Robinson Celtics era.
Mitch, meanwhile, responded in a way that I’m not sure if it’s a joke or not… but at least I’m glad he hasn’t lost the little Knick inside of him.
Mitchell Robinson and a Celtics fan interact on Instagram
Fan: "He better be great…"
Mitch: "That's cool still sent that ass home remember that"
The Kawhi Leonard-to-Toronto trade is on hold until the NBA finishes investigating the Clippers’ alleged salary-cap circumvention tied to Aspiration. It’s gonna happen.
Jaylen Brown is literally still “processing” being shipped to Philadelphia, telling IShowSpeed during yesterday’s World Cup watch that Boston “packed me up” and that there is “no loyalty” and “no love.”
Charles Barkley joined Unfiltered on Wednesday and had a hilarious yet very real take on the Sixers-Celtics trade. He said Philadelphia. Part of it:
“I was like, ‘This can’t be a true story.’ There’s so much fake stuff on the internet now, I’m like, ‘Nah, they didn’t trade him to the Sixers,’” Barkley said. “Number one, you’re like ‘Wow.’ Secondly, you’re like, ‘Well, what’d they give up?’ They gave up Paul George and some draft picks. I says, ‘Man, the Sixers just got away with murder, man.’”
Boston Sports Guy Bill Simmons wants you to believe he knows more than he actually does.
In reality, nobody knows anything about what’s next for LeBron James. ESPN’s very own Shams Charania revealed that franchises in the race have only been allowed to send LBJ voice memos through Rich Paul.
OAKAAK Landry Fields has joined Project B, not to be confused with Project X.
Cam Reddish (yes, another member of the OAKAAK fraternity!) is back in Summer League with Orlando, seven years after being drafted No. 10 overall and hooping in Vegas at age 26.
LAS VEGAS — Fans filled the Thomas & Mack Center wanting a show. No. 1 vs. No. 2 — AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson — from the most heralded draft class in a decade (at least), going head to head. Fans wanted to see if these two were worth the hype.
The fans got what they wanted.
The No. 1 and No. 2 picks battled in Las Vegas tonight...
It wasn't always efficient — they shot a combined 13-of-36 — and both showed things they needed to work on (Peterson had eight turnovers, Dybantsa was 0-of-5 from 3-point range). However, fans who came to see if these guys could live up to the hype were not disappointed.
Dybantsa was the best player on the floor and finished with a game-high 27 points. However, what stood out — what will translate to the NBA and make him a force — is his fluid athleticism. He's graceful, but he was blowing past guys, and his ability to get downhill at his size is impressive — he just glides. It's not to say he can't be physical, but this isn't like watching a Jalen Brunson drive. This feels effortless.
He also had some impressive finishes at the rim — he is a tough shot maker, and it showed.
What was new, the part of his game that was not there a year ago, was Dybants's passing skills.
Dybantsa was comfortable with the ball in his hands, and for large parts of the game he was bringing the ball up and initiating the offense. It was effective; however, how much he will get to do that during the regular season is a question when they have Trae Young running the point.
Peterson had a rougher night. In the Salt Lake Summer League, he was completely under control when Memphis blitzed him and upped its ball pressure, but the Wizards' ball pressure threw Peterson off his game.
“We lost (92-88 Washington win), so it probably worked a little bit, but I'm expecting it," Peterson said. "Good to get used to it now, play against it now, and just growth."
Peterson seemed to be pressing a little in a showdown game, which led to a slow start, but he eventually found his rhythm. Ultimately, he showed his potential.
No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson's first NBA Summer League bucket comes via the sidestep triple
Peterson's young Sacramento running mate Ace Bailey remained out with a slight calf strain suffered in the first game of the Salt Lake City Summer League.
Dybantsa's young Washington running mate was there, last season's No. 6 pick Tre Johnson. He lived up to his reputation as a player who never saw a shot he didn't like, scoring 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting and taking very few passes. When Johnson got the ball he was looking to go up.
Never read too much into a Summer League game, but in the end Dybantsa and Peterson gave the fans what they wanted — a show. And flashes of the players they can be in a few years.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Morez Johnson #14 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on July 9, 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 Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Our in-season Grades coverage typically does not apply for Summer League games, but getting to see the Dallas Mavericks take on the Golden State Warriors in person alongside other members of the Mavs Moneyball staff makes for a special exception.
The vibe and atmosphere of Summer League games are definitely unique and special, and simply put, a lot of fun. Getting a glimpse of players that will certainly see playing time next season, as well as some potential diamond-in-the-rough members of the roster is a fun experience.
Grading someone like Ryan Nembhard with 60 games of NBA experience, against someone like Sergio De Larrea with zero games of NBA experience doesn’t quite jibe, so we’ll take a different approach this time around.
Let’s get to the grades!
Ryan Nembhard: Satisfactory
15 PTS / 3 REB / 11 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 35 MIN
Nembhard did what you would expect from him after watching him play on the big stage last year. His shot was a little rusty with a 6-for-15 showing, pulled down largely by a 1-for-6 from beyond the arc. To his credit, he was the only Maverick to post a double-double and he managed to dish a team high (by far)11 assists for a team that only shot 43% overall.
Sergio De Larrea: Needs Improvement
9 PTS / 6 REB / 5 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 29 MIN
This grade may seem a touch harsh for a young player who was in Spain about a week ago, who then came overseas to play with a team full of strangers. In other words, he put up a nice well-rounded stat line under what were surely stressful circumstances. The “Needs Improvement” was largely due to two factors. First, he was 3-for-14 from the field and 1-for-9 from deep, with many misses looking especially bad – but so be it; first game a few days after arriving in the country. Second, his handle does not look NBA-ready. Again, this adjustment for him can’t be understated, but he definitely struggled in this department. The good news is he showed real flashes at different spots during the game.
Morez Johnson, Jr.: Exceptional
27 PTS / 8 REB / 3 AST / 3 STL / 2 BLK – 26 MIN
Johnson was an absolute beast who put together an excellent game. He was arguably the best player on the floor for either team. At one point I turned to fellow Mavs Moneyball staffer, Matt Martinez, and commented that Johnson appeared to be on a slightly different level than most of the other players. You could tell he had a good court sense, positioned himself well, rotated well, and just simply appeared NBA-ready. The only knock on his game was seven fouls (in Summer League, each player is allowed more than six fouls), but even that spoke to his willingness to play defense and help on rotations. I fully expect he will clean that up. Johnson showed up in a big way and Mavs’ fans should be excited for what he can bring.
Tobi Lawal: Meets Expectations
5 PTS / 4 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 14 MIN
The “Meets Expectations” grade here is a bit loaded, as those very expectations are subjective. He bricked two of the three three-point attempts he took, bringing his overall shooting to 2-for-6, but had a solid game in limited minutes. There is raw talent that can certainly be harnessed into a serviceable (or better?) NBA player. He showed some defensive chops and demonstrated some high-flying freakish athleticism. Whether his ceiling is a player like Moussa Cisse, Dereck Lively, or beyond, is yet to be determined, but there is definitely something there.
John Poulakidas: Satisfactory
14 PTS / 2 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 24 MIN
Poulakidas did what he does, and that is shoot. He didn’t do it especially well (5-for-15 overall; 4-for-12 from deep), but adjusting for Summer League and the squad of unfamiliars he was playing with, we can afford him the benefit of the doubt. There isn’t much to say about his game, but it was at the very least solid as he showed he remains the player he was last season.
Vsevolod Ishchenko: To Be Determined
7 PTS / 3 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 27 MIN
I simply can’t come up with a better grade for Ishchenko, as he was a bit of an enigma. Watching the game live, it felt like he had a much bigger impact than the box score would indicate. He seemed a little less bulky than he appeared to me in photos, and he was a bit timid – like De Larrea, to be expected under the circumstances of having arrived in a new country to play with strangers mere days ago. He definitely did not strike me as a player who is years away from seeing NBA minutes; it seems he will improve simply by way of adjusting to a lot of change, and that leaves me feeling hopeful.
Final Thoughts
This was day one of a squad of guys who have zero NBA minutes under their belt. With all things considered, it was a lot of fun and there were a lot of flashes of what many of these players could become. Where De Larrea may have felt a bit disappointing (again, I think we can afford him a good amount of grace), Johnson was spectacular. There is fun to be had with these guys and we’ll hopefully see more of it on Saturday night.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
While some Lakers teammates, such as Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić, thanked James for the time they shared, other teams and players have begun making their pitch to James.
Several teams interested in signing James have been able to send a voice note to James, via his agent Rich Paul, making their pitch, according to ESPN’s Sham Charania.
Warriors guard Stephen Curry was out at the American Century Championship golf event in Nevada on Thursday, July 9, when he was asked about potentially playing with James.
"The pitch is: Do you want to play good basketball and be around people who know how to play the game? Raise our floor, our competitiveness this year. There’s good golf in the Bay,” Curry said.
James has been seen on social media spending a lot of time on the golf course early this summer.
Steph Curry on the Warriors’ chances at LeBron James: “I don’t have a percentage. It’s kinda up to him.”
“The pitch is: Do you want to play good basketball and be around people who know how to play the game? Raise our floor, competitiveness...There’s good golf in the Bay.” pic.twitter.com/6R4pA28Hbj
Jaylen Brown of the 76ers also mentioned James while making an appearance on IShowSpeed's Twitch live stream while attending the World Cup game between France and Morocco at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Brown was seen telling Speed to pitch James: “You have to tell LeBron that he has to pull up.”
“LeBron, pull up to Philly,” Speed said. “Think about it. LeBron. Jaylen Brown.”
