On the photo posted of the two sharing their latest news, it was captioned: “The future Kessler’s. Let’s get y’all married!!!”
Kessler and Stockard met a little over two years ago after his mother snapped a photo of her during a basketball game and then set him up to later message her on Instagram.
From there, the rest is history.
In 2025, Stockard was crowned Miss America, leaving Kessler speechless as he’s admitted, “Dating Miss America was not on my bingo card.”
With Kessler and Stockard taking their relationship to the next level, Stockard might spend more time in Los Angeles. Kessler was recently acquired by the Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal with the Jazz.
Lakers newly acquired center Walker Kessler got engaged during Fourth of July weekend. Getty Images
Kessler’s contract will pay him $130 million over the next four years.
The Lakers have been trying to find a big man who suits Luka Dončić’s playing style, and Kessler is that man.
During the Lakers’ search for a big man, it was coming down to Kessler and the Pistons’ Jalen Duren. The Pistons have been reluctant to move Duren, which forced the Lakers to shift their attention toward Kessler.
Since being selected with the No. 22 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Kessler, 7-foot-2 and 245 pounds, has averaged 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks over 25.3 minutes through 201 regular-season games.
Mitchell Robinson was in doubt to start the NBA Finals after undergoing surgery on his hand in the week before the series began. While he played through it — and played a key role in the Knicks' title — the cause of the injury was never explained.
Until now, when Robinson explained it in a Facebook post on Sunday.
"To provide some context, I had been dealing with personal issues, relationship problems, and internal struggles, which affected my performance on the basketball court...Without going into details about my upbringing, I am extremely protective of my siblings, whom I care for deeply.
"Upon returning to New York [after eliminating Cleveland], I received an unexpected phone call, and my family members contacted me, informing me that my youngest brother had been involved in a car accident. I did not see the messages until I arrived home late that night. As the eldest sibling, I felt a deep sense of concern, and I immediately went into panic mode. I began returning calls and texts, and when I FaceTimed my brother, I thought he was deceased. He was wearing a neck brace, unresponsive, and not speaking. I broke down in tears, feeling like a failure for not being able to protect my siblings. Being 910 miles away, I felt helpless. In a moment of frustration, I banged my hand on my truck...
"After consulting with doctors, I was able to gain the confidence in myself to go in and get the job done and WE DID 2026 NBA CHAMPS. so at the end of the day I battled with so much throughout this season even made a huge sacrifice to not see my daughter as much this season because I needed to focus and lock in so she can have a better future than I did. ❤️"
Robinson is a very private person, and this could not have been easy for him to write. It was also a very human, understandable reaction to incredibly frightening news.
Mitchell signed with the Celtics as a free agent this offseason. Boston offered him a raise, while the Knicks were never going to be able to keep the roster together and stay below the second apron of the luxury tax (as demanded by owner James Dolan).
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 04: Kira Lewis Jr. #26 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes in for a layup against the Golden State Warriors during the second half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Golden 1 Center on July 04, 2026 in Sacramento, 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Bucks were blown out 89-69 in their second game in the California Classic on Sunday afternoon. Missing rookies Brayden Burries, Nate Ament, and Malique Lewis, Milwaukee was led by B.J. Boston (18 points, 3 boards) and Kira Lewis Jr. (13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists). Ben Humrichous and Hunter Sallis led the Nets with 15 points each. The Bucks will face Sacramento in their final California Classic tune-up before traveling to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League.
The Bucks started the game with undrafted free agent Boopie Miller, Zack Austin, Kobe Stewart, Boston, and John Butler Jr. on the court. The Nets started Dwight Murray Jr., Sallis, John Ukomadu, Humrichous, and Duke Brennan. Brooklyn rested Egor Dëmin, Drake Powell, and Ben Saraf, who all played yesterday against the Sacramento Kings.
The Bucks jumped out to a 12-4 lead early in the game off buckets from Boston and Austin. Boston, who poured in a game-high 17 points against the Warriors Blue Team yesterday, looked on fire again, showcasing his crafty finishing and smooth jumper. However, after a timeout, Brooklyn stormed back to take the lead, profiting off steals in the backcourt. Humrichous put the Nets ahead, 29-24, with a buzzer-beating three at the end of the first quarter.
The Bucks began to falter in the second quarter. The Nets forced a couple of turnovers and made some gutsy hustle plays, and the ball movement that pushed them to their win over the Warriors was frequently broken up. Brooklyn brought relentless defense from the likes of Dion Brown and Sallis, and they caught fire from three-point land. On the Milwaukee end, Miller and two-way signee Rafael Castro went cold and struggled to make offense work. The Bucks had their bright moments, like Luke Travers’ transition three and an emphatic block from Butler, but Brooklyn outplayed them throughout the second quarter. The Nets entered halftime on top, 54-36.
The Bucks started the second half looking to trim Brooklyn’s lead down to single digits. Boston started to heat up again from the outside, but it still seemed like Brooklyn was having their way from the perimeter, whether that was firing off uncontested jumpers or slashing to the rim and converting point-blank floaters. Eventually, Milwaukee grew more aggressive, fighting through screens and poking through dribbles to disrupt Brooklyn’s offense. Kuany Kuany, a former VCU Ram who played professionally in Australia and Croatia, stood out for his work ethic, hustling for offensive rebounds and diving for loose balls. However, Brooklyn didn’t budge despite the increased intensity. The Nets pieced together an 8-0 run to finish the third quarter up 72-54.
The game slowed down in the fourth quarter as Brooklyn sat on their lead. The Bucks’ offense still looked a bit clunky, especially when they were trying to create opportunities for each other. They turned the ball over, often through unforced errors, and many possessions came down to one-on-one iso ball, resulting in long-range, low-percentage shots. On defense, Brooklyn exposed Milwaukee’s screen defense, barreling down the lane for wide-open dunks when Milwaukee hesitated to switch. Milwaukee continued to face-guard and press Brooklyn high up the floor, but it was all for naught, as Brooklyn protected their huge lead.
Stat That Stood Out
The Bucks committed 13 turnovers against 15 assists, pointing to the Bucks’ sloppy passing and general lack of offensive ideas on Sunday afternoon.
LeBron James is golfing. He’s trolling comedian Kevin Hart. He’s watching his daughter swim. He’s celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 Cavaliers team he carried to the franchise’s only title.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on him, dissecting his social media posts as though they were clues in an Escape Room.
LeBron James is about to enter his unprecedented 24th NBA season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Even though James is about to turn 42 and enter his unprecedented 24th NBA season, his free agency has overshadowed Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded to Miami and the stunning news that the Celtics swapped Jaylen Brown for Paul George.
More than two decades into his career, he’s still the biggest story in the NBA.
He might be the biggest sports story in America, with speculation about his next move overshadowing Americans’ ephemeral interest in the men’s national soccer team and generating more headlines than Travis Kelce’s and Taylor Swift’s wedding. His star hasn’t faded at all with time. If anything, it has grown brighter.
Some people may be rolling their eyes. But they’re still on the edge of their seats waiting to see what he’s going to do.
Some people may want James to retire. But his name is still in their mouths.
Like it or not, James is still the center of the sports universe. We’ve watched him for so long that he has become a part of our lives. He has lived in our living rooms for two decades. We’ve spent more time with him than with many family members.
James may be the only person in the world whom both your grandma and your 3-year-old son know by name.
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Love or hate him, James is as American as hotdogs and fireworks on the Fourth of July. He’s our homegrown hero. We’ve rooted for (or against) him since he was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft at age 18.
James carried the Lakers to a first-round playoff victory over the Rockets. Getty Images
We’re still wowed by him two decades later, such as when he led the Lakers to a 3-0 series lead over the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves a few months ago.
Forget the debate over whether James or Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. James is engaged in a much tougher competition: a two-horse race with Father Time.
After all these years, he’s still him.
James still generates as much interest as when he was an unstoppable force who led the Heat and Cavaliers to eight straight NBA Finals. He may have one foot out the door, but he’s still the face of the league.
For almost everyone else, star power fades with time. Young hotshots usurp bigger names. There’s a natural turning of the page.
While the NBA is technically in good hands with superstar Victor Wembanyama chomping at the bit to become the next face of the league, it’s hard to imagine anyone ever comparing to James in terms of longevity or fame.
No one captures our imagination like LeBron. No one annoys us more than him. No one excites us like him. He’s always on the tip of our tongues. He owns real estate in the peripheries of our minds.
It’s remarkable when you think about it.
James isn’t ready to retire yet, but he won’t conclude his career with the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
If there’s one thing that’s more impressive than James’ talent on the court, it’s his ability to draw eyeballs like moths to a light.
Maybe you were celebrating his four championships, overjoyed when he became the league’s all-time scorer and choking back tears when he became the only player in NBA history to play alongside his son, Bronny.
Or maybe you were annoyed when he announced his departure from the Cavaliers in 2010 in an over-the-top TV special, disillusioned when he created a super team in Miami and thought he was a sell-out when he took his talents to the Lakers.
Either way, you were watching.
And when James finally retires, the TV series that has gripped us for two decades will come to an abrupt end. It’s going to leave a hole in our lives that nobody else could fill.
Jan 23, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) defends against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images
Well, well, well, that didn’t take long. Mr. Grass is Always Greener Kevin Durant, who came to the Houston Rockets just last season, is already gazing longingly at another franchise and potential teammate, as Brett Siegel of Clutch Point is reporting that Durant has a desire to go to Detroit and play with Cade Cunningham. In addition, apparently the Rockets do not view Durant as untouchable and are more than willing to trade him if the right offer comes around (come on, Detroit).
Siegel said:
“Whether or not the Rockets look to continue their partnership with Durant is the big question at large, especially since they don’t view him as an untouchable talent in trade talks on their roster, Houston viewed the opportunity to acquire Durant as a way to upgrade from Jalen Green and bridge the gaps in their lineup to contend in the West, but by no means was this addition viewed as a long-term commitment.
“Many around the league are skeptical of the Rockets wanting to keep Durant through the end of his current contract running through the 2027-28 season, It isn’t a secret to anyone that there were tensions between Durant and the Rockets’ locker room last season after reports of an alleged burner account came to light and frustrations were mounting internally about the team not taking a step forward with the former league MVP at the helm.”
As for the wish for Cade, Siegel said this:
“If Durant becomes available in any capacity or the Rockets look at possible trades involving him either now or in the near future, the Pistons are fully expected to be at the front of the line to bid on his services.”
“Two league sources with knowledge of the situation told ClutchPoints that the Pistons were set on figuring out a path to land Durant, but nothing ever materialized in this three-team idea, nor did anything appear possible in brief discussions with only Houston. Perhaps the greatest detail to emerge from all of these rumors is that Durant has interest in playing alongside Pistons star Cade Cunningham.”
Does any of this sound familiar? It’s the same old story, same old song and dance for Durant. Never happy anywhere, it’s always everyone else, and this morning’s KD dump smelled like candy and roses.
Last year, it was playing with Alperen Sengun that was going be good for KD. It took all of one season for us to hear about Durant flirting with the next girl (sorry, Cade).
As far as I am concerned, the sooner KD hits the road, the sooner the Rockets can get back to building a team for the present and the long term, and not a collection of guys standing around and watching KD throw his arms up in the air and act all exasperated when he doesn’t get the ball or the shot. Or the Rockets standing around and watching KD go to work. Either way, the team stands around and watches KD, and that’s not good for anyone but Durant, which we all know is KD’s only concern, but that wasn’t the temperament of this team before he got here, despite the fact there have been too few offensive sets in both the before and after KD scenarios.
Some of this does indeed fall on Ime Udoka for not having an offensive gameplan and for not stepping in to address the locker room concerns, but anyone who doesn’t think there have been chemistry issues since the burner scandal just hasn’t been paying attention.
This team lost more than just Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green when they traded for Durant, they lost their identity. Most of you know that I was against the KD move at the time, warmed up to it slightly through the first 20 games or so when the Rockets started off 15-5, then went to — trade KD at all costs.
We all know KD is gonna KD, and if there’s one thing we should have learned with Durant after all these years and all the nonsense that comes along with rostering him is that where there is KD smoke, there is almost always fire.
And honestly, as far as I am concerned, if there’s fire with KD, Cade and the Pistons, that’s the best news of the offseason.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: The sneakers worn by Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Even if the Lakers are going to have quite the task this summer to replace LeBron James’ production, isn’t nice to finally not be held hostage during the summer?
While many teams around the league are lining up to put themselves in a situation that appeals to LeBron, the Lakers are going about their business any care in the world to what he is doing in free agency. Being able to ignore Rich Paul’s terrible basketball takes and LeBron’s cryptic social media posts is like breaths of fresh air this offseason.
However, LA could still be roped into things once LeBron does make a choice. While Sr. is no longer on the Lakers’ roster, Jr. is, at least for now. Once LeBron makes his decision, one of the next questions will be whether Bronny follows him to his new team.
And those franchises interested in LeBron are already making those calculations. According to NBA reporter Jake Fischer, the Cavs are keeping open a roster spot for Bronny, should they land LeBron.
One conspiracy whisper making the rounds: They want to make sure that they have open roster spots to be able to trade for the Lakers’ Bronny James in the event that they are able to welcome Dad back as a free agent signee.
While Bronny and LeBron teaming back up again is an easy assumption to make, there are a lot of pieces to this, still. Does LeBron want that? Does Bronny? Surely that’ll be discussed between them before any pseudo demands are made.
After that, the Lakers will need to be convinced to trade Bronny. All jokes about him aside, he has developed significantly with the Lakers, who used a second round pick on him. While he’s far from untradeable, obviously, the Lakers would seek compensation back for him. LeBron is gone. There’s no reason to appease him anymore by simply handing Bronny over to the Cavs.
It would be a situation that the team landing LeBron would basically have to work out and the Lakers shouldn’t exactly hold Bronny hostage, but it’s a situation that could lead to LA getting more than would be expected for a player taken in the late second round who hasn’t broken into the rotation in his first two seasons.
Given how few draft assets the Lakers have, though, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to trade Bronny for a handful of second round picks, for example. Depending on where LA is in their roster-building this summer, it could prove extra beneficial in helping them open up some more cap space.
It would also be fine if he stuck around, too. There’s a decent chance LeBron and Bronny are neither all that enamored anymore about playing with each other. Those days are gone and, perhaps, Bronny is interested in carving his own path now.
He has familiarity with the Lakers. He wouldn’t be under the shadow of his father anymore. And he’s on the fringes of being in the rotation in LA. Would those same opportunities exist elsewhere?
I won’t sit here and pretend to know Bronny or LeBron’s thinking. They could just as easily enjoy playing together and want to do it again. And if that’s the case, the Lakers have more leverage in a trade.
So, while the Lakers are mostly free from the drama of a LeBron James summer, there are still some lasting ripple effects that could still create some waves this offseason.
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 23: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This was a complicated season for Donovan Mitchell. The Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t in a position to make a deep playoff run if Mitchell doesn’t carry them through a turbulent regular season. Simultaneously, the disappointing four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals can be laid more at the feet of Mitchell than anyone else on the roster.
Regular Season Stats
27.9 points
5.7 assists
4.5 rebounds
48.3% FG
36.4% 3PT FG
86.5% FT
Mitchell held the Cavs together when their roster was decimated by injuries during the regular season. His efficient scoring and energy were a godsend for a team that was in desperate need of both most nights.
This past season was Mitchell’s second-highest scoring output and his second-highest efficiency. Further implementation and perfection of the short mid-range floater — in addition to his usual scoring output — allowed him to increase production without sacrificing efficiency. Mitchell converted 55% of his looks in the short midrange (four to 14 feet from the basket), putting him in the 95th percentile for scoring guards from that zone.
The increased usage in the short midrange was part of a season-long plan to keep wear and tear off his body. In previous years, he was more of a downhill finisher who initiated contact at the rim to draw fouls and get to the line. This past season, he got the shot off before contact, allowing him to play 70 games (his second-highest since being traded to Cleveland) and the entire postseason.
This was important because the Cavs as a team went as Mitchell did throughout the regular season. Cleveland was 22-6 when Mitchell played and scored 31 or more points. That record got better the more he scored. When Mitchell put up 35 or more points, his team was an outstanding 14-1.
More importantly, it was Mitchell’s off-the-court leadership that kept the team afloat when they could’ve gone completely off the rails.
“He kept this thing together,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said after their Game 7 win over the Detroit Pistons. “When things weren’t going great, he was the beacon, the light, his leadership carried us on the court. … And when things weren’t going great, he was the person everyone looked to his positivity. I would have said this even if we lost.”
The postseason proved to be a different story.
Mitchell has long been an efficient and productive playoff scorer, even though his teams had never advanced out of the second round before this past season.
The 2025 series against the Indiana Pacers is a good example of this. Mitchell contributed 34.2 points per game, but that wasn’t enough to carry the team over the finish line, considering the injuries and struggles everyone else was going through. It’s difficult to point a finger at Mitchell when his teammates weren’t living up to expectations.
It was easier to blame Mitchell this past postseason run. Mitchell’s scoring was more inconsistent than normal during this playoff run against rangey wing-heavy defensive teams like the Toronto Raptors and Pistons. He failed to eclipse 25 points in nine of his 18 postseason appearances. For context, he achieved this in six out of nine appearances in 2025 and in seven out of 10 games in 2024.
This is important because the regular-season trend of the Cavs performing well if Mitchell did continued in the playoffs. Cleveland was 4-2 in postseason games when Mitchell scored 30 or more points, and were 4-8 when he scored less. This included going 1-3 when he registered 20 or fewer points.
The lack of consistent scoring highlighted the other shortcomings in Mitchell’s game, particularly with his playmaking for others. He wasn’t able to get teammates involved, and when he wasn’t scoring, the offense was mostly stuck in neutral. This is why Cleveland’s offense was 11 points worse with him on the floor in the postseason compared to when he was off.
Assists aren’t necessarily the most accurate way to determine whether someone is creating for others, but they can be instructive. Mitchell averaged 5.7 assists in the regular season. He only exceeded that average once in 18 playoff games.
This coincided with Mitchell’s passes made per game and potential assists dropping. He averaged 41.7 passes per game in the regular season, and just 34.6 in the playoffs. His potential assists went from 11.1 per game in the regular season to 7.6 in the postseason.
The frustrating part of this is that when Mitchell made a concerted effort to get others involved, it led to tremendous team and individual success.
Mitchell made it a point to get the bigs involved in Game 7 against the Pistons. He had a playoff-high eight assists in that game, with all but one of those helpers going to either Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen. The willingness to make those passes opened up the offense for himself and his teammates, resulting in a lopsided 125-94 road elimination victory.
Mitchell’s team advanced to the conference finals for the first time in his career, but it felt like many of these wins were despite Mitchell’s efforts, not because of them. That was a first for his Cleveland tenure and was in stark contrast with Jalen Brunson’s postseason run with the New York Knicks.
The two undersized scoring guards often find themselves in similar places in the NBA player rankings and have similar archetypes. The difference between the two this past playoffs was Brunson’s willingness to move the ball and compete defensively.
Brunson consistently took what the defense gave him. This led to 14 assists in Game 2 against Cleveland because the Cavs consistently double-teamed him. This caused Cleveland to adjust away from that strategy in the final two games of the series, which allowed him to attack one-on-one mismatches.
At the risk of belaboring the point too much, this is also seen in Brunson’s passing numbers. Brunson made 63.6 passes per game in the regular season with 11.7 potential assists per game. Those numbers didn’t dip much in the playoffs as Brunson posted 63.1 passes per playoff game with an average of 10.3 potential assists.
It’s fair to point out that Brunson is the point guard of the Knicks, while Mitchell isn’t. However, if you’re in the 99th percentile for usage in the regular season and 100th percentile in the playoffs — as Mitchell is — the point guard designation doesn’t matter all that much. In the NBA, whoever has the ball in their hand needs to be able to act as a facilitator if they’re going to optimize the offense. And with Mitchell occupying that many possessions, he needs to do a better job of helping his teammates.
The shorcomings Mitchell’s games aren’t skill-related. He has the tools to be a great passer (and defender). The question is whether he wants to improve his game the way he needs to in order to help his team more in the playoffs next season, regardless of how different the roster might look.
The difference between the regular season and playoffs makes it difficult to grade Mitchell’s year. On one hand, the Cavs aren’t in a position to even make a playoff run if it weren’t for his consistent play on a nightly basis. On the other hand, his shortcomings directly led to Cleveland not being able to put away Toronto and Detroit as early as they should’ve, which contributed to the one-sided loss to New York.
I’m going to lean more negative than I’d like in this situation. The playoffs are all that matter for someone in Mitchell’s position. And that is where he fell short most.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 14: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets plays against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When the Phoenix Suns acquired Miles Bridges, a plethora of questions entered my mind. And one of the first was whether or not they would extend him. He is entering the final year of his contract at $22.8 million, so the possibility existed that Phoenix moved off the $29 million owed to Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale to save money in the short term while creating more financial flexibility moving forward. But when I saw that the Suns attached their unprotected 2033 first-round pick to make the transaction work, my thinking changed.
I don’t believe it would be responsible to attach an asset that valuable simply to move off money. That leads me to believe the Suns have a longer-term vision for Bridges, which got me thinking about two questions. What would an extension look like, and when should Phoenix offer it?
My opinion? This isn’t a decision that should be rushed. Bridges becomes eligible for an extension on July 14, but eligibility doesn’t mean the organization needs to immediately put a contract in front of him. The reasonable and responsible way to navigate this is to wait and see. How does Bridges fit within the system Phoenix is building? How does he respond to his teammates? More importantly, how does he look on the court alongside them?
For all the numbers and analytics you can gather, the one thing that remains difficult to quantify is chemistry. The Suns should give themselves time to determine whether that chemistry exists between Bridges and the team they’re building. If it does, give him the contract. If it doesn’t, start thinking about an exit strategy.
The Suns don’t have to be in a rush because there are two options relative to a Miles Bridges extension that currently exist. The first is if they opt to sign him within six months of the trade. Seeing as the trade becomes official tomorrow, July 6, that would put the six-month mark at January 6, 2027.
That gives Phoenix plenty of time to execute the strategy laid out above and evaluate how Bridges fits within the confines of this roster. They can see how he plays alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green, how he responds to Jordan Ott’s system, and whether the chemistry exists to justify a long-term commitment.
If the Suns opt to extend Bridges within that six-month window, they would be limited by the extend-and-trade rules. Essentially, the maximum amount Phoenix could offer him would begin at 120% of his previous $22.8 million salary, with 5% raises in each additional season and no more than four total seasons, including the current year.
So what does that look like financially? The new deal would be three years, with a maximum of $86.3 million, structured as such:
Season
Salary
2026-27
$22,826,087
2027-28
$27,391,304
2028-29
$28,760,87
2029-30
$30,130,435
Extension Total
$86,282,609
Here is how it would look on the Suns’ five-year cap sheet:
If the Suns opt to wait, Miles Bridges could become eligible for a larger extension.
Once that six-month restriction passes, post-January 6, if you will, Phoenix could offer him a standard veteran extension. This is the deal that provides Bridges with more long-term security and comes with a potentially higher price tag. The standard extension can begin at up to 140% of the final year of his current contract with 8% annual raises.
How does that look on the cap sheet? Four years, $143.2 million.
Season
Salary
2026-27
$22,826,087
2027-28
$31,956,522
2028-29
$34,513,044
2029-30
$37,069,565
2030-31
$39,626,087
Extension Total
$143,165,218
And the cap sheet, where Bridges finds himself alone as the only player under contract in the 2023-31 season:
What is alarming about that number in both scenarios is the Suns’ total cap figure for the 2027-28 season. Yes, the salary cap will increase, along with the luxury tax and apron thresholds, but Phoenix would still be committing a significant amount of money to the roster. And all of this is without a Dillon Brooks extension, which could tack on another $25 million to the cap sheet.
Both of those contract structures represent the maximum amount Phoenix could offer. The Suns could offer Bridges less than 120% of his current salary in the three-year scenario or less than 140% once the six-month restriction passes. I’m providing the maximum values simply to illustrate the high-end possibilities and establish the ceiling of what a potential extension could look like.
It all depends on how the Suns believe Bridges aligns with their future. I wouldn’t be surprised if Phoenix ultimately takes the swing and signs him to one of those extensions. Why? Because the timelines align pretty well with the current path of the organization.
The Suns have young talent they’re in the process of developing, and those players can continue to grow alongside this current era of Suns basketball. Rasheer Fleming is the obvious player to watch as it pertains to a Bridges extension because he plays the same position at the four. We know injuries will occur, opportunities will arise for Fleming to earn playing time, and ultimately it comes down to how well he develops when those opportunities present themselves.
There is also a world in which the Suns opt not to extend Dillon Brooks, something they have yet to do, and Miles Bridges eventually moves to small forward while Fleming takes over as the starting power forward. Theoretical? Absolutely. But it’s a possibility nonetheless.
If the Suns were to extend Bridges for three years, Rasheer Fleming would be 25 years old when that contract expires. Fleming will also become eligible for a rookie extension next summer, even though he remains under contract through the summer of 2029 if the Suns exercise his team option in the summer of 2028. That gives Phoenix time to evaluate Fleming’s development while maintaining stability at the position with Bridges.
Then there is the money timeline. Devin Booker is under contract through 2030, the same timeframe in which the dead money finally comes off the Suns’ cap sheet. Extending Miles Bridges would align with that timeline.
Between now and 2030, the Suns have first-round draft picks. They might not be the most valuable first-round picks, but they do have ammunition in the proverbial draft gun to continue adding young players and prospects to the organization. That gives Phoenix multiple swings at development during the same timeframe in which they have NBA starting-caliber players attempting to remain competitive.
Why does that matter? Because there is no benefit to losing for the Suns over the next four years. They don’t control their own draft capital, so there is no reward for mediocrity. The best-case scenario for Phoenix is to continue fielding a competitive team that showcases the identity and culture the organization desires while winning basketball games. That environment also allows young players to earn minutes rather than having them gifted. For players who aren’t lottery picks, I believe that’s the best way to develop.
We should know in the coming weeks what the Phoenix Suns’ strategy is as it pertains to Miles Bridges’ contract. If July 14 arrives and they offer him the three-year extension, don’t be surprised.
While I believe the organization should be prudent and see how Bridges fits within everything the Suns have developed, they did give up that unprotected 2033 first-round pick. They most likely did so with a contract extension in mind. If they do extend him, the hope is that Phoenix doesn’t go all the way to the maximum 120% of his previous salary. The Suns have done an outstanding job this offseason bringing back their players while getting them on appropriate discounts. We’ll see if Brian Gregory can showcase those contract negotiation skills once again when it comes to Miles Bridges.
The other thing to remember, regardless of the length or value of the extension Bridges might receive, is that nothing is permanent. Giving him a contract now doesn’t mean the Suns couldn’t move off of it at some point down the road. If Rasheer Fleming pops as a player, Bridges naturally becomes more expendable.
Granted, we don’t know what the market for Bridges would look like at that exact time or what circumstances might lead to a trade. But if this offseason has taught us anything, it’s that almost any contract can be traded. I never thought Paul George would be moved given his production and the two years, $110 million remaining on his contract, but the NBA continues to find ways to surprise us.
So whenever that Bridges extension comes, it isn’t the end of the world or some permanent declaration about the future of the franchise. It’s simply where the Suns are now.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center on February 22, 2024 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
At this point in the offseason, it’s very clear the Lakers are focused on opening up cap space in order to sign a wing, a glaring hole on the team’s current roster.
What also appears to be clear is that, for now, the focus is not on re-signing one of their free agents, but bringing a new player in.
Rui Hachimura’s free agency hasn’t gone according to plan as he currently still sits without a contract and with few suitors lined up. It left some to wonder if he could return to the Lakers and fill their hole on the perimeter.
However, according to NBA beat writer Jake Fischer, that doesn’t appear to be in the plans for the purple and gold. In his latest piece on Substack on Saturday, Fishcer noted that the presumption around the league is the Lakers are focused on Jonathan Kuminga, not Rui Hachimura, as their wing signing.
There is a corresponding (and growing) expectation that free agent forward Rui Hachimura will join James in exiting Tinseltown.
The Lakers, league sources say, are focused on adding a wing and another big man after Friday’s agreement with Washington to trade Deandre Ayton for the slightly less expensive Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks.
And a good bit of that focus, sources say, has involved Kuminga.
Considering the team’s needs and the skill sets of Kuminga and Hachimura, there is rationale for targeting the former. The Lakers have a hole at the small forward position and Rui is more of a four than a three. Kuminga is a better perimeter defender, a need for the Lakers, and is more athletic, fitting the profile of the players signed this offseason.
But the Lakers are not unopposed in their pursuit of Kuminga. In the same piece, Fischer notes the Cavs are interested in signing him while the Hawks are also open to bringing him back.
The Lakers’ need to create cap space means Kuminga could be off the market by the time they can sign him. It adds to the urgency of the situation. It also is further evidence of how fluid free agency remains.
For now, the Lakers don’t seem interested in bringing back Rui. But things can still change.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards speaks with DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls after the game on March 29, 2022 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With limited roster and cap space, the Knicks made a pretty big gamble about a year ago in free agency.
While using their mid-level exception on Guerschon Yabusele would prove to ultimately be riskier, it was pretty eye-opening to see the team sign Jordan Clarkson, a high-usage, low-shot-quality microwave scorer who had played on a destitute Utah Jazz team for the last three seasons.
But what the team wanted from him was objectively different than what he had been his entire career. They needed his scoring punch, sure, but they wanted him to be a team player on both ends as a contributing role player. Selfish play, low-quality shots, and poor defensive effort weren’t acceptable here.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Clarkson in New York. He had stretches of brilliance, most notably a strong December, but was also kicked out of the rotation in late January due to his lack of effort.
It was an experiment. Would the grizzled veteran who isn’t used to winning basketball buy in?
When he got his next opportunity, he seized it by doing everything Mike Brown could’ve asked for. The consummate selfish role player bought in and became a champion.
Fast forward to this offseason, and while the Knicks certainly haven’t ruled out bringing him back next year, it seems like they could go another direction in bringing in one more guard or wing to the roster.
You look at the bench, which is very similar to last year’s, and it looks good, but it lacks the self-created scoring ability that Clarkson possessed. Could they look for a similar archetype?
Well, fortunately for the Knicks, they’ll have options. Outside of Clarkson, there are interesting names on the free agent and buyout market that could fit his role, but with the added risk of buy-in once again.
Bradley Beal and DeMar DeRozan were both once stars of the game. In the late 2010s, they were staples of the Wizards and Raptors, perennially gaining all-star and All-NBA consideration despite their teams always stagnating.
In both of their careers, they stagnated. Their teams grew frustrated with the lack of progress and sent them away. DeRozan was the sacrificial lamb so that Toronto could win a title with Kawhi Leonard. Beal was sent to Phoenix at a low point in his value so Washington could tank. Both of them have steadily declined since, but have still been in different situations entering this offseason.
Beal is coming off a major injury after planning to be a complementary starter on the Clippers in 2025-26, while DeRozan has gotten his numbers up on a truly horrible Kings team that’s going nowhere. While Beal is a free agent now entering his age-33 season, DeRozan is a buyout candidate nearing his 37th birthday. Despite their difference in age, both feel equally close to the end of their NBA careers without any playoff glory to speak of.
Could either be a candidate to join the Knicks’ bench on a vet min?
It all boils down to their willingness to become a team player.
Being unsigned nearly a week into free agency likely means Beal would have to latch on somewhere as a backup anyway, and for a guy who’s never even made the Conference Finals, you’d think he’d be enticed to get an opportunity on a contender.
He’d likely be a better true role player than many think, despite his defensive weaknesses. He’s improved greatly as a shooter since leaving Washington, shooting 40.5% from downtown on 4.6 attempts per game since 2023-24 while becoming a steadier secondary playmaker. He’s also been fairly efficient for a high-usage guard, something that was a major wart on Clarkson’s resume.
The weaknesses are, of course, shoddy defense and his recent injury issues. He’s not terribly old but has played in just 59 total games over the last two seasons. He last played more than 60 games in 2018-19 and is coming off a broken hip. He might be a good fit as a true role player at this point in his career, but there are still major warts that likely give teams pause.
The other option would be DeRozan, contingent on the Kings buying him out. He’s the opposite of what Beal has become over the last few years, continuing to be a high-usage, mid-range maestro. Last year was the first time in 13 years he averaged under 20 points a game, but still averaged 18.4 on nearly 50% from the field.
Clarkson was never a DeRozan-esque offensive player, but he played like DeRozan in his sixth man role for a long time. Their shot diets aren’t conducive to modern basketball; both are shoddy three-point shooters, and neither has ever seen a shot they don’t like. DeRozan isn’t as reckless as Clarkson and has always been turnover-averse, but his style of basketball hasn’t correlated with winning much.
Aside from a long playoff run in 2016 with the Raptors, he’s never gone deeper than an uncompetitive second-round series. In the last seven years, he has one playoff series to his name. He’s also never been anything but a high-usage starter, coming off the bench just 12 times in his career (all as a rookie in 2009-10). His 13.1 FGA/g in 2025-26 were his lowest in 16 years.
The perk of DeRozan is that he would immediately become the second-best self-creating scorer on the team. A few other players can get their own shots, but none can do it quite like DeRozan, other than the captain. He’s also consistently been one of the best clutch scorers in basketball, finishing top three in Clutch Player of the Year voting in 2024 and 2025. This could give the Knicks a secondary option in closing offensive lineups to Brunson’s iso ball.
The downside is self-explanatory. He’d be a 15-20-minute role player, something he’s never been in his career. He hasn’t been a reliable defender in a long time. He has the exact same worries you might have with Clarkson last season, except with the added distinction of him being a five-time All-Star with an ego he’d have to check at the door to join a championship-caliber operation.
All of this aside, they could also just bring back Clarkson, who reinvented himself to prolong what was looking like a fleeting career midway through last season. Their current cap situation will likely see two more players signed, with one being a third center.
Is this the archetype they should hunt? They should at least think about it.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 04: Hunter Sallis #55 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots against the Sacramento Kings during the first half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Golden 1 Center on July 04, 2026 in Sacramento, 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nets couldn’t close it out in their first Summer League game against the Kings, and depending on how much stock you want to put into the exhibition matchups, there were plenty of positives to take away. One being Egor Dëmin, who dropped 23 points and looked like a Summer League veteran. They also played stellar defense against Darius Acuff Jr., who scored 25 points in 24 minutes — on 29 shots.
Unfortunately, fans didn’t get a chance to see Mikel Brown Jr., who sat out yesterday and is out again today. He’ll play on Monday against the Warriors. The Nets will also sit Dëmin, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, Tyler Bilodeau, and Chaney Johnson. Who’s left? Hunter Sallis, James Harden’s cousin!
Not playing for the Bucks: Nate Ament who the Nets may or may not have had interest in. Like Joshua Johnson, he’s involved in a trade that doesn’t get finalized till Monday.
🏀 Key Info
Matchup: Milwaukee vs. Brooklyn
Time (ET): 3:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast / Streaming Platform: Gotham Sports App, Prime, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, ESPN+
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We're into the sixth day of NBA free agency, and amazingly, the top names on this list are the ones that were there when free agency started. That's not a shock with the restricted free agents, that's a battle of leverage, and in the case of LeBron James, he is taking his time and letting the market play out.
A few of the top names are off our board — Trae Young, Austin Reaves, Isaiah Hartenstein, Walker Kessler — but a lot remain. Here are our top 10 currently available free agents.
1. Jalen Duren (restricted)
Jalen Duren and his representatives have tried. They met with the Lakers, who called him a player deserving of a max offer, then Los Angeles traded for Walker Kessler, and that took them off the board. They met with Sacramento, and it was leaked how much Duren wanted to play for the Kings (something that met with a few eye rolls around the league). The sides discussed a sign-and-trade, but Detroit shot that idea down, especially with Domantas Sabonis at the heart of any proposed deal.
Duren wants to get paid, reportedly seeking a deal with an average salary north of $40 million a season, the Pistons are thinking mid-$30 million a year range. Duren's camp points to an All-NBA regular-season campaign for the 22-year-old big man, in which he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while playing elite defense. However, a playoffs where he largely disappeared in key moments (averaging 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds) hurt his value. In the end, it sucks to be a restricted free agent in the NBA because you have no real leverage. The choices on the board for Duren are ultimately to sign a deal with the Pistons or play for the $9.6 million qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent. But with the Pistons likely offering four or five years, at mid-$30 million a season (five years, $180 million?), that's generational wealth and a lot of money to just leave on the table.
2. LeBron James
LeBron James, as he has done throughout his career, is now dominating the free agency spotlight — and he is going to bask in it. No decision is expected in the next few days.
There are six teams in the running for LeBron's services, listening to his agent Rich Paul lay it out: Golden State, Cleveland, Minnesota, Denver, Miami and Philadelphia. Since trading for Jaylen Brown, the 76ers became a hot name in rumors (that has cooled), and Minnesota is ramping up its recruiting of LeBron. However, the smart money is on him coming full circle in his career and finishing where he started in Cleveland. Golden State is a real possibility, and I would add keep an eye on Denver, a team that could really use him, could contend, and LeBron is friends with the owners. Wherever he lands, LeBron seems to accept that he will take a pay cut, going from $52 million last season to possibly below $10 million this season.
3. James Harden
Harden declined his $42.3 million player option and is technically a free agent, but he did so to help the Cavaliers' front office make deals like potentially bringing back LeBron. Harden and the Cavaliers will eventually work out a contract with a lower per-season number but a higher total, as reported by ESPN's Shams Charania. There isn't a lot of drama here, just a question of what the final contract looks like.
4. Peyton Watson (restricted)
Much like Jalen Duren, Watson is a restricted free agent hoping that some other team on the market will step up and make an offer that will at least force Denver to match a higher offer. Denver has made it very public that they intend to match any offer for Watson, a player who averaged 14.6 points a game last season, played well off Nikola Jokic, is a plus defender on the wing and shot 41.1% from 3-point range. Denver is also a team feeling a financial crunch under the aprons, which is influencing their decision on what to offer.
5. Rui Hachimura
Coming off an impressive playoff run with the Lakers (17.5 points per game, shooting 56.9% from 3), Hachimura was looking for a raise from the $18.3 million he made last season, but that market may not be out there for the veteran forward. With Tobias Harris going to the Spurs, the number of options for Hachimura is shrinking, and there is even some hope among Lakers fans that he will return at a much lower price (don't bet on it). A sign-and-trade to a team that needs him is possible, there are plenty of teams who could use a 6'8" forward who shot 44.7% from 3-point range last season and has shown the last couple of years that he can step up in the playoffs.
6. Draymond Green
As had been expected, Draymond Green has opted out of his $27.7 million player option for next season and is a free agent. However, much like the James Harden situation, there is no doubt he is going to re-sign with the Warriors, the only question is for how much (a slightly lower per-year number but with more total guaranteed money). The Warriors are trying to use the cap space Green has afforded them to make a bold move and improve the team, and Green won't be re-signed until the Warriors finish rounding out the roster.
7. Bennedict Mathurin (restricted)
Mathurin brings some things to the table that the Clippers need, especially with Kawhi Leonard now back in Toronto. After coming to the Clippers in the Ivica Zubac trade, he averaged 17.4 points per game, and his skill at getting downhill and drawing fouls would be a big boost off the bench behind Darius Garland (he also could play with just-drafted Keaton Wagler at points). It's hard to imagine he's anywhere other than back with the Clippers next season, but other teams may poke around and see if they can poach him. The real question here is how much does he end up signing for.=
8. Jonathan Kuminga
The bad news for Kuminga is that the Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option, and as a free agent, he won't find a payday anywhere near that. That said, a few teams are interested in him — the Lakers and Cavaliers among them — but many of the teams that might be interested are also pursuing LeBron, so Kuminga may need to wait for that domino to fall before other teams will seriously talk deal.
9. Bruce Brown
Brown is no longer the guy who was so critical to Denver's 2023 title run, but he can be a solid backup guard at an affordable price. Brown averaged 7.9 points a night playing all 82 games for Denver last season, shooting 38.5% from 3. Maybe the market needs to shake out a little more for him to find a spot (and it could be back with Denver), but there are teams with an eye on Brown.
10. Jordan Clarkson
He just picked up a ring with the New York Knicks, but the former Sixth Man of the Year and longtime bench scorer is not returning to the champions. Clarkson, 34, could help a team looking for points on its second unit during the regular season. He averaged 8.6 points a night and provided a boost to New York last season.
Just outside the top 10: Khris Middleton, Russell Westbrook, Brandon Williams, Gary Trent Jr., Nick Richards, Nicolas Batum, Gary Payton II, Gabe Vincent.
Saturday’s four-game Summer League slate didn’t disappoint, and there are four more games on tap today as the California Classic heads into its third day of action.
I’m all in on the Sacramento Kings and Darius Acuff Jr. as they face the Warriors’ B-Team, the Golden State Blue. I’m betting on Yaxel Lendeborg staying hot for the Golden State Gold, and the power of friendship (and experience) will prevail for the Nets as they take down the Bucks.
Check out my NBA Summer League Predictions for Sunday, July 5.
NBA Summer League predictions for July 5
Pick
Kings moneyline
-244
Warriors Gold moneyline
-284
Nets moneyline
+143
Today's Summer League Picks
Kings moneyline (-244 at Kalshi)
No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr. was electric in his Summer League debut, leading the Kings to a tight win over the Nets on Saturday.
Acuff Jr. led all scorers with 25 points in the 3-point victory, scoring some key late buckets and feeding Nique Clifford for a go-ahead triple in the waning seconds to account for his fourth and final assist of the contest.
Acuff Jr. is a true game changer who can take over when his team needs him the most, but Sacramento also gets second-year man Clifford, who saw 25.1 minutes per game as a rookie.
Fellow sophomore Dylan Cardwell logged meaningful minutes as a rookie, delivering 12 games with double-digit boards and 20 games with multiple swats.
Sacramento’s California Classic roster brings the electricity of Acuff Jr. and the experience of Clifford and Cardwell, making for a highly competitive squad. The Golden State Blue roster is significantly weaker, as lottery pick Yaxel Lendeborg is suiting up for the Gold team. The Kings are heavy favorites for a reason.
Warriors Gold moneyline (-284 at Kalshi)
Golden State’s Blue team lost by double digits in its California Classic opener, but the same can’t be said of the Gold Team, which beat the Lakers 104-72.
Michigan standout Yaxel Lendeborg led the way with 19 points, six rebounds, five dimes, a steal, a block, and perfect 4-for-4 shooting from beyond the arc.
Lendeborg was joined in the first unit by Malevy Leons and L.J. Cryer, who each started a game for the Dubs a season ago, and Will Richard, who started 20 games in 2025-26.
The Blue Team has draft pedigree and experience, while only one of San Antonio’s starters (Miles Kelly) in its first game had NBA minutes. Spurs top pick Jayden Quaintance is sitting out Summer League, so San Antonio will prioritize minutes for Tarris Reed Jr. and its second-rounders.
The edge goes to the more talented and experienced Golden State squad.
Nets moneyline (+143 at Kalshi)
Milwaukee won its first game handily over a far less talented and experienced Golden State Blue team. Brooklyn, on the other hand, went toe-to-toe with arguably the best roster at the California Classic. It took a 3-pointer from Nique Clifford in the final seconds of the game for Sacramento to squeak past Brooklyn.
The Nets will have to wait at least one more game for No. 8 pick Mike Brown Jr. to debut, but the team has more than enough firepower to contend with the Bucks.
Brooklyn’s starting five in its first game featured three first-rounders from last year’s draft — Egor Demin, Drake Powell and Ben Saraf. Chaney Johnson logged 17 appearances with the Nets last season, and he and second-rounder Tyler Bilodeau rounded out the first unit.
Milwaukee has a pair of hungry players in Brandon Boston and Kira Lewis Jr., two four-year vets looking to make a return to the league, but Brooklyn has chemistry and recent NBA experience. I’ll give them the nod as they avenge a narrow loss to the Kings.
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Sunday’s NBA Summer League parlay
Kings moneyline
Warriors Gold moneyline
Nets moneyline
+363 at Kalshi
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Programming note: Kings Draft Review with Deuce Mason debuts at 4 p.m. PT on Sunday on NBC Sports California.
When the Kings drafted Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, they were selecting a point guard with a knack for finding the open man and an offensive ability among the best in the nation.
However, the one detractor that many media outlets mentioned was his lack of defense and defensive effort. It was such a notable disadvantage for the 19-year-old that Arkansas’ coach John Calipari came out to defend his former player, stating, “He was such a good scorer, I didn’t give a s–t about his defense.”
Sacramento general manager Scott Perry, on the other hand, believes the team will see a more motivated Acuff on the defensive end come 2026-27.
“What we bank on and what I know he has inside of him is that competitive nature,” Perry told NBC Sports California’s Deuce Mason. “He will not want to be the weak link defensively for a team. That’s just how he’s wired.”
As for why Perry believes Acuff can hold his own on that side of the basketball court, he mentions the first-round selections figure.
“He’s got great length for a guy that’s 6’2, 6’3,” Perry said. “He’s very strong and he’s very good laterally. You see what he does offensively; he can move laterally defensively when he needs to. So now what he’ll quickly learn and understand, at this level, the guys he’s playing against night in and night out he has to get better.”
One word that came up multiple times during the Kings’ rookie introductory press conference from Acuff and Perry was the word “conditioning,” and that seems to be another strategy the general manager is leaning into.
“When you talk about playing an NBA game, the better conditioned you are and you’re not worried about getting tired, the better he’s going to be at both ends of the floor and that’s just a fact,” Perry told Mason. “That’s really going to be the key to unlocking him defensively, is just getting him to next-level shape where he can play without worry about getting tired.”
The Kings had the third-worst defensive rating last season (121.6), so having Acuff – and the rest of the team – step up to the challenge would be a welcome sight.
Kings moneyline
Warriors Gold moneyline
Nets moneyline