Category: NBA

After their free-agent spending spree, the Lakers are effectively out of spending power.

They’re currently projected to be only $1.9 million below the cap before re-signing Austin Reaves, signing Collin Sexton with the room mid-level exception and signing Kevon Looney to a veteran-minimum deal. That’s not even enough for a minimum contract.

That hasn’t stopped the Lakers from pursuing Jonathan Kuminga in free agency, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN.

Slater reported that the Lakers have been “subtly improving their offer in recent days while reiterating to Kuminga his importance to what the Lakers are building around [Luka] Dončić, a likely starting role and what the opportunity could do for his career.” However, Kuminga and his agent believe “there are still avenues to better deals as the offseason dominoes continue to fall.

Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Timeslater reported that the Lakers have offered Kuminga a two-year, $20 million deal. That allows us to connect some dots.

How the Lakers can create more cap space

The Lakers’ easiest path to creating more cap space would be salary-dumping Jarred Vanderbilt or waiving him and stretching the dead cap hit from his remaining contract over the next half-decade.

If the Lakers managed to dump Vanderbilt’s $12.4 million contract into another team’s cap space or a salary-cap exception, they’d have plenty of spending power to offer Kuminga a $10 million annual salary.

A waive-and-stretch would get them in that ballpark as well.

Vanderbilt has a $13.3 million player option next year, so the Lakers would have to stretch the remaining $25.7 million on his contract on their books evenly over the next five years. That comes out to a dead cap hit of roughly $5.1 million, giving the Lakers another $7.3 million in spending power this offseason.

Combine that with the $1.9 million that they currently project to have, and they’d be up to nearly $9.2 million in cap space. That would allow them to offer Kuminga a two-year, $18.8 million deal.

The Lakers could create even more cap space by dumping Dalton Knecht for a minimum contract, or moving the recently acquired Jaden Hardy for someone earning less. If they need to manufacture a bit more cap space for Kuminga or another free agent, President of Basketball Operation Rob Pelinka has outs.

The question is how he can sweeten any offer.

The Lakers have already traded away all of their first-round draft capital through 2033 aside from a 2032 pick swap and all of but one of their own second-rounders. They did acquire two second-rounders from the Washington Wizards (2031 and 2032) in the Deandre Ayton trade, but those three picks are the only tradable picks that they have in either round.

Perhaps a team would be willing to take a free flier on Knecht, whom the Lakers selected with the 17th overall pick two years ago. He hit 37.6% of his three-point attempts as a rookie, but his shooting percentage plunged last year, and his playing time went right along with it.

There’s always a chance that the Lakers have slightly more cap space than estimated, too. They haven’t made any of their signings official yet, and contract reports tend to round up generously in favor of agents at this time of year.

But after sign-and-trading for Walker Kessler and signing Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton, the Lakers are more or less out of cap space and exceptions. With only one open roster spot left, the Lakers will need to create more spending power to entice Kuminga or another free-agent target.

The Lakers’ lack of tradable draft picks could impact their ability to outright salary-dump Vanderbilt. They’d have to determine whether signing Kuminga would justify giving up the 2032 first-round swap rights or any of their tradable second-round picks. If not, a waive-and-stretch would be their most likely path forward.

Either way, the Lakers do have a feasible path to offering Kuminga or another free agent somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million per season. Anything beyond that would likely require moving one or both of Hardy and Knecht. And anything north of $20 million is a pipe dream.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac and salary-cap information via RealGM.

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The Celtics have finalized their Summer League roster, and it’s loaded with young talent. Here’s the full list of 16 players that will appear on the team:

1. Hugo Gonzalez (SG/SF)
2. Chris Cenac (C/PF)
3. Dillon Mitchell (SF)
4. Amari Williams (C)
5. John Tonje (SG/SF)
6. Curtis Jones (SG)
7. Tucker DeVries (SF)
8. Milos Uzan (PG)
9. Alondes Williams (SG/PG)
10. Caleb Grill (SG)
11. Kyle Mangas (SG)
12. Hank Morgan (SG)
13. Mo Amini (SF)
14. Nick Pringle (PF/C)
15. Day Day Thomas (PG)
16. Chauncey Wiggins (SF/PF)

7 notable Summer League Celtics players to watch

All 16 rostered players will get at least some run at Summer League, but there are 7 players I’m most eager to watch.

Hugo Gonzalez: Hugo Gonzalez is, to me, the most notable player in the field. The 20-year-old had a good rookie season with the Celtics, and he’s looked really solid playing with the Spanish national team this month. Gonzalez averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game as a rookie, and was one of the NBA’s plus-minus darlings. Gonzalez never spent a second in the G-League.

Everybody knows that the Celtics did not want to trade Gonzalez this offseason to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. How that decision ages remains to be seen, but every scout I’ve talked to around the NBA has gushed about what they’ve seen from Gonzalez so far. I’m excited to see how he looks at Summer League, especially when compared to last summer.

Chris Cenac: Chris Cenac is the Celtics’ highest-profile rookie; the 19-year-old forward is coming off of his freshman year at Houston and was selected 27th in the draft last month. He’s a highly-recruited 7-foot center who was one of the top interior prospects in his recruiting class, and he’ll take one of the Celtics 15 roster spots this year.

While Brad Stevens indicated he did not necessarily expect Cenac to play much next season, we’ve already seen his last two first-round picks (Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman) become impactful rotation players in their first two seasons. Just how raw is Cenac? And how does he hold up defensively? Summer league should shed some light on where he’s at in his career.

Dillon Mitchell: Dillon Mitchell is the Celtics’ other drafted rookie; the 22-year-old, drafted 40th overall, is coming off of a standout season at St. John’s. Mitchell is a super-athlete who is a good finisher, rebounder, and defender, though his inconsistent shot hurt his draft stock.

My big question is: just how good of a defender is he in this context? And, how can he fit in offensively despite effectively being unable to shoot? Mitchell is likely to end up on a two-way contract with the Celtics this season, so he’s one of the players I’m most interested in

Amari Williams: Williams was the Celtics’ 46th overall pick last season and was on a two-way contract for most of the year. He finished the year on a standard deal (mostly due to the Celtics working to stay under the luxury tax line) but did have some stellar moments with the parent club.

Williams will again be on a two-way contract with the Celtics this season, as the Celtics look to continue developing him into a center of the future. He’s currently behind Neemias Queta, Mitchell Robinson, and Luka Garza in the depth chart, but showed he could be impactful in spots last year.

John Tonje: John Tonje was on a two-way contract with the Celtics last year (acquired in the midseason trade that sent Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz). While he hasn’t agreed to a two-way contract with Boston next season, he remains in the mix and could return in the same role. Tonje is a bucket-getter who looks to carve out a role in the NBA after an elite season at Wisconsin. He didn’t get much run in Boston, but scored a career-high 13 points in the season finale last year.

Tucker DeVries: Tucker DeVries is on an Exhibit 10 contract, so he’ll be joining the Celtics for training camp (and potentially competing for a two-way contract). DeVries is an undrafted rookie out of West Virginia who is 24 years old and a proven sharpshooter. He’s a polished offensive player with a high basketball IQ that could ultimately (one day) end up being a Sam Hauser replacement.

Milos Uzan: Milos Uzan is also on an Exhibit 10 contract, so, like DeVries, he’ll be joining the Celtics for training camp when Summer League is over. Uzan is a 22-year-old point guard out of Houston, where he was teammates with Cenac. He’s a poised point guard who is known for steady decision-making and veteran leadership.

Another Summer League note: Hank Morgan returns for his second consecutive Summer League with the Celtics. Morgan, who laced up for the Maine Celtics, was the G-League’s only former Division III player last year.

Jaylen Brown is here, the splashiest acquisition in a very splashy Sixers offseason orchestrated by new personnel chief Mike Gansey.

Anfernee Simons, a willing and much-needed bench scorer, is also here. Same for Ariel Hukporti, an intriguing big man coming off a title run with the Knicks.

Hey, and LeBron James might end up here, too. Never say never, right?

Against that backdrop, Dean Wade has fairly tiptoed into town, lunchpail in hand and valuable toolkit in his back pocket. 

Signed to a reported four-year, $39 million free-agent contract, Wade is the ultimate 3-and-D guy, a sturdily built 6-foot-9 forward who can make open triples and guard all five positions. Whether he starts, or (in the event of a LeBron signing) comes off the bench, those are two very useful skills to possess.

And two things that might escape notice, given everything else that is going on. Or might go on, in the weeks and months ahead.

During a Zoom call with reporters Tuesday, he called defense “a thankless job,” and that is inarguable. Nobody in the Association wants to crouch in a stance, hike up their shorts and joust with the breathtakingly skilled guys headed their way. But Wade, an undrafted free agent signed out of Kansas State by Cleveland in 2019 (where Gansey was an executive at the time), discovered early on that that was his ticket to playing time.

Never mind that Wade had been a scorer in college. Never mind, he said, that he was “never really known as a defender” at that point in his career. He learned to become one. And he has learned to like it.

“I think the most appealing part of defense is … when people iso one on one,” he said. “It is head-up – just who’s better, and I’ve got to play with that little chip on my shoulder. I love that competitive spirit, where it’s just whose will’s going to kind of outlast whose.”

By his second season he was getting regular time, and that remained the case during the duration of his seven-year stay in Cleveland. He averaged a modest 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds over that time, but shot nearly 37 percent from three and just generally proved to be a useful piece to the puzzle.

Along the way he crossed paths with former Sixer Georges Niang, a Cavalier in 2023-24 and part of 2024-25. And Niang – “maybe the funniest human I’ve ever met,” Wade said – told him a little something about Philadelphia. How, yes, the town’s athletic supporters can be tough, but are ultimately, “the best fans in the world, as long as you’re playing the right way.”

Suffice it to say that Wade will endeavor to do just that, while continuing to keep a low profile – something that comes naturally to him.

He hails from the farming community of St. John, Kansas (pop. 1,200). His dad, Jay, played football at Kansas State and Western Illinois, while his mom, Trish, played basketball and volleyball at Barton Community College and Florida Southern.

She would later win three state championships in 17 seasons as the volleyball coach at St. John-Hudson, while coaching her daughter Teresa, among others. (Trish, who also coached track at her children’s alma mater, now heads the volleyball squad at Nickerson High School.)

So it’s not hard to see where Dean got his athletic ability. Also his competitiveness.

“When I was younger, I hated losing,” he said. “I was the worst loser – like, my parents would beat me in a card game, and I would lose my mind.”

One of the fringe benefits to having a mom in coaching is that she had the key to the high school gym, which according to Dean was just two doors down from the family home.

“I lived in the gym,” he said.

He would ultimately lead his school to three state championships. Still, pro basketball seemed a long way off.

“Even thinking about the NBA when I was growing up was never a real thought in my mind,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh, that’s a cool dream, but I never really thought I would have the opportunity to play.’”

But he never felt overmatched in AAU competition, and his family fostered his dream.

“Especially my sister,” he said. “She kicked that self-doubt right out of me before I could.”

Kansas State would ultimately unearth him, and he became a two-time All-Big 12 performer while averaging 12 points a game on .498/.386/.711 shooting over four seasons. And before he knew it, the NBA became a distinct possibility.

“Even when I was (on) a two-way (contract as a rookie),” he said, “I was like, ‘Man, I feel like I could still play in this league – compete at the highest level in this league.’ I never had any doubt in my mind.”

Not by then. And not anymore. Now he comes sneaking into town, carrying a mindset and a skillset that could prove very useful. And never mind that nobody else might notice.

The most infamous moment in LeBron James’ career remains “The Decision,” in which the then-25-year-old turned picking a new team into an overblown one-hour TV special that will never be repeated. Now, we’re getting the modern equivalent of it — and it’s sad as hell.

Rather than just picking a team and moving on, the entire LeBron courtship has turned into fuel for Rich Paul’s podcast, and that fire was given more oxygen on Tuesday when Sixers president Bob Myers went on the show to make a public pitch to LeBron, rather than talking to him in private.

It’s one thing to watch the greatest basketball player on the planet self-produce his own free agency broadcast, but it’s on a whole other level to see an NBA executive fawn over LeBron like the contestant on a dating show. It’s all so sad, and so transparent — because Rob Myers doesn’t give a rat’s ass about Rich Paul’s podcast, but understands it’s the cost of doing business when it comes to trying to land LeBron.

Frustrating, execs like Myers understand that James legitimately does give them a better chance of winning. At this point in his career the 41-year-old has become the ultimate glue guy who can functionally fit into any lineup and be a factor, which is an incredible proposition for a team like the Sixers who now have Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey — but critically miss the connective piece that could really push them over the top.

Now we need to wait and see if any other NBA general managers follow suit. Will more line up to appear next to Rich Paul and make their pitch? I hope not, but in this era … yeah, it’s going to happen.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

As the dust begins to settle on free agency (and the Giannis trade), we can at least begin to evaluate how the roster is shaking out; when you do that, one thing stands out: there are a lot of guards on the team right now. I mean, not even counting Gary Trent Jr. and that whole clusterf**k of a situation, I can count a total of 6/15 guys who operate at either guard spot (excluding Ousmane Dieng and Caris LeVert, who also need the rock):

• Ryan Rollins
• Kevin Porter Jr.
• Kasparas Jakucionis
• Tyler Herro
• Brayden Burries
• AJ Green

If you add two-ways in Kam Jones and Cormac Ryan, that number of guards reaches eight.

This is not ideal for a range of reasons. There is the obvious concern about not having enough minutes to go around while also keeping one eye on developing key future players like Jakucionis and Burries. In addition, you need to consider the mental impact of players not feeling comfortable in their roles on a game-to-game basis, and their performance suffering as a result. For example, if Burries is never sure when he’ll sub in because he plays 20 minutes one night and 10 the next, how can he be expected to perform?

I understand that on some level, talent is talent, and rebuilding teams really just need to acquire as much talent as possible, position be damned, but there are tradeoffs to that line of thinking. Therefore, my Brew Hoop brethren, I’ll put it to you: is it a good idea to start the season with this many guards, or does Jon Horst need to make some moves to balance this roster out?

The Celtics’ urge to trade Jaylen Brown appears to be becoming clearer after his shocking move to the rival 76ers last week.

Boston traded Brown for what most consider to be less than market value, landing Paul George – whom most consider to be a negative asset – and four draft picks after failing to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo.

ESPN is now reporting that Brown had an increasingly distant relationship with co-star Jayson Tatum despite winning the title together in 2024.

Shams Charania said that Brown and Tatum’s relationship was “as close to nonexistent as you could have” off the court.

He pointed out that Brown and Tatum have had excellent chemistry on the court, but their off-court dealings left much to be desired.

A large part of this could certainly be related to the fallout from Tatum’s torn Achilles, which he suffered in May 2025 and forced him to miss most of the 2025-26 regular season.

While Tatum was out, Brown stepped into the lion’s share of the work for Boston and averaged career-highs in points (28.7), assists (5.1), and rebounds (6.9) per game.

After the campaign, Brown infamously called this his “favorite season” of his NBA career despite blowing a 3-1 lead in a first-round series against the 76ers.

Brown won the NBA Finals MVP in 2024, a decision that was highly controversial, as Tatum is widely regarded as the best player on the Celtics, and the two consistently had Boston as title contenders.

As Brown trade speculation unfolded, Tatum was mostly quiet and issued a brief statement after his now-ex-teammate was sent to Philadelphia.

“From first-round exits to winning a chip together, I’m thankful for it all. Nothing but love and respect for you as a player and as a person,” Tatum said. “Looking forward to see how you attack this next chapter of your career and wish nothing but the best for you! Continue to be special!”

Celtics President Brad Stevens explained the trade by saying they weren’t comfortable paying Brown and Tatum in this current second apron salary cap era.

“I think when you choose the term ‘optionality,’ you’re talking about just length of contract and assets, so that’s where the increased optionality comes from,” Stevens told reporters after the trade. “And listen, we’re going to have to lean on our depth. This is a big part of this.”

What Celtics fans need to know about 2026 NBA Summer League originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas begins this week, and the Boston Celtics should be a fun team to watch throughout the tournament.

The action begins July 9 and goes through July 19. All games will be played at the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavillion on the UNLV campus.

The Celtics have never won a Summer League championship. They were last in the title game in 2021, when they lost to the Sacramento Kings.

Can the C’s end that drought and leave Las Vegas with a title?

Here’s what you need to know about the Celtics’ Summer League competition.

Summer League Roster

The Celtics announced their roster Wednesday. It features three players — Hugo Gonzalez, John Tonje and Amari Williams — who saw time in Boston last season.

Gonzalez is by far the best player on the roster after an impressive rookie season for the C’s. He also played well for Spain in two FIBA qualifying games last week.

The 2025 first-round pick has great potential and should play a larger role in Joe Mazzulla’s lineup next season. This will be Gonzalez’s second appearance at Summer League. He averaged 10.8 points per game in last year’s tournament.

Another player of note is Chris Cenac Jr. The Celtics drafted the University of Houston center with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Second-round pick Dillon Mitchell out of St. John’s should be fun to watch, too. He’s a very good defensive player and a strong rebounder, but how much can he impact the game offensively?

Celtics assistant coach Amile Jefferson will be the head coach of the Summer League team.

Summer League Schedule

The Celtics will play their first four games in a six-day span, and three of their first four opponents are against Eastern Conference teams, including the defending Summer League champion Charlotte Hornets.

A four-team playoff will determine a Summer League champion. The semifinal round will be on July 18 and the title game will be July 19.

The 26 teams that don’t make the playoff will play a fifth game on July 17, 18 or 19.

The NBA Rookie of the Year award is a rare honor for a prospect whose game translates immediately to winning play at the pro level. Development is rarely linear, and blue-chip athletes can have a leg up in the rookies’ first time playing through an extended NBA season. The past nine ROY winners have all been top-four draft picks, with Malcolm Brogdon the rare exception after playing lead ball handler for a Bucks team making a leap around Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Narratives will also cycle through favorites as players get hot and teams go on runs. Kon Knueppel seemed to run away with the award last year as an immediate three-point specialist with movement skills in Charlotte, but Cooper Flagg’s steady growth into his larger role in Dallas made him inevitable after back-to-back 51- and 45-point outings in April. 

FanDuel’s odds on the NBA Rookie of the Year award voting show a few top draft picks who’ve landed in ideal roles for their current and developing skill sets. These are also the players most likely to be crashing the playoffs with breakout performances sooner than later.

Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies (+250)

Cameron Boozer was rated as the top prospect by many entering the draft, and he’s joining a Memphis lineup that is set up to thrive around him. Zach Edey provides supplementary size; and Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward earned ROY votes the past two seasons, and could help Boozer accelerate Memphis’ timeline back to competitiveness. 

Darryn Peterson, Utah Jazz (+270)

Darryn Peterson’s uneven season in Kansas and subsequent fall to Utah with the No. 2 draft pick might have been for the best long-term. Some analysts note that last season’s physical limitations led Peterson to become a lethal shooter and more accustomed to operating as part of a system. The Jazz are embarking on a new phase of their rebuild, and Peterson profiles as an ideal fit alongside Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markannen, and Jaren Jackson Jr. (and Walker Kessler). 

AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards (+470)

The Wizards are another team rolling out a re-imagined roster, and AJ Dybantsa will have a chance to thrive playing alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Washington also has a trove of young guards who can help create space for Dybantsa to operate, and he could easily lead all rookies in scoring and separate himself as the league’s best newcomer.

Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings (+500)

Acuff Jr. is an alpha guard who landed on a team in need of one. He’ll be more than just a spiritual successor to Russell Westbrook after falling to Sacramento with the seventh pick, but Acuff showcased a soft touch and finesse around the rim during his season with Coach John Calipari in Arkansas. He’ll be surrounded by a couple All-Star caliber talents in Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis with a long leash to compete and develop.

Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls (+1000)

Wilson combines rare athleticism with high marks in IQ and professionalism, and he’s joining a Bulls team that can make things easier for him – particularly running alongside Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. The UNC product has already invoked comparisons to Michael Jordan, and (especially after the renaissance season that the Knicks just finished) the hype in Chicago will be generating steam if Wilson can be an impactful force at the core.

Longshots

Mikel Brown Jr., Brooklyn Nets (+2000)

The Nets have a crowded backcourt after drafting four guards in 2025, but Mikel Brown Jr. showed impressive playmaking and bounce off the dribble that could gel well alongside new teammates Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr. 

Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors (+2500)

Lendenborg is a do-it-all, two-way forward for a Golden State team hoping to assemble another title contender around Steph Curry. The 23-year-old rookie could earn starter’s minutes for a team that will attract a lot of media attention.

Keaton Wagler, Los Angeles Clippers (+3500)

Wagler’s rapid ascent from the No. 150 recruit to the No. 5 pick means there are still areas of his game that are less explored (or exploited). He’ll start his career playing alongside Darius Garland, though the rest of the lineup could still get shaken up with a potential Kawhi Leonard trade.

Brayden Burries, Milwaukee Bucks (+6000)

Coach Taylor Jenkins will have a lot to sort out as the new-look Bucks take the court, and Burries is the centerpiece of the team’s first draft post-Giannis. Burries projects to have an immediate and well-rounded impact, with the opportunity to emerge as a leading scorer like he did in his one season at Arizona.

Well, if you were hoping for a resolution in the LeBron James sweepstakes, it doesn’t appear you’re getting it soon.

But if you’re holding out hope The King eventually chooses to play for the Sixers, you were provided a glimmer of hope Wednesday morning.

Bob Myers, who is the president of sports for HBSE and hired president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, was a guest on Rich Paul’s show Game Over on Netflix. The two have an existing friendship, Paul noted, surely crossing paths many times over their respective careers.

First, we have to get out of the way that this is unprecedented — a current executive (I know not technically a direct executive) talking to a current agent openly about a player for the world to see. On some levels, it’s cool for them to be this transparent, but it’s also a little strange.

You have to give Myers credit here. When Paul asked him to do this, he likely didn’t hesitate. This by no means is an indicator LeBron is coming here and it ultimately might not help — but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Myers acquitted himself well on there, making the Sixers look serious about their pitch to LeBron without being condescending to Paul or the audience.

It felt like host Max Kellerman was hoping to turn this into a recruitment circus and Myers never took the bait. He just kept reiterating he believed the Sixers gave LeBron his chance to win while continuing to make it clear James has already weighed these things and nothing Myers is going to say on this show is going to be the thing that sways the decision. Myers repeatedly complimented LeBron’s knowledge of the league and its players — again, couldn’t hurt.

Myers also took a question about newest Sixer Jaylen Brown, in which he reminded everyone a crucial member of his championship Golden State Warriors wasn’t an analytics darling: Klay Thompson.

Again, Myers deserves respect for doing this and acquitting himself well. He made the Sixers sound like a serious organization that’s ready to win. It was refreshing.

This, of course, comes on the heels of ESPN’s Shams Charania essentially narrowing James’ list down to three teams: the Sixers, Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.

This whole saga has given me Godfather III vibes.

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.

‘This might save his career': Charles Barkley says adding Jaylen Brown could re-define Embiid originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers needed a miracle to change the course of their franchise, one that hasn’t seen so much as a trip to the conference finals in a quarter-century. With two seemingly immovable contracts, there wasn’t much hope for an off-season that could turn things measurably for the better.

One such miracle came to pass last week, when new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey worked out a trade with the Celtics to acquire 5-time All-Star and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, for Paul George and 4 draft picks.

You are excused if you thought this was a joke at first glance. You’re not the only one.

Sixers legend and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley was a guest on Unfiltered on 97.5 The Fanatic Tuesday, and he also didn’t believe the news at first.

“I was like, ‘This can’t be a true story,’” Barkley told host Bill Colarulo. “There’s so much fake stuff on the Internet, I’m like, ‘No, they didn’t just trade him to the Sixers.’”

“Man, the Sixers just got away with murder,” he added. “With Paul [George]’s contract and Joel [Embiid]’s inability to stay healthy, they were going to be out of the running for the next 4-5 years. Now they’re legitimate contenders.”

According to Barkley, the move shifted the balance of power in the East. Pairing Brown with lead guard Tyrese Maxey gives the Sixers a dynamic 1-2 offensive punch that can go toe-to-toe with any team in the Eastern Conference. Brown (28.7 ppg) and Maxey (28.3) finished fourth and fifth respectively in the NBA in scoring last season.

The addition of Brown will also ease Maxey’s burden when it comes to his workload. No NBA player logged more minutes per game than Maxey’s 38. With another star in the lineup with takeover capabilities, Maxey doesn’t have to shoulder as much of the scoring load.

Brown’s impact, however, will be most felt by the team’s central figure, Embiid. Barkley said that this trade could re-define things for the 2-time scoring champion.

“This might save his career,” Barkley said. “He ain’t got to be the best player, he’s just got to try to stay healthy. I think Joel and Tyrese have to be the happiest two dudes in the NBA right now. Because they were gonna be irrelevant.”

Bob Myers: Sixers would give LeBron James ‘best chance to win'  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It’s certainly no secret now that the Sixers would be happy to land LeBron James as an enormous final piece of their offseason. 

Bob Myers, the president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, openly discussed James’ free agency on the “Game Over” podcast with Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and Max Kellerman. Paul had named the Sixers as a potential destination for James on a previous podcast. 

Myers led the front office search this summer that concluded with Mike Gansey becoming the Sixers’ new president of basketball operations. He touched on many topics in the podcast, including the intangibles of NBA team-building and the current state of the Eastern Conference. As far as James, he recognized that the 22-time All-Star has a deep understanding of the NBA and is unlikely to be dramatically swayed by any individual pitch. 

“Let’s be honest: Whatever I say doesn’t really matter to what he’s going to do,” Myers said. “And I’m OK saying that.” 

Still, Myers didn’t mind laying out a case for the Sixers, who feel they’ve seriously strengthened their team by trading for Jaylen Brown. They’ve also drafted Labaron Philon Jr. and signed Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons and Ariel Hukporti.

“When you’re talking about the Sixers, if he was here I’d say, ‘I honestly believe this is your best chance to win. You have to decide all the other things that are equally important.’ It’s his life, right? He has to play. He has to face the scrutiny of his decision,” Myers said. “Half the people will say, ‘You should’ve done this’ or ‘You should’ve done that’ and criticize him for whatever. It’s his life; he’s been through all that.

“What I would just say is, ‘If it’s about winning, let’s talk about this team, because you can win here in Philadelphia.’”

If James were to join the Sixers, Myers described the top players’ skill sets as “very complementary.” James would presumably slot into the starting lineup alongside Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Brown and Joel Embiid. 

Along with his on-court tools and exceptional basketball intelligence, Myers praised the veteran wisdom James carries at 41 years old.

“I think a lot of players, when they make it to the (NBA) Finals or get deep, because they’re people, there’s an anxiety to that,” Myers said. “It’s like, ‘Oh my God, this is high level.’ … What a guy like LeBron does, if you’re on that team as a player, you’re going to look over at him and he’ll be like, ‘I’ve done this 10 times.’ You can walk over to him and go, ‘What did you do?’ … That’s also underrated.” 

Myers declined to critique other organizations reportedly in the mix for James, though he noted no team is flawless. 

For the Sixers, Myers believes it boils down to the basics.

“All I could talk about would be winning and organizational support,” he said. “But if there’s other reasons, it’s completely fine.” 

Minnesota Timberwolves basketball is back!

Sure, you won’t be seeing LaMelo (or LeBron) in action. It’s going to be a handful of games from last year and this year’s rookies, but let’s not kid yourself. You’ve been starved for our Wolves basketball. If you’re reading this or are a regular at Canis Hoopus, then you’re surely the demographic for Summer League action.

As a prize for clicking here, I pronounce to you:

The Ultimate 2026 Wolves Summer League Companion!

We’re here to get you up to date on all things Las Vegas Summer League so you can keep this virtual program handy when tuning in. When and how do I watch the next game? Who’s that tall guy starting next to Rocco Zikarsky? Who’s number 15 and why isn’t he on an NBA roster right now? Ever heard of Al Ahly Ly?

You will have all the fun facts that you can casually drop to impress your friends, family, and significant others.

Table of Contents

1. Summer League Schedule
2. Full Roster Breakdown
   • Tier 1 – Roster Relevant Guys
     • Joan Beringer (F/C) | Rocco Zikarsky (C) | Isaiah Evans (G)
   • Tier 2 – Potential Two-Way Prospects
     • Zyon Pullin (G) | Enrique Freeman (F) | Trey Kaufman-Renn (F)
   • Tier 3 – G-League Journeymen
     • Nate Santos (W) | Dajuan Harris (G)
     • Damion Baugh (G) | Donovan Williams (W) | Jaylin Williams (F) | Chris Mantis (F)
   • Tier 4 – Undrafted Dreamers
     • Trey Campbell (G) | Aidan Mahaney (G) | Toby Harris (F) | Devin McGlockton (F)
3. Storylines to Watch
   • Big is In
   • Calling All Forwards
   • Shoot Your Shot

Summer League Schedule

If this is your first rodeo, then let me explain the format of Las Vegas Summer League to you.

Every team plays four pre-determined games to determine who the top four teams are. The top four are generally determined by win-loss record and point differentials (tiebreakers may come into play). These teams then move on to a single-elimination tournament to crown a champion. The teams that miss out on the bracket will get a fifth and final exhibition game.

For your information, it’s not uncommon for high lottery picks or important rotation players to play just a few of the games early in the schedule before being shut down to avoid potential injury.

The Wolves opening schedule is as follows:

• Game 1: Thursday, July 9 @ 2:30pm CT vs New Orleans Pelicans (Prime)
• Game 2: Saturday, July 11 @ 6:30pm CT vs Denver Nuggets (Prime)
• Game 3: Tuesday, July 13 @ 10:00pm CT vs Portland Trail Blazers (ESPN2)
• Game 4: Wednesday, July 15 @ 2:30pm CT vs Indiana Pacers (Prime)
• Game 5: TBD
• Game 6: TBD

You might be asking yourselves: Has Minnesota ever “won it all” before? The answers is no. They went 4-0 last year, but just barely missed out on the “championship bracket” due to point differential. However, I detailed just how close they’ve gotten in last year’s summer league preview:

The Timberwolves have made it to the finals twice, but fallen just short. In 2016, Tyus Jones lost to the Chicago Bulls thanks to a Denzel Valentine buzzer beater in overtime. Then in 2019, Naz Reid and Jordan McLaughlin nearly overcame a 10-point deficit with less than two minutes left, but fell to the Memphis Grizzlies by just three points.

As usual, the Canis Hoopus team will have previews, game threads, and recaps for all you sickos.

Wolves Roster Breakdown

The initial Wolves Summer League roster rollout is incomplete due to the pending Julius Randle, Naz Reid, LaMelo Ball traffic jam of a trade. Currently omitted on this roster is the 33rd pick of the 2026 NBA draft, Isaiah Evans. By all accounts, Evans will be present and active as Vegas.

Last year, two-thirds of Minnesota’s roster consisted of former Iowa Wolves players. This time, less than half of team are former Iowa players. There’ll be a good mix of fresh faces which is always fun to see. Who’s going to be the next Coty Clarke or Deonte Burton (Real ones know)?

The Wolves Summer League Head Coach will be Nathan Bubes, a current Wolves assistant coach. He’ll be flanked by a team of assistant coaches such as James “Flight” White, Iowa Wolves head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah, and others.

Interestingly enough, the Wolves listed Đorđe Adžić as a “guest coach.” Adžić was an assistant coach for KK Cedevita Olimpija during Joan Beringer time overseas.

Tier 1: Roster Relevant Guys

Joan Beringer (F/C)

Glass ceiling comp: Ultimate Giannis Antetokounmpo
Boring mezzanine comp: Fast Jarrett Allen
Dark basement comp: Tall Bismack Biyombo

The Big Question: Can he stay on the floor by staying out of foul trouble?

Your eyes do not deceive you. That “F” next to Beringer’s name stands for “forward.”

Coach Bubes made some waves when he declared that Joan Beringer would “play some at the four” next to fellow seven-footer, Rocco Zikarsky. Given Minnesota’s the King-sized hole at that position, there were plenty of eyebrows that were raised here. However, Zikarsky has quite a bit more floor spacing capabilities than someone like Rudy Gobert so is this just a fun summer experiment?

The other note that drew attention was the 19-year-old’s listed weight. A year ago, he was listed at 230 pounds. This year, that has increased by 15. It’s only natural to expect a teenager, who’s hardly played professional sports, to bulk up in due time. It was obvious in his sparing rookie opportunities that he lacked the girth to battle with bigger bodies in the paint. Will his new found strength be on display in his second summer league campaign?

There’s also been murmurs of the Frenchman working on his perimeter touch and off-the-dribble skills. It will be very intriguing to see how much truth there is to that, but regardless, he will be the primary player Wolves fans will be watching. You can already tell that year two Joan seems far more comfortable than he was in year one.

Rocco Zikarsky (C)

Glass ceiling comp: Healthy Kristaps Porziņģis
Boring mezzanine comp: Less athletic Jay Huff
Dark basement comp: Shorter Tacko Fall

The Big Question: Can physically keep up with the speed of the game?

Our favorite giant Australian joins the Wolves for his second summer league experience after spending most of last season with the Iowa Wolves. In his 42 games in the G League, he averaged 14.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in just 25.1 minutes per game. The per 36 numbers go crazy.

One of the most interesting aspects about Rocco, other than the fact that he was the tallest player (7’4”) of his draft class despite being just 19 years old, was his potential to spread the floor. The Aussie shot 45.5% from perimeter on nearly two attempts per game in his first 18 games with Iowa. That tailed off significantly as his season progressed, including a ghastly 0 for 15 mark in February. There’s still something there to find out, though.

Zikarsky’s rim protection is obvious. He has tantalizing passing potential, despite some accuracy issues. He’s going to have to prove he can play at an acceptable speed due to his lumbering gait. He turns just 20 on the Wolves second summer league game this season, so hopefully Rocco will ball out on his birthday.

Isaiah Evans (G)

Glass ceiling comp: Young Trey Murphy III
Boring mezzanine comp: Lankier Tim Hardaway Jr.
Dark basement comp: Cool Matt Ryan

The Big Question: Can he be passable on the defensive end of the floor?

Though Isaiah Evans isn’t currently listed on the summer league roster, he is expected to be present once the trade is processed. That said, it’s not often you would give a rookie who was the 33rd pick a chance to crack the rotation of a playoff team. It’s even less likely when you consider how deep that team already is at their position. But Isaiah Evans finds himself in this tier because of an elite skill that he is.

“Showtime Slim” can shoot the leather off the ball.

By many advanced metrics, Evans measured in as one of the best movement shooters of his draft class. He’s built like Corey Brewer which teases at his potential on both ends of the court, but as of now, he seems to mostly be a specialist.

Evans was a five-star recruit out of high school from North Carolina, then had to play behind Kon Knueppel during his first year at Duke. He grinded at getting better on the defensive end of the court, helping him secure a larger role in his second and final year of college, averaging 15 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 three-pointers made for an Elite Eight team.

Isaiah will need to demonstrate he can be more than just a one-dimensional offensive player, but more importantly, prove that he can hang on the defensive side of the floor this summer. If he wants to earn scrap minutes for the Timberwolves, he’ll need to understand the assignment.

Tier 2: Potential Two-Way Prospects

Zyon Pullin (G)

Glass ceiling comp: Explosive Ajay Mitchell
Boring mezzanine comp: Offensively skewed Tre Jones
Dark basement comp: Devin Carter

The Big Question: Can he prove himself to be a primary point guard and organize the team?

Let’s not pull any punches about this. Zyon Pullin was one of the most dominant players in the G League last season. Had he not suffered a wrist injury that forced him out of action for a couple of months, he surely would’ve won more than just one Player of the Month award. Hell, in his first week back from a long absence, he won Player of the Week. If Pullin was healthy all season, Iowa would’ve been in significantly better playoff position instead of dropping down to face the finals-bound Stockton Kings in the first round.

He’s 25 years old. Stands at six foot four inches tall, with a strong 206 pound build. Posted unbelievable shooting splits of .584/.534/.824. Has an elite 2.86 assist-to-turnover ratio. Possesses an incredible first step. Uses masterful craft to draw contact or finish in the paint. Wields a deadly, if not low volume, trey ball.

So why is Zyon here?

Coach Bubes shared that he wants to see if Zyon can develop into a true point guard. Yes, he’s a reliably capable ball mover, but he more often opts to call his own number. Pullin is plenty good at that, but what else can he bring? I’m a big believer in him.

I think Zyon’s primed for a special summer league performance, especially after he inexplicably played his worst game of his G League season in a win-or-go home playoff game against the Kings two months ago.

Enrique Freeman (F)

Glass ceiling comp: Poor man’s Paul Millsap
Boring mezzanine comp: Slimmer Jared Sullinger
Dark basement comp: Poor man’s Craig Smith

The Big Question: Can he truly space the floor consistently?

Enrique Freeman is an interesting prospect, to say the least. The six foot, nine inch forward has nights where you can clearly see the vision and path for him to be an NBA player. On other nights, he looks destined to be a G League journeyman.

So what does it look like when it’s going well for the Puerto Rican-American?

Enrique is a high motor, physical big. He’ll always hustle for loose balls and hit the glass hard. But when it’s his night, the three-pointers are splashing in. He can operate as an offensive hub who can coordinate things from the high post. His athleticism will pop for some wild defensive plays.

But on nights the soon-to-be 26 year old isn’t on? Freeman quickly becomes one of the most frustrating players to watch on the floor. Low IQ decision making on both ends of the floor. It often made me want to tear my hair out.

He most recently signed a new two-way contract with the Timberwolves, but those contracts can quickly be pulled and replaced at a moment’s notice. Enrique has to show consistency in what may be his last attempt to make a standard NBA roster. He ended his final two months of his G League season shooting 38% from distance and 2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio which may be good foreshadowing.

Trey Kaufman-Renn (F)

Glass ceiling comp: David Lee with a more unique name
Boring mezzanine comp: Less athletic, offensively-skewed Brandon Clarke
Dark basement comp: Short Kosta Koufos

The Big Question: Can he do anything other than score around the rim?

I want to call Trey “Crab Man” because he said he spent draft night crabbing with his family members instead of celebrating achieving his childhood dream. Or maybe “The Philosopher” since he was a Philosophy major in college, and how he cites that he uses it to guide himself as a teammate. It’s little things like this that intrigue me about a player I did not know existed until 24 days ago.

After the initial scan of draft expert analyses and some highlight videos, he seems like a curious player in today’s NBA game. TKR doesn’t seem capable of scoring outside the paint, isn’t an outstanding playmaker, and is undersized without elite athleticism. So what did Tim Connelly and his team see in him?

The NCAA West All-Region Team honoree was uber productive once Zach Edey left for the NBA, averaging 17.1 points on 58% shooting between his final two seasons at Purdue. He was also tasked with more decision-making responsibilities, often operating at the nail with success.

The way Trey finishes on offense reminds me a lot of the late, great, Brandon Clarke. Yes, the man who dominated the Wolves in the 2022 playoffs. TK isn’t the high flyer that BC was, but he will position himself in the right spots and dink and dunk you to death. He constantly punishes smaller or low effort/concentration defenders.

Trey’s inclusion in this tier is more out of speculation than actual fact though. The Wolves still have a hole at the power forward position and the front office drafted a power forward. I find it unlikely that he can overtake someone like Enrique Freeman or Zyon Pullin for a two-way spot, but it’s also not impossible that he magically turns into Kevin Love. By all accounts, he’s a hard worker and always rises to the level of competition.

He literally performed so well in the G League Combine in May that they invited him to the NBA Draft Combine.

Tier 3: G-League Journeymen

Nate Santos (W) | Dajuan Harris (G)

The only two non-Wolves roster or two-way Iowa players on this roster are Nate Santos and Dajuan Harris. They’re fairly simple players to understand on the court.

Santos is is your prototypical 3&D utility wing. He was one of the designated perimeter shooters for Iowa, though he wasn’t particularly reliable in that role. From November to March, he vacillated from distance every month. Nate would shoot low 30% or worse, then bounce back to high 30% or better. The 24 year old landed at a respectable 36.3% on decent volume. The Puerto Rican-American does stand at six foot, seven inches tall and wasn’t terrible as a slasher. I would comp him as a Kelan Martin type.

Meanwhile, Dajuan Harris is your small, feisty, “live in your jersey” defensive menace. He’s a ball mover on offense and not much of a play finisher, and certainly not a shooter. Think Rajon Rondo archetype. The former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year was often subbed in to inject energy into the lineup, often spurring positive runs for Iowa. He’s 25 years of age and seems destined for a career in the G or overseas.

Damion Baugh (G) | Donovan Williams (W) | Jaylin Williams (F) | Chris Mantis (W)

Just like most other teams do, the Wolves added some G League rotation players to their summer league team. Most of these guys will likely be used as practice bodies, but are also auditioning for their next roles. It could be for Iowa, another G League team, or even abroad.

Damion Baugh is the only guard of this bunch. He was by-and-large the best player for the Valley Suns, leading them in scoring. He wasn’t particularly efficient (.486 eFG%), but did excel as a playmaker. The six foot, four inch guard averaged 8.0 assists per game which was good for 10th in the entire G League. Damion was also selected to take part in the NBA All-Star Weekend G League Next Up game, playing for the team that ultimately won the tournament. He most recently played in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Canadian-Elite-Basketball-League (CEBL).

Donovan “Stretch” Williams is an athletic six foot, five inch wing who can also fill up the box score. He’s much more of a “pure scorer” who can bomb away from three or finish with authority. Think prime Trevor Ariza. He’s played for six different G League teams and even had a quick drink of water with the Atlanta Hawks in 2023. Since the G season ended, he’s also taken his talents to the BAL where he’s third in the league in scoring (21.6).

Sadly, this Jaylin Williams is not the half-Vietnamese Jaylin Williams on the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, he is also an undersized big who makes hustle plays and has shown flashes of spacing the floor. He spent last year with the runner-up Stockton Kings where he was an integral part of their rotation. The way he plays reminds me of Jalen “Stix” Smith, of the Chicago Bulls.

I was a bit surprised to see Chris Mantis pop up on the summer league roster. He played limited minutes in the G League last year for the Capital City Go-Go (Wizards affiliate). He’s essentially a three-point specialist who doesn’t do much else.

The two guys who stand out most to me are Baugh and Donovan Williams. Ironically, they both played on the same ‘24-‘25 Westchester Knicks team. They both also played on the same BAL team (Al Ahly Ly) a couple months ago. It seems they are a combo who are on the cusp of being too good for the G League. I’ll be curious if they can challenge for a potential two-way contract with the Wolves.

Tier 4: Undrafted Dreamers

Trey Campbell (G)| Aidan Mahaney (G) | Toby Harris (F) | Devin McGlockton (F)

Minnesota’s summer league roster is rounded out by four undrafted players trying to get a chance. They all vary in terms of college programs they played at, but all have similarly underwhelming simple box score numbers.

Trey Campbell and Aidan Mahaney look to be very similar type of players. Point guards with decent size, and ability to shoot the deep ball on relatively high volume. On one hand, Campbell played in a lot lower level of competition in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), but had a very decorated four years there. He was the MVC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, following in the footsteps of former NBA sharpshooters Doug McDermott and Kyle Korver. He also made the MVC All-Defensive Team last season.

Mahaney, on the other hand, bounced around three different programs. He was a standout West Coast Conference (WCC) player at Saint Mary’s, then earned a shot with the University of Connecticut Huskies. The big leagues! Though he gained valuable experience in his 34 games there, mostly off the bench, he returned to California to play for UC Santa Barbara (my wife’s alma mater). He made All-Conference First Team in three of his four years in college, including his final year at UCSB where he was fifth in the conference in three-point makes.

Toby Harris and Devin McGlockton are two fairly different players. Toby Harris, not to be confused with Tobias Harris and no relation to Dajuan, is another three-point specialist who cut his teeth in Division III basketball at Brandeis University before going D1. The 23 year old shot nearly seven three-point attempts per game while knocking them down at a over 41% clip!

McGlockton is more a traditional big who rebounds the hell out of the ball. He has some semblance of a jumpshot, but is more of a cleanup guy. I assume him and Trey Kaufman-Renn could recreate the “Spiderman Pointing” meme.

Storylines to Watch

Big is In

Just when you thought Tim Connelly’s Timberwolves were going to “zig” when the rest of the league is “zagging” towards big (Thanks a lot, Wemby), Coach Bubes announced the aforementioned two-big look that they’ll be experimenting with. Two (basically) 19-year-old seven foot monsters? Why the hell not!

To clarify, he did say that Beringer would be functioning primarily as a power forward on defense, but center on offense. Vice versa for Zikarsky. Still, watching these two behemoths hammer other teams on the boards is going to be hilariously fun. They may also both set the record for fouls per minute by a starting frontcourt.

Let’s actually talk real hoops for a second. Rocco’s potential shooting prowess will be something that Wolves fans should be keeping their eyes on. Meanwhile, seeing Joan confidently in space on both ends of the court should also draw your attention.

Calling All Forwards

LeBron James hasn’t come to save Minnesota from their power forward shortage yet, has he? Can 30-year-old Trey Lyles handle 30 minutes of action? Will Jaden McDaniels add 50 pounds this summer to handle the bulky power forwards that roam the league?

Until any of that is confirmed, the Wolves see their first auditions in Las Vegas. I’m sure the front office will be taking notes on Freeman, Kaufman-Renn, or even Jaylin Williams, Chris Mantis, and Toby Harris. Surely they won’t be considered potential starters, but they have to harvest frontcourt talent somewhere. Spread some seeds and see if anything sprouts.

Shoot Your Shot

The loss of Donte DiVincenzo can’t be replaced by a single player. That said, just like the lack of power forwards, the Wolves have to recoup some of their perimeter scoring from somewhere. LaMelo Ball, Ayo Dosunmu, and Bones Hyland are all talented jump shooters to their own right. However, any injury issues they potentially suffer (knock on wood) could leave the Wolves devoid of three-point threats.

Isaiah Evans could see a role sooner than expected, if things shake out in a particular way. Zyon Pullin, a personal favorite of mine, also showcased an absurd shooting touch last season with Iowa, so perhaps he could be next in line. Maybe even one of the G League journeymen like Baugh or one of the Williams experience a hot few weeks from beyond the arc and secure their ticket to the roster, much like Johnny Juzang did during preseason a year ago.

There you have it. Nearly 4,000 words about the Timberwolves summer league team. I assure you that no other fanbase does it like this. We were born as sickos and remain proud sickos!

So who are you most excited to see most? Was there anyone that deserved more shine? I’ll see you in the comments section as usual!

In a March 15th win, one of just 32 in 2025–26, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo threw down a one-handed jam over Pacers center Jay Huff with 3:49 remaining in the third quarter, breaking an 81-81 tie. He landed awkwardly on his left leg and remained on the floor beneath the basket briefly before rising. Play had already moved to the other end, where an Indiana turnover was corralled by Myles Turner, who then flipped the ball to Ryan Rollins. Giannis hardly jogged ten feet, and with his hands held up, Rollins found him for another dunk via a touchdown pass that traveled a good 70 feet. An easy one.

Giannis ran gingerly back up the floor on defense, and after a Pacers miss, back again on offense. He cut parallel to the baseline to receive a Turner entry pass, and though it was a bit long, he drew a foul from Kobe Brown. He hit his first free throw and clanked the second front rim. That was his last point in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform, and after a stoppage in play about 50 seconds later, he walked off the Fiserv Forum floor for the final time.

That day, I sat in section 209 (media seating) and wondered, as he left the game, whether or not I had just seen Giannis’ final points and game action as a Buck. Nearly three-and-a-half months later, we got our answer: it sadly was. What I wasn’t really wondering at the time was whether or not that would be my final game covering the Bucks for Brew Hoop and SB Nation. But nearly four months later, I have an answer to a question I wasn’t even asking.

At present, I am in the interview process for a position within the league. While I can’t say much more yet, when the time comes, I’ll share more on social media (you can find me @lohausfan on Twitter and @vanfayaz on Bluesky) and provide an update on Brew Hoop. Needless to say, I can no longer be the managing editor of a fan-centric site focused on the Milwaukee Bucks if I’m making such a career move, one which I’m pretty excited about. If you’ve followed my work here over the past five-plus years, you know I’m a cap/CBA wonk, and I’ve grown curious about putting that knowledge to use in a non-media role.

I’m pleased to be turning over the reins here to Jack Trehearne and Zac Day, whom I’ve greatly enjoyed working with the past couple seasons. Both hail from Adelaide, Australia—but coming to Bucks fandom and Brew Hoop entirely independently—and are gifted writers and keen basketball minds whose work elevated the site once I brought them into the fold. You’ve already enjoyed reading their prose and ball knowledge in the last few seasons, and now they’ll be applying that even more broadly as co-managing editors. While bittersweet to leave, I’ll rest very easily knowing the site is in their capable hands.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank a whole slew of people before I go. My predecessors, Mitchell Maurer and Adam Paris, for hiring me six years ago and entrusting me to take over when they left. Frank and Alex for starting the site. SB Nation director of basketball content Harrison Faigen and all other SB Nation NBA site managers for their assistance and collaboration. Dan Smyczek, Barry Baum, Kate Reed, Eric Kohlbeck, and Amanda Janczak from Bucks media relations for all their help. Eric Balkman and John Leopold from The Score in Appleton for the years of radio hits. Justin Garcia and Camille Davis from Locked On Bucks for many podcast appearances. Lisa Byington, Melanie Ricks, Jim Paschke, Marques Johnson, Kris Johnson, and Monis Khan for generously giving their time to help us make content. To everyone who’s read and considered the hundreds of thousands of words I’ve penned for this site about my basketball thoughts.

But most importantly, my sincerest thanks to every Brew Hoop contributor during my tenure as a contributor, editor, and manager (and wasn’t it awesome that we got to experience a championship along the way?). Without their efforts, the site wouldn’t have maintained the tradition of excellence established almost 20 years ago by Frank Madden and Alex Boeder. That tradition will absolutely continue, because we’ve found the right voices to shepherd it onward. From Frank and Alex, through Mitchell and Adam, then myself, I know Jack and Zac will continue to steward what we’ve built—the most comprehensive and free Bucks coverage on the internet—into the post-Giannis era.

When I began hiring staff after taking over for Mitchell, I had him sit in on a Zoom interview. He mentioned to the candidate that one thing he took great pride in from running Brew Hoop was giving new people a voice in basketball, even using me as an example. I then realized that was my main responsibility as site manager, and I also take pride in how I’ve accomplished the same. As I’ve told Jack, I think that’s what we’re here for, beyond simply writing about the Bucks.

Each staff member on Brew Hoop today is one I’ve hired, and I’m humbled that I’ve played a part—even if a small one—in their journey through basketball and writing. I’m proud that I’ve sent our credentialed writers to the NBA All-Star Game, the draft lottery and combine, NBA Summer League, and of course, hundreds of NBA games in Milwaukee and elsewhere. Some have even already moved on to other positions in media, and I hope their time here helped propel them to bigger and brighter things. Even as I move into a different area of basketball, I’m excited to see how those who remain guide the site and what they’ll accomplish further along their paths.

As always, I’ll be reading. I know you’ll do the same.