SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Trey Alexander #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 03, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to Jake Fischer, the Utah Jazz have signed Trey Alexander to a two-way contract.
The Utah Jazz are signing Trey Alexander to a two-way contract, according to league sources. The Creighton product has played for Denver and New Orleans over the past two seasons.
Alexander is a 6’5” guard who played at Creighton. His last two seasons have been with New Orleans and Denver, where he’s played a total of 33 games. His sample size last season is just 9 games, so it’s a small sample size. But those numbers are a solid 51.4% from the field and 50% from three. Again, those are small sample sizes, but his numbers increased since his rookie season, and the hope would be that they could continue to improve.
Utah is in a position now to take chances on players with potential, and if you can find a diamond in the rough, it can be a game-changer. Maybe they get play time and can help the team with depth during the season. Or, if they become a player who can hold their own on the floor, they can either trade them or make other moves that improve the team.
Right now, the Jazz are on a big upward trend. Darryn Peterson looks like the missing piece Utah has been hoping for. The starting unit will go through a lot of changes, but the other things that need to happen are improvements around the edges of the lineups. If Utah can hit on different ancillary moves, it can extend the current era much longer. Jazz fans can only hope that one of these two-way contracts ends up being a contributing addition to the team. If they do, it gives a team an edge that can take them over the top.
SACRAMENTO, CA - JULY 5: Hunter Sallis #55 of the Brooklyn Nets plays defense during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during a 2026 NBA California Classic game on July 5, 2026 at Golden 1 Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Brooklyn Nets don’t have offensive or defensive coordinators, but it’s been widely known around HSS Training Center that he’s a guy whose forte is stopping the other team from scoring, whether in practices or at the end of games. As Brooklyn’s Summer League head coach in Sacramento and Las Vegas, that’s what to expect and in the two games so far in the California Classic, that’s been what has drawn attention.
In both the last minute loss to to the Sacramento Kings Saturday night and Sunday afternoon’s 89-69 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, announcers were buzzing about how the Nets defense was thwarting the other squad particularly with physicality.
Sunday’s win was particularly gratifying for Gaitley for a number of reasons. It was a homecoming. He had worked for the Kings before joining Jordi Fernandez in Brooklyn and although there was good defense played against Sacramento and Darius Acuff through most of the game Saturday, in the end, they blew a lead and walked off the court a loser. Not so on Sunday. The Nets after a slow start got out in front early and just kept rolling. By games end, Gaitley’s charges had held Milwaukee to 24-of-74 shooting, 32.4%.
The difference: “They did a better job with second chance points but as far as clearing the glass, we did pretty good.” Defense was the only improvement, either…
Nets Coach Gaitley on the team's improvement: "Big offensive improvement. We also talked about sharing the ball,22 assists. 22 assists on 35 made field goals."
The Nets had 8 total assists against the Kings yesterday.
And perhaps the most gratifying part of the big win was who Gaitley did it with. No Mikel Brown Jr., Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, Joshua Jefferson, Tyler Bilodeau, Chaney Johnson! Who’s left you might ask. Well, Gaitley started with a hodge-podge of Exhibit 10s —Ben Humrichous, a 6’9” sniper and Duke Brennan, a 6’10” big — plus a trio of G League vets — John Ukamadu, a 6’5” wing who played for the Motor City Cruise; Hunter Sallis, a 6’4” guard who played for the San Diego Clippers (who’s also James Harden’s cousin) and Dwight Murray Jr. a 6’0” point guard from the College Park Skyhawks. Not the A list.
Coming off the bench another Exhibit 10: Dion Brown, another wing at 6’4” from St. Louis and 6’9” Dain Dainja who along with Brennan supplied the heft needed for the physicality.
It was Humrichous who supplied the scoring early. Brooklyn went down 12-4 early, not surprising considering how new they were to each other. At that point, the Illinois product who played with Keaton Wagler last season, decided the game was his, reeling off three straight threes. The rout was on…
Former Illinois forward Ben Humrichous showed off his shooting ability for the Brooklyn Nets in their Summer League win
Humrichous, who mostly came off the bench in Illinois, talked about how grateful he is for the opportunity.
Humrichous on the Nets' 1st Summer League win: "All the glory to God.Such a fun opportunity to go out there & play for the Nets organization today.Really proud of our team's effort,the way that we that we guarded,the way that we shared the ball the way that we made Hustle plays.” pic.twitter.com/Wyd1ZnPbyB
Like the rest of the benchwarmers turned winners, the Summer League is going to be key to their futures and not just the three draft picks and three Exhibit 10’s. The leagues are among the most scouted in the NBA. Teams from Europe and Asia in particular are looking for talent…
Coach Dutch Gaitley on how the team's play in Summer League impacts them staying with the team:
"I think what we're trying to do here is we're trying to put them in the best position to be successful & whether that's with Brooklyn or whether that's with another ball club.” pic.twitter.com/fuoRAVrG9C
Humrichous was one of five Nets in double figures. He and Sallis finished with 15 each, Murray Jr. had 14 and the two bigs, Brennan and Dainja had 10 each, Brennan adding 12 boards for a double double. The two dominated underneath.
Next up
The back-to-back-to-back ends Monday night at 8:00 p.m. ET with a game vs. the Warriors. According to Gaitley, it looks like that the Nets will be at full force and that includes Brown Jr.
“That is above my pay grade. I think the plan is that he is going to play; but I don’t make the final decisions,” said the head coach.
Mar 13, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Fans gather outside prior to the start of the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The big news early out of July 4th in Sacramento, California, was that Mikel Brown Jr., the Brooklyn Nets highest draft pick in 16 years, would not play — and won’t play again till Monday, missing Sunday’s action as well as Saturday’s. Later though the big news was not what Brown didn’t do, but what Egor Demin did do in his 23 minutes and 46 seconds. He changed his narrative.
The player who many saw last year as unwilling or unable to touch the paint, finish the play over and over again. The added weight and muscle may have been one reason for the difference, but clearly so was his confidence in himself not just as an NBA player but as a leader…
He spoke to our Shara Talia Taylor specifically about how he wants to be seen this year: someone capable of handling pressure…
Egor Dëmin on his motivation today: "I don't want to say pressure,you know of being a leader,but I'm kind of embracing the role of a guy who spent the year in the NBA already.I want to take that role on myself coming here&lead the team,mentally,on the bench&on the court as well." pic.twitter.com/yCD6NJo2N7
This is of course would be the second time the 6’9.5” Russian has changed his narrative. When he was drafted, the league saw him as the prospect with perhaps the best court vision in his class but a woeful outside shooter. The Nets, however, dismissed that concern and he proved them right. He was along with Kon Knueppel, the best volume 3-point shooter among rookies, closely following Knueppel in the race to become the fastest player in NBA history to 100 threes and setting a rookie record for most consecutive games with a 3-pointer.
Instead the concerns were that he wasn’t getting to the paint and finishing. How much of that was his issue and how much was the Nets offensive structure was cause for some debate. And the plantar fasciitis troubled him during last summer and again at the end of the season. Was that a factor? He seems healthy now and more mature. He’s less that gangly, almost goofy kid. Last month, in one example of personal growth, he was baptized into the Mormon faith.
It all bodes well for him and the organization as does the prospect of a Demin/Brown backcourt with both capable of being lead guard. There are still going to be issues going forward, some of which Lucas Kaplan touched on at the end of last season in his retrospective but as a senior NBA decision-maker told ND early last season, “You’ll see development sooner than years end…. But in 3-4 years when you have actual players around him, you will really really see it.” Progress.
On the other hand, there were some cringeworthy moments for one of the two other members of the Flatbush 5 who played vs. the Kings. Drake Powell had some nice moments early guarding Darius Acuff but offensively, he was horrid. No other way to put it. He was 0-of-9 including five misses without a make from deep and turned the ball over four times in 27 minutes, tied for most on the team with Ben Saraf who also showed early on defense had a reputable if not spectacular offensive game.
Is Free Agency over? Or delayed a year?
Bottom line: we don’t know.
It’s fair to say that the Nets made their big off-season moves early, trading Nic Claxton and the 33rd pick (Isaiah Evans) in a three-team deal with Minnesota and Chicago that yielded Julius Randle and the 28th pick (Joshua Jefferson), then picked Mikel Brown at No. 6 which was the consensus pick and was applauded by most of the fan base. They filled things out by taking Jefferson and then at No. 43, UCLA sharpshooter Tyler Bilodeau who they promptly signed to a two-way.
Since then, they made two moves to add players to their rotation: 3-and-D point guard Keon Ellis and stretch-5 big Moe Wagner. Neither got the fan base nor pundits very much excited but a couple of league sources liked, if not loved, the additions, particularly in light of their reps as good locker room guys in a locker room which once again is looking like the league’s youngest. Currently, the Nets average age is something like 23.4 years old.
Moreover, the two will have “mutual options” next Summer, an odd contract wrinkle. A mutual option guarantees each player the full amount of the deal while allowing either side to opt-in (not opt-out) and have a conversation about a new contract next summer.
At the moment, capologists estimate that the Nets have a minimum of about $25 million in cap space left as Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron tweeted after news of the agreements with Ellis and Wagner:
This $25 million cap space projection doesn't include the Julius Randle trade yet. They could spend that amount, then trade Nic Claxton for him.
The Nets would need to include another small salary with Claxton to make the salary-matching work. They're $917,000 short. https://t.co/tuMmqsTPy1
That number is mushy, as Gozlan notes, and that will likely remain so until at least Monday, the official start of free agency. Here’s why: The Nets haven’t completed the Randle/Claxton trade and won’t be able to officially sign Ellis or Wagner until the clock strikes midnight Monday morning. That trade can be — and likely will be — expanded on Monday and within that possibility there are all manner of permutations, additions, etc., that can make for a much bigger trade. It’s also the opening of free agency
The Kevin Durant trade between Phoenix and Houston last season started off as a two-man deal, then ultimately expanded to seven teams, including the Nets trade of the rights of Adou Thiero, their No. 36 in the 2025 Draft to the Suns for two future firsts (one of whom became Tyler Bilodeau.)
Expect to start hearing news on that in the next few hours or by tomorrow. So stay tuned. Once the deal is done, Joshua Jefferson will be able to suit up since he’s part of the deal. He’s the 28th pick that the Nets wound up with in the exchange.
At the moment, the only rumor out there is Nets interest in Rui Hachimura, the Lakers big, but that seems unlikely in that the 6’9” forward doesn’t fit much of a need — he played most of last year at the 3 and 4 with an occasional few minutes at the 5 — and he made $18.3 million last season.
As for Peyton Watson, long rumored as a Nets target, the Nuggets are trying to find a way to keep him around, but will risk going over the second apron to keep him. On the other side of that risk assessment, they risk losing Nikola Jokic who has made it clear he wants to win. Recent reports indicate Watson wants a deal in excess of $25 million. That’s doable, of course, for Brooklyn and Joe Tsai.
Watson hasn’t been seen in the Denver area of late. He’s been sailing the Mediterranean on a yacht with his old friend and Nuggets teammate Michael Porter Jr.! Would like to have been a fly on that wall!
Sunday, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Nuggets are open to a sign-and-trade if they can’t make a deal with Watson.
The Denver Nuggets intend to match any offers for restricted free agent Peyton Watson when the NBA’s moratorium lifts on Monday, said league sources who were granted anonymity to discuss the ongoing negotiations.
Yet as the Nuggets and Watson’s agent, Rich Paul of the Klutch Sports Group, have continued to be apart in negotiations for a new contract, sources say Denver is also very open to the prospect of a sign-and-trade for the 23-year-old forward.
As Amick also noted, Brooklyn and the L.A. Clippers are the only teams with enough cap space to tender an offer to Watson, but if it becomes a sign-and-trade, there likely will be others.
While it’s unclear how many teams are pursuing Watson, only the Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers have the salary-cap space to submit the offer sheet he wants. The Clippers, league sources said, have shown legitimate interest in Watson but are also navigating their own restricted free agency situation with Bennedict Mathurin, which complicates matters. Several teams are known to have registered interest in a sign-and-trade for Watson.
Brooklyn of course has one asset among many to lure the Nuggets: Denver’s 2032 unprotected first rounder. The Nuggets are bereft of firsts.
However, it is also possible that this is it for the Nets front office. They will have 15 players with guaranteed deals if the trade goes down as originally described and with with Ellis and Wagner signed.
It would signal that while the tank is over, the rebuild will continue into next Summer when the free agent pool is deeper. In fact, it is insanely deep. At the moment, no Nets player has more than two years left on his contract, although Sean Marks & co. will have to make decisions on each of the Flatbush 5 come October 31. That’s the date that first rounders selected in the 2025 Draft can be extended beyond their second year. And they have yet to trade any of their 35 Draft picks this off-season and if things don’t change, they’ll go into the season under the cap. Flexibility continues.
We shall see … and soon.
Final Note
July 4th weekend is over and the Nets are 1-1 in the California Classic which choses tomorrow with a game between the Nets and Warriors Monday night. It’s a late one, 8:00 p.m. ET. Then it’s on to Las Vegas where the Nets play the Knicks on July 10. After Vegas, there won’t be any Nets games for nearly four months. Enjoy them. Four months is a long time.
Lakers forward Adou Thiero, center, drives between Golden State's Lajae Jones, left, and Yaxel Lendeborg during an NBA summer league game on Friday. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
At 22 years old, Adou Thiero can barely believe he’s fielding the questions meant for veterans. This is still the Lakers forward’s first summer league after all.
The former second-round pick is suddenly one of the Lakers’ primary summer league players and hopes to use the experience as an important stepping stone, building up his game while also establishing a leadership voice.
Thiero, who missed last year’s summer league because of a knee injury, had 13 points in the Lakers’ thrilling, 93-91 double-overtime win over the Miami Heat on Sunday at Chase Center. Instead of his NBA role as a defensive spark plug who adds a jolt of athleticism off the bench, Thiero showed his unselfish playmaking Sunday while working with rookie Cameron Carr, who had 26 points and eight rebounds on four-of-nine three-point shooting.
Thiero, a 6-foot-7 forward, ignited the offense down the stretch Sunday. He is a threat to drive to the rim, and when combined with Carr’s shooting ability, the two-man game creates confusion for defenses, Lakers summer league coach Ty Abbott said.
“That’s a dynamic partnership between the two of them,” said Abbott, who got doused with water in the locker room after his first win as a head coach. “They did a really good job of playing with each other. There’s a good connection there. Adou, being unselfish, finds him and they just kind of play from there. The connection that they have and their unselfishness for the two of them to work together, after, you know, five days, is great. Love to see that.”
Carr missed a midrange jumper that could have won the game in double overtime, but center Anton Watson grabbed the rebound and scored the winning tip-in. Watson finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Carr, the 24th pick in last month’s draft who had a team-high 19 points in Friday’s season opener, has been “a sponge” with his questions, Thiero said.
“I can answer some of these questions, but I’m still asking questions myself,” Thiero said Friday. “So we going to have to learn this, learn everything together.”
Friday marked Thiero’s first five-on-five game in months — and it looked like it.
The second-year forward was held to nine points on three-of-10 shooting with four rebounds. With the grace of a bull in a china shop, Thiero flung himself toward the rim. He forced up difficult shots. The super athletic forward who thrilled fans with his highlight-reel dunks last season took a hard landing on one wild drive during the first half and limped toward the bench. Thiero, who returned in the second half, said he landed on a bruise he recently sustained in practice.
After spending the offseason working on his three-point shot, Thiero has attempted only three three-pointers during summer league. Gaining confidence and consistency in his shot was Thiero’s top priority after a rookie season that included just three three-point attempts.
“Just trying to go out there and keep getting comfortable,” Thiero said of his summer league goals. “Keep figuring out how I could be an impact.”
With the top teams digging deeper into the benches for late playoff runs, developing young players has never been more important. The Lakers were eliminated by Oklahoma City, who relied on standout performances from young guards Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell to overcome a quiet series from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and an injury to Jalen Williams.
After the season ended, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka cited Mitchell’s progression between the guard’s first and second years as a model for player development the Lakers wanted to emulate.
Thiero is the Lakers’ current second-year project. Now fully healthy after knee injuries plagued his rookie season, Thiero’s versatility in summer league could potentially translate to regular-season minutes.
“You got to be kind of a jack-of-all-trades,” Abbott said, “and understand what your role is, what your strengths are, what your weaknesses are, and be able to build up on that.”
Defensively, coaches have asked Thiero to create havoc, he said. He obliged late in the fourth quarter Sunday, forcing a turnover that allowed guard Chris Mañon to breakaway for the tying layup with 28 seconds left.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: Cameron Carr #43 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a three-point shot against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Chase Center on July 03, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a late comeback in the fourth quarter to tie the game, the Lakers needed a couple of extra sessions to earn the win, that coming on a putback layup from Anton Watson.
Anton Watson with the game-winning putback, giving the Lakers the 93-91 victory over the Heat: pic.twitter.com/B3mEWpLw6S
Many of the same issues that existed in Friday’s game persisted on Sunday, which should not be surprising. While Cameron Carr opened the game with a floater off a nice set play, the Lakers were largely relegated to long-range shots the rest of the quarter.
Watson, Peter Suder and Carr all connected on 3-pointers, but the Heat found offense much easier to come by and opened up an early 10-point lead. Eventually, some defensive stops and a couple of baskets in the paint pulled LA with a possession at 20-17, but Miami closed the quarter with the final six points.
That run only extended to open the second as Miami moved ahead again by double digits as part of an 11-2 run in total. A Thiero freebie accounted for two points to stop the run.
LA’s bizarre zone defense was somehow worse than their man-to-man as the Heat got an open three and an open lob on consecutive possessions.
Carr did his best to keep the purple and gold attached, getting a friendly roll on a three before hitting a pull-up jumper to bring him to 12 first-half points.
Cam Carter hits a 3-pointer, Cameron Carr wastes no time and hits a 3 of his own, Vladislav Goldin with the alley-oop dunk (with replays), and Carr with the jumper.
The Lakers got off to another slow offensive start in the second half, including Adou Thiero getting blocked at the rim on a fastbreak dunk attempt. Watson got revenge with a huge poster dunk for an and-one for the first Lakers points of the half.
Carr continued his strong showing, converting his free throw after being fouled on a three before getting to the rim for a dunk. Thiero then had a steady stream of drives to the rim to draw fouls and get in a rhythm as well.
However, the Lakers still trailed by 10 going into the fourth.
After some back-and-forth action in the fourth, the Lakers finally pieced together a run. Zhaire Smith started it with an and-one dunk before a Thiero layup. Carr also converted a 1-for-2 free throw to pull within three.
From there, the teams traded big shots, including a long-distance Carr 3-pointer to keep the Lakers attached.
Carr putting on a show here in Chase center. Hits his fourth three of the night.
Down four with under a minute left, Chris Mañon forced a pair of turnovers leading to two fastbreak layups to tie the game. The Lakers made it three straight forced turnovers, but could not come away with a basket, leading to overtime.
In the two-minute extra session, Mañon answered a Heat basket with a pair of free throws before Thiero answered a Heat floater to keep the game tied. Miami had a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left, but missed both.
Thiero created an open layup for Watson off a drive on the ensuing possession, but he could not get the gimme to fall. The Heat tried a lob from the in-bound but turned it over, setting up a sudden death double overtime period.
The Lakers won the tip, setting up a Carr pull-up jumper. While the shot bounced short, Watson got the putback to fall for the walk-off win.
Key Player Stats
Carr continued his great Summer League showing, pouring in 26 points on 7-15 shooting, including 4-9 shooting from range. Thiero had 13 points with three rebounds, two assists and three steals, going 4-7 at the free throw line.
Mañon and Watson had 12 points each while Smith had 10 points off the bench. Suder finished the game with seven points and five rebounds while AK Okereke had seven points as well.
On the photo posted of the two sharing their latest news, it was captioned: “The future Kessler’s. Let’s get y’all married!!!”
Kessler and Stockard met a little over two years ago after his mother snapped a photo of her during a basketball game and then set him up to later message her on Instagram.
From there, the rest is history.
In 2025, Stockard was crowned Miss America, leaving Kessler speechless as he’s admitted, “Dating Miss America was not on my bingo card.”
With Kessler and Stockard taking their relationship to the next level, Stockard might spend more time in Los Angeles. Kessler was recently acquired by the Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal with the Jazz.
Lakers newly acquired center Walker Kessler got engaged during Fourth of July weekend. Getty Images
Kessler’s contract will pay him $130 million over the next four years.
The Lakers have been trying to find a big man who suits Luka Dončić’s playing style, and Kessler is that man.
During the Lakers’ search for a big man, it was coming down to Kessler and the Pistons’ Jalen Duren. The Pistons have been reluctant to move Duren, which forced the Lakers to shift their attention toward Kessler.
Since being selected with the No. 22 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Kessler, 7-foot-2 and 245 pounds, has averaged 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks over 25.3 minutes through 201 regular-season games.
Mitchell Robinson was in doubt to start the NBA Finals after undergoing surgery on his hand in the week before the series began. While he played through it — and played a key role in the Knicks' title — the cause of the injury was never explained.
Until now, when Robinson explained it in a Facebook post on Sunday.
"To provide some context, I had been dealing with personal issues, relationship problems, and internal struggles, which affected my performance on the basketball court...Without going into details about my upbringing, I am extremely protective of my siblings, whom I care for deeply.
"Upon returning to New York [after eliminating Cleveland], I received an unexpected phone call, and my family members contacted me, informing me that my youngest brother had been involved in a car accident. I did not see the messages until I arrived home late that night. As the eldest sibling, I felt a deep sense of concern, and I immediately went into panic mode. I began returning calls and texts, and when I FaceTimed my brother, I thought he was deceased. He was wearing a neck brace, unresponsive, and not speaking. I broke down in tears, feeling like a failure for not being able to protect my siblings. Being 910 miles away, I felt helpless. In a moment of frustration, I banged my hand on my truck...
"After consulting with doctors, I was able to gain the confidence in myself to go in and get the job done and WE DID 2026 NBA CHAMPS. so at the end of the day I battled with so much throughout this season even made a huge sacrifice to not see my daughter as much this season because I needed to focus and lock in so she can have a better future than I did. ❤️"
Robinson is a very private person, and this could not have been easy for him to write. It was also a very human, understandable reaction to incredibly frightening news.
Mitchell signed with the Celtics as a free agent this offseason. Boston offered him a raise, while the Knicks were never going to be able to keep the roster together and stay below the second apron of the luxury tax (as demanded by owner James Dolan).
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 04: Kira Lewis Jr. #26 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes in for a layup against the Golden State Warriors during the second half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Golden 1 Center on July 04, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Bucks were blown out 89-69 in their second game in the California Classic on Sunday afternoon. Missing rookies Brayden Burries, Nate Ament, and Malique Lewis, Milwaukee was led by B.J. Boston (18 points, 3 boards) and Kira Lewis Jr. (13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists). Ben Humrichous and Hunter Sallis led the Nets with 15 points each. The Bucks will face Sacramento in their final California Classic tune-up before traveling to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League.
The Bucks started the game with undrafted free agent Boopie Miller, Zack Austin, Kobe Stewart, Boston, and John Butler Jr. on the court. The Nets started Dwight Murray Jr., Sallis, John Ukomadu, Humrichous, and Duke Brennan. Brooklyn rested Egor Dëmin, Drake Powell, and Ben Saraf, who all played yesterday against the Sacramento Kings.
The Bucks jumped out to a 12-4 lead early in the game off buckets from Boston and Austin. Boston, who poured in a game-high 17 points against the Warriors Blue Team yesterday, looked on fire again, showcasing his crafty finishing and smooth jumper. However, after a timeout, Brooklyn stormed back to take the lead, profiting off steals in the backcourt. Humrichous put the Nets ahead, 29-24, with a buzzer-beating three at the end of the first quarter.
The Bucks began to falter in the second quarter. The Nets forced a couple of turnovers and made some gutsy hustle plays, and the ball movement that pushed them to their win over the Warriors was frequently broken up. Brooklyn brought relentless defense from the likes of Dion Brown and Sallis, and they caught fire from three-point land. On the Milwaukee end, Miller and two-way signee Rafael Castro went cold and struggled to make offense work. The Bucks had their bright moments, like Luke Travers’ transition three and an emphatic block from Butler, but Brooklyn outplayed them throughout the second quarter. The Nets entered halftime on top, 54-36.
The Bucks started the second half looking to trim Brooklyn’s lead down to single digits. Boston started to heat up again from the outside, but it still seemed like Brooklyn was having their way from the perimeter, whether that was firing off uncontested jumpers or slashing to the rim and converting point-blank floaters. Eventually, Milwaukee grew more aggressive, fighting through screens and poking through dribbles to disrupt Brooklyn’s offense. Kuany Kuany, a former VCU Ram who played professionally in Australia and Croatia, stood out for his work ethic, hustling for offensive rebounds and diving for loose balls. However, Brooklyn didn’t budge despite the increased intensity. The Nets pieced together an 8-0 run to finish the third quarter up 72-54.
The game slowed down in the fourth quarter as Brooklyn sat on their lead. The Bucks’ offense still looked a bit clunky, especially when they were trying to create opportunities for each other. They turned the ball over, often through unforced errors, and many possessions came down to one-on-one iso ball, resulting in long-range, low-percentage shots. On defense, Brooklyn exposed Milwaukee’s screen defense, barreling down the lane for wide-open dunks when Milwaukee hesitated to switch. Milwaukee continued to face-guard and press Brooklyn high up the floor, but it was all for naught, as Brooklyn protected their huge lead.
Stat That Stood Out
The Bucks committed 13 turnovers against 15 assists, pointing to the Bucks’ sloppy passing and general lack of offensive ideas on Sunday afternoon.
LeBron James is golfing. He’s trolling comedian Kevin Hart. He’s watching his daughter swim. He’s celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 Cavaliers team he carried to the franchise’s only title.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on him, dissecting his social media posts as though they were clues in an Escape Room.
LeBron James is about to enter his unprecedented 24th NBA season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Even though James is about to turn 42 and enter his unprecedented 24th NBA season, his free agency has overshadowed Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded to Miami and the stunning news that the Celtics swapped Jaylen Brown for Paul George.
More than two decades into his career, he’s still the biggest story in the NBA.
He might be the biggest sports story in America, with speculation about his next move overshadowing Americans’ ephemeral interest in the men’s national soccer team and generating more headlines than Travis Kelce’s and Taylor Swift’s wedding. His star hasn’t faded at all with time. If anything, it has grown brighter.
Some people may be rolling their eyes. But they’re still on the edge of their seats waiting to see what he’s going to do.
Some people may want James to retire. But his name is still in their mouths.
Like it or not, James is still the center of the sports universe. We’ve watched him for so long that he has become a part of our lives. He has lived in our living rooms for two decades. We’ve spent more time with him than with many family members.
James may be the only person in the world whom both your grandma and your 3-year-old son know by name.
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Love or hate him, James is as American as hotdogs and fireworks on the Fourth of July. He’s our homegrown hero. We’ve rooted for (or against) him since he was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft at age 18.
James carried the Lakers to a first-round playoff victory over the Rockets. Getty Images
We’re still wowed by him two decades later, such as when he led the Lakers to a 3-0 series lead over the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves a few months ago.
Forget the debate over whether James or Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. James is engaged in a much tougher competition: a two-horse race with Father Time.
After all these years, he’s still him.
James still generates as much interest as when he was an unstoppable force who led the Heat and Cavaliers to eight straight NBA Finals. He may have one foot out the door, but he’s still the face of the league.
For almost everyone else, star power fades with time. Young hotshots usurp bigger names. There’s a natural turning of the page.
While the NBA is technically in good hands with superstar Victor Wembanyama chomping at the bit to become the next face of the league, it’s hard to imagine anyone ever comparing to James in terms of longevity or fame.
No one captures our imagination like LeBron. No one annoys us more than him. No one excites us like him. He’s always on the tip of our tongues. He owns real estate in the peripheries of our minds.
It’s remarkable when you think about it.
James isn’t ready to retire yet, but he won’t conclude his career with the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
If there’s one thing that’s more impressive than James’ talent on the court, it’s his ability to draw eyeballs like moths to a light.
Maybe you were celebrating his four championships, overjoyed when he became the league’s all-time scorer and choking back tears when he became the only player in NBA history to play alongside his son, Bronny.
Or maybe you were annoyed when he announced his departure from the Cavaliers in 2010 in an over-the-top TV special, disillusioned when he created a super team in Miami and thought he was a sell-out when he took his talents to the Lakers.
Either way, you were watching.
And when James finally retires, the TV series that has gripped us for two decades will come to an abrupt end. It’s going to leave a hole in our lives that nobody else could fill.
Jan 23, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) defends against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images
Well, well, well, that didn’t take long. Mr. Grass is Always Greener Kevin Durant, who came to the Houston Rockets just last season, is already gazing longingly at another franchise and potential teammate, as Brett Siegel of Clutch Point is reporting that Durant has a desire to go to Detroit and play with Cade Cunningham. In addition, apparently the Rockets do not view Durant as untouchable and are more than willing to trade him if the right offer comes around (come on, Detroit).
Siegel said:
“Whether or not the Rockets look to continue their partnership with Durant is the big question at large, especially since they don’t view him as an untouchable talent in trade talks on their roster, Houston viewed the opportunity to acquire Durant as a way to upgrade from Jalen Green and bridge the gaps in their lineup to contend in the West, but by no means was this addition viewed as a long-term commitment.
“Many around the league are skeptical of the Rockets wanting to keep Durant through the end of his current contract running through the 2027-28 season, It isn’t a secret to anyone that there were tensions between Durant and the Rockets’ locker room last season after reports of an alleged burner account came to light and frustrations were mounting internally about the team not taking a step forward with the former league MVP at the helm.”
As for the wish for Cade, Siegel said this:
“If Durant becomes available in any capacity or the Rockets look at possible trades involving him either now or in the near future, the Pistons are fully expected to be at the front of the line to bid on his services.”
“Two league sources with knowledge of the situation told ClutchPoints that the Pistons were set on figuring out a path to land Durant, but nothing ever materialized in this three-team idea, nor did anything appear possible in brief discussions with only Houston. Perhaps the greatest detail to emerge from all of these rumors is that Durant has interest in playing alongside Pistons star Cade Cunningham.”
Does any of this sound familiar? It’s the same old story, same old song and dance for Durant. Never happy anywhere, it’s always everyone else, and this morning’s KD dump smelled like candy and roses.
Last year, it was playing with Alperen Sengun that was going be good for KD. It took all of one season for us to hear about Durant flirting with the next girl (sorry, Cade).
As far as I am concerned, the sooner KD hits the road, the sooner the Rockets can get back to building a team for the present and the long term, and not a collection of guys standing around and watching KD throw his arms up in the air and act all exasperated when he doesn’t get the ball or the shot. Or the Rockets standing around and watching KD go to work. Either way, the team stands around and watches KD, and that’s not good for anyone but Durant, which we all know is KD’s only concern, but that wasn’t the temperament of this team before he got here, despite the fact there have been too few offensive sets in both the before and after KD scenarios.
Some of this does indeed fall on Ime Udoka for not having an offensive gameplan and for not stepping in to address the locker room concerns, but anyone who doesn’t think there have been chemistry issues since the burner scandal just hasn’t been paying attention.
This team lost more than just Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green when they traded for Durant, they lost their identity. Most of you know that I was against the KD move at the time, warmed up to it slightly through the first 20 games or so when the Rockets started off 15-5, then went to — trade KD at all costs.
We all know KD is gonna KD, and if there’s one thing we should have learned with Durant after all these years and all the nonsense that comes along with rostering him is that where there is KD smoke, there is almost always fire.
And honestly, as far as I am concerned, if there’s fire with KD, Cade and the Pistons, that’s the best news of the offseason.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: The sneakers worn by Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Even if the Lakers are going to have quite the task this summer to replace LeBron James’ production, isn’t nice to finally not be held hostage during the summer?
While many teams around the league are lining up to put themselves in a situation that appeals to LeBron, the Lakers are going about their business any care in the world to what he is doing in free agency. Being able to ignore Rich Paul’s terrible basketball takes and LeBron’s cryptic social media posts is like breaths of fresh air this offseason.
However, LA could still be roped into things once LeBron does make a choice. While Sr. is no longer on the Lakers’ roster, Jr. is, at least for now. Once LeBron makes his decision, one of the next questions will be whether Bronny follows him to his new team.
And those franchises interested in LeBron are already making those calculations. According to NBA reporter Jake Fischer, the Cavs are keeping open a roster spot for Bronny, should they land LeBron.
One conspiracy whisper making the rounds: They want to make sure that they have open roster spots to be able to trade for the Lakers’ Bronny James in the event that they are able to welcome Dad back as a free agent signee.
While Bronny and LeBron teaming back up again is an easy assumption to make, there are a lot of pieces to this, still. Does LeBron want that? Does Bronny? Surely that’ll be discussed between them before any pseudo demands are made.
After that, the Lakers will need to be convinced to trade Bronny. All jokes about him aside, he has developed significantly with the Lakers, who used a second round pick on him. While he’s far from untradeable, obviously, the Lakers would seek compensation back for him. LeBron is gone. There’s no reason to appease him anymore by simply handing Bronny over to the Cavs.
It would be a situation that the team landing LeBron would basically have to work out and the Lakers shouldn’t exactly hold Bronny hostage, but it’s a situation that could lead to LA getting more than would be expected for a player taken in the late second round who hasn’t broken into the rotation in his first two seasons.
Given how few draft assets the Lakers have, though, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to trade Bronny for a handful of second round picks, for example. Depending on where LA is in their roster-building this summer, it could prove extra beneficial in helping them open up some more cap space.
It would also be fine if he stuck around, too. There’s a decent chance LeBron and Bronny are neither all that enamored anymore about playing with each other. Those days are gone and, perhaps, Bronny is interested in carving his own path now.
He has familiarity with the Lakers. He wouldn’t be under the shadow of his father anymore. And he’s on the fringes of being in the rotation in LA. Would those same opportunities exist elsewhere?
I won’t sit here and pretend to know Bronny or LeBron’s thinking. They could just as easily enjoy playing together and want to do it again. And if that’s the case, the Lakers have more leverage in a trade.
So, while the Lakers are mostly free from the drama of a LeBron James summer, there are still some lasting ripple effects that could still create some waves this offseason.
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 23: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This was a complicated season for Donovan Mitchell. The Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t in a position to make a deep playoff run if Mitchell doesn’t carry them through a turbulent regular season. Simultaneously, the disappointing four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals can be laid more at the feet of Mitchell than anyone else on the roster.
Regular Season Stats
27.9 points
5.7 assists
4.5 rebounds
48.3% FG
36.4% 3PT FG
86.5% FT
Mitchell held the Cavs together when their roster was decimated by injuries during the regular season. His efficient scoring and energy were a godsend for a team that was in desperate need of both most nights.
This past season was Mitchell’s second-highest scoring output and his second-highest efficiency. Further implementation and perfection of the short mid-range floater — in addition to his usual scoring output — allowed him to increase production without sacrificing efficiency. Mitchell converted 55% of his looks in the short midrange (four to 14 feet from the basket), putting him in the 95th percentile for scoring guards from that zone.
The increased usage in the short midrange was part of a season-long plan to keep wear and tear off his body. In previous years, he was more of a downhill finisher who initiated contact at the rim to draw fouls and get to the line. This past season, he got the shot off before contact, allowing him to play 70 games (his second-highest since being traded to Cleveland) and the entire postseason.
This was important because the Cavs as a team went as Mitchell did throughout the regular season. Cleveland was 22-6 when Mitchell played and scored 31 or more points. That record got better the more he scored. When Mitchell put up 35 or more points, his team was an outstanding 14-1.
More importantly, it was Mitchell’s off-the-court leadership that kept the team afloat when they could’ve gone completely off the rails.
“He kept this thing together,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said after their Game 7 win over the Detroit Pistons. “When things weren’t going great, he was the beacon, the light, his leadership carried us on the court. … And when things weren’t going great, he was the person everyone looked to his positivity. I would have said this even if we lost.”
The postseason proved to be a different story.
Mitchell has long been an efficient and productive playoff scorer, even though his teams had never advanced out of the second round before this past season.
The 2025 series against the Indiana Pacers is a good example of this. Mitchell contributed 34.2 points per game, but that wasn’t enough to carry the team over the finish line, considering the injuries and struggles everyone else was going through. It’s difficult to point a finger at Mitchell when his teammates weren’t living up to expectations.
It was easier to blame Mitchell this past postseason run. Mitchell’s scoring was more inconsistent than normal during this playoff run against rangey wing-heavy defensive teams like the Toronto Raptors and Pistons. He failed to eclipse 25 points in nine of his 18 postseason appearances. For context, he achieved this in six out of nine appearances in 2025 and in seven out of 10 games in 2024.
This is important because the regular-season trend of the Cavs performing well if Mitchell did continued in the playoffs. Cleveland was 4-2 in postseason games when Mitchell scored 30 or more points, and were 4-8 when he scored less. This included going 1-3 when he registered 20 or fewer points.
The lack of consistent scoring highlighted the other shortcomings in Mitchell’s game, particularly with his playmaking for others. He wasn’t able to get teammates involved, and when he wasn’t scoring, the offense was mostly stuck in neutral. This is why Cleveland’s offense was 11 points worse with him on the floor in the postseason compared to when he was off.
Assists aren’t necessarily the most accurate way to determine whether someone is creating for others, but they can be instructive. Mitchell averaged 5.7 assists in the regular season. He only exceeded that average once in 18 playoff games.
This coincided with Mitchell’s passes made per game and potential assists dropping. He averaged 41.7 passes per game in the regular season, and just 34.6 in the playoffs. His potential assists went from 11.1 per game in the regular season to 7.6 in the postseason.
The frustrating part of this is that when Mitchell made a concerted effort to get others involved, it led to tremendous team and individual success.
Mitchell made it a point to get the bigs involved in Game 7 against the Pistons. He had a playoff-high eight assists in that game, with all but one of those helpers going to either Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen. The willingness to make those passes opened up the offense for himself and his teammates, resulting in a lopsided 125-94 road elimination victory.
Mitchell’s team advanced to the conference finals for the first time in his career, but it felt like many of these wins were despite Mitchell’s efforts, not because of them. That was a first for his Cleveland tenure and was in stark contrast with Jalen Brunson’s postseason run with the New York Knicks.
The two undersized scoring guards often find themselves in similar places in the NBA player rankings and have similar archetypes. The difference between the two this past playoffs was Brunson’s willingness to move the ball and compete defensively.
Brunson consistently took what the defense gave him. This led to 14 assists in Game 2 against Cleveland because the Cavs consistently double-teamed him. This caused Cleveland to adjust away from that strategy in the final two games of the series, which allowed him to attack one-on-one mismatches.
At the risk of belaboring the point too much, this is also seen in Brunson’s passing numbers. Brunson made 63.6 passes per game in the regular season with 11.7 potential assists per game. Those numbers didn’t dip much in the playoffs as Brunson posted 63.1 passes per playoff game with an average of 10.3 potential assists.
It’s fair to point out that Brunson is the point guard of the Knicks, while Mitchell isn’t. However, if you’re in the 99th percentile for usage in the regular season and 100th percentile in the playoffs — as Mitchell is — the point guard designation doesn’t matter all that much. In the NBA, whoever has the ball in their hand needs to be able to act as a facilitator if they’re going to optimize the offense. And with Mitchell occupying that many possessions, he needs to do a better job of helping his teammates.
The shorcomings Mitchell’s games aren’t skill-related. He has the tools to be a great passer (and defender). The question is whether he wants to improve his game the way he needs to in order to help his team more in the playoffs next season, regardless of how different the roster might look.
The difference between the regular season and playoffs makes it difficult to grade Mitchell’s year. On one hand, the Cavs aren’t in a position to even make a playoff run if it weren’t for his consistent play on a nightly basis. On the other hand, his shortcomings directly led to Cleveland not being able to put away Toronto and Detroit as early as they should’ve, which contributed to the one-sided loss to New York.
I’m going to lean more negative than I’d like in this situation. The playoffs are all that matter for someone in Mitchell’s position. And that is where he fell short most.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 14: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets plays against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When the Phoenix Suns acquired Miles Bridges, a plethora of questions entered my mind. And one of the first was whether or not they would extend him. He is entering the final year of his contract at $22.8 million, so the possibility existed that Phoenix moved off the $29 million owed to Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale to save money in the short term while creating more financial flexibility moving forward. But when I saw that the Suns attached their unprotected 2033 first-round pick to make the transaction work, my thinking changed.
I don’t believe it would be responsible to attach an asset that valuable simply to move off money. That leads me to believe the Suns have a longer-term vision for Bridges, which got me thinking about two questions. What would an extension look like, and when should Phoenix offer it?
My opinion? This isn’t a decision that should be rushed. Bridges becomes eligible for an extension on July 14, but eligibility doesn’t mean the organization needs to immediately put a contract in front of him. The reasonable and responsible way to navigate this is to wait and see. How does Bridges fit within the system Phoenix is building? How does he respond to his teammates? More importantly, how does he look on the court alongside them?
For all the numbers and analytics you can gather, the one thing that remains difficult to quantify is chemistry. The Suns should give themselves time to determine whether that chemistry exists between Bridges and the team they’re building. If it does, give him the contract. If it doesn’t, start thinking about an exit strategy.
The Suns don’t have to be in a rush because there are two options relative to a Miles Bridges extension that currently exist. The first is if they opt to sign him within six months of the trade. Seeing as the trade becomes official tomorrow, July 6, that would put the six-month mark at January 6, 2027.
That gives Phoenix plenty of time to execute the strategy laid out above and evaluate how Bridges fits within the confines of this roster. They can see how he plays alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green, how he responds to Jordan Ott’s system, and whether the chemistry exists to justify a long-term commitment.
If the Suns opt to extend Bridges within that six-month window, they would be limited by the extend-and-trade rules. Essentially, the maximum amount Phoenix could offer him would begin at 120% of his previous $22.8 million salary, with 5% raises in each additional season and no more than four total seasons, including the current year.
So what does that look like financially? The new deal would be three years, with a maximum of $86.3 million, structured as such:
Season
Salary
2026-27
$22,826,087
2027-28
$27,391,304
2028-29
$28,760,87
2029-30
$30,130,435
Extension Total
$86,282,609
Here is how it would look on the Suns’ five-year cap sheet:
If the Suns opt to wait, Miles Bridges could become eligible for a larger extension.
Once that six-month restriction passes, post-January 6, if you will, Phoenix could offer him a standard veteran extension. This is the deal that provides Bridges with more long-term security and comes with a potentially higher price tag. The standard extension can begin at up to 140% of the final year of his current contract with 8% annual raises.
How does that look on the cap sheet? Four years, $143.2 million.
Season
Salary
2026-27
$22,826,087
2027-28
$31,956,522
2028-29
$34,513,044
2029-30
$37,069,565
2030-31
$39,626,087
Extension Total
$143,165,218
And the cap sheet, where Bridges finds himself alone as the only player under contract in the 2023-31 season:
What is alarming about that number in both scenarios is the Suns’ total cap figure for the 2027-28 season. Yes, the salary cap will increase, along with the luxury tax and apron thresholds, but Phoenix would still be committing a significant amount of money to the roster. And all of this is without a Dillon Brooks extension, which could tack on another $25 million to the cap sheet.
Both of those contract structures represent the maximum amount Phoenix could offer. The Suns could offer Bridges less than 120% of his current salary in the three-year scenario or less than 140% once the six-month restriction passes. I’m providing the maximum values simply to illustrate the high-end possibilities and establish the ceiling of what a potential extension could look like.
It all depends on how the Suns believe Bridges aligns with their future. I wouldn’t be surprised if Phoenix ultimately takes the swing and signs him to one of those extensions. Why? Because the timelines align pretty well with the current path of the organization.
The Suns have young talent they’re in the process of developing, and those players can continue to grow alongside this current era of Suns basketball. Rasheer Fleming is the obvious player to watch as it pertains to a Bridges extension because he plays the same position at the four. We know injuries will occur, opportunities will arise for Fleming to earn playing time, and ultimately it comes down to how well he develops when those opportunities present themselves.
There is also a world in which the Suns opt not to extend Dillon Brooks, something they have yet to do, and Miles Bridges eventually moves to small forward while Fleming takes over as the starting power forward. Theoretical? Absolutely. But it’s a possibility nonetheless.
If the Suns were to extend Bridges for three years, Rasheer Fleming would be 25 years old when that contract expires. Fleming will also become eligible for a rookie extension next summer, even though he remains under contract through the summer of 2029 if the Suns exercise his team option in the summer of 2028. That gives Phoenix time to evaluate Fleming’s development while maintaining stability at the position with Bridges.
Then there is the money timeline. Devin Booker is under contract through 2030, the same timeframe in which the dead money finally comes off the Suns’ cap sheet. Extending Miles Bridges would align with that timeline.
Between now and 2030, the Suns have first-round draft picks. They might not be the most valuable first-round picks, but they do have ammunition in the proverbial draft gun to continue adding young players and prospects to the organization. That gives Phoenix multiple swings at development during the same timeframe in which they have NBA starting-caliber players attempting to remain competitive.
Why does that matter? Because there is no benefit to losing for the Suns over the next four years. They don’t control their own draft capital, so there is no reward for mediocrity. The best-case scenario for Phoenix is to continue fielding a competitive team that showcases the identity and culture the organization desires while winning basketball games. That environment also allows young players to earn minutes rather than having them gifted. For players who aren’t lottery picks, I believe that’s the best way to develop.
We should know in the coming weeks what the Phoenix Suns’ strategy is as it pertains to Miles Bridges’ contract. If July 14 arrives and they offer him the three-year extension, don’t be surprised.
While I believe the organization should be prudent and see how Bridges fits within everything the Suns have developed, they did give up that unprotected 2033 first-round pick. They most likely did so with a contract extension in mind. If they do extend him, the hope is that Phoenix doesn’t go all the way to the maximum 120% of his previous salary. The Suns have done an outstanding job this offseason bringing back their players while getting them on appropriate discounts. We’ll see if Brian Gregory can showcase those contract negotiation skills once again when it comes to Miles Bridges.
The other thing to remember, regardless of the length or value of the extension Bridges might receive, is that nothing is permanent. Giving him a contract now doesn’t mean the Suns couldn’t move off of it at some point down the road. If Rasheer Fleming pops as a player, Bridges naturally becomes more expendable.
Granted, we don’t know what the market for Bridges would look like at that exact time or what circumstances might lead to a trade. But if this offseason has taught us anything, it’s that almost any contract can be traded. I never thought Paul George would be moved given his production and the two years, $110 million remaining on his contract, but the NBA continues to find ways to surprise us.
So whenever that Bridges extension comes, it isn’t the end of the world or some permanent declaration about the future of the franchise. It’s simply where the Suns are now.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center on February 22, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
At this point in the offseason, it’s very clear the Lakers are focused on opening up cap space in order to sign a wing, a glaring hole on the team’s current roster.
What also appears to be clear is that, for now, the focus is not on re-signing one of their free agents, but bringing a new player in.
Rui Hachimura’s free agency hasn’t gone according to plan as he currently still sits without a contract and with few suitors lined up. It left some to wonder if he could return to the Lakers and fill their hole on the perimeter.
However, according to NBA beat writer Jake Fischer, that doesn’t appear to be in the plans for the purple and gold. In his latest piece on Substack on Saturday, Fishcer noted that the presumption around the league is the Lakers are focused on Jonathan Kuminga, not Rui Hachimura, as their wing signing.
There is a corresponding (and growing) expectation that free agent forward Rui Hachimura will join James in exiting Tinseltown.
The Lakers, league sources say, are focused on adding a wing and another big man after Friday’s agreement with Washington to trade Deandre Ayton for the slightly less expensive Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks.
And a good bit of that focus, sources say, has involved Kuminga.
Considering the team’s needs and the skill sets of Kuminga and Hachimura, there is rationale for targeting the former. The Lakers have a hole at the small forward position and Rui is more of a four than a three. Kuminga is a better perimeter defender, a need for the Lakers, and is more athletic, fitting the profile of the players signed this offseason.
But the Lakers are not unopposed in their pursuit of Kuminga. In the same piece, Fischer notes the Cavs are interested in signing him while the Hawks are also open to bringing him back.
The Lakers’ need to create cap space means Kuminga could be off the market by the time they can sign him. It adds to the urgency of the situation. It also is further evidence of how fluid free agency remains.
For now, the Lakers don’t seem interested in bringing back Rui. But things can still change.
