Category: NBA

Part 1: He’ll probably be here today

I’m in Scarsdale, standing outside of Eye Designs of Westchester, and waiting for Mike Brown, head coach of the NBA Champion New York Knicks. This is where Brown goes for glasses, and if my calculations are correct, today would be his six-month checkup. Or tomorrow. Or one day this week.

I take a break to buy a Gatorade from the nearby gas station. It’s hot, the kind of heat that makes perspiration cover the surface of a large, bald dome like Mike’s. He’s so bald you doubt he ever had hair. Oh, but he did.

Raised in a military family that moved frequently between the United States, Germany, and Japan, young Michael Burton developed discipline, adaptability, and attention to detail while his hair grew in nice and thick. Friends recall that he was more than just a handsome head of hair; they say he was intelligent, organized, and fiercely loyal. Whether standing up for classmates, helping teammates improve after practice, or delivering newspapers at 3 a.m. for an injured teammate, Brown consistently put others first and never gloated about his looks. Sometimes friends caught him checking his profile in the reflective glass of a trophy case, but he insisted (a little bashfully) that he was only imagining himself winning the Larry O’Brien for the Knicks. Can you imagine having such foresight?!

I want to pop my head into Eye Designs and ask if Mike has arrived in my absence, but the receptionist mentioned the police last time. Instead, I resume my post just past the corner of the front window and patiently sip my Gatorade (lemon-lime, which I assume to be Mike’s favorite).

You might ask, “Why does Mike always ask who let the dogs out?” Because he’s the original dog and wants to reconnect with his pack. After hooping at Mesa Community College and the University of San Diego, Brown entered the NBA through dogged persistence. He convinced the Denver Nuggets to create an internship for him, performed every task asked of him without complaint, and quickly established himself as a tireless worker. Brown progressed from intern to video coordinator, scout, and assistant coach. Janitors often reported that Brown slept in the office while studying film, resting his head (still adorned with truly excellent hair) on the desk.

His work ethic and attention to detail became defining traits throughout his career. Former coach Bernie Bickerstaff is rumored to have said, “If success is the ankle, Mike is a dog who refuses to let it go.” (Truth: I started that rumor.) During that time, Mike sometimes babysat Bernie’s little brat, J.B. These are the sacrifices, folks.

Brown began his NBA coaching career under Bickerstaff with the Washington Wizards in 1997 before suffering under the constant geniality of Rick Carlisle with the Indiana Pacers. Around this time, Mike began shaving his head. The new look inspired Carlisle, who said, “Geez, that looks so good on Mike; maybe bald would look good on me.” Rick was mistaken.

Mike later joined Gregg Popovich’s staff in San Antonio and won his first championship as an assistant in 2003. During these formative years, Brown built a coaching foundation rooted in defense, accountability, and preparation while learning from some of the most respected basketball minds in the sport.

On a recent episode of the Roommates podcast, Brown reflected on his time in Texas. “I’ll never forget at the end of my first year there, we were meeting as a staff, and Pop says, ‘I got to thank Tim Duncan.’ Why? […] He said, ‘Mikey, if your best player doesn’t allow you to coach him, you have no shot at coaching anybody else on the team. And Tim allows me to do it.’” Mikey’s time in San Antonio was great because of a) Pop’s lessons and b) his babysitting days were finally behind him.

Back in Scarsdale, the sun is melting me, so I slip into Candis (no apostrophe) Nail and Spa next door. I inquire about the cost of a pedicure. The woman who greets me takes one look at my sandaled feet and says, “For you, it’s double.” That hardly seems fair, so I decline. Before leaving, I ask if Mike Brown ever patronizes the place, and she says, “For him, it’s free.” It pays to coach the Knicks. I return to my post and contemplate whether wearing a shirt with Mike’s face on it makes me seem a little creepy.

You know who has kinda creepy tendencies? LeBron James, whom Mike coached in Cleveland. Brown took the head coaching job there in 2005, at the tender age of 35. He quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive coaches, leading a young LeBron and the Cavs to the 2007 NBA Finals. And isn’t it poetic that Mike had to defeat two former teams, the Cavs and the Spurs, to win a trophy with the Knicks?

Brown’s emphasis on defense became the foundation of Cleveland’s rise. James credits Brown for shaping those early teams. “Mike gave us a defensive identity early in my career,” James said in June 2024, during an episode of his Mind the Game podcast. “We bought into his system, and that’s the reason we made our first Finals run in ’07. He deserves a lot of credit for setting that foundation.” That did not stop Bron from taking his talents to South Beach, but moving along. . . .

Cleveland posted a 305-187 regular-season record during Brown’s first stint, including consecutive 60-win seasons and a franchise-record 66 victories in 2008-09. Brown won NBA Coach of the Year in 2009. Despite consistent regular-season excellence, Cleveland never returned to the Finals, and Brown was dismissed during the uncertainty surrounding LeBron’s impending free agency. Believe it or not, this would not be the first time Mike won COTY and only to be pink-slipped soon after.

A blue BMW parks in the lot, and I wonder what Mike drives. My guess is a maroon Mini Cooper, with the driver’s seat pushed back to the trunk and a Planet Fitness sticker on the bumper. A short, dumpy dude decamps from the beamer and heads into the Math Learning Center, which is cleverly called Mathnasium. Cute. I get lost in thoughts of kids trying to use calculators while jumping on trampolines and chide myself to stay focused.

The next stop on Brown’s timeline is a stint with the Lakers, where he inherited a veteran roster featuring Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, and Dwight Howard. At the time, he was viewed primarily as a defensive specialist whose offenses lacked creativity. The Lakers hired him to stabilize a team that had drifted from its championship peak, but Brown lasted only five games into his second season before being fired. He later returned to Cleveland for a second stint, only to be dismissed again shortly before LeBron’s return to the franchise. He was replaced by David Blatt, known for a remarkable ability to sleep with his eyes open.

Ever determined, Mike reframed those setbacks as turning points. After years of being defined as a defense-first coach, Brown joined Steve Kerr’s staff with the Golden State Warriors in 2016. The six seasons he spent in Golden State became the most important developmental period of his career. Working alongside Kerr, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant, Brown expanded his understanding of offense, player empowerment, and relationship-building. He saw how elite defense could coexist with offensive freedom, ball movement, and creativity. Brown won three championships as an assistant and occasionally stepped in as acting head coach. More importantly, he evolved from a rigid tactician into a more adaptable and collaborative leader.

Steve Kerr has been complimentary of his former assistant. “What Mike has done for me, for this organization in his six years here, he’s made just an incredible contribution. He’s an amazing coach, amazing friend.” He could not, however, convince Steve to join the bald brotherhood, especially after seeing what happened to Carlisle.

From 2020 to 2022, Brown coached the Nigerian men’s national basketball team, the D’Tigers. In the exhibition warm-ups for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he led the team to a shocking 90-87 upset over Team USA in Las Vegas—marking the first time an African nation had ever defeated the United States in basketball. Despite boasting a roster packed with NBA talent, Nigeria’s subsequent Olympic run ended in the group stage with a 0-3 record. Brown also helmed the team through FIBA AfroBasket 2021 before departing in 2022 to take on a more prestigious gig.

As Kerr knows about the NBA, it’s Biz before Bros. Soon, his top assistant was on the move again, becoming top dog with the Sacramento Kings in 2022. Rather than focusing exclusively on schemes and discipline, Mike emphasized confidence, belief, and culture-building.

“He brought a lot to us and got everyone to buy in from the first day,” said De’Aaron Fox. “He established a good working relationship with the guys. He came in here and told us we were going to be winners, and guys believed in him right from the start.”

Brown’s accountability was equally important. Fox later described a coach who challenged every player regardless of status. “He holds everyone accountable from day one,” Fox said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re an All-Star or the last guy on the bench, he’s going to watch film and call you out if you aren’t defending,” Fox added that Mike was the only adult male he knew who admitted to owning a Baha Men CD.

Brown pushed Fox toward a different level of self-motivation. “You’ve got to figure out how to get to that level without having somebody piss you off,” Brown told him. “Because you’re a great player and great players get to that level on their own.”

Brown took over a franchise coming off a 30-win season and a 16-year playoff drought. In his first season, Sacramento improved by 18 wins, produced the league’s top offense, and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Brown became the first unanimous NBA Coach of the Year in league history (an award which, if you know Mike’s story, is the kiss of death). His Kings teams played fast, moved the ball, and shattered the perception that he was merely a defensive specialist. Brown’s greatest growth was no longer tactical; it was philosophical. He shifted from trying to control every detail to helping players believe in their potential.

Less than two years later, Sacramento fired Brown following a slow start to the season. The decision stunned the league and further cemented Brown’s reputation as a coach whose accomplishments often went undervalued. Rather than dwelling on another dismissal, Brown kept his rose-colored glasses firmly in place and set his gaze toward orange and blue skies.

My stomach grumbles and I am thinking about buying a sub from Sal’s Market next door. Suddenly, a 2019 Volkswagen Beetle steers into the lot. Not quite a Mini Cooper, but in the ballpark. Could it be Coach Brown? Nervously, I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans and wait to see who will emerge from the vehicle.

To be continued . . .

Celtics reveal jersey numbers for Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, Mike Conley Jr originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics officially announced Tuesday the signings of free agent center Mitchell Robinson and guard Mike Conley Jr. And on Monday, they officially announced the Jaylen Brown trade.

Conley reportedly signed a one-year deal, while Robinson reportedly signed a three-year contract worth $47.4 million. The C’s traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.

George will wear No. 13 with the Celtics. He also wore No. 13 with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers. George used No. 8 with the Sixers. Ron Harper Jr. wore No. 13 for the C’s last season.

Robinson is going to wear No. 4 with the Celtics. He wore No. 23 with the New York Knicks over the last seven seasons, but in Boston that number is retired for Frank Ramsey.

Previous players to wear No. 4 for the Celtics include Isaiah Thomas, Anfernee Simons, Jrue Holiday, Nate Robinson and Chauncey Billups. It was most recently used by Nikola Vucevic.

Conley is entering his 20th NBA season, and he will wear No. 44 for the C’s.

He has only worn No. 10 and No. 11 in his career so far, but No. 10 in Boston is retired for Jo Jo White and No. 11 is currently worn by Payton Pritchard.

Former players who have worn No. 44 for the Celtics include Robert Williams III, Brian Scalabrine, Danny Ainge, Pete Maravich, Dave Bing and Paul Westphal.

Draymond, LeBron reportedly ‘spending time together' this week amid free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green and LeBron James are spending time together this week at an undisclosed location — and the NBA world took notice immediately.

ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news Tuesday on “The Stephen A. Smith Show“, confirming the two have linked up amid James’ ongoing free agency deliberations. The location was not revealed, even after Stephen A. pressed Charania directly on air.

“By the way, breaking news here — LeBron James and Draymond Green are spending some time here together this week,” Charania said on the show. When Stephen A. asked where exactly, Charania simply responded: “Undisclosed location.”

The timing is significant. Green opted out of his $27.7 million player option last week specifically to give the Warriors financial flexibility to pursue James — and the two have been close friends throughout their careers despite never playing on the same team. Green’s opt-out widely was viewed as a signal that he was operating with knowledge that James was leaving the Lakers, if not necessarily confirmation that he was heading to the Bay Area.

Charania made clear the Warriors still face a significant hurdle in the James sweepstakes. Golden State’s plan reportedly hinges on packaging a trade for Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis alongside a James signing — and short of that, Charania does not believe the Warriors are at the top of James’ list.

“The Warriors’ whole plan going into free agency was, let’s see if we can get Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, LeBron James and Anthony Davis,” Charania said. “The big draw for LeBron James with the Warriors would be a package deal. Short of that, I don’t think the Warriors are high on that list — and I think the Warriors believe they’re not high on that list — unless they’re able to go get Anthony Davis.”

Per Charania, the Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers currently represent the top tier of James’ options. Cleveland is viewed as the quiet favorite by most league insiders, while Philadelphia’s acquisition of Jaylen Brown from the Celtics has made the 76ers a legitimate contender for James’ services.

For now, Green and James are somewhere together. Whether that undisclosed location becomes the setting for one of the most consequential recruiting pitches in Warriors history remains to be seen.

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The Washington Wizards have signed second-round pick Felix Okpara to a two-way deal, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported Tuesday.

Washington traded up to select Okpara with the No. 46 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-11 forward, who averaged 8.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks at Tennessee last season, will start the 2026-27 season in the G League with the Capital City Go-Go.

Okpara joins Jamir Watkins and Julian Reese as Washington’s two-way players.

Washington’s roster sits at 14 standard contracts and three two-way contracts:

Guard: Trae Young | Tre Johnson | Bub Carrington | D’Angelo Russell

Wing: AJ Dybantsa | Kyshawn George | Bilal Coulibaly | Will Riley

Forward: Anthony Davis | Justin Champagnie | Cam Whitmore

Center: Alex Sarr | Deandre Ayton | Tristan Vukcevic

Two-way: Jamir Watkins, Julian Reese, Felix Okpara

Washington could open another roster spot by waiving or buying out Russell, who opted in to his $5.9 million player option but never reported to Washington following last February’s trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

Former NBA champion Kyle Lowry re-signed for his former team Toronto Raptors for one day before retiring at the age of 40.

The veteran point guard, who helped the Raptors win the 2019 NBA championship, wanted to end his career with the team after playing for the Philadelphia 76ers since 2024.

"Thank you to my family, my friends, my team-mates, my coaches, my opponents, the staff, the media and especially the fans," Lowry said.

"It's all about you. I appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you, Toronto. Thank you, Canada. And as I always told y'all, it's officially happening. I'm retiring as a Toronto Raptor."

Lowry was selected to the All-Star Game six times in nine seasons with the Raptors. He also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat and spent the majority of his final three seasons with his hometown team the 76ers, while also working as a television pundit.

He wore the seven jersey with the Raptors and made his announcement on 7 July.

Lowry and his wife have also joined the ownership group of WNBA side Toronto Tempo.

"We are a huge basketball family and have been big supporters of the WNBA since day one," the couple said in a statement.

"This feels like a true full circle moment to announce our ownership in the Tempo. We're excited to help build something special in Toronto, inspire the next generation of athletes and fans, and support the continued growth of women's basketball in Canada."

Warriors not among teams in LeBron James' free-agency hierarchy, per Shams originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

When NBA free agency opened earlier this month, the Warriors widely were viewed as one of the premier contenders to land superstar free agent LeBron James.

However, as more time has elapsed in the James sweepstakes, Golden State seems to have less momentum. Not only have there been talks of them pivoting to a pursuit of DeMar DeRozan, but ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed on Tuesday’s “Stephen A. Smith Show” that they are no longer among the teams in the mix for the 21-time All-NBA selection.

“The teams that keep popping up for me when I’m talking to teams are Cleveland, Miami and Philly,” Charania said. “It was Golden State at various points, and it still could. LeBron is taking a period of time here that has now allowed the Warriors, if they want to engage the Wizards on an Anthony Davis trade, to bring LeBron and AD as a package deal. They have a window for that, but the price is going to be steep.”

What might that price be? Well, it would center around Golden State star Jimmy Butler, and it could also impact the Warriors’ ability to build through the draft for the foreseeable future.

“You’re looking at Jimmy Butler and a plethora of draft picks, and if you’re the Wizards now, you have the leverage in these conversations. So, if you’re the Warriors, are you really going to part with multiple first-round picks, multiple swaps and multiple seconds to go get AD and then also get LeBron? Is that worth it? That’s something the Warriors have to sift through.”

Considering a report surfaced on Monday that the Cavaliers are viewed as the expected landing spot around the league, the Warriors would likely would need some sort of assurance from James that he’d sign with them before they part with any assets to make a move for Davis.

James, 41, is coming off a season that saw him make the NBA All-Star team for the 22nd consecutive season and proved he still can be a key part of a team’s offense. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game en route to helping the Los Angeles Lakers clinch the No. 4 seed in the playoffs.

Unlike in 2010, when ESPN aired “The Decision” on national television, which saw James leave Cleveland for Miami, there is no set date for when he will decide. So, it appears James and his team will keep things under wraps until he truly has made a final decision.

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

The draft is done. Free agency is pretty much done, at least for the Phoenix Suns. So the next mile marker on the calendar arrives this Friday at 8 p.m., when the Suns’ Summer League team makes its debut in Las Vegas against the Portland Trail Blazers.

There are numerous storylines to follow, especially for an organization that has emphasized development and moved up in recent drafts to acquire prospects it believes in. Summer League matters to this organization, even if we have to temper expectations and avoid overreacting to the results. That’s easier said than done.

Personally, I don’t put too much stock into Summer League. But with nothing else happening in the basketball world, we tend to place a little more weight on it than we probably should. That being said, the Phoenix Suns have several second-year players participating in Summer League, and expectations for them will naturally be higher this time around.

Khaman Maluach was taken 10th overall in last summer’s draft and quite possibly could be the last lottery pick the Phoenix Suns make for quite some time. He is still only 19, not turning 20 until September 14, and we know it typically takes big men longer to develop at the NBA level. That being said, the expectation is that we see progress. Sharper decision-making, better basketball IQ, and an improved understanding of how to utilize his unbelievably long frame to be effective on the basketball court.

Rasheer Fleming might have been a second-round pick, but he was selected 31st overall last summer and was the rookie who appeared to pop a little more as the season progressed. So what does he look like during his second summer in Las Vegas? It’s been reported that he has added muscle, so how does he carry that extra weight as he moves around the court? What does his three-point shot look like? Does he attack the interior with more ferocity and frequency?

Lastly, there is Koby Brea, who returns on a two-way contract after being selected 41st overall last summer. He’s another player the Suns moved up to target and acquire, and while there still isn’t room for him on the big league roster, what does his progression look like? How crisp is his three-point shot, and how often is he taking it during Summer League? More importantly, how effective is he in other aspects of his game?

There are plenty of storylines to monitor with the Suns’ sophomore class, and that is the subject of this week’s Suns Reacts poll.

Who do you need to see the most improvement from this year in Las Vegas, and what is driving that need for improvement? Is it about seeing progress from one summer to the next and building upon what we saw at the end of last season? Or is it about showing improvement toward what could ultimately be that player’s ceiling? Please take the time to vote in the poll, then let us know in the comments below why you voted the way you did.

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

The most successful NBA player that Louisville basketball has ever produced is well on his way to becoming the most financially successful former Cardinal this side of Junior Bridgeman.

Donovan Mitchell has agreed to a new 4-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers that will reportedly earn him $273 million. Mitchell could have waited until next summer to add an additional season worth an extra $80 million on the deal, but instead chose to re-up with Cleveland on the first day he was eligible.

A three-time NBA All-Star, Mitchell has averaged 26.7 points, 5.3 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game in his Cavs tenure. He’s led the team to the playoffs in each of his four seasons in Cleveland, most recently taking them to the Eastern Conference Finals where they were swept by eventual World Champions New York.

“I love it here. I don’t know how else to say it. I have no doubt these guys can get there. We have unfinished business,” Mitchell said after the sweep.

And now he’s backed up those words by committing to Cleveland for the next four years … and giving them a little bit of extra wiggle room to bring in some help.

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The Utah Summer League wraps up tonight, with the hometown Jazz trying to complete a 3-0 run at Jon M. Huntsman Center.

They'll face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the late tip, on the heels of a matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies — and all eyes will be fixed on what kind of workload the big-name rookies receive after playing yesterday.

Here are my NBA Summer League picks ahead of the July 7 action.

NBA Summer League predictions for July 7

Pick
Jazz moneyline	-144
Hawks moneyline	+156

Today's Summer League Picks

Jazz moneyline (-144 at Kalshi)

How carefully will the Utah Jazz manage Darryn Peterson’s minutes in tonight’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder? That’s the biggest question looming over this clash, with Peterson scoring 53 points across his first two summer outings.

I still like the Utah moneyline even if Peterson and Cody Williams are just spectators here. Max Abmas and Jonas Aidoo have had some nice moments off the bench, and Blake Hinson is a steady starter at this level.

After starting the Summer League schedule with an ugly blowout loss, the Thunder were more competitive in yesterday’s loss to the Hawks, but the same availability questions apply to rookies Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, who were a combined 7-for-23 last night.

I’ll bank on the home crowd giving the Jazz backups enough juice to grind out a win. 

Hawks moneyline (+156 at Kalshi)

This pick counts on the Memphis Grizzlies deciding they’ve seen enough of the talented Cedric Coward-Cam Boozer duo and shelving them for Vegas. In that world, Memphis would be relying on a bench that was run out of the gym last night against Utah.

While the Atlanta Hawks may reach a similarly cautious decision with their bigger names, rookie Kingston Flemings could give the underdogs some extra zip in this contest.

If Atlanta rolls with a cast of reserves, both Devon Higgs and Keshon Gilbert shot the ball well in yesterday’s loss to the Thunder, and the Hawks held OKC to just five made 3-pointers.

In what could descend into an end-of-the-bench rock fight, I’ll take the plus odds with an Atlanta squad capable of pulling off an upset.

Tuesday’s NBA Summer League parlay

Jazz moneyline

Hawks moneyline

+334 at Kalshi

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In the summer of 2024, Jaylen Brown was on top of the NBA world.

He was named Finals MVP as the Boston Celtics secured their historic 18th championship. He was a two-way force, helping slow down the ever-dangerous Luka Doncic as the Celtics dispensed of the Dallas Mavericks in five games. It cemented his legacy for a legendary franchise.

Brown, who isn’t even 30 yet, boasts a resume that will likely have his No. 7 hanging in the rafters of TD Garden one day. He’s a five-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA pick and, of course, a champion — with both NBA Finals and Eastern Conference Finals MVPs.

It’s amazing how quickly the narrative changes.

Since his stunning blockbuster trade to the Sixers last week, those accomplishments have faded to the background. Suddenly, the argument is Boston’s accomplishments were almost despite Brown. As if he were just along for the ride as the Celtics enjoyed as much success as any NBA team during his tenure.

Brown isn’t perfect. Adjustments will need to be made as he joins forces with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe.

But the spin from the NBA media, painting Brown as an albatross Boston untethered itself from, is approaching insanity.

What’s funny is nothing even needs to be referenced here. If you’ve been following along since news broke that the Sixers were shipping Paul George, two first-rounders and two second-rounders to Boston for Brown, you’ve seen this odd smear campaign against Brown.

His usage rate this past season ballooned to 36.2% as star teammate Jayson Tatum missed most of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles. With that, Brown didn’t have his most efficient season at 57.3% true shooting. To be fair, that’s also not bad efficiency at that usage rate. Many have pointed to Brown’s on/off splits with the Celtics. It’s true — over the past few seasons, Boston has outscored opponents by a bigger margin with Brown off the floor than on.

Brown’s on/off splits were in the 24th percentile in 2025-26, according to Cleaning the Glass. While Tatum’s splits were elite to start his career, they’ve fallen off a bit over the last few seasons. Ironically, in 2023-24, a campaign where Tatum finished sixth in MVP voting — like Brown did this past season — Tatum’s on/off splits were in the 42nd percentile. There were no character-limit pushing social media posts about Tatum’s inefficiency after that season.

This isn’t to discredit Tatum. He’s a great player. It’s just to show how imperfect on/off splits and analytics can be — and how they can be used to fit agendas at times. If you want to make the argument the Tatum-Brown duo had run its course, that seems like the fairest one to make. Both players could be characterized as tough shot-makers who take a lot of tough shots. If you want to make the argument Brad Stevens was getting ahead of a potential future financial crunch, that’s also fair. George has only a player option remaining on his deal after this season, meaning his contract could be moveable and be used either to acquire another star-level max player or split up to acquire more depth.

The eye test does still matter, though. Analytics are a tool. Much like Brown, they’re not perfect.

Brown is a physical specimen at 6-foot-6 and 223 pounds. He plays with rare physicality and force on the wing that most at his position don’t possess. He gets to his spots and can make difficult shots. He needs to be accounted for when he has the ball in his hands. His scoring gravity alone should help the other four players on the floor. And, again, we all saw how that physical presence helps defensively when he was going up against one of the game’s most gifted offensive players in Doncic. All of these attributes — physicality, iso scoring, on-ball defense — lend themselves best to postseason basketball.

As with most things, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Brown has his deficiencies. He’s an improved but still below-average passer. He’s never been particularly good at limiting turnovers, a big demerit in the analytics community. He continues to be right-hand dominant, despite improvement there as well. While his on-ball defense can be elite when he’s locked in on an assignment, he’s prone to off-ball lapses.

Maybe his salary should be more reserved for MVP-level players under this current CBA; how can Brown be blamed for that? Stevens and company had no issues doling out that deal back in 2023. Brown hit the benchmarks required to earn such a contract. The Sixers choosing to pay Brown over the 36-year-old George feels like a no-brainer.

Perhaps Stevens, who initially dangled Brown as part of a trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo, saw potential financial pain with Brown’s contract in the future. He had a player who contributed significantly to the franchise, but whose max deal could push his payroll too close to the dreaded second apron for comfort — and the analytics backed such a decision.

Perhaps Mike Gansey simply saw an All-NBA performer who plays his ass off every night, wants to win and has won — analytics be damned.

There’s only one way to find out who’s right.

As Brown enjoys saying, throw the ball up.

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

Brooklyn made a splash in the 2025 NBA Draft by taking five first-round picks, the most first-round picks ever taken in one Draft. It’s only been one season (and now our second Summer League) with these guys, and we’re trying to get a grasp on what the five got.

• Egor Dëmin is the star and leader among the five. No doubt.
• Nolan Traore was announced out for the summer after getting a scope on his knee.
• Drake Powell didn’t look comfortable at the California Classic.
• Ben Saraf showed flashes in California… but nothing more.
• Danny Wolf did not play in Cali.

We aren’t trying to make Summer League sound like the NBA Playoffs. They aren’t. But the Nets have a chunk of players they selected together and one of them is consistently growing. What about the rest?

We’re asking who has the most to prove out of the five — this summer, training camp, and preseason. Leading up to Opening Night: Who has the most to prove to coach Jordi Fernandez?

💬 Discussion

Share your thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.

You tell us!

The Los Angeles Lakers are still looking to add to the roster after a busy first few days of free agency.

General manager Rob Pelinka quickly made additions to the roster after half of the starting lineup departed, including four-time NBA champion LeBron James. The deals were headlined by center Walker Kessler’s four-year, $130 million contract.

Though the Lakers were quick to add, there is still speculation surrounding how the new acquisitions will jell on the court.

Pelinka’s efforts to make up for the many departures were noble, but the Lakers have limited cap space with two glaring needs. LA is missing a versatile wing defender.

Jonathan Kuminga could be the solution and he is reportedly interested in signing with the Lakers this summer.

While the Lakers are actively pursuing Kuminga, they have yet to make a sufficient offer the forward and his camp deem worthy. According to ESPN insider Anthony Slater, Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick have met with Kuminga virtually.

However, the meeting took place prior to the Lakers signing Kessler, Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton. Kuminga and his agent are reportedly still exploring options as other teams have expressed interest in the 23-year-old.

Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from three last season for the Atlanta Hawks. At 23 years old, the forward would infuse youth into the roster and has the potential to develop into a two-way player for the Lakers.

In order for a deal to transpire, the Lakers would need to get creative in freeing up cap space to acquire a player like Kuminga. Currently, the Lakers only have the ability to sign a veteran to the league minimum salary.

Signing Kuminga would require the Lakers to either execute a trade or stretch and waive Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract (among others). The team freed up approximately $2.1 million in cap space by trading Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jaden Hardy and future draft compensation.

With Rui Hachimura joining the Los Angeles Clippers, the Lakers have no clear backup candidate to sign if the Kuminga deal doesn’t pan out. That’s a scary thought for a team that also needs a backup center after trading Ayton.

The Kuminga deal hinges on some creativity by Pelinka, but could later be seen as a turning point for the Lakers depending on what transpires. If the Lakers land Kuminga, they’re one step closer to contending.

If the Lakers fail to sign a versatile wing defender, the squad goes into the 2026-27 season with an incomplete roster.

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Summer League basketball is a great time for young players to get a chance to play live basketball against real competition in an effort to show NBA teams why they deserve a chance. Everyone’s playing for an invite to try and make a team or at a minimum a chance to make a G League team — which in turn gives them a chance to play for the big club if an injury happens during the season.

There are three main Summer Leagues: California, Utah, and the big one Las Vegas. With the California Summer League wrapping up Monday night, lets look at how former Tar Heels did with their teams.

RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs

Davis, playing in his second round of Summer League (last season for the Lakers), had two really good games sandwiched around a stinker for the Spurs, who went winless in the California Summer League. In Davis’s first game, he scored 15 points in 18 minutes coming off the bench for the Spurs. He shot well from behind the arc, hitting three out of five, and also had three assists and no turnovers to lead the team in +/- with a +16.

In his second game, Davis came off the bench again but only had two points in 21 minutes. He also had three turnovers, though he did have four assists, and missed all five of his three-point attempts. In the third game, Davis started for the Spurs and scored 18 points in 29 minutes. He only hit two of his seven three-point attempts, but was the Spurs best player per +/- with a +11. Davis’s strong start should bode well as he heads to Vegas.

Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets

Like Davis, Powell is playing in his second straight Summer League. Unlike Davis, Powell isn’t fighting for a roster spot, as he was one of the Nets first round picks last year. Powell’s stats in his two games (for some reason he didn’t play in the team’s second game) don’t look really good. In two games, Powell had one field goal on 17 attempts including going 0 for 9 from three. Powell did do some other stuff though, as he finished with 12 rebounds, but also had five turnovers. Hopefully he will play better in Las Vegas.

Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks

Ryan is playing in his third straight summer league and his second with the Bucks. However, he only played in one of the team’s three games, starting in the opening game before sitting out the next two for undisclosed reasons. Ryan played well in his lone start, scoring 13 points in 19 minutes. Hopefully, Ryan will get more playing time in Las Vegas and that will lead to more opportunities with a Bucks team in transition after trading away their franchise star.