Category: NBA

The highlight dunk was proof that Adou Thiero is just fine. Thiero delivered a breakaway windmill dunk in the second quarter Friday that brought cheers from the fans, a moment in which the second-year Lakers forward displayed his athleticism.

Thiero’s confidence seemed to grow from that point on, his play for the Lakers during their Las Vegas Summer League opener at the Thomas & Mack Center a sign of his development.

He ran the floor and caught a lob for a dunk. He sprinted back on defense and blocked a shot. He finished the third quarter with a last-second shot off the backboard, a basket that gave the Lakers an 86-66 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Thiero came back in the game in the fourth quarter and threw down another lob dunk.

Thiero completed his night with 20 points during the Lakers’ 96-84 win.

Read more:Lakers' Adou Thiero hoping to learn and lead with Cameron Carr this summer

He played an all-around game, collecting four rebounds, three steals and two blocks with zero turnovers in 30 minutes. He was seven for 12 from the field. He missed all five of his three-pointers, but Thiero finished the game plus-13.

Thiero played after missing the Lakers’ final game at the California Classic in San Francisco because of a right wrist injury.

First-round pick Cameron Carr also played against the Thunder after being limited by a bothersome toenail during the California Classic finale. Carr had another solid game with 18 points on seven-for-13 shooting.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Here are our grades after the Toronto Raptors fell to the Boston Celtics 83-80 in Summer League.

Allen Graves: A+

22 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 56.2 FG%, 37.5 3P%

This was a massive debut for those who believed in Graves. The concerns about his athleticism and his lack of experience against elite competition quickly dissipated. Within the first five minutes of the game, Graves recorded four points, two rebounds, and one steal, while throwing down a contested dunk on a backdoor cut.

Graves authored a plethora of brilliant defensive moments, but three stuck out in particular, with two of them involving Chris Cenac Jr. as a dance partner. The first instance occurred in the first half, with Cenac attempting to face-up and take Graves one-on-one in the right corner. Graves got down into his defensive stance and poked the ball away as soon as Cenac made a move to the basket. Late in the second half, Graves smothered Cenac after he crossed half-court. Even with Cenac desperately trying to hold him off, Graves poked the ball loose before finishing the possession with a dunk.

A third example occurred when Graves turned the ball over as the inbounder. Instead of panicking, he walled up on defence, blocked the ensuing shot attempt, and got the possession back for the Raptors.

While Graves struggled with his three-point shot early in the game, he flashed a promising tendency to meet big moments. The 19-year-old hit two clutch three-pointers late in the fourth quarter, with the second triple extending Toronto’s lead to 75-71. The Raptors often had Graves in the corner, but when the game hung in the balance, the coaching staff involved the rookie in more pick-and-pop actions.

As someone who Raptors fans hope becomes an elite role player – for the 19th pick in the draft – Graves has an obvious engine that he supercharges during critical moments. During the final possession of the game, he was solely responsible for reviving the Raptors’ chances.

He’ll make a fascinating watch for the rest of Summer League.

Nate Bittle: A-

8 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks, 42.8 FG%, 40 3P%

Raptors fans are naturally going to show interest in Bittle, especially after recording six blocks by halftime. Toronto desperately needs size in its organization and the 23-year-old rookie offers that. Outside of the three-point volume, Bittle aesthetically moves and operates like Jakob Poeltl.

While Bittle didn’t look vertically or laterally intimidating, he consistently leveraged his size and IQ to make plays at the rim. Bittle’s three-pointer with less than two minutes in the game to put the Raptors up 72-71 was a great moment.

Jamarion Sharp: B+

0 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 blocks

There’s size and length in the NBA, and then there’s what Sharp has. At 7’5, the reigning G League Defensive Player of the Year has an undeniable presence on the floor. While Sharp didn’t get a chance to show any improvements to his offensive touch, he had no problems displaying what he does best – wreck havoc on the defensive end.

It’ll be fun to watch how Sharp progresses throughout the rest of the tournament.

Jaden Bradley: C

3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 11.1 FG%

Bradley was relied on for a significant amount of the ball-handling duties, likely benefiting from Alijah Martin missing the game due to knee soreness. Unfortunately, Bradley missed his first five shots. Bradley finally recorded his first points as a professional when he converted on an and-1 at the 3:58 mark of the third quarter.

The second-round rookie appeared to struggle against full-court pressure and the Celtics’ tenacious on-ball defence. However, Bradley has demonstrated an ability to navigate under pressure during his collegiate career, so expect him to improve as he gets more comfortable. Toss this one out and look forward to the next one!

Chucky Hepburn: C

11 points, 5 assists, 1 steal, 25 FG%, 11.1 3P%

Hepburn visibly looks comfortable with the ball in his hand, especially compared to his counterparts. He played at a pro-level pace and never felt rushed by defenders. The issue was when Hepburn attempted to put the ball in the basket. The most obvious path to rotational minutes on the main roster is as a three-and-D type of guard off the bench. Hepburn knocked down a much-needed triple with the Raptors down 52-51 near the end of the third quarter, but he’ll need to be more consistent for the rest of Summer League to carry good vibes into pre-season.

If there’s one thing that UNC fans learned about Caleb Wilson immediately, it is that he takes slights very personally. Ever since his UNC career abruptly ended, media outlets twisted themselves into pretzels finding ways to claim that he did not have what it takes to be drafted higher than Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Darryn Peterson. Well, last night he did what he does best: he took things personally yet again, and put on an incredible show against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Wilson finished his NBA Summer League debut with a record-breaking 35 points, five rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. It would be impressive enough to point out that he did all of this without throwing down a single dunk, but it gets crazier than that — Wilson went 7 of 11 from the three-point line. After being told that he can’t shoot all spring, the former Tar Heel went bonkers from deep, and even finished the game by hitting a Steph Curry-like buzzer beater to cut the Bulls deficit to one point to end the game.

CALEB WILSON WOW 🤯@CalebWilson2025 | #SeeRedpic.twitter.com/kHN2WKlT3a

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 11, 2026

Wilson proved that he is far from a one-dimensional player by knocking down shots on all three levels of the floor, but he made it his mission to torture the Grizzles from the three-point line specifically. He showed off a little bit of his passing as well, but he didn’t show off what UNC fans know he’s capable of. On the defensive side of the ball, he had a couple of nasty blocks, and was able to pick a couple of pockets for good measure.

When it comes to things that didn’t go as well, Wilson coughed up the ball six times. One turnover was particularly bad, but he made up for it by nearly giving himself a concussion blocking a shot at the rim. He also forced the issue a few times on offense, but to be fair, some of his teammates did too. Jaylin Sellers dominated the ball near the end of the game when Wilson was trying to break the Summer League debut record, and the results were pretty embarrassing. But it’s clear that two things about Wilson are true: he’s a bit raw in some areas, but he’s also a really, really good basketball player.

This game was hyped up as a #3 vs. #4 matchup between Wilson and Cameron Boozer, and ultimately the Tar Heel came out on top. Boozer finished his night with 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, four turnovers, a steal, a block, and seven fouls. Yes, you read that correctly — apparently you get 10 fouls during Summer League play, so for all intents and purposes Boozer unofficially fouled out. It is worth pointing out yet again that Wilson takes things very personally, and the result was him showing up his Blue Devil counterpart yet again.

Overall, Wilson’s Summer League debut couldn’t have gone any better, and one can only imagine what else he has in store for Bulls (and UNC) fans for the remainder of the schedule. The next game is Monday night at 9 PM ET against the Utah Jazz.

To wrap things up, I wanted to share my favorite reaction to Wilson’s performance:

Today at Thomas and Mack, I saw God disguised as Caleb Wilson

— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) July 11, 2026

Caleb Wilson, welcome to the NBA.

The Summer Celtics took on the Toronto Raptors in the 9pm slot at the Pavilion, Las Vegas Friday night. Game 1 of the 2026 Summer League tournament. The first half was awful as both teams struggled from the field, but the second half provided

Celtics fans got a first chance to take a look at Chris Cenac Jr and Dillon Mitchell as they both made pro debuts. Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams return to Vegas for their second year in green. Boston started Amari Williams, Dillon Mitchell, Hugo Gonzalez, with John Tonje and Curtis Jones in back court. Toronto started off the more cohesive of the two sides taking an early 7-0 lead.

Amari Williams hit his single free throw for two points under the newly implemented G-League rules to get Boston on the board, but the team did not have a field goal until the 5-minute mark, as Hugo splashed home a corner triple, Tonje with the look ahead assist. Rookie Dillon Mitchell showed his athleticism with a massive chase down block, and had to duck under the rim after, as he was that elevated.

First round pick Chris Cenac Jr. checked into the game for Amari Williams, strange to see the 26th pick not start for the team’s first Summer League game. Cenac made an immediate impact with a big tomahawk throw down dunk, Boston back in the game 10-14.

Amile Jefferson was handed the Summer League coaching duties for the first time for Boston and I’m sure the Celtics media scrum will ask why they didn’t start the big man who fell to them in the draft. Amari checked back into the contest alongside Cenac Jr. as the team went double big.

Toronto had 7 foot 5 inch big man Jamarion Sharp who provided quite the interior presence for the Raps. Amari had a brilliant help block on Brandon Angel, Cenac dunked it home down the other end as the Boston bench was up shouting their approval. Boston shot just 23 percent from the field to start the game, as the Raptor led the game by 2 points, 14-16.

Milos Uzan, Hank Morgan, Amari Williams, Hugo Gonzalez and Chris Cenac Jr. started the second quarter for Boston as Jayson Tatum appeared court side to watch the young players. Tatum was courtside along with Derrick White, Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta. Dillon Mitchell finally got on the scoreboard as he skied for a back door alley oop. Hugo Gonzalez was back to his best, throwing himself around the court, he got bodied hard by big man Sharp midway through the second quarter hitting the deck.

Boston registered 11 turnovers in the first half and continued to shoot poorly at just 15 percent. The Summer Celtics struggled to put the ball in the basket, as the Raptors had 10 blocks and counting through just 20 minutes. Boston had 17 straight throughout the second quarter.

Coach Mazzulla was in the building to watch the new players from the sidelines chatting it up with Alabama head coach Nate Oates. Dillon Mitchell finally converted a bucket for Boston to break the scoring drought and he also woke up the crowd with an athletic put back dunk in transition. Boston down somehow by just 8 points, 26-34 in a dreadful first half performance.

Boston started the second half picking up the Raptors full court, that immediately resulted in a turnover. Tonje nailed a corner three. Hugo found Amari for a neat assist on the interior, Mitchell snagged a Raptor pass as the Celtics were showing signs of fight. Amari Williams attacked the paint once more and drew a foul for the hoop and harm, he led the C’s with 12 points. John Tonje hit his second three of the game to cut the Toronto lead to 5 points.

Boston was playing much harder in the second half, but the Summer League squad was chasing the scoreboard and Toronto kept the pressure on. Chris Cenac Jr. had a crazy ambitious put back dunk attempt from the middle of the key and laid out his team mate and fellow rookie Dillon Mitchell on the play.

Hugo and Amari were clicking for Boston in the third quarter as the pair were cutting up the Toronto defenders. John Tonje showed his shooting touch to hit his fourth triple of the night to cut it to three points, 48-51. Amari was on heater, he converted his eighteenth point of the game as Boston finally took their first lead of the game.

Boston outscored the Raptors by eight in the quarter highlighted by a 14-3 run as the scores ended tied after three at 54. Cenac Jr. showed his outside touch with his first three-pointer of the game. The Rookie followed that up with two illegal screens and was sent to the bench.

The Raptors jumped back out to a 5 point lead to start the fourth quarter as Boston got a touch careless. Tonje was fouled shooting a three and converted the single free throw for 3 points. Cenac Jr. checked back in the contest and immediately drew a foul running the floor in transition, Boston back 64-64.

Amari Williams hit his 20th point of the game as the Summer Celtics retook the lead. Boston in the midst of a 7-0 run and followed that play forcing a 24-second violation which drew applause from the Tatum and Walsh courtside.

Cenac Jr. drove baseline on Graves and layed it in for Boston he had 11 points, 68-67. Both teams traded buckets down the stretch as we headed into the final minute with a one point game. Graves hit a triple, Tonje responded as Boston was down one point 74-75 with 29 seconds to go in the game. Cenac Jr. hit a triple with 0.8 seconds to go off a broken play. Cenac Jr.’s triple forced overtime in Las Vegas.

After a bonkers fourth quarter, the lead changed hands eight times, Jefferson started Cenac Jr., Amari Williams, John Tonje, Hugo Gonzalez and Milos Uzan in overtime. Hugo gave the C’s a lead 81-80 from the line. John Tonje provided one of the plays of the game though, as he stole the ball and went coast to coast for the two-handed dunk and the game winning basket. Boston prevail in overtime 83-80. Boston next play the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

Per The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Joe Vardon, Eric Nehm, and Jon Krawczynski, Tyler Herro and the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo were involved in a physical altercation in Las Vegas on Friday morning that stemmed from social media comments Herro made about the Heat centre. More on that later.

“The incident took place at a gym inside the Resorts World Casino in front of an AAU team run by Herro. According to multiple sources who witnessed the incident and who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, Adebayo walked onto the courts and Herro said something to him.

“Adebayo approached Herro and, without hesitation, punched him. Herro’s AAU coach confronted Adebayo, and Herro yelled at his former teammate while being escorted out by security personnel. Both players left the scene on their own,” members of The Athletic wrote.

Now, Herro appeared courtside at the Bucks Summer League game against the Miami Heat, ironically—which they lost 119-86—and even did an interview in which he did not appear to be too badly injured (I mean, I watched the broadcast before I saw this news, and I’d have been none the wiser). For reference, this was him at the game:

Maybe some discolouration in his right eye area? Looks like some makeup did the job?

Anyway, regarding Herro’s social media comments that reportedly upset Adebayo, here’s the deal: a text thread from an Instagram account that appears to be connected to Herro—called wonderdidit, for those interested—with a Heat fan was leaked. In this text thread, Herro appears to question whether Adebayo is worthy of the contracts he has signed.

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel asked Herro about the alleged incident: “my only comment is no comment.”

Both teams are aware of the situation but have thus far declined to comment, per The Athletic.

Game 1 of the Summer League.

During Summer League action between the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics, Scottie Barnes appeared on the ESPN broadcast (NBA TV Canada). At one point in the sideline interview, Barnes was asked about the potential addition of Kawhi Leonard.

Barnes immediately thought of the potential defence.

“We’re trying to take candy from a baby,” said Barnes.

Toronto’s defensive rating of 112.1 ranked fifth-best during last season. Barnes was a big reason for that, as the dynamic forward was named to the All-Defensive Second-Team for his efforts.

“Seems very dangerous,” said Barnes. “We’ve got people everywhere on the floor, every position, that’s ready to guard.”

“We know what Kawhi can do out there. He’s going to fit right in.”

NBA Summer League is a weird funhouse mirror. Excel there (like when Kevin Knox scored 29 points against the Lakers), and a player might be declared a franchise cornerstone. Drop a stinker (as Mohamed Diawara did yesterday, with seven points on 1-of-9 shooting), and some will call the player a bust. Both are overreactions—but it is fair to admit that Mo disappointed us after signing a new 4-year, $11.2M contract this summer.

Indeed, the Knicks opened Las Vegas Summer League with a 91-65 loss to the Nets on Friday night. New York actually competed well early, taking a slim lead after the first quarter. After halftime, the game unraveled. Brooklyn dominated the third period 30-9, turning a close contest into a runaway before cruising through the fourth to win 91-65.

Pacome Dadiet logged 20 points and seven assists for the Knicks, and rookie sharpshooter Tyler Nickel impressed, scoring 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting from deep. Brooklyn got 20 points apiece from M. Brown, Jr. and Egor Demin.

The Knicks’ summer coach, T.J. Saint, started Jaden Akins, Dillon Jones, Pacome Dadiet, Mohamed Diawara, and Liam Robbins. Dadiet has been a fixture of the Knicks G League team and the bench at MSG since being drafted in 2024. After scrimmaging in practice against the rotational Knicks for the past two years, we expected him to fare well against these junior Nets. As for Diawara and his -39 plus-minus rating, the less said, the better. Both he and Dadiet shot 1-of-7 from beyond the arc.

The most pleasant surprise of the evening was Nickel. Coming off a standout senior season at Vanderbilt, the 6’8” wing was drafted 47th by New York this summer. He was regarded as one of the best movement shooters of the draft crop. That skill was on display in Vegas, and we’re excited to see more of it when he gets reps with the Westchester Knicks.

Egor Dëmin had a strong outing for the Nets, shooting 7-of-15 from the field while adding seven rebounds. He was aggressive attacking the rim and showed solid playmaking and efficiency as one of Brooklyn’s standouts. Selected eighth overall by the Nets last year, Dëmin enjoyed a promising rookie season, averaging 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 52 games (45 starts) before plantar fasciitis sidelined him. He’s considered to be one of the key pieces in the Nets’ rebuild.

Up Next

The Knicks continue their Summer League schedule tomorrow against the San Antonio Spurs. Who’s betting that the Texans will want revenge for losing the Finals? Rest up, Knickerbockers.

Go Knicks.

According to the New York Post’s Brian Lewis, the Brooklyn Nets have cut guard Malachi Smith from the team. The former Gonzaga Bulldog signed a two-year, non-guaranteed deal back in April after two 10-day contracts with the organization. Brooklyn exercised Smith’s minimum salary team option in June.

In 15 games (four starts) played with the Nets to close out this past season, Smith averaged 8.3 points on a shooting split of 48.5 percent from the field/43.5 percent on three-pointers/100.0 percent at the free throw line, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

The 26-year-old will most likely have to return to the NBA G League with another franchise. He’s had stops with the Portland Trail Blazers’ Rip City Remix, Milwaukee Bucks’ Wisconsin Herd, Memphis Grizzlies’ Memphis Hustle, and the Brooklyn Nets’ Long Island Nets over the last three seasons.

Smith started his collegiate career with the Wright State Raiders from 2018-19, transferred to the Chattanooga Mocs from 2020-22, before making his way to Spokane, Washington. He was named the West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year in 2023 before entering his name into the 2023 NBA Draft, bypassing his final season of college eligibility. Smith would go undrafted.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

If you’re the fan who refuses to get too high on Summer League, but also the kind who’s keen to see the crown knocked off the recently-anointed New York Knicks, Brooklyn’s fourth game this summer likely put your spirit in a pretzel.

The Nets met their cross-town rival a couple of thousands of miles away this afternoon to kick off their run in the Las Vegas Summer League. New York, the team without any game action yet this month, looked the part throughout the entire contest, needing every minute and more to find their groove. The Nets needed the first half and about three minutes of the third quarter, but no more.

And in the end, it was another eye-opening performance for Brooklyn’s Backcourt as Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. scored 20 points each and dominated New York, 91-65.

While Brooklyn entered this one already with three games under their belt, this was our first look at sophomore Danny Wolf. The Yale x Michigan product did not play at all in Sacramento but started this afternoon alongside Mikel Brown Jr., Egor Dëmin, Drake Powell, and Chaney Johnson. However, Brown Jr., fresh off a fine first game himself on Monday night, got the mic with Chris Haynes pregame.

“I feel like I hold myself to an expectation that’s higher than what other people are saying,” he said when asked about the hype around him as a prospect. “Obviously, you know, I feel like if you have expectation on you, that means you’re expected to be a great player. So just, you know, embracing it.”

For a second straight game, Brooklyn’s first points came from Brown Jr. on a fadeaway jumper along the baseline, yet this time from within the three-point arc. Points of all kinds came at a premium to begin the game, however. Both teams began the contest shooting 3-of-18 from the field. And although it was a collective brick-building effort in the first, the Knicks did the heavier lifting, going without a made field goal until the 3:07 mark of the period. While the Nets weren’t much better, Wolf and Dëmin did connect during this slick ATO…

Nets continuing to experiment with Egor Dëmin as a screener this summer.

Danny Wolf finds him with a slick feed. pic.twitter.com/eO2gfMVmjt

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) July 10, 2026

Shots momentarily started falling for the champs as the first crossed over into the second where the Knicks enjoyed a 12-0 run which gave them the lead. While Brooklyn caught no such breaks, they did snag a handful of offensive boards to stick around. Johnson and Dain Dainja tapped the team into way to a few extra possessions and points. Dainja, a force off the bench for a second straight game, finished with six points, six boards, and a rejection.

Meanwhile, Egor Dëmin continued to laugh in the face of discouragement. After missing his first three shots of the game, the sophomore guard just kept on pulling deep into the second. His darts started hitting the board down the stretch of the period as well. His two makes from beyond the arc in the final two minutes of the frame were enough to give Brooklyn a 38-33 lead at half.

Dëmin led the Nets there with 15 points on 6-13 shooting and 2-8 from deep. Johnson followed with a 9/6/2 line along with two steals. Brown Jr. (4), Wolf (0), and Powell (1) collectively had just five points on 1-8 shooting, but did their best to make up for it on the other side of the ball.

Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, and Mikel Brown Jr. collab on a strong defensive possession for Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/RPmAQBr9kz

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) July 10, 2026

In the third, Brooklyn continued to lean on their defense, forcing four turnovers in the subsequent period’s first five minutes. Johnson picked Dillon Jones’s pocket before going coast to coast for a jam roughly four minutes deep. Brown Jr. stole one before flying and flushing less than a minute later…

Mikel Brown Jr. with a pick six. pic.twitter.com/HMENRc4kSQ

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) July 10, 2026

And while up there, the sixth overall pick ripped the saran off their rim. The Nets continued to push on the break after turnover and boards alike. After converting a number of transition points, they started to find their groove in the half court as well. In a flash, Brooklyn experienced a 15-0 jolt that gave them a 22-point lead. MBJ topped it off with one to help all the pre-draft Steph Curry comparison artists out…

Mikel Brown Jr. splashes a really deep one just before the buzzer. pic.twitter.com/AZMLACtTtS

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) July 10, 2026

While later in the game, that was only the start for Brown Jr. In the fourth, he turned a redemptive second half into a stellar outing and a comfortable win into a nasty blowout. Flashing his feel on the court and knack for finding space once again, he mixed in a flurry of threes put the game out of question. The rock fight we were watching an hour before suddenly felt like a foggy memory. MBJ had 16 points in just under 15 minutes of second half play before taking a seat with the Nets up 85-53 and a little under five minutes remaining. He finished with 20 points, three assists, and two steals while shooting 6-12 from the field and 3-6 from deep.

Mikel Brown Jr. is just putting on a show at this point.

Brooklyn will get an easy first win here in Vegas. pic.twitter.com/xJ9kfDWG96

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) July 10, 2026

The Nets emptied their bench soon after that shuffle and splash before easily trotting to their third straight summer league victory, and their first part of this official tournament.

“I was just trying to find a rhythm, you know,” Brown Jr. said post game. “Coach just told me to stay aggressive, keep going and keep making plays, so that’s what I did.”

Julius Randle Speaks with Chris Haynes

Hours after the trade finally processed, Julius Randle made his first public appearance at this one. He spoke with Haynes during the second quarter.

“I’m great, man. You know, I’m excited,” he said. “Great opportunity ahead. Great organization. Made me really comfortable to start. So, you know, got a lot of young talent. Got some good vets. Excited to see what we can put together.”

Haynes asked specifically about Randle’s experience as a team leader and veteran locker room presence. In case you live under a rock, he was widely praised for his efforts while doing that now two stints ago with the Knicks.

“I mean, just ability to adjust and adapt, to be honest, ” he said. “I had one of the best best mentors there was that brought me in from day one in Kobe when I was a young player. I understood and saw how important that was for me at the start of my career, just seeing him and seeing him as an example for me as a player. So, I just try to pay the game back.”

On his role now with the Nets specifically, he restrained himself from making any bold predictions in terms of team success, but also acknowledged the opportunity to succeed.

“I mean, we just got to lean into each other, take it day by day, step by step, and just keep building,” he said. “I’m not gonna say what we’re gonna do or we’re not gonna do, but I know we’re gonna come in every day with the right mindset, right professionalism, and just get better every single day. I believe in a lot of these young guys, the talent that we have, and then some of the older guys, — MPJ, Keon, Terrence, and you got Day’Day [Day’Ron Sharpe]. You got a lot of guys, a lot of talent, so it’s really up to us, to build the chemistry and put it all together, and I feel like we will.”

He also spoke briefly on his relationship with Brown Jr.

“Yeah, I talked to him. I try to talk to him a lot. I joked with him that I don’t really watch a lot of college basketball, but the one game of his that I did watch was versus my Kentucky Wildcats, and he did us dirty. So, I gave him a little hell about that. But you know, it seems like he’s got a great hand on his shoulders, very poised, calm, and confident. I like what I’m seeing out here, as far as his pace of play. He plays at his own pace and can see the floor really well, so it’s gonna be up to us vets to pick him up to speed and really get him going. But he’s gonna be great. He’s gonna have a great career.”

Brown Jr. also shared postgame that the Nets had a team dinner last night with Randle and Michael Porter Jr.

“Got to talk to them for a little bit,” he said. “You know, just to be able to pick their brains means a lot.”

Next Up

Brooklyn is back in action tomorrow vs the Atlanta Hawks. The game will be on ESPN and is scheduled for tipoff at 8:00 p.m. EST. It will be the first game from the 28th pick, Joshua Jefferson, who couldn’t even train with Brooklyn until the big trade involving Julius Randle and Nic Claxton was finalized earlier in the day.

Since it’s the back end of a back-to-back, don’t expect the Nets’ two backcourt mates to play.

• Boxscore: Brooklyn Nets 91, New York Knicks 65 – NBA
• Highlights: Mikel Brown Jr. scores 20 points (Video) – NBA
• Highlights: Egor Demin scores 20 points (Video) – NBA
• Julius Randle speaks on trade to Brooklyn (Video) – NBA
• Nets first-round pick to make Summer League debut on Saturday – Erik Slater – Clutch Points
• Pacome Dadiet’s Year 3 leap could give Knicks another player — or asset ($) – Kristin Winfield – New York Daily News
• Pacome Dadiet scores 20 but Knicks fall to Nets in 91-65 Summer League rout – Phillip Martinez – SNY

The man behind one of the strangest LeBron James scoops is trying his hand at another one.

Jonathan Gotschall, the former Caroline’s Cupcakes owner whose bakery drew national attention in 2014 for calling James’ return to Cleveland, is now floating another wild rumor.

In a post from POKÉ Fresh Ohio, which he now owns, Gotschall claimed James is not only coming back to Cleveland but also bringing son Bronny James and Draymond Green with him.

“Hey guys. I’ve got it on good authority that not only is LeBron coming back to Cleveland, but he’s bringing Bronny and Draymond with him!” Gotschall wrote. “If you don’t believe me, you can Google ‘Caroline’s Cupcakes + LeBron’ to check my credentials. This ain’t my first rodeo. IYKYK.”

Gotschall told The Post that it’s “still a rumor,” but still posted the rumor publicly.

More than a decade ago, Gotschall scooped the entire NBA world days before James penned a letter announcing his return to Cleveland after four seasons with the Miami Heat.

“Just texting with a friend who is directly tied in with LeBron and his camp, and he swears on his life #TheReturn to Cleveland is a done deal,” Gotschall wrote on Facebook on July 5, 2014, five days before the official announcement. “Per his sources, calls have already been made to other current Cavaliers to spread the news. If this is true, and like anything on the internet, take that with a grain of salt … are you ready to get out your old jersey and welcome LeBron home?!?”

The Washington Post picked up on the rumor two days later, joking that while ice cream wasn’t on the menu at the sweet shop, “scoops are.”

Now, Gotschall is laying his reputation on the line once again, hoping lightning can strike twice.

The latest claim comes as James’ Lakers future has all but come to an end, with the four-time NBA champion reportedly informing the franchise that he plans to play elsewhere next season.

A return to Cleveland would mark James’ third stint with the Cavaliers, the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2003 and the franchise he led to its first NBA championship in 2016.

It would also place him on a far different Cleveland roster than the one he rejoined in 2014, with the Cavaliers now built around Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and likely returnee James Harden.

The Bronny and Draymond elements would make the rumor even more complicated.

Bronny played with his father in Los Angeles the last two seasons, marking the first father-son duo to appear together in an NBA game. 

Green, meanwhile, has spent his entire career with the Warriors, but he has long been close with James.

The NBA Summer League is currently taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada, where rookies and NBA stars are taking in the action around town. Former Kentucky Wildcats are sprinkled in the rosters, while some are in town for the weekend, and a couple of them got into an altercation.

According to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro got into a physical altercation on Friday morning, during which Adebayo struck Herro.

The incident occurred on a practice court at a Las Vegas hotel this morning, beginning when Adebayo approached Herro about comments on social media in which the former Wildcats guard criticized Adebayo’s play.

The altercation occurred at a practice court in a Las Vegas hotel this morning, sources said — starting when Adebayo approached Herro about comments the guard made critiquing the center on social media after their seven-year run in Miami ended. https://t.co/0SZv8VT462

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 10, 2026

Here’s more on the incident from The Athletic:

According to multiple sources who witnessed the incident and who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, Adebayo walked onto the courts and Herro said something to him. Adebayo approached Herro and, without hesitation, punched him. Herro’s AAU coach confronted Adebayo, and Herro yelled at his former teammate while being escorted out by security personnel. Both players left the scene on their own.

The two former Wildcats and Heat teammates had a solid friendship and chemistry in Miami.

In a past interview, Herro asked Adebayo which teammate would always have his back in a fight, and his response was:

“I’m going to say Tyler (Herro) just because we got the longest relationship,” Adebayo said.

Here’s to hoping these former Cats can get back to being on good terms.

Details for @SportsCenter on the Bam Adebayo-Tyler Herro altercation at a Las Vegas hotel gym: pic.twitter.com/iR4PxYMk1v

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 10, 2026

Throwback to Tyler Herro asking Bam Adebayo what teammate will always have his back in a fight

Bam Adebayo: “I’m going to say (Tyler Herro) just because we got the longest relationship.”

Tyler Herro: “Yeah, I’m coming.”

😅

(h/t @WadexFlash) pic.twitter.com/6PFTACDlUC

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 10, 2026

The Knicks played their 2026 NBA Summer League opener against the Nets on Friday night in Las Vegas, but aside from Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Nickel, many of New York's players did not play up to snuff.

Dadiet, who is entering his third year in the league, finished the night with 20 points on 6 of 16 shooting, seven rebounds and one steal in 21 minutes on the floor. But it was his first half performance that kept the score close. The Frenchman scored nine of his points on 3 of 7 shooting through the first two quarters.

As for Nickel, the forward scored nine points on 3 of 6 shooting in 12 minutes on the floor. He also came down with four rebounds in the first half. Nickel finished with 18 points on 6 of 11 shooting, including 6-for-10 from three.

Mohamed Diawara, the other notable Knick participating in this year’s summer league, and entering his second season with the Knicks, scored just five points on 1 of 7 shooting in his 13 minutes on the floor. He was a minus-19 at halftime, and it didn't get much better.

For the game, Diawara scored just seven points on 1 of 9 shooting with six rebounds. He was a minus-39 on the floor in his 23 minutes. 

Liam Robbins (four points, four rebounds, one assist in 16 minutes), Dillon Jones (six points, three rebounds, four assists, three steals in 23 minutes) and Jaden Akins (two points, two assists in 21 minutes) round up what the starting five did on Friday. 

On the Nets side, it was much better. 

Brooklyn's star rookie from last season, Egor Demin, dominated the first half, scoring 15 points on 6 of 13 shooting. Danny Wolf, entering his second season, did not score a point, but came down with five rebounds in his 12 minutes on the floor, for a plus-12. 

Nets 2026 first-round pick Mikel Brown Jr., scored four points on 1 of 4 shooting, but the No. 6 overall pick would have a monster second half. The rookie guard finished with 20 points on 6 of 12 shooting, three assists, one rebound, and two steals in his 22 minutes. 

Demin finished with 20 points, thre rebounds, two assists in 22 minutes while Wolf (nine points, eight rebounds, three assists in 21 minutes), Chaney Johnson (11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, four steals in 23 minutes) and Drake Powell (one point, three rebounds in 21 minutes) round out Brooklyn's starting five. 

 

"55 got a chop" - Josh Hart

Six threes for Tyler Nickel in his first Summer League game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SfbBCLvaAg

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) July 10, 2026

20 and counting for Pacome Dadiet in his Summer League debut pic.twitter.com/gO4wwZ18r0

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) July 10, 2026

LeBron James’ free agency may come down to something much simpler than cap math, roster gymnastics or the loudest recruiting pitch.

Familiarity.

According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, familiarity is expected to play a major role in James’ upcoming decision, with many around the league now viewing the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat as the two teams to watch.

That tracks with where the betting market’s are moving, too.

At the time of this article’s publication, Polymarket’s latest list Cleveland as the favorite at 45%, with Miami right behind at 31%, surging12 points, Golden State has fallen to 15%, down 11 points, while Philadelphia has climbed to 11%. Minnesota sits well behind at 2%.

In other words, the LeBron sweepstakes may be turning into a race between the two places that know him best.

Cleveland is obvious. James could return home for a third stint with the Cavaliers, close his career where it all began and join a team where his history with the city, franchise and ownership still carries enormous weight. Donovan Mitchell’s presence also gives Cleveland a ready-made star, not just a nostalgia pitch.

Miami offers a different kind of familiarity. James won two championships with the Heat, has long praised the franchise’s structure and culture under Pat Riley. It is also reported that the Heat are willing to bring Bronny James into the picture on a two-way contract, which would add another layer to an already emotion-filled decision.

James’s agent, Rich Paul framed the decision around “complete happiness,” not money, market size or even loyalty to Los Angeles.

That may explain why Cleveland and Miami appear to be separating from the pack.

Golden State still has a dream-team appeal, albeit a geriatric version. Paul has even acknowledged how dangerous the Warriors could be in a playoff series because of their experience, intelligence and production.

And connections Curry and Green have developed into two important off-the-court relationships for James. The rumor mill was kicked into high gear when Green and James were seen golfing together this week

That is what makes this decision different from James’ earlier free agency choices.

This is not 2010, when he was chasing his first title. It is not 2014, when he was returning home to fulfill a promise. It is not 2018, when Los Angeles offered a blend of basketball, business and family life.

This is Year 24.

James is 41, still productive and still capable of helping a contender, but the decision now seems less about conquering a new market and more about finding the right emotional landing spot.

That word was happiness.

Sidery’s report suggests familiarity may be how James defines it.

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