LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on July 14, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 14: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on July 14, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Back in the win column. The Nets cruised to a 115-83 victory over the Kings on Monday afternoon in Las Vegas. It was a particularly good game for the starting lineup, all who scored in double digits on better than 52 percent shooting. The Nets looked like the better team on both ends of the ball and that’s a major nod to coach Dutch Gaitley.
Watch
Watch: YES Network, Gotham Sports, ESPNU.
Who: Nets vs. Rockets
When: Tip after 4:30 PM.
The Game
The Nets played some of their best ball all summer against the Kings on Tuesday, and that includes the California Classic. The ball was swinging around the perimeter, players were diving after loose balls, and they simply manhandled a clearly weaker Kings team. Summer League can only be taken so serious, but this was a huge step in the right direction for the BK guys. We’ll see if the main attractions suit up in this one.
Otherwise, Egor Dëmin is offering plenty of optimism. He had a decent rookie season before being shut down and is excelling in Summer League.
“It’s time I fill out an apology form on Egor Demin. Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, I named Demin one of the most overrated prospects in the class, and gave the Nets a D for his selection at No. 8 overall in my instant grades. My main arguments against Demin were that I didn’t think he could score efficiently inside or outside the arc, and I didn’t think he had the frame to play through contact on either end. Well! Demin massively improved as a shooter as a rookie, going from 27 percent from three and 69 percent from the foul line in college to 38.5 percent from three and 83.1 percent on free throws as a rookie. A year in an NBA strength and conditioning program helped his body quite a bit too, and he continues to show the gains he’s made during summer league. Demin scored 20 or more points in all three of his summer league games this year on 61 percent true shooting. He looks improved attacking the basket off the bounce, and he’s showing he can hit the defensive glass, too. The Nets have done a really good job developing Demin’s frame, and it’s paying off on both ends. Demin deserves a lot of credit himself for putting in the work to improve his jumper. I’m happy to be wrong about this one because Demin is a cool player with a fun skill set who should be a nice piece in Brooklyn’s rebuild for a long time.“
As the Nets continue their rebuild, young players exceeding expectations will go a long way in helping them get back to where they want to be. As Demin continues to get stronger and gain professional experience, his game will continue to progress and reach higher heights.
Player to watch: Mikel Brown Jr
Assuming he plays…
It’s been a fun summer for the newest Net. Over his first two games, Mikel Brown Jr is averaging 18 points and four assists on .522/.455/1.000 shooting splits. In addition to those numbers, the kid has put forth plenty of exciting moments that have Nets fans excited for what’s to come
Mikel Brown Jr. picks Darius Acuff's pocket in transition, then crosses him over and hits the pull-up middy. pic.twitter.com/jSew2VIVfo
Brown Jr has been one of the more pleasant surprises coming out of Summer League and is a player that has drawn tons of praise across the basketball landscape this month. Another good outing will only add to his run and help build anticipation as we transition into the Fall.
From the Vault
I’m always down to watch some random Hakeem Olajuwon highlights
After Herro, who was recently traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, allegedly sent some DMs criticizing Adebayo's play and salary. The DMs were leaked, and Adebayo was unhappy. Adebayo reportedly confronted Herro in front of Herro's AAU team and punched him.
Such an action would normally result in consequences. However, on Thursday, July 16, the NBA announced that it would not be taking action against Adebayo for the conflict.
NBA spokesperson on Bam Adebayo-Tyler Herro incident: "After discussing with the players involved and the NBPA, everyone would prefer to move on from this unfortunate circumstance, and no further action will be taken by the league." https://t.co/S1xcPRvKWB
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, a league spokesperson said the league believes it best to simply "move on from this unfortunate circumstance."
The decision has some fans puzzled, considering other players have been hit with much harsher penalties for less. Here's what we know.
What is a normal NBA punishment for physical violence against another player?
A previous altercation that first comes to mind is the October 2022 incident in which Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green punched then-teammate Jordan Poole at practice.
Though Green was not suspended for his actions, he was fined, per the NBA.
Furthermore, in the NBA's latest collective bargaining agreement, the commissioner of the league is granted power to to investigate and penalize players for conduct deemed detrimental to the league, even during the offseason or in private situations.
A fan pulled up next to Steve Kerr's black SUV at a stoplight on Wednesday. After a quick exchange of pleasantries, the fan had one question for the Golden State Warriors head coach:
The nine-time NBA champion looked back at the car next to him through his sunglasses and let out a big laugh with them before pulling off.
Now, it should be made clear here that Kerr was probably joking, or at the very least made the comment in good fun to a question that he's likely been getting a lot these days. The entire NBA world, from fans to players and coaches to front office executives, is waiting with bated breath to see where exactly LeBron James will be playing his historic 24th season. According to multiple reports, the league's all-time leading scorer has all the information he needs from the teams he's considering and is now weighing his options, so a decision appears to be inching closer.
Until then, however, all basketball discourse is stuck in a wash cycle.
The teams James has been linked to include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and of course, the Warriors, who have emerged alongside the Cavs as betting favorites to sign James in recent weeks. It's an intriguing pairing as it would unite the 41-year-old James with a 38-year-old Steph Curry, once his biggest on-court rival when the two battled in the NBA Finals for four straight summers from 2015-2018.
At the American Century Championship golf event in Nevada on July 9, Curry shot his shot.
"The pitch is: Do you want to play good basketball and be around people who know how to play the game? Raise our floor, our competitiveness this year," he said. "There’s good golf in the Bay.”
Golden State wants to get Curry one last real push for a fifth ring and with limited options, James represents their best chance. It just so happens that James has the same goal.
Therefore, a partnership with Curry not only makes sense, but also represents a last stand of sorts for the NBA's old guard before they age out and make way for the next wave of talent.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during a press conference after Game Four of the Second Round of...
Countless members of the basketball community were hoping that LeBron James would announce which team he’d be signing with in NBA free agency during his live taping of the “Mind the Game” podcast at Fanatics Fest on July 16 in New York.
But James wasted no time asserting that his decision would not be revealed during the taping, which featured the Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton as a guest star.
LeBron James did not provide a free agency update Thursday at Fanatics Fest. Getty Images
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin made an X post just a few minutes into the podcast’s live taping, saying Haliburton tried asking James about his decision right after the two sat down.
“Didn’t we already talk about this in the back?” James apparently responded, per McMenamin’s X post. This prompted Haliburton to say: “I’ll leave it alone.”
Tyrese Haliburton attempted to ask LeBron James about his decision early on in the program and James did not bite, saying “didn’t we already talk about this in the back.” Haliburton acquiesced and said, “I’ll leave it alone.”
Therefore, it’s clear that James is not entertaining any chatter about where he’s going to sign during the podcast, which appears to be focused on other basketball-related topics with Haliburton.
There’s still a chance that James will announce his decision during an appearance at the Game Plan Summit, an invitation-only event presented by CNBC and Boardroom that’s also taking place today.
James is evidently still considering his options. Best Image / BACKGRID
However, if James wasn’t going to announce it on his own podcast, it’s unlikely he’s going to do it later in the day on a different media appearance.
Either James hasn’t decided yet, or wants to keep it to himself for at least another day.
It appears that James is currently deciding between the Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors, and the Philadelphia 76ers right now, although the Minnesota Timberwolves could also still be in the running.
The beauty about James’ playing style is that he could fit into essentially any roster. Even at 41 years old, his combination of size and agility makes it so he can play any position on the court. He can also create offense and opportunities for his teammates or step up as a scorer, depending on the situation and who he’s sharing the court with.
LeBron James plays defense for Team USA during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Best Image / BACKGRID
One of the biggest questions is what James is seeking at this point in his career. He has made it clear that he’s looking to be happy in what will be his final NBA destination, but happiness can manifest in multiple ways.
Given LeBron’s competitive nature, one would imagine that nothing would make him happier than winning another NBA championship.
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Tyler Herro #14 and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat react against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The NBA is standing pat on the high-profile altercation between Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
An NBA spokesperson said, “After discussing with the players involved and the NBPA, everyone would prefer to move on from this unfortunate circumstance, and no further action will be taken by the league.”
The response comes after ESPN reported a physical altercation between Adebayo and Herro in which Adebayo allegedly punched his former Heat teammate at the Resorts World Hotel in Las Vegas, and Herro was later restrained from a physical response.
Tyler Herro #14 and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat react against the Milwaukee Bucks. Getty Images
Adebayo reportedly confronted Herro over comments he made on social media following Herro’s trade to the Bucks this offseason in a package for Giannis Antetokoumnmpo.
“I’m focused on Milwaukee and building something special. They obviously just traded the greatest player in their history, so we want to come in and help continue what they’ve been doing.”
Heat sources told ESPN that Herro and Adebayo had generally gotten along during their seven years as teammates in Miami, but grew apart last season as Herro battled injuries and seemingly struggled to adjust to a new offensive scheme.
Moussa Diabate #14 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Bam Adebayo of the Heat. Getty Images
Several times last season, Adebayo made comments that implied Herro needed to be doing more to adjust, which reportedly impacted Herro as he was fighting ankle, toe and rib injuries, which caused him to appear in just 33 games last season.
Herro had also heard his name in Antetokounmpo trade discussions dating back to February.
He was ultimately a piece of the package going back to Milwaukee that also included Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and multiple picks, including three first-rounders.
The Heat also received Bobby Portis from the Bucks in the trade.
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green appears to be fed up with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s media tour since being taken with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Green conveyed this when speaking about Lendeborg’s recent recruiting pitch to LeBron James during a Thursday’s episode of “The Draymond Green Show”.
Draymond Green reacts to a play during a Golden State Warriors game. Getty Images
“[Lendeborg] said, ‘I know you don’t like rookies that much, but I’m not the average rookie. If you’re looking to play with the greatest shooter of all time, and Draymond, we’ll be glad to have you.’ Is the pitch too weak, or too strong? I don’t know,” Green said during his podcast, paraphrasing the pitch Lendeborg made to LeBron during a June 12 appearance on Bleacher Report’s “B/R at Summer League” show.
“I think the pitch is pointless. You know? But it’s fine; training camp is coming soon enough, and, you know, got to reign the rookie in a little bit, teach him a few things,” Green added.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg prepared to shoot during an NBA Summer League game. NBAE via Getty Images
“Training camp’s coming soon enough… And I think you all know why I’m hitting at training camp. And yeah, it’ll get here soon enough, Yax. Enjoy all your media.”
Draymond Green on Yaxel Lendeborg pitch to LeBron James to join Golden State:
“Is the pitch too weak or too strong? I don’t know. I think the pitch is pointless, you know. But it’s fine. Training camp is coming soon enough and you know, got to rain the rookie in a little bit.… pic.twitter.com/aKLMt6b5EF
The four-time All-Star seems to be suggesting that he’ll be giving Lendeborg a tough time during training camp, perhaps as a way to remind him where his place on the Warriors’ totem pole is at this point in his career.
All the media attention the former Michigan Wolverine has received since being drafted has sparked several viral comments, including Lendeborg asserting that Green ghosted him after the NBA Draft.
Green is probably right in saying that Lendeborg’s pitch to LeBron is “pointless,” if only because LeBron isn’t going to weigh anything a rookie says about where he should sign to end his career.
LeBron James reacts during a Los Angeles Lakers game. Getty Images
Then again, Lendeborg’s harmless pitch was part of a show segment, so there’s really no reason to come down too harshly on him for it.
Maybe a bit of the vitriol between the new teammates stems from their natural rivalry. The veteran Green played college ball at Michigan State as a Spartan. Meanwhile, Lendeborg is coming off a national championship with the Wolverines.
But if there is one thing Green and Lendeborg can agree on, it’s that they want LeBron to choose the Warriors.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on July 13, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We’ve experienced plenty of emotion from the Phoenix Suns during Summer League.
Koa Peat is screaming into the ether after throwing down a savage dunk. Khaman Maluach is yelling toward general manager Brian Gregory after swatting an opponent’s shot into the multiverse. The passion and emotion on display in Las Vegas this summer could very well be a byproduct of the culture the organization has cultivated, bringing in players like Dillon Brooks, who spent all of last season alongside Maluach.
Then there’s Rasheer Fleming.
He simply goes about his business with a steady hand and a rhythmic heartbeat. He hasn’t been flashy. He hasn’t been loud. He’s simply been effective. That can make it difficult to fully appreciate what he’s doing, especially when he’s sharing the floor with two players whose emotional displays naturally command your attention. But despite his Kawhi Leonard approach to the game, Fleming has quietly put together an outstanding Summer League.
You might not immediately see it in the counting stats, but what Rasheer Fleming is doing defensively has been what truly caught my eye. That said, even the numbers are more than respectable for a second-year, second-round pick playing in his second Summer League. Fleming is averaging 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block per game while shooting 47.4% from the field and 42.1% from beyond the arc. From a statistical standpoint, there’s nothing underwhelming about that production.
He’s not demanding the basketball the way Koa Peat does, either as a scorer or facilitator. He’s not consistently finding touches as a rim runner the way Khaman Maluach is. Instead, he’s playing within the flow of the offense, and that’s exactly what makes his performance so encouraging. He’s setting high screens and back screens. He’s finding the corners. He’s rebounding the ball and going back up with it. He’s taking the open three when it comes his way. For a player whose long-term projection is as a three-and-D forward, Fleming is the Summer League player whose role most closely mirrors what he’ll actually be asked to do next season.
Fleming saved his best performance for the Suns’ final Summer League game, finishing with 22 points, eight rebounds, and knocking down 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Some will look at that performance and wonder why he didn’t play that way throughout Summer League. I see it differently.
His role with the Suns is going to be as a three-and-D forward. That’s why I wasn’t focused solely on his scoring. Yes, I wanted to see how the three-point shot looked. But more than anything, I wanted to see the defense. That’s the side of the ball that rarely receives the appreciation it deserves. If the counting stats aren’t jumping off the page, it can be easy to overlook what a player is actually doing. Fleming was anything but underwhelming over four Summer League games.
What I have appreciated most was his awareness on defense. I think back to last Summer League, when he looked like he was all arms and legs, running around the court, losing his man, arriving late on closeouts, slipping under screens, and generally looking uncomfortable defensively during his limited minutes. He missed the first two games and averaged only 16.8 minutes. This year, in 26.7 minutes per game, there’s a confidence to the way he defends. More importantly, there’s execution. Watch his feet as he glides with ball handlers and rotates between assignments. Watch his arms as they clog passing lanes and deter shots at the rim. That’s where the growth has been.
Yesterday against the Detroit Pistons was a perfect example. Ebuka Okorie, the 17th overall pick, had put together a solid Summer League for Detroit. He’s a twitchy point guard with the ability to beat defenders off the bounce with ease. Not yesterday. The Suns’ game plan was simple. Put Rasheer Fleming on him and make his life miserable. Mission accomplished. Okorie finished with 16 points, but it took him 17 shots to get there. Fleming’s work at the point of attack was outstanding, consistently disrupting Detroit’s offense and making every possession a challenge.
That’s one of those things that gives you butterflies in your stomach when you start thinking about the possibilities next season. If Fleming spends time at small forward, his defensive versatility becomes incredibly intriguing. He has the ability to guard one through five. On one possession, you can throw him at the point of attack. On the next, he can battle a power forward inside. When you combine that with the different lineup combinations the Suns can deploy, it becomes a fascinating chess piece for Jordan Ott to work with.
So he might not be loud. He might not be extroverted on the court. That doesn’t mean his Summer League has been underwhelming.
When we talk about progression from the sophomore class, Fleming belongs in that conversation. Much like the Suns’ second-year players showed meaningful growth throughout last season, we’ve seen that progression continue in Las Vegas.
The challenge now becomes translating it to the regular season. For a player who appears destined to receive consistent rotational minutes, this was a meaningful step in the right direction. The three-and-D role he’ll be asked to fill aligns almost perfectly with what he’s shown throughout Summer League.
Sometimes, progression isn’t measured by who scores the most points. Sometimes it’s measured by how prepared a player looks for the role that’s waiting for him.
After spending nine days watching Summer League basketball in Salt Lake City and then Las Vegas, talking to people around the league and players, I had a lot of notes that didn't neatly fit into the other stories I wrote or videos I was a part of. Observations, thoughts on players, quotes from coaches and players, and a lot more.
So here are my notes on some of the things I saw and heard. One bit of caution: I didn't see everyone and certainly not every game, and I am no scout. As with everything in Summer League, take it with a grain of salt.
• Top four picks all looked very good. It's just Summer League, but you can see why the Wizards, Jazz, Grizzlies and Bulls did not want to trade out of the top four spots in this draft. AJ Dybantsa is an incredibly fluid athlete who just glides past defenders and makes it look effortless, and he also showed some defensive chops. He's got to work on his outside shot (1-of-11 from 3), but he lived up to the billing.
After watching Peterson in Utah, where he masterfully handled the Grizzlies' blitzing defense, he seemed to press in his Vegas debut against Dybantsa. That said, Jazz fans should be excited. Peterson showed exactly why Utah was not worried about what Washington did with the No. 1 pick, they were going to get an elite player.
Carlos Boozer was exactly as advertised — just so polished and smooth, versatile, and his passing has dramatically improved in the past year. He is going to play a big role for Memphis starting this season. Caleb Wilson might have the highest ceiling of any of the top four, there is a lot to like, but don't read too much into his hot-shooting opener when he hit as many 3-pointers in one game as he did during an entire season at North Carolina (seven). He is more of a project than the other three, but Tiago Splitter is a great fit for him as a coach.
• Peterson is feeling better with the ball in his hands. After watching every one of his Summer League games in person, I was baffled that Bill Self didn't put the ball in Darryn Peterson's hands as a creator more often at Kansas. I know there were the cramping and injuries, but sometimes basketball is as simple as "give your best player the ball." Peterson was open about feeling better on ball with the Jazz this summer.
"I'm back having fun," Peterson said in Las Vegas. "I wasn't really experiencing it that much at Kansas. I was off [the ball] a ton. So just, I feel like myself again."
• Early Rookie of the Year thoughts? Usually, I leave Las Vegas with a sense of who is going to be in the running for Rookie of the Year. After this summer, all I know is that we might have the deepest ROY field we've seen in years.
• What was everyone talking about? What were the biggest topics of conversation among media and teams? The Jaylen Brown trade still has everyone shaking their heads early on, but other topics started to dominate the conversation: The pause in the Kawhi Leonard trade, and then especially the Gary Trent Jr. contract (which the league is now investigating). Also, the second apron and its impact on the league and team building were constant topics.
• One player who really impressed me: Kingston Flemmings. We knew he could score, but Atlanta's No. 8 pick showed off his skills as a quality floor general — he just gets the ball to the right man at the right time and orchestrates things. Also, he has a fantastic hesitation dribble, the ability to create space, and makes a lot of smart decisions. Fantastic vision and hits the open guy. Atlanta has a winner here and a guy who could fit right in with what they need. • Also in Atlanta, Henri Veesaar — the big man out of North Carolina — has good instincts and a smooth jumper, he has potential as a stretch five. However, he needs to hit the gym and get a lot stronger, he was getting pushed around in Las Vegas the guys are only going to get stronger come the NBA season.
• Labaron Philon has the ball on a string, and he is lightning quick. He struggled a little finishing in the parts of the games I saw, but he's got the skills to create space in the NBA and that matters. He could be a steal at 22 for Philly.
• Speaking of later first-round steals, Cameron Carr looks like that for the Lakers. He is very athletic, has great elevation on his jumper, moves and cuts well off the ball, and just has a good feel for how to play the game. It's easy to see him stepping in and giving the Lakers 10-15 minutes a night right at the start of the season.
• Yaxel Lendenborg is a hand-in-glove fit with Golden State, he can step in right now and give them quality minutes, and a needed burst of youth and athleticism. His decision-making and processing of the game were just way ahead of the guys in Summer League, and he looked NBA-ready. He hit 4-of-4 from 3 in his Las Vegas opener, and if he can be a quality shooter from deep, that is a bonus.
• Bennett Stirtz is a very Thunder player, always making smart decisions, in the right place.
• Aday Mara knows how to be big on defense and you can see him contributing on that end right away (which is part of why the Thunder wanted him). He's got to become a better finisher around the rim, but he has his moments.
• Really liked Detroit rookie Ebuka Okorie, the point guard out of Stanford, who put up 20 in his NBA Summer League debut. As advertised, he is able to get downhill against anyone. He showed that across a couple of games.
• Spurs rookie big man Tarris Reed is a physical force inside. Not the most skilled guy, but he walks in the door with NBA size.
• Not that Toronto needs another athletic wing, but Allen Graves looks like a good pickup at No. 19, shows a lot of potential to develop into a solid rotation player.
• Chicago two-guard Dailyn Swain had the ball in his hands in Las Vegas, and there were moments when you could see all the potential and moments when you were left scratching your head. He was thrown into the fire and had the maturity to understand that mistakes would come, he had a great attitude about it. If he learns from his mistakes over the course of the next year, the potential to be a quality NBA player is there.
• Morez Johnson is another of the Michigan crew who looks like he could step in and play meaningful minutes right away in Dallas. Clearly an NBA build already, he showed some potential as a short-roll guy who can distribute and score, and his 3-point form looks good. A lot of potential here.
The NBA is looking into the free agent deal signed by Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr., according to multiple media reports.
Trent Jr. signed a four-year, $64 million free agent deal to return to the Bucks. It is not known why the league is conducting the probe, but if it is looking into any signed contract, it is most likely due to issues related to salary cap circumvention. The league is currently looking into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard for their alleged salary cap circumvention.
The last time the NBA punished a team for toying around with the cap was in 2000, when the Minnesota Timberwolves were fined $3.5 million and forfeited five first-round draft picks after signing forward Joe Smith to a secret deal. Smith's Bird rights were stripped, making him a free agent, and the league suspended owner Glen Taylor.
Trent Jr. signed a one-year, $2.6 million deal with Milwaukee in 2024, then inked a two-year, $7.58 million contract with a player option, which he declined, allowing him to sign the most recent lucrative deal. That deal allowed the Bucks to exceed the salary cap for their own free agents, provided they have spent two years with the team.
The 27-year-old Trent averaged 8.1 points on 38% shooting in 65 games last season, his lowest scoring average since his second year in the league in 2019-20 with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Trent has career averages of 13 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in eight NBA seasons.
Last season, the guard averaged his fewest minutes per game since his rookie season, putting up an inefficient 8.1 points and shot just 38.7% from the floor.
Gary Trent Jr. #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives down court as Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets gives chase. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Trent even fell out of the Bucks rotation entirely at times.
Despite that, the Bucks rewarded the shooting guard with a gargantuan raise and guaranteed salary for four years.
While some called it an offseason blunder, others claim it’s circumstantial evidence that the Bucks circumvented the salary cap to get the most out of the final years of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Coming off a $51.8 million contract with the Raptors in 2024, Trent signed for a league-minimum $2.6 million with the Bucks.
This was the only contract the Bucks could afford as they paid heavy prices on Antetokounmpo and Damien Lillard and were deep into the luxury tax apron.
Cam Thomas #24 of the Brooklyn Nets drives down court as Gary Trent Jr. #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends in the second half. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Trent’s numbers dropped in Milwaukee, no longer starting as he did at times with the Raptors, but the Bucks re-signed him last offseason with the 20% Non-Bird raise.
The extreme drop-off followed by a jump in salary that doesn’t match on-court performance, could potentially hint at a handshake deal made that promised a certain salary in the future for a short-term pay cut.
“At no time shall there be any agreements or transactions of any kind (whether disclosed or undisclosed to the NBA), express or implied, oral or written, or promises, undertakings, representations, commitments, inducements, assurances of intent, or understandings of any kind (whether disclosed or undisclosed to the NBA), between a player … and any Team … concerning any future Renegotiation, Extension, or other amendment of an existing Player Contract, or entry into a new Player Contract.”
The probing comes after just about everyone in the NBA world questioned the signing.
NBA salary cap expert Nate Duncan said on X that the contract “would fall under the provision that there is no possible explanation other than circumvention.”
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon chimed in saying the contract stunk.
Zaire Wade, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of domestic violence during a court appearance in Pasadena Thursday.
Wade showed up in court wearing a gray three-piece suit and pink tie for his arraignment stemming from an altercation last month involving a woman he was dating.
Zaire Wade pleaded not guilty to felony charges of domestic violence during a court appearance Thursday. Frederick M. Brown for CA PostWade wore a three-piece suit during his court appearance. Frederick M. Brown for CA Post
He was warned by the judge to stay 100 yards away from the unidentified victim and told to sign a document saying he doesn’t have additional firearms in his name, after authorities removed a handgun from his home following the incident.
Wade responded “yes, your honor” when asked if he agreed to a Sept. 24 date for a preliminary hearing in the case.
His attorney, Kevin Moghtanei, told The California Post outside the courtroom that his client denies all the charges.
Zaire Wade, pictured with his father, Dwayne Wade.
When asked if Wade had additional guns in his home, Moghtanei said he couldn’t comment.
On June 21, police responded to a Burbank home around 5:30 a.m. after a 911 caller reported hearing a woman screaming.
When officers arrived, they found Wade and a woman with lacerations to her face and body.
Zaire Wade is the oldest child of Dwayne Wade. NBAE via Getty Images
Paramedics evaluated the woman at the scene, but she was not taken to the hospital. Authorities also removed a handgun from the home after the arrest.
Following the arrest, an emergency protective order was put in place. Wade posted a $50,000 bond and was released later that day.
Zaire Wade is the oldest child of Dwyane Wade, the first-ballot Basketball Hall of Famer whose decorated NBA career includes three NBA championships, 13 All-Star selections, the 2010 All-Star Game MVP award, eight All-NBA honors and the league scoring title in 2009. The elder Wade has not issued any public comment regarding his son’s arrest.
DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 6: Matisse Thybulle #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a play in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on April 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers have added a wing to their team by reportedly signing Ziaire Williams, but they continue to look for more depth at the position.
As a defensive-minded wing, Thybulle would be a good pickup for the Lakers. As currently constructed, LA’s perimeter defense appears to be a weakness, and Thybulle can help address it. He has made All-Defensive Second Team twice in his career and remains a solid defender.
Last year Thybulle put up modest numbers with the Blazers. He averaged 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, so don’t expect massive production from him if he joins the purple and gold.
However, he is a pretty good outside shooter. Thybulle shot 39.8% from 3-point range last season. And on a Luka Dončić-led team, having a defensive wing who can knock down open threes is ideal.
It’s good that the Lakers aren’t just locked in on Kuminga. He’s likely the best wing option available, but he’s unrestricted and could end up elsewhere.
So, LA has to keep options open. The top priority has to be adding a player to the wing position. If that happens to be Thybulle, that would be a solid pickup. He is a good perimeter defender and can spread out the defense due to his threat as a shooter.
Whether it’s Thybulle, Kuminga, or another player, it seems pretty clear the Lakers are continuing to search for more wing options.
This deep into the offseason, things might move a bit slower in free agency. Certain big names are still out there and players looking at smaller deals don’t have to rush to sign.
So, don’t be surprised if it takes some time for the Lakers to add a wing. At this point, though, it seems most likely that they will add one to the main roster before training camp begins sometime in September.
Lendeborg's ability as a true 3-and-D players would be the ideal complement to Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
When Yaxel Lendeborg lays in bed at night imagining his future, there’s so much that excites him.
He’s going to throw assists to Steph Curry, the greatest shooter of all time. He’ll be in a defensive stance alongside Draymond Green, who has made a Hall of Fame career out of bottling up opposing teams’ stars.
When asked which scenario most often plays through his mind as he falls asleep, he didn’t hesitate.
Yaxel Lendeborg was chosen by the Golden State Warriors with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft. NBAE via Getty Images
“I’d probably say lockdown defense next to Dray,” Lendeborg told The California Post. “I have a lot to learn. He’s such a great defender, such a versatile defender. That’s something I’ve always wanted to improve on. So being able to learn from him is something I’m very excited to do.”
For the Warriors, Lendeborg is the Swiss Army Knife they need.
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward can play small-ball center, handle the ball and shoot 3s. He’s also a lauded defender who can guard positions 1 through 5.
The 23-year-old Lendeborg, whom Golden State selected with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is expected to make an immediate impact for the Warriors, especially with Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL) and Moses Moody (torn left patellar tendon) out for the start of the season.
Lendeborg’s versatility on defense could make him invaluable to the Warriors this season. Getty Images
As for Lendeborg, he was on pins and needles during draft night, hoping the Warriors would select him.
“They showed me a lot of love,” Lendeborg told the Post, referring to a private, pre-draft workout he had with the team June 11. “They were pretty much giving me the game plan of how it was going to go. I was super happy the entire time. They made me feel wanted as soon as I stepped in. There was no place I wanted to be other than that.”
Lendeborg is at least 3 years older than all 10 players who were drafted ahead of him. That’s something that has historically given teams pause, considering the overwhelming value placed on youth and untapped potential.
But for a Warriors team that’s in win-now mode trying to extend the 38-year-old Curry’s championship window, acquiring a player who could plug in immediately was of paramount importance.
“We got the guy we were looking to get,” Warriors owner Joe Lacob said last month during an announcement for a new jersey patch.
Knows how to win
Lendeborg led Michigan to an NCAA championship last season, averaging 15.1 points on 52% shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals. He was a first-team All-American and the Big Ten Player of the Year.
For the Warriors, Lendeborg was their biggest offseason acquisition in what has otherwise been a very quiet period for a team that missed the playoffs two of the last three seasons.
Lendeborg’s ability as a true 3-and-D players would be the ideal complement to Steph Curry and Draymond Green. NBAE via Getty Images
But that could change.
The Warriors are still in the race to acquire LeBron James.
For an incoming rookie, sharing the court with arguably the greatest player of all time would be surreal.
“That would be great,” Lendeborg told the Post. “Being able to learn from him. He plays the same position as me. We’re pretty much built kind of the same. He’s obviously a lot stronger. Being able to learn how he’s kept his body intact, the workouts he’s done, what he did to increase his game IQ. [That] is something I’m very excited to learn from [him]. Hopefully it all works out.”
Lendeborg has one concern, though.
“Hopefully he doesn’t take away my minutes, either,” Lendeborg added, flashing a smile. “But I’d be very excited either way.”
No lack of confidence
Lendeborg is ready to make an impact.
He raised eyebrows during his post-draft interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, proclaiming, “I’m excited to start another Warriors dynasty.”
Lendeborg was named a first team All-American as he won a national title with Michigan. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Warriors won four championships in eight years from 2015-2022, but they haven’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs since. Lendeborg believes he can help turn that around. If summer league is any indication, he may not be wrong.
In the team’s first two games in Las Vegas, he averaged 17.5 points on 48.1% shooting from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.
But he needs to improve his conditioning, something he quickly realized over the last few weeks.
Luckily for him, he can study Curry, whose intense offseason workouts became NBA lore as he famously tortured defenders by never stopping moving.
“He’s the most conditioned player in NBA history,” Lendeborg told the Post. “Just learn those habits.”
Lendeborg has already had some fun back-and-forths with his new teammates.
He told reporters on draft night that he “used to hate Steph Curry” because he was “a big Kyrie [Irving] guy.” Curry responded in an Instagram comment, writing, “Let’s go! Welcome to the Bay! I’m going to work hard to be your new favorite player.”
Meanwhile, Green carved out time on his podcast to address Lendeborg’s claim that he hadn’t texted the rookie back. “You f–king liar,” Green said on “The Draymond Green Show,” adding that he replied “the next minute.”
Lendeborg looks very comfortable in early action at Vegas Summer League, taking a leadership role with the team as he tries to find his footing. NBAE via Getty Images
“We’re not really a team very big on rookie hazing,” Green said. “… But we can pick that back up.”
Lendeborg hopes that’s not the case.
“I’m kinda nervous thinking about it,” Lendeborg told the Post. “But I hope he takes it easy on me and gives me a nice warm welcome that doesn’t involve any hazing.”
Emotional night
Despite stirring the pot a bit, this much is for sure: Lendeborg is deeply grateful he’s going to share the court with Curry and Green, who turned the Warriors into the league’s modern-day dynasty. No team has won back-to-back titles for eight years since the Warriors won championships in 2017 and 2018.
“I’m very excited to play [with] those guys,” Lendeborg told the Post. “They’re all historically good players. They’re all going to be in the Hall of Fame. They’ve won at the highest level multiple times. There’s so much to learn and so much to be.”
That’s why he was so worried on draft night.
The Warriors had their highest pick in five years. Several other players were rumored to be on their radar, including Brayden Burries, who was selected one spot ahead of Lendeborg at No. 10, as well as Aday Mara, whose name was called immediately after his at No. 12.
“I was a little nervous the entire time because you obviously don’t know where you’re going, and it didn’t seem like I was going to have the opportunity to play there,” Lendeborg told the Post. “But God brought me here, and I’m super happy to be here.”
One of the main points of emphasis for Lendeborg during Summer League has been getting his conditioning right after having not played basketball for the past two months. Getty Images
After NBA Commissioner Adam Silver revealed Lendeborg was heading to Golden State, his joy was palpable.
Emotions poured out of him as he hugged his mother, Yissel Raposo, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 appendix cancer when he played for the Wolverines last season.
She used to call him every draft night. She wanted to make sure he was watching. She needed him to believe he could one day be on that stage.
Now she was wiping his tears as she choked back her own.
His dream had come true, which meant hers had, too.
“There’s nothing better than being able to give this gift to my mom,” he said.
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Jack Kayil has impressed the Knicks with his play in Summer League.
The rookie had 19 points, three steals and four assists earlier this week against the Pistons. Kayil added 12 points and three assists in his Summer League debut last week against San Antonio.
Not bad for a 19-year-old taken with the 39th pick in the NBA Draft.
If you’re watching these games, you may be surprised by Kayil’s play so far. But those who have followed him closely overseas are not.
“With him, it’s always basketball. He has a conviction and commitment on trying to be the best possible player he can be,” said Himar Ojeda, the sporting director for Kayil’s team in Germany, Alba Berlin. “He put a lot of effort in trying to take care of himself physically, mentally – sometimes even too much for a young kid. …you know, he’s 19 and he acts like a veteran in certain routines. But that's why he's been successful.”
The Knicks obviously thought highly enough of Kayil to select him in the second round of the draft. Both Kayil and fellow rookie Tyler Nickel have impressed team personnel in Las Vegas.
If their early play in Vegas is an indication, both players could have a future with the Knicks. New York needs to find young players and sign them to team-friendly contracts in order to navigate the NBA’s second apron rules. It would be an organizational win if both Nickel and Kayil play their way on to New York’s NBA roster.
It’s only Summer League, but it seems as if the Knicks have found two promising young players in Nickel and Kayil. Can they earn a spot on the 2026-27 roster?
New York is currently $3.3 million below the second apron with 13 players and with room for one more minimum. Owner James Dolan said in June that the team would not exceed the NBA’s second apron in team salary.
New York still needs a third center. If the club signs a center to a veteran’s minimum contract, New York would not have enough room under the second apron to sign either Nickel or Kayil to a contract via the second round exception.
Entering free agency, the plan for Kayil was to spend next season with his overseas club. The Knicks can obviously alter those plans by offering him an NBA contract, but as noted above, they are limited by the second apron.
New York could offer Kayil or Nickel a two-way contract for next season. But in this scenario, New York would be prohibited from paying Kayil’s buyout from his German club. The buyout has to be executed between the player and his overseas team. The Knicks can offer Nickel a two-way contract without this limitation.
In the two-way scenario, the Knicks could convert either Kayil or Nickel to a standard contract once the pro-rated amount fits under the second apron.
Whatever happens from here, it’s safe to assume that both Nickel and Kayil will have an opportunity to play for the Knicks in the near future. For Kayil, the only question is whether he is with New York in 2026-27 or in a subsequent season.
Whenever Kayil gets his chance, the guard will come to New York with some qualities that are precursors to NBA success.
“He can play defense and he can shoot the ball. Normally, for a point guard, it limits you if you don’t have these capacities and he definitely has them,” Ojeda, who previously served as Director of International Scouting for the Atlanta Hawks, says. “He's also mature in the sense that he has been a clutch player for us this season (in Kayil’s first year in the Bundesliga, the most senior league in Germany). He’s the one that wants to have the ball in his hands and he's not afraid to take the last shot.”
Case in point: Kayil struggled early in the do-or-die Game 5 of Alba Berlin’s championship series against traditional powerhouse Bayern Munich. But he wasn’t scared to have the ball in his hands late – and he delivered. Kayil scored 10 crucial points in the last six minutes of the fourth quarter as Alba Berlin came back from down 20 points at halftime to win.
Ojeda, who has known Kayil since he was "a little kid," was impressed by Kayil’s mentality late in games.
“I've known him since he's very, very young, but this is still something that surprises me. So yeah, this is Jack Kayil,” Ojeda says. “It shows that he’s a competitor and (has) a brave mentality.
“Here, every game counts. It’s not like you can try three, four times to take the last shot (and miss the shot while expecting another opportunity). No, no. We need to win the games. Of course, maybe (you miss a big shot) one time. But it’s not as if you can take that shot three times and miss.
“So when he came back and still wanted to redeem himself and he (played well in the fourth quarter of the decisive championship game), that was a big thing.”
Kayil’s mentality was probably one of the qualities that kept him on New York’s radar ahead of the draft. If things continue to go well, it will be one of the reasons Kayil earns a bigger opportunity with the Knicks.
James has switched between the Nos. 6 and 23 throughout his long NBA career, but he returned to the latter in 2023 after the NBA retired Bill Russell’s No. 6 league-wide.
Seems like Green already has put some thought into it. Does that mean he knows something we don’t about James’ next destination? It certainly is possible.
For those interested, the last Warriors player to wear No. 5 was big man Kevon Looney from 2017-25; Marreese Speights, Baron Davis, Tim Hardaway (just during his rookie season) and Guy Rodgers are other notable players to wear that number in franchise history.
