LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Nae'Qwan Tomlin #30 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 12, 2025 at the 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliersbegin Summer League on July 10 when they take on the Indiana Pacers at 4:30 PM on ESPN 2. Now, we know who will be a part of the team, as they announced the roster for this season.
The headline of the group is recent second-round pick Meleek Thomas. The shooting guard will make his on-court debut for the wine and gold after signing a standard contract on Wednesday.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin will also see some action this go-around. Tomlin started last season on a two-way contract, but was pressed into duty more than anticipated due to injuries. He performed well and earned a standard deal as a result, but saw his minutes decrease toward the back end of the season. Tomlin is the only other player on a standard contract that will be a part of this group.
Tyrese Proctor is noticeably absent from the group due to spending the summer with the Australian national team.
This year’s squad will be rounded out by all three of the current two-way players: Riley Minix, Tristan, Enaruna, and newly signed undrafted free agent Ernest Udeh Jr.
The group will be led by Cavs assistant Andrew Olson, with Cleveland Charge head coach Eli Kell-Abrams taking on the associate head coach duties.
The entire group that the Cavs will be bringing to Las Vegas can be seen below.
The start of NBA free agency has produced plenty of league-altering moves in 2026, just not in the form of many high-profile free agent signings. Instead, blockbuster trades have been the preferred method of transaction for teams this year and it's almost hard to keep up with how many star players switched uniforms since the NBA offseason began.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, Julius Randle, Tyler Herro and Paul George were among the players with NBA All-Star credentials to land with new teams after the frenzy of moves that took place in recent days. LeBron James, meanwhile, began the NBA's free agency period as the top free agent on the market and it's still the case as of Thursday, July 2.
Note: NBA teams can not officially sign free agents to contracts until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET
LeBron James
Whatever team the NBA's all-time leading scorer chooses, the fact he's so coveted as a 41-year-old is yet another accomplishment that's largely incomparable in league history. Though part of that is due to James' decision to not prioritize money during this free agent process, he will be a difference maker for whichever playoff contender he chooses. Depending on how much of a pay cut James is willing to take, there may not be a better bargain in the NBA than him next season.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers seemingly came out of nowhere to snag Jaylen Brown from their division rival, exchanging what had been considered one of the worst contracts in the NBA (Paul George) for a second team all-NBA selection coming off the best season of his career (Jaylen Brown), two first-round draft picks and two second-round draft picks. The Sixers also swiped Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade over several others in bargain bench deals. Philadelphia suddenly looks like it could be the biggest threat to the Knicks in the East again.
Miami Heat
Pat Riley and the Heat are winners simply by landing the superstar they've coveted for years in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Miami did lose Norman Powell to free agency, but Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins will return to form perhaps the Eastern Conference's top frontcourt with Antetokounmpo. How the rest of the roster is filled will determine just how big of a win this will appear to be during Antetokounmpo's first year with the Heat. Adding James along with Antetokounmpo would create flashbacks to when Riley formed the Big Three in Miami during James' initial free agency "decision."
Toronto Raptors
The version of Kawhi Leonard that played for the Clippers this past season, paired with Scottie Barnes, should make the Raptors a legitimate Eastern Conference Finals contender. Toronto gave up Brandon Ingram and draft picks to get Leonard via trade, but enough of last year's supporting cast remains and Leonard gives the franchise a veteran closer with multiple championship runs under his belt. The Raptors seemed hamstrung by several contract extensions in recent years that quickly became overpays, so pulling off this move is a worthy bet to take.
NBA free agency losers
Boston Celtics
Celtics lead basketball executive Brad Stevens is taking a beating from fans over how this offseason is going. Boston failed to land Antetokounmpo despite offering Brown and then elected to trade Brown for what's perceived to be the below-market return of George, two first-round draft picks and two second-round draft picks. The Celtics did address issues inside, signing Mitchell Robinson from the New York Knicks, and there could be another move still in the works. But the Boston roster seems worse today than it did after being eliminated from the 2026 NBA playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers
Though the Lakers pivoted quickly from the LeBron James era, they had to pay a lot to do so and they might not be any closer to contending with the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers are betting big on the nucleus of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler because they committed most of their salary cap space and draft picks for the foreseeable future toward putting together a new-look roster this offseason.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons let go well-regarded veterans in the locker room to upgrade their roster around Cade Cunningham this offseason, but the results have been lackluster thus far with only Isaiah Joe added to the fold. The franchise is also now embroiled in an increasingly uncomfortable contract negotiation with all-NBA center Jalen Duren, a restricted free agent who has taken meetings with several other teams.
New York Knicks
Knicks owner Jim Dolan's determination that the team should not go into the second apron of the NBA's salary cap this offseason to keep its NBA championship team together led to Robinson's departure to the Celtics. Though New York hasn't lost anyone else of significance, the rest of the Eastern Conference looks stronger via trades and the Knicks don't have many avenues to add more depth.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 01: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts during warmups before a game against the Houston Rockets at the TD Garden on November 01, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jaylen Brown is a Sixer. Those are not words I ever thought I’d write, let alone out of nowhere in 2026 free agency after he was dealt for the 36-year-old Paul George of all players.
But here we are. Mike Gansey has not been messing around after taking over as the Sixers’ president of basketball operations. The shocking blockbuster for Brown is really happening, and Philly’s new incoming star has now made his first statement since the trade.
Like all of us, Brown is probably still in a state of shock. After spending all 10 years of his NBA career so far in Boston, becoming a five-time All-Star and NBA champion and Finals MVP there, it’s an awful lot to leave behind both personally and professionally.
Of course, Brown shared just how grateful for is everything he had in Boston:
First and foremost, thank you to the Most High, even in the midst of adversity. I’m here with gratitude.
I’m still processing how this all went down. I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city. I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge.
The relationships I built here, the battles we fought together, the championship we brought to this city, and the connection I shared with the fans, I’ll carry on with me.
And when it came to talking about heading to Philly, as you’d expect Brown shared his excitement for the new opportunity. Plus, he put emphasis on how he’s looking forward to earning respect in his new city through hard work. The kind of hard work that’s allowed him to develop into such a high level player.
I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to join Philadelphia. Every city has its own identity, its own passion, and its own expectation. I respect that, and I’m looking forward to earning that respect the only way I know how.. through the work.
Philly – throw the ball up let’s get it!
Brown is fresh off a career year averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game with a 57.3 true shooting percentage, showcasing such talent as a creator and making the All-NBA Second Team for the second time. It’s still just two years since he rose to Finals MVP level. Waiting to see what Brown does with the Sixers is exciting to say the least.
The good news just keep going, too! How about the Sixers adding even more offensive creation and much needed high-volume, highly accurate three-point shooting to their bench with the excellent value signing of Anfernee Simons.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 4: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz arrives to the arena before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 4, 2022 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The pressure was on Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka to land an A-list center this offseason.
It was reported that Luka Dončić wanted one. The fans clearly desired it, and with the carousel of starting centers, it was clear the front office had been searching for years.
This trade was far from a foregone conclusion. With Kessler as a restricted free agent, the Jazz could’ve matched any contract agreed upon between the Lakers and Kessler. Utah’s reported offer of a five-year, $140 million extension indicated they wanted to keep their big.
However, the Lakers prepared for this summer. They held onto assets at the February trade deadline, saying no to deals. This allowed them more draft picks and cap space in the offseason to permanently fill holes in their roster.
As Dave McMenamin of ESPN illustrated in his recent story, this set up an opportunity for the Lakers to finally acquire Kessler via a trade.
In the past when the Lakers reached out to the Jazz, Kessler was on a cost-controlled rookie contract, making under $3 million. This time around, Kessler was a restricted free agent — and seeking a massive raise.
The Jazz ultimately decided that building around this year’s No. 2 draft pick, Darryn Peterson, while armed with a bevy of draft assets from L.A. would be a better path than overpaying Kessler over the long term.
Utah offered Kessler a five-year, $140 million extension, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, or about $28 million per year. The Lakers offered a four-year deal worth $130 million, sources told Charania, or about $32.5 million per year, and they emptied their war chest to send their unprotected 2031 and 2033 first-round picks — plus pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 — to Utah in the deal.
In negotiations, whoever has leverage has the advantage.
With the Lakers holding onto their assets and setting up a situation where they’d have a ton of cap space this summer, they were able to make the Jazz an offer they couldn’t refuse. Add in that the Lakers reportedly had a contract richer than what Utah offered, and that’s how Kessler got to LA after so many rumors of the team’s interest in him.
Clearly, the Lakers feel that Kessler will lead to sustainable Lakers excellence. They gave up their 2031 and 2033 first round picks and pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 to acquire Kessler. That’s far more draft capital than they gave up for Luka.
The cost was high, but if it makes Dončić happy and, most importantly, works on the court, then that’s the price of doing business.
Fans have complained during other trade windows that the Lakers didn’t do enough, but this season that won’t be possible to say. Pelinka went all-in and landed his star big.
He used his assets to make a player a team didn’t necessarily want to part with into a Laker, and now the franchise is ready to fully enter the Luka Dončić era with the center they need for success.
First and foremost, thank you to the Most High, even in the midst of adversity. I'm here with gratitude.
I’m still processing how this all went down. I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city. I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge.
The relationships I built here, the battles we fought together, the championship we brought to this city, and the connection I shared with the fans, I’ll carry on with me.
Saying goodbye isn’t easy when you’ve invested your heart into something.
I’m big on respect and actions speak louder than words. To the people of Boston, thank you. To the community I built here I love you, and to the shiftaz we are locked in for life⚡️
As one chapter closes, another begins.
I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to join Philadelphia. Every city has its own identity, its own passion, and its own expectation. I respect that, and I’m looking forward to earning that respect the only way I know how.. through the work.
The reaction out of Boston-based and Celtics-focused NBA commentary has centered on what's perceived to be a poor return for Jaylen Brown in the team's trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Most Celtics fans aren't happy about it, and neither are the people who talk about them for a living.
In the trade, the Celtics have agreed to ship Brown to the 76ers in exchange for veteran Paul George, two first-round draft picks and two second-round selections, a person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
Ringer podcast host and noted Celtics fan Bill Simmons said Thursday he was just emerging from being under anesthesia after a colonoscopy and thought "I died," when he learned about the Brown trade, and that Boston had only gotten Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks for Brown.
USA TODAY Sports NBA reporter Lorenzo Reyes contributed to this report.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Russell Westbrook #0 and LeBron James #6 (2nd L) of the Los Angeles Lakers look on against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 30, 2023 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Lakers 121-104. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For those paying particularly close attention to the Lakers during the LeBron James era, there was a clear inflection point.
Riding high after a title in 2020 and feeling hard done by due to injuries the following season, the Lakers front office and LeBron had a harmonious relationship. Looking for an offseason shakeup, the franchise offered up two trades to LeBron: one for Buddy Hield and one for Russell Westbrook.
Fans know how things played out from there and it took the team many years to recover from acquiring Westbrook. When a deal plays out that disastrously, multiple figures are to blame.
Rob Pelinka, now President of Basketball Operations, deserves a lion’s share of the blame, particularly for even offering up the decision to a player on the team. But LeBron doesn’t escape unscathed, either, as he did offer his input.
As it turns out, that moment fractured the relationship between LeBron and the front office so severely that it never recovered, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported in his article on Thursday.
There was more of a disconnect between James and the organization, sources said, one that started during the doomed 2021-22 season following the Russell Westbrook trade and never fully recovered.
That the relationship between the two sides never recovered from that moment isn’t particularly surprising. It’s a cloud that will hang over the post-title tenure for LeBron and Pelinka. It was a huge mistake that backfired in the worst way possible.
Even if the Lakers had modest success after that, it’s a defining moment in both their times with the Lakers and one that, understandably, changed the dynamics between the player and franchise.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 14: Head coach Willie Green of the New Orleans Pelicans watches the action in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Smoothie King Center on April 14, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Free agency is upon us and the Dallas Mavericks have begun making moves, adding Santi Aldama to the roster on Wednesday night with the possible addition of Marcus Sasser forthcoming. As the roster begins to take shape, we are now hearing reports that the coaching staff is as well.
Marc Stein is now reporting that Willie Green will be joining the ranks as a top assistant to Dusty May.
The Mavericks, I’m told, are expected to secure former Pelicans coach Willie Green as a top assistant for Dusty May’s first NBA coaching staff.
After putting together a 12-year playing career through 2015, Green got his first coaching stint with the Golden State Warriors as an assistant in 2018. He rode that first job on the sidelines all the way to the NBA Finals where the Warriors came up short, then moved over to the Phoenix Sun as an assistant for two years before becoming the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. He held that position up until this past season when he was dismissed in mid-November after a dismal 2-10 start to the season. As a head coach, Green has a win-loss record of 150-190. The .441 winning percentage may not be the most stellar number, but considering the lengthy injury absences to key players, some of that is understandable. Green took the Pelicans to the Playoffs on two occasions, going 2-8 overall including a sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He had two winning seasons over the five total seasons he was at the helm.
Although he didn’t have the most successful run in New Orleans, Green is generally considered to be a defensive-minded, player-friendly coach who could be a nice fit next to May. His ability to make genuine connections with players could serve both him and the team well, as the Mavericks build around young star Cooper Flagg, newly drafted Morez Johnson, Jr. and a developing roster that is likely to get younger. Nothing is official yet, and the Golden State Warriors are rumored to be in the mix for his services, but it seems a strong possibility he will be in Dallas alongside May.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Anfernee Simons #22 of the Chicago Bulls warms up prior to the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 09, 2026 in New York City. 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 Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mike Gansey isn’t done yet.
The Sixers have agreed to terms with free-agent Anferenee Simons, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal is for two years and $12.3 million.
Just in: Free agent guard Anfernee Simons has agreed to a two-year, $12.3 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, with a player option in second season, sources tell ESPN. Simons chose the 76ers over other suitors believing his fit is perfect with the revamped 76ers roster. pic.twitter.com/RUbhPzxxxp
If Simons has any type of success in Philadelphia, he’ll likely turn down that player option and elect free agency. While we don’t know for sure, it seems like Simons’ contract will take up the rest of the Sixers’ tax-payer mid-level exception. The bulk of that is going to Dean Wade. This also makes it likely that Ariel Hukporti’s slightly-above-minimum deal will be part of the team’s bi-annual exception.
One of the Sixers’ greatest weaknesses last season was their bench. They lacked scoring punch as Quentin Grimes struggled for much of the second half of the season and postseason. Simons, 27, is a terrific scorer and shooter. Splitting last season between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, Simons averaged 14.3 points in 24.9 minutes per game. He hit 38.5% of his threes on an extremely healthy volume, attempting nearly 10 triples per 36 minutes.
That shooting becomes especially important after the Jaylen Brown trade. Say what you want about Paul George, but his elite three-point shooting was much needed on a team that lacked outside shooters. This will also allow rookie Labaron Philon Jr. to come along slowly and not be forced into big minutes for a team who is suddenly all-in.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Utah Jazz have reportedly agreed to a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in which the Lakers will get Walker Kessler on a brand-new four-year, $130m deal with a player option after year three. In return, the Jazz will receive two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 as well as two pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, sources tell ESPN. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/rt8b17fEQZ
Walker Kessler is a good young player with plenty of room to improve. This move undoubtedly makes the Utah Jazz a worse team in 2026-27. Still, it is hard to imagine a more perfect center to start next to Jaren Jackson Jr. than Walker Kessler. So why do the Jazz make this move right now? Are they going to waste Jaren and Lauri together? Let’s dive in.
The Jazz are finally operating as if they are an actual NBA team competing to get better and win a championship. For many years during the dark ages of rebuilding and acquiring talent, decisions like this didn’t really matter nearly as much because the Jazz weren’t really trying to win basketball games. Now that the Jazz have acquired the talent they tanked for so long to obtain, like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Darryn Peterson to join guys like Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, and Keyonte George, they are tasked with evaluating which players and contracts best open the biggest window into contention possible.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the second pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson after he was selected by the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesSALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 11: Jaren Jackson Jr., #20 of the Utah Jazz boxes out Doug McDermott #7 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of their game at the Delta Center on February 11, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s be honest: with or without Walker Kessler, the Jazz probably weren’t beating the Thunder or Spurs in a seven-game series next season. The future is bright, but openly acknowledging that is okay. Both teams have the luxury of elite, all-NBA-level talent on rookie-scale, team-friendly contracts. The Jazz simply do not possess that same level of flexibility.
So… What does any of that have to do with the Jazz not bringing Walker Kessler back? Bringing back Walker Kessler at that number, quite frankly, would have forced the Jazz into a difficult space roster-building-wise. I still think the Jazz were willing to do it because they are a better team with Walker Kessler than they are without him, but that extension makes it very difficult to extend Keyonte George and keep a guy like Lauri Markkanen. But when a desperate Lakers team offers two unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps, you don’t overthink it. You pick your jaw up from the floor, and you make that deal without hesitation. Those picks are so far into the future that there is no telling what the Lakers roster could look like at that point.
Draft picks in the NBA are currency. Draft picks are the means by which big-time deals get done. I do not anticipate that the Utah Jazz made that deal for Walker Kessler with the expectation of actually making the draft selections in 2031 and 2033. By making that deal, the Jazz have unlocked the assets to pursue virtually any trade they want. They also preserve the financial flexibility to keep Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen together for longer if they choose. Now, the Jazz window opens and overlaps just as the two top dogs in the Western Conference lose flexibility. Victor Wembanyama is in the last year of his rookie contract, and will surely get a massive payday from the Spurs. Stephon Castle is also likely to be paid handsomely within the next two years when his rookie contract ends. The Oklahoma City Thunder are already starting to feel the effects of decreased salary flexibility, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to make $20m more following the 2026-27 season. Can you see where this is headed for Utah?
The Jazz undoubtedly are a worse basketball team today than they were yesterday. I still expect them to compete for a playoff spot in 2026-27, but it isn’t as sure as it would have been had we retained Walker Kessler. That said, it is hard not to be ecstatic about the flexibility the Jazz now have with both their salary cap and draft picks. The Jazz took a small step back in the short term to put themselves in line to take a giant step forward, right as their fellow Western Conference giants are having to come back to the pack a little bit themselves.
It is hard not to be excited as a Jazz fan right now… The Jazz may have taken a small step backward today, but they are positioned to take a much larger step forward in the not-so-distant future. Our ceiling has never been higher.
LeBron James is searching for his next NBA team and the highly-anticipated decision could have implications for his son, Bronny James.
James has reportedly already narrowed down his search to two finalists, but he won’t rush into anything. The four-time NBA champion informed the Los Angeles Lakers he would not return for the 2026-27 season on Tuesday.
James seemingly calculated the timing of his announcement to the organization as Bronny’s $2.3 million contract with the Lakers became fully guaranteed the day before, making the third-year guard eligible to be traded.
LeBron James and his son, Bronny, became the first father-son duo to play in the NBA together. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectBronny’s $2.3 million contract with the Lakers became fully guaranteed on Monday, making him trade eligible. Getty Images
Now, it appears James’ new destination could also signal the end of Bronny’s tenure with the Lakers. NBA insider Dave McMenamin reported a subsequent move could be made with Bronny once James joins a team.
“LeBron has spoken at length about how meaningful it has been to be teammates with his son, and those feelings only grew late last season when they shared the court in competitive games.
“It’s easy to think the James family would want that connection to continue,” McMenamin writes.
If Bronny doesn’t leave LA, he would continue to develop under head coach JJ Redick and glean from the Lakers’ star-studded trio in Luka Doncic, Walker Kessler and Austin Reaves.
James and Bronny became the first-father son duo to play together in an NBA game, first sharing the court as Lakers teammates in October 2024. The pair also became the first father-son pair to take the court in an NBA playoff game.
Bronny has always been evaluated under the microscope of being James’ son, which may be a factor into whether he stays under the bright lights of Hollywood or joins his father via trade.
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Bill Simmons wasn’t coherent. He’d just woken up from anesthesia.
But when his wife picked him up from his colonoscopy Wednesday, she revealed news to her husband that he couldn’t believe: Jaylen Brown was traded to the 76ers for a package including Paul George.
“I think I’m dead. I think I died. The anesthesia killed me,” Simmons said on his self-named podcast Thursday of what he said in the moment.
“I was just trying to process it. … it’s like I had the head injured.”
Bill Simmons describes hearing about the Jaylen Brown trade from his wife picking him up from a colonoscopy:
“I think I’m dead. The anesthesia killed me. Are there more first round picks?
When this trade happened I had a camera in my ass, and I had Paul George rammed up my ass” pic.twitter.com/sSZLVujEga
— The r/BillSimmons Podcast (@rBillSimmonsPod) July 2, 2026
Simmons’ wife told him their daughter, a major Brown fan, was extremely upset due to the trade.
The Ringer founder was stumbling out of the hospital when the trade happened Wednesday afternoon.
“When this trade happened, I had a camera up my ass, and I had a Paul George rammed up my ass. That’s how I’m going to remember July 1, 2026,” Simmons said of his reaction to the trade.
After spending 10 years with the Celtics, Brown was traded to the 76ers on Wednesday for George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.
The first-rounders are for 2028 and 2031, while the second-rounders are for 2028 and 2030.
Paul George drives against Jaylen Brown during a playoff game. AP
The Celtics’ decision to move on from Brown comes shortly after he was rumored to be the centerpiece in a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
Antetokounmpo ultimately went to the Heat, but Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens still remained non-committal on Brown’s future with the team.
Jaylen Brown poses during a playoff game against the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
During a decade with the Celtics, Brown left no stone untouched, winning Finals MVP in 2024 and averaging more than 20 points per game every year since the 2019-20 season.
George will have major shoes to fill this upcoming season after averaging 17.3 points per game with the 76ers last year.
The NBA is looking to speed up the flow of the game, and is tentatively planning to take a page out of the NBA G-League’s book to make it happen. The NBA made an announcement on Thursday that it would test out the “one free throw rule” during the 2026 Summer League, gauging whether or not it should become a staple of the NBA.
This might sound extremely confusing at first glance, so let’s break down how this would work. During the passage of a normal game (i.e. not in the final two minutes or overtime) all free-throw opportunities would be condensed into one shot, awarding points equal to the number of shots previously attempted in the past. So, a basic foul on a missed shot attempt would reward one free throw worth two points. If a player was driving, getting the bucket and the foul (the And-1), then it would result in one shot worth one point. If a player was fouled in the act of attempting a three, then they would receive one shot worth three points.
It’s that final element which is most fascinating, because it creates a significant advantage for elite shooters from beyond the arc who are also fantastic free-throw shooters. For example, the rule effectively does nothing to someone like Steph Curry, who shot 39.3% from three and 92.3% from the free-throw line last season, but it could have a big effect on someone like Anthony Edwards, who shot 39.9% from three and 79.6% on free throws.
While it’s certainly unlikely that we’re going to see some mammoth shift in fouling because of this, having an all-or-nothing approach to free throws is fascinating, because it will add significant pressure on players who already aren’t the best shooters from the charity stripe.
This isn’t the only change being proposed to NBA rules, because the other comes from innovations to the basketball itself.
The connected basketball will be tested at the upcoming NBA summer leagues.
The basketball contains an embedded sensor that detects contact with the ball. The sensor does not materially affect the ball’s weight, feel or playability.
Adding more technology here isn’t a bad thing and should eliminate some bad calls in the process. It seems like a win-win, so long as the technology works.
Los Angeles, CA - April 10: Lakers guard Luke Kennard, #10, left, makes a basket over Suns guard Grayson Allen, #8 in the first half at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Friday, April 10, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
It didn’t take long for the Phoenix Suns to find a replacement for sharpshooter Grayson Allen, whom they dealt to the Charlotte Hornets to acquire power forward Miles Bridges. In the first hours of NBA Free Agency, the team agreed to a two-year $13 million deal with sharpshooter Luke Kennard, who is set to fill the bench role that Allen gave the Suns the past few seasons.
When they were at Duke together, here’s how the two teams’ games compare to each other.
Attributes/Intangibles
Grayson Allen
Height: 6’3”
Age: 30
Weight: 198 pounds
Contract: Going into the third year of a 4-year $70 million contract he signed back in 2024
Years in the NBA: 8
Games played: 454
Luke Kennard
Height: 6’5”
Age: 30
Weight: 205 pounds
Contract: Just signed a two-year, $13 million deal
Years in the NBA: 9
Games played: 538
Some extra tidbits
Despite Allen being the older player, Kennard is the one who’s been in the league longer. Allen played four years at Duke, while Kennard spent just two seasons there. Kennard has played roughly a full season more of games and 10 more playoff games, but Allen has one more playoff appearance after making them in five out of his last six seasons.
Last season’s averages: 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 53.3/47.8/91.3 shooting splits in 78 total games with the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Some extra tidbits
Allen had his best season last year, but lower-body injuries required him to miss 31 games. Allen has typically played more minutes with his teams than Kennard has, and scores slightly less efficiently. Both take more threes than twos. Kennard has never started more than 25 games in a season, while Allen has played the role of reserve and starter almost evenly throughout his career. He started in 74 games his first season in Phoenix, only seven the next, and in 53% of his games during the 2025-2026 campaign.
Playstyles
Grayson Allen
A shooter mostly to start his career, Allen has developed his playmaking and passing abilities in recent seasons. He had his two highest assist seasons with Phoenix, and when Bradley Beal and Devin Booker endured injuries in the 2023-2024 campaign, he was thrust into numerous ball-handling and point guard duties. In February of 2024, when Booker and Beal missed time, Allen averaged 4.1 assists per game and had a career-best 14-assist game against the Utah Jazz, playing point guard.
This past season, taking the most shots of his career (he took 13.1 per game, his second-most is 9.1), Allen’s efficiency dipped as he became more of a volume scorer and someone Phoenix relied on to create offense. He got to the line more than he ever has per game, which coincided with more shot attempts and turnovers. Additionally, he’s become more of a defensive playmaker, diving for loose balls, and was second on the team in steals per game last year.
Luke Kennard
For the entirety of his career, Kennard has been a marksman. He holds the highest three-point percentage out of any active player, including the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers made, Steph Curry.
Playing alongside dynamic playmakers such as Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Ja Morant, he’s at his best when he’s being set up for shots, which is why one of the best games of his career came in Games 1 and 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs this year against the Houston Rockets when he scored 27 points and 23 points respectively as James was looking for him to find open shooters.
Unlike Allen, Kennard hasn’t been thrust into a main scoring role recently. He hasn’t taken more than 10 shots per game or averaged more than 26 minutes a game since his third season, and his role in Phoenix projects to be no different.
While the Phoenix Suns are getting a cheaper, arguably better shooter, Luke Kennard is not the offensive nor defensive playmaker that Grayson Allen has become, but they filled a hole that they created when they acquired Miles Bridges.
The Los Angeles Lakers have completely revamped the roster ahead of the 2026-27 season, headlining the offseason by signing center Walker Kessler to a four-year, $130 million deal.
Walker Kessler’s contract with the Lakers won’t be as lucrative because of the high income taxes in California. Getty Images
As a state, Utah has a flat individual state income tax rate of 4.45%, meaning there are no income brackets or top marginal rates. Because it’s a flat tax, all taxable income is taxed at the same rate regardless of the total amount and the state does not have any additional local income taxes.
By comparison, California’s notorious top state income tax rate reaches 13.3%; the highest in the nation. The actual rate is 12.3%, but the state also imposes a 1% surcharge for mental health services as well. Add in the 1.2% State Disability Insurance tax California requires everyone to pay, and Kessler is expected to lose 14.5% of his paycheck to California taxes.
California’s notorious top state income tax rate reaches 13.3%; the highest in the nation AP Photo/Anna FuderKessler’s AAV (average annual value) in Los Angeles will be $32.5 million, which means he’ll lose $4.7 million in taxes. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Kessler accepted Los Angeles’ four-year, $130 million contract over the five-year, $140 million offered by the Jazz. While many within the league believe the Lakers massively overpaid a player who has yet to make an All-Star or All-NBA team — his only accolade is being named first-team all-rookie — it turns our Kessler’s actual take home will be less than what he would’ve received in Utah.
Kessler’s AAV (average annual value) in Los Angeles will be $32.5 million, which means he’ll lose $4.7 million in taxes in California, making his take home amount $27.8 million per season. Over the course of his four-year contract, Kessler is expected to lose $18.8 million and bring home $111.2 million.
If Kessler had stayed in Utah on that deal, his AAV would’ve been $28 million per season. He would’ve lost $1.3 million in taxes every season, making his take home amount $26.7 million. Over the course of his five-year contract, Kessler was expected to lose $6.5 million and bring home $133.5 million.
That means the price of playing alongside Luka Dončić is going to cost Kessler $22.3 million over the course of his contract.
With LeBron James officially moving on, the Lakers will build their roster around Luka Dončić. Getty Images
This would directly conflict with reports that Kessler rejected the Jazz’s offer because he wanted more money. There were, however, other reports that the center was frustrated with Utah and the handling of his contract.
The strained relationship likely opened the door for the Lakers to trade for Kessler and ultimately sign him to the four-year deal. This summer marks a new era for the purple and gold.
