LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 20: the sneakers of Isaiah Stevens #40 of the Sacramento Kings against the Charlotte Hornets during the 2025 NBA Summer League Championship game on July 20, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 03: Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Miami Heat during the second quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on March 03, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nets can extend Michael Porter Jr.’s expiring $40.8 million contract right up to next July’s free agency. There’s no real deadline, but Tuesday may offer a signal as to the Nets thinking on the 28-year-old who put up 24/7/3 last season, a career high, as the Brooklyn rejected trade offers at the February deadline.
As Brian Lewis explained Saturday:
The upcoming season’s deadline is expected to be Feb. 11.
Due to the quirks of the CBA, that does make this Tuesday worth watching.
If Porter gets an extension — with a raise of 5 percent or more than two additional seasons — then he can’t be traded for six months.
And if the Nets renegotiate his contract, he also can’t be moved for six months.
That means if Marks plans to do either of those things with Porter, he’d either have to do them by Tuesday, otherwise the forward couldn’t be traded until next summer.
If the Nets and MPJ can’t come to an agreement, there’s speculation both sides might want a separation, but a trade now, with most rosters set, might not be the time. Assuming nothing changes before the deadline, and he keeps playing at tha same pace, he could be a valuable piece for a contender. But Sean Marks & co. give every indication they want to keep him, although it’s uncertain what’s progressed..
“I’m sure we’ll have those discussions,” Marks said at the end of the Vegas Summer League. “We value him a lot. He had a terrific year last year, arguably his best year as a pro. I give him a lot of credit for that.
“I also give Jordi [Fernandez] and the coaching staff a heck of a lot of credit for putting him in places where he can have that type of success. It’s been great to see what Mike’s done for us. So I look forward to having those discussions, and just seeing what Mike can do the rest of the summer and the rest of the season…
“As I said before, I love Mike, the guy, the person, the player, and I hope he is part of this team. But we’re just gonna have to have those discussions between the two of us and our representatives and go from there.”
Porter Jr.’s agent has expressed similar sentiments, and Porter Jr. himself has lavished the organization with praise. But money is money and flexibility is flexibility. There’s also a league-wide trend to keep contracts short unless a team is trying to keep a superstar on the roster.
MPJ has been eligible for a four-year, $234 million deal since June 19. That’s an annual average value of $58.5 million. That isn’t happening, but it does seem that if Brooklyn and he can agree to a deal, it may turn out to be creative. Mark Bartelstein, Porter Jr.‘s agent, also has a reputation for making things work using the CBA’s nooks and crannies.
The most rumored — and that’s all it is, rumored — solution is for the Nets to take their remaining $4.9 million in cap space and re-jigger MPJ’s remaining deal so he gets an immediate $4.9 million raise this year to $45.7 million then tag on a multi-year extension starting at perhaps $35 million in 2027-28, the length of which being the key issue. (Brooklyn would still have a $9.4 million room MLE and be a good $10 million under the luxury tax threshold.)
Porter spoke this week on just how long he intends to play in the league. He’s still bothered by a bad back suffered in college. He said once he settles down, it will be about family.
“When we start having kids, I don’t want other people really raising my kids,” Porter said on the “Girls, Disrupted” podcast. “But the thing is, I don’t want to play basketball for 10 more years. I want to be done in the next five, six years. So then, during that time, I’m fine being home a lot. I’m a chill dude. I want to raise my kids.”
Sounded like a hint he’s planning long-term right now.
Losing MPJ would, barring some surprise, put the Nets in an offensive straitjacket. Finding a missing 24 or 25 points a game would not be easy. The most likely return on a deal would be more draft assets of which the Nets have plenty. Moreover, in his time in Brooklyn, Porter Jr. has become a mentor and leader for the team’s younger players, an added and unexpected bonus for Brooklyn.
it does seem the Nets want to keep him. In June, they traded Nic Claxton to add anther high-scoring forward, Julius Randle, in hopes of igniting Jordi Fernandez’s offense. Both are proven NBA vets: Porter started on an NBA championship team and Randle is a three-time All-Star and two-way All-NBA selection with a love of the city … and things to prove after the Knicks unceremoniously dumped him for Karl-Anthony Towns at the beginning training camp in 2024..
So, we shall see starting Tuesday where things are headed.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 01: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against Anthony Gill #16 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 1, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Preseason hoops begin in less than two months. And the Washington Wizards remain one standard contract short of the NBA limit.
The Wizards currently roster 14 players on standard deals. They have roughly $11.5 million in luxury tax space and own the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is valued at roughly $15 million.
Plenty of time remains between now and when rosters become official on opening night in late October. But as it stands, here are four players Washington could sign to its final roster spot.
The savvy veteran: DeMar DeRozan
The Wizards have held talks with free agent forward DeMar DeRozan in recent weeks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. Washington is one of four teams — alongside the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat — that have expressed interest in the 37-year-old.
The six-time NBA All-Star averaged 18.4 points across 77 games with the Sacramento Kings last season. His 26,711 career points rank 16th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
If Washington signs DeRozan, its already crowded rotation would welcome another proven veteran alongside Khris Middleton on the wing. Depth is a good problem to have, but it’s unclear whether DeRozan would immediately be part of the Wizards’ rotation.
Among teams with reported interest, it appears the Wizards could offer the most money. But if DeRozan prefers the destination with the best opportunity to win a championship next season, rival suitors make more sense.
While Washington has expressed interest, this appears a long-shot pairing.
The in-house candidate: Anthony Gill
Some may view this as an unexciting signing. But Gill provides stability for a team undergoing noteworthy changes — both in personnel and expectations.
The 33-year-old forward is the longest-tenured Wizard. A return would mark his seventh season in Washington, many of those years spent mentoring the team’s young players.
Gill averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds across 55 appearances last season. He’s likely not the most skilled option, but his relationships within the organization and suitable contributions as a small-ball five could keep him around for another year, especially as the team’s 15th option who’s seldom asked to play meaningful minutes.
Fills a need: Gabe Vincent
It’s no secret Washington needs guard depth after trading two guards — D’Angelo Russell and Jaden Hardy — in deals that brought back a forward (Khris Middleton) and center (Deandre Ayton). Recent reports from Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto confirmed Washington’s interest in adding another point guard.
The Wizards’ current guard rotation includes Trae Young, Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington. AJ Dybantsa, Will Riley and Bilal Coulibaly are capable of playing guard, but all three are better suited on the wing or at forward.
Vincent was linked to Washington in early July when Jake Fischer reported the team’s interest in the veteran guard. The 30-year-old averaged 4.4 points on 34.1% 3PT across 53 appearances with the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks last season.
Vincent has 60 playoff appearances under his belt and could serve as a capable depth guard if Washington signs him.
Fun signing: Brandon Williams
Williams, 26, is a shifty guard with impressive handles and tough shotmaking ability.
The Arizona product stands just 6-foot-1, but he can get to the hoop at will. And when he isn’t finishing contested layups, he’s breaking down defenses before spraying passes to open teammates.
Williams averaged 13.0 points and 3.9 assists on 47.2% FG last season. His 23.2% clip from 3-point range is one of the few blemishes on his otherwise skilled offensive game.
The Wizards need point guard depth. Williams is a younger option who could fill that hole for this season and possibly beyond.
On Friday, Aug. 7 the Tar Heels landed South Dakota and All-Summit League center Cameron Fens out of the transfer portal, giving Malone and Co. a 7-foot, 255-pound big man on the interior.
"One of the most surreal moments of my life," Fens wrote in an Instagram post on Aug. 7. "Humbled to wear Carolina Blue and to represent this university. Excited to get to work. Go Heels! AGTG."
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died in May from the effects of heroin and cocaine, authorities said Friday.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said the 29-year-old basketball player's death was accidental.
Clarke was found dead inside a home near Los Angeles on May 11. A person familiar with the terms of the investigation told The Associated Press after the Grizzlies announced Clarke's passing that drug paraphernalia was found at the residence. The person had spoken on condition of anonymity because those details had not been released publicly.
Clarke was under contract to be with the Grizzlies through the 2026-27 season.
About six weeks before he died, Clarke was arrested in Arkansas on charges of speeding, reckless driving and possessing a controlled substance. He was with Memphis for all seven of his pro seasons after finishing his college career at Gonzaga.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 01: The DAZN logo is seen on a microphone prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Per recent reporting by Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal, a new player is entering the local NBA broadcast space. U.K. based streamer DAZN (pronounced da’zone), a platform primarily known for boxing and MMA, secured streaming rights for New York-based MSG and YES networks, making them the exclusive digital provider for all non-national TV New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets games.
Karp also reported from multiple sources that DAZN was close to deals with the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Pacers, Grizzlies, Magic, possibly the Hornets, and the San Antonio Spurs. Nothing is official, but DAZN CEO all but confirmed, telling Sports Business Journal, “We are in discussion with many other teams, and I can promise you that more teams will follow very soon.”
This marks a notable shift in local sports broadcasting, which, until now, was handled by regional sports networks (RSNs). These are Fox Sports Southwest, Bally Sports Southwest, and most recently, FanDuel Sports Network Southwest. All of which are no more, with FanDuel Sports Network officially folding this year.
This can hardly be a surprise. RSNs have been a dying business model, limping along for years now. As the name changes suggest, the networks have changed hands several times, with one parent company, Diamond Sports Group, going through bankruptcy in 2023. DAZN was looked at as a potential buyer of the entity in 2025, but ultimately decided not to, perhaps seeing the future opportunity down the road.
These struggles have had real consequences for NBA teams beyond just their own revenue. As RSNs underperformed, the NBA salary cap can’t be propped up by the lucrative national TV deals. As a result, the salary cap did not hit its 10 percent maximum growth, instead settling for 6.7 percent.
While this isn’t a decline, it isn’t the growth the owners and players want. Other RSNs will either need to adapt or face the same fate as FanDuel Sports Network.
Streaming is the natural progression, and DAZN stepping in makes sense. The company is already a rights holder for the NBA in several international markets, and is looking to grow its U.S. rights portfolio. The aforementioned anticipated deals could be only the beginning as the platform wants to pursue the rights to be the NBA’s centralized local streamer down the road.
What about the fans?
This is all well and good for the NBA and DAZN, but what does it mean for fans?
Provided the deals go through, it will mean streaming becomes the exclusive medium for Spurs broadcasts.
Karp reports that DAZN is willing to put forth a good amount of capital for marketing to create awareness. A small handful of games will be broadcast over-the-air or free from DAZN before fully switching over to streaming exclusively.
How that is received will largely be dependent on the price. Currently, DAZN has a few package options. The least expensive of which is $249.99 yearly. If you are only signing up for the Spurs, that may or may not feel worth it. It’s possible those prices could change, and the idea of a less expensive, team-only or basketball-only package is feasible.
Overall, it’s a big shift but a step towards the future. RSNs simply aren’t a viable option if they can’t sustain themselves. The details are still being ironed out, but it’s certain that how fans watch the Spurs will change for the 2026-2027 season.
ST. FRANCIS, WI - AUGUST 8: Larry Harris, Milwaukee Bucks General Manager (L) introduces Bobby Simmons (R) to the media during a press conference at the Milwaukee Bucks Training Center on August 8, 2005 in St. Francis, Wisconsin. 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 NBAE 2005. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
I can remember it vividly. Year 11 (junior year to most of you). My best friend’s voice riding the wind across the yard.
“Did you see it?”
I looked up, mouth ajar, eyes staring as if I was mid matrices exam. Then the follow-up.
“The Bucks have signed Bobby Simmons!”
Dilation. Pupils, mouth. Everything.
It was true. A quick—okay, slow (we’re talking ADSL speeds)—Google search (or was it Ask Jeeves?) confirmed the news. The NBA’s reigning Most Improved Player (MIP), coming off a season in which he averaged 16.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.4 SPG on .466/.435/.846 shooting, was joining the Bucks on a 5-year $47m contract.
And they were movin’ on up.
The promise
My excitement was palpable, even as a closet fan. Coming off a 25th-placed 30-52 season the year prior, Simmons’ arrival signalled change and upward trajectory in Milwaukee. But he wasn’t alone. T.J. Ford—yes, that new assistant coach—was back after missing his entire sophomore season due to a severe spinal injury, Michael Redd had just re-signed on a six-year deal (remember those?), and Andrew Bogut had arrived in town after being selected with the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft. Youth and promise. Sounds familiar, right? Oh, and they had a new coach too, moving off one Terry (Porter) for another (Stotts).
But the roster revitalisation wasn’t done. Not yet. Two months later, Milwaukee would trade for All-Star centre Jamaal Magloire in a deal that sent out Desmond Mason and a 2006 first-round pick (that would become Cedric Simmons). And just like that, the starters were set: two seven-footers up front, a big-bodied forward on the wing, a sweet-shooting two, and an exciting, young point. Read that sentence again and you could easily confuse it for this year’s squad.
So, with a revamped starting five that also strengthened the bench—2004-05 starters Joe Smith, Mo Williams, and Dan Gadzuric became reserves—the Bucks looked primed for a playoff push.
Bright beginnings
The season started with a bang—a 117-108 overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers—and Simmons looked every bit the key free agent signing Bucks fans had hoped for, dropping 22 points to go along with a career-high-tying 12 rebounds. Up next, New Jersey. Kidd, Vince, RJ. SEGABABA. And when my best mate told me he’d organised his next door neighbour to record it on VHS for us (it was our only access to full NBA games), I became Bango after nailing an overhead half-court shot.
We watched it that afternoon (time difference and all that), dragging dining chairs into the corner of his room so we could get as close as possible to his box TV. The mid-2000s style meant every basket was a grind, and when Dan Gadzurichit the Bucks’ first field goal—an isolation, face-up jumper from the left block with 6:43 on the clock to make it a 9-3 Nets lead—I could finally move off the front of the chair. At the end of the first, the Nets led 29-17. By halftime, it was 55-50 and Simmons had gone just 1/6 from the field. He didn’t improve much after the break, missing his only attempt, but a 33-point second-half explosion by Redd secured a Bucks victory. Enthused, we chucked NBA Live into his PlayStation 2, let our inner Larry Harrises out, and had at it.
Three nights later, Simmons looked back to his Opening Night self, putting up 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists to lead the Bucks over D-Wade and the Miami Heat, giving Milwaukee their first three-game winning streak to start the season since 2001-02. They remained hot too. By mid-December, the Bucks were 12-7. By the New Year, they were 17-11. And despite cooling off by the time All-Star break came around, they remained in the black: 27-25.
Simmons, however, wasn’t quite living up to expectations, regressing statistically across the board thanks in large part to the inconsistent play his opening three games foreshadowed. 20 points one night become single digits the next. And across the season’s first three months, he seemed to be hurting more than he was helping (a plus/minus of -46). He would amend that on the back of a season-high 26 points (including 5/9 from three) in a two-point loss to the Houston Rockets to begin February, finishing the second half of the season at +95 despite the Bucks going just 17-20 over this stretch.
Overall, Simmons’ first year with the Bucks was solid if unspectacular: 13.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.1 SPG on .453/.420/.825 splits. More importantly, the Bucks had made good on that playoff promise.
A post-season taster
Despite the excitement, Milwaukee’s playoff run didn’t last long. Playing the second-seeded “Goin’ to Work” Detroit Pistons—Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, and Chauncey Billups—the Bucks were beaten in a gentleman’s sweep, experiencing their only taste of victory in Game 3 thanks to a combined 60 points on absurd 23/31 shooting from Redd and Williams, and a team-leading seven rebounds and 15 assists from Ford. Simmons chipped in with a steady 10 points, four boards, and three assists.
Across the series, though, to say he struggled would be an understatement. In his first taste of post-season action, Simmons was held to just 6.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.8 SPG, shooting a paltry 33% from the field while not attempting a single free throw, despite playing 31.8 MPG. Still, it was a season of growth and Simmons and the Bucks headed into the offseason full of optimism.
The E.N.D.
Despite being released in 2009, much of the Black Eyed Peas’ fifth studio album, The E.N.D.,was recorded in 2006. And its vocally-manipulated spoken-word hidden intro could easily be seen as an epigraph for the 2006-07 Bucks: “Everything around you is changing. Nothing stays the same. This version of myself is not permanent. Tomorrow I will be different. The energy never dies.” After all, the 2006-07 Bucks were changed.
In June, Ford was traded to the Toronto Raptors for Charlie Villanueva. In July, Magloire was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Steve Blake, Ha Seung-Jin, and Brian Skinner. In August, Smith was traded to the Denver Nuggets for Ruben Patterson, while Jiří Welsch left the Bucks for Spanish ACB league club Unicaja Málaga. Then, in September, Toni Kukoč retired.
New recruit Villanueva was limited to 39 games, Redd played just 53, and the Bucks finished the season 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 28-54 record. In June’s NBA Draft, they controversially used the sixth overall pick to select Yi Jianlian out of China.
Simmons returned in 2007-08, mostly in a reserve role, putting up 7.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 1.1 APG. But the winning didn’t—the Bucks finished just 26-56. Then, on June 26, less than three years after inking his 5-year $47m deal, Simmons was traded along with Yi to the Nets for Richard Jefferson. And, just like that, the Bobby Simmons era in Milwaukee was done.
By that time, high school had finished for my best mate and me.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 17: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after a three-point shot against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
How will the Suns’ offense function next season? Will it become predictable again, like it did last year? The Suns weren’t exactly running a complex offense down the stretch, and far too many possessions ended with a three-point attempt.
From February 1 on, Phoenix went 15–18. And during that span, 46.9% of its shots came from beyond the arc. That ranked sixth in the league. They were also third in the NBA in the percentage of their total points that came from three-point range at 41.5%. That’s something the Suns have to change next season because, quite simply, it didn’t work. They need more ways to generate offense. Having players who can get downhill, attack the rim, and create pressure inside is something this team desperately needs.
Suns’ CEO Josh Bartelstein was on with Burns and Gambo earlier this week, and he said that “The league right now has evolved so much. Where the league was three or four years ago, where shooting was in high demand…of course you wanna have shooters…if you watch what’s happening now, it’s guys who can get downhill. Get two feet in the paint. It’s guys who can guard multiple positions. It’s athletic specimens who can meet you at the rim and block your shot. You got to be able to attack and play off closeouts and spray the ball around.”
Why were the Phoenix Suns willing to pay the price to acquire Miles Bridges?
CEO of the Suns and Mercury Josh Bartelstein explained their thought process earlier today.
— The Burns & Gambo Show (@BurnsAndGambo) August 5, 2026
The conversation centered on the acquisition of Miles Bridges and how he could ultimately affect the offense. That naturally leads to another interesting question: Who will be the second-leading scorer on this team next season, assuming Devin Booker remains the top dog? Because if he isn’t, the Suns are going to have a multitude of other problems.
The majority of the community believes Jalen Green will fill that role. In our most recent Suns Reacts survey, 61% of voters picked Green to finish second on the team in scoring. Miles Bridges came in second at 22%.
I agree with the consensus that Jalen Green will be the second leading scorer for Phoenix next season. His talent, combined with his athleticism, should create plenty of opportunities for him to fill that role. Whether he can step into it, embrace it, and execute consistently will be one of the defining storylines of the season.
I can also see a world where Miles Bridges benefits tremendously from Devin Booker’s presence and the gravity he creates, as well as from what Jalen Green can do athletically. One thing Bridges does better when attacking the basket is passing, and that is an area where Green still has room to grow. Green can get blinders when he sees the rim. When he attacks with the kind of ferocity he possesses, finishing becomes the only objective. The more cerebral approach is understanding that defenses know what he wants to do. When they collapse, opportunities open up elsewhere.
In the same breath, that could also be part of what helps Green become the second leading scorer. Bridges showed in Charlotte that he can be a willing passer on his way to the rim. If Green is cutting from the weak side, he can benefit from those passes and use his athleticism to put an exclamation point on the possession.
Regardless of who finishes second on the team in scoring, I think we’re going to see a much more entertaining version of Suns basketball. Don’t get me wrong, everybody in the arena loves it when the team hits a three. It’s kind of like a home run; everybody gives a high five. What really gets people out of their seats, though, is when beautiful ball movement ends with a slam dunk or an easy two points at the rim. That is something Jalen Green can provide with regularity.
And that may ultimately be the biggest difference between this offense and the one we watched stumble through the end of last season. Phoenix shouldn’t have to live and die by the three-point line anymore. If they want to surpass that 38.5 over on FanDuel, Booker will have to create gravity, Bridges will have to collapse defenses, and Green will have to use his athleticism to punish the openings that follow. The goal isn’t to abandon the three. It’s to create better ones while rediscovering everything that can happen before the ball ever gets there.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 7: Luke Kornet #7 of the San Antonio Spurs smiles during 2026 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability on June 7, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In the midst of summer, members of the Spurs are in Paris, France working out and visiting a national art museum. Keldon Johnson made an appearance at a summer basketball camp in Laredo, Texas. And this weekend, the Spurs are hosting a back-to-school at the Frost Bank Center.
Meanwhile, somewhere in San Antonio, Luke Kornet is moonlighting as a roadside assistant.
Way to go, Kornet! Well done! 👏🏻
WATCH: Spurs' Luke Kornet helps out San Antonio motorist having car trouble
A TikTok user posted this video of Kornet as he pulled over to help a motorist who was having car trouble.
It seems no matter where Kornet is, he makes the day brighter. Good on ya, Luke.
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: James Harden attends the FIFA Gold Carpet before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Arturo Holmes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images
Earlier this summer, Cleveland Cavaliers free agent guard James Harden was arrested on Saturday, June 26, outside of Houston after having a handgun visible in the car during a routine traffic stop. The handgun was not carried in a holster as it should’ve been. Harden was booked later that same day and released on bond.
It looks like this situation will not follow Harden and presumably, the Cavaliers are not going to have this dark cloud hanging overhead to start the upcoming season. It was reported by TMZ that the case against Harden has been dismissed.
It was also reported by The Athletic that Harden and the Harris County (Texas) District Attorney’s Office “completed an alternative resolution agreement.” Those details aren’t known at this time.
It appears Harden will be able to put this situation behind him and now fully focus on his contract negotiations with the Cavaliers.
Harden has been delaying his new contract with the Cavaliers to offer some flexibility for roster upgrades. It has been rumored that Harden’s deal will be a two or three-year agreement, but the specifics depend on what the Cavs do elsewhere on the roster.
As the season slowly approaches, it is beneficial for both Harden and Cleveland not to have a legal issue dangling over both the player and the team.
Harden played in 26 regular-season games with the Cavs last regular season after being traded to them in February in a deal that saw Darius Garland head to the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds on .466/.435/.840 shooting splits. He also appeared in 18 playoff games with Cleveland, averaging 19.2 points and 5.5 assists per game.
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Gold medalists Team United States pose for a photo during the Men's basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the goals of the current collective bargaining agreement is to break up superteams like the 2024 championship squad — or at least spread the wealth when it comes to high paid talent. New York, particularly Jalen Brunson, had to take considerable discounts to keep the Nova Knicks together and bring home a championship. The Oklahoma City Thunder had to trim around their edges this offseason to stay competitive and maybe more importantly, under the second apron.
Those economics were part of Boston’s decision to trade Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia and while Paul George makes roughly the same amount of money as JB, he has one year less on his contract. PG13 may not be the ideal veteran partner to pair with Jayson Tatum and some have speculated on who might be a better fit as the 28-year-old JT enters his prime.
Last week, longtime beat writer and Sports Illustrated’s John Karalis speculated on a possible deal that would land four-time NBA champ Steph Curry with the Celtics and in a recent SB Nation poll, our readers agreed that he’d be the best fit over Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving.
OK, who voted for a Kyrie reunion, guys?
If you’re looking at a potential timeline for Brad Stevens and the Celtics front office, the next 2-3 years could be Tatum plus the current roster plus some aging superstar/Hall-of-Famer looking for one last run at a championship. Curry might be at the top of that list. AD and KD are probably past their “could be Celtics” phase of their careers, but could it make sense down the road to pursue Damian Lillard or Jimmy Butler?
For now, George is a green and Boston is firmly in the Eastern Conference mix. Our friends at FanDuel have the Celtics (+1400) just behind the Knicks (+950) and Sixers (+1100) to raise Banner 19.
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 22: Matisse Thybulle #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers plays defense during the game against the Phoenix Suns on February 22, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Matisse Thybulle and Zaire Williams have been brought on to bolster the wing position. In the NBA Draft, the Lakers traded up a spot to acquire Cameron Carr, and when you add in two-year forward Adou Thiero, there is suddenly a nice group of players that have a potential for a breakout year.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans which player from this group would outperform their contract, and Thybulle was the top pick.
Thybulle is reportedly healthy now after some injury-riddled seasons. If that turns out to be true and he plays in the majority of regular season games, then he could absolutely be a steal for the Lakers.
As a defensive player on the perimeter, he provides a skill this roster desperately needs. Thybulle was named Second Team All-Defense in his second and third years with the Sixers, and a return to that level would guarantee significant playing time for him.
Last year, with the Blazers, he averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 30 games, while making 39.8 percent of his 3-pointers.
Carr also got a ton of love from Lakers fans, with 34% voting for him. As a rookie, how good he will be is unknown, but his Summer League play was very encouraging.
He was scoring with ease on and off-ball and averaged 18 points per game in Las Vegas Summer League, helping the Lakers advance to the semifinals. Carr played so well that it’s possible he could crack the rotation and log meaningful minutes immediately.
However, he’s still a rookie, and how he’ll play against true NBA competition remains a mystery. Thybulle is a much more established player and likely someone head coach JJ Redick can trust more. Also, given his defensive play, what he provides might be more important than Carr getting buckets.
Whether it’s Thybulle, Carr, or someone else that breaks out for the Lakers, hopefully it’s one of the players on a team-friendly deal.
Winning in the margins is huge in the NBA, and having a player that can outperform their contract is how teams can compete and thrive under this current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
At the request of the Harris County district attorney's office in Houston, a misdemeanor gun charge against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has been dismissed after he completed an alternative resolution program, reports the Associated Press.
Alternative programs are a fairly common way for people to avoid a criminal record for a minor offense. In this case, Harden likely did some community service in the Houston area, although the agreement did not detail exactly what he did, according to the AP.
Harden, an 11-time All-Star, had been arrested on June 13 for having a gun in the cupholder of his car. He had been driving a car as part of a multi-car group when one of the other drivers was pulled over, according to the Harris County police report. Harden had pulled up behind the police and the other vehicle, and while interacting with the police, one officer noticed Harden had a gun in the cupholder of his car, according to the report. Harden allegedly confirmed the gun was his, which led to his arrest and booking.
Harden played eight seasons — his peak seasons, statistically — in Houston and has close ties to the city. He spends much of his offseason there every year.
Harden, 36, technically still remains a free agent, but is expected to re-sign with the Cavaliers in the coming weeks. He opted out of the $42.3 million he was owed to give the Cavaliers more cap space to chase LeBron James (they struck out there) or make other moves. He is expected to re-sign in Cleveland for around $30 million a season (depending on what other moves the team makes) for multiple years. Harden was traded from the LA Clippers to Cleveland in the middle of this past season, and between the two teams he averaged 23.6 points and 8 assists per game while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range.
On an episode of “The Big Podcast” hosted by Shaquille O’Neal, he questioned why former teammate Kobe Bryant isn’t included in the conversation.
Shaquille O’Neal questions why Kobe Bryant isn’t considered in GOAT debates. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
“There’s only three people in the GOAT conversation. Listen, I’m arrogant, but I’m not dumb,” O’Neal said. “It’s Kobe, Bron and Mike, that’s it.”
O’Neal was originally asked why he isn’t considered in the GOAT conversation; he was then confronted about a bias of shooting guards who are in the conversation, to which O’Neal admitted that players have their sub-categories.
“For so long it was just Mike and Bron, and I’m like, ‘I understand, great picks, but what about the Kobester?’ ” O’Neal said.
Bryant won five NBA championships with the Lakers during his 20-year career. AP
Bryant is no doubt one of the NBA’s greatest players. He spent his 20-year career as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to five NBA championships. Bryant was a two-time Finals MVP and a regular-season MVP in 2008.
Bryant’s five NBA titles eclipse James, who has won four championships in his 23-year career, but do not surpass Jordan, who won six NBA titles and was crowned Finals MVP in all six series.
Bryant was known for his “Mamba Mentality,” which focused on his relentless effort to try to win games and perform well while dealing with adversity.
With so many iconic moments in his career, Bryant’s greatest performance came on Jan. 22, 2006, when he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the third-most points in a game by a player. Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 in 1962, and Bam Adebayo tallied 83 in 2026.
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Lonnie Walker IV, a seven-year NBA veteran who spent last season with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague, reportedly has agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million minimum contract with the Denver Nuggets to return to the NBA, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Walker is a 6'4" two guard, a position where the Nuggets need depth after losing Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency (plus Jalen Pickett is not back as well). It's unclear if this contract is fully guaranteed, but it's possible he steps into (or earns the chance in training camp to step into) the role Bruce Brown played with this team.
Walker was a double-digit scorer in four of his seven NBA seasons (four of the last five) and is a career 35.6% shooter from 3-point range. The former No. 18 pick averaged 15.2 points per game in EuroLeague play last season, shooting 35.1% from beyond the arc.
Denver still has a lot of work to do this offseason, most notably either re-signing or finding a sign-and-trade for wing player Peyton Watson. With that comes the fact that the Nuggets are currently already above the second apron of the luxury tax with 12 contracts on their roster — this is a team that needs to shed salary. They have looked for trades for Cameron Johnson or Christian Braun, but would have to add the sweetener of picks to either of them to get another team to take on those contracts at this point in the summer.
Where Walker fits into all that is just another piece of the puzzle.
