Category: NBA

Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week, the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — gives their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.

Fantable Questions of the Week

Q1: There has been some speculation about the Suns possibly trading Jalen Green for Dejounte Murray. What is your opinion of this idea?

zenzino: This one doesn’t irritate me like some other ideas. I still say ‘pass’, though.

I know people are hard up for a point guard. But I think Murray is as much a shooting guard as a point guard and he peaked in the 21-22 season. 33% career from 3 and around 30% the last two seasons. He’s five years older than Green, coming off of a torn Achilles.

This would probably be a 1-for-1 trade. Green’s trade value has never been lower because of an injury season. It would definitely be a ‘buy high, sell low’ situation. This seems like a mid-season trade instead of an off-season trade.

We’ve only seen a glimpse of what a fully healthy Jalen Green can do. I’m not ready to write him off yet. I remember the East Coast road swing when Green & Book were scoring 70+ per game.

Let’s get 50 games where the team is healthy as possible and see what happens. Last season was the only season of Green’s entire career he’s missed a significant number of games so I wouldn’t be surprised if he played all 82 this season. If we’re getting close to the trade deadline and it’s obviously not working with Green, then a trade like this (with added picks) would be understandable.

The Suns included Camara in a trade as an afterthought and now we have a heavy ‘what might have been’ sigh every time we play Portland. I don’t want to watch Jalen Green highlights in a Grizzlies uniform without first giving him a chance here.

And, for the love…, can we please stop trading with the Wizards, Hornets, and Pelicans? How about getting some Thunder or Celtics players?

Ashton: So when I see a question like t I am wondering if Rod is pulling a fast one. He pulled it off social media or SI, things of that nature to create another thought exercise. It turns out I did not have to go far on the search engines to find a top result. This site’s own Bruce Veliz opined on this topic two months ago.

Thanks Bruce! I didn’t have to use AI (I would not anyway in writing), and Mr. Veliz states he would not do it. That link should cover analytics.

Well, count me in on not trading. My main problem with Green was his injuries and not really getting the correct game sample size if he could be an initiator on offense along with Booker. I am not a “johnny-come-lately” (I am not James Cagney either – let’s just see how old some of these posters are) type of person looking for the next shiny toy, so let’s see what he can do with a healthy season in a stable rotation. Yes, Jalen Green is trade bait in some comments, but why? He deserves another season.

OldAz: I get that Green is positionally too similar to Booker, and just about any good player who is more of a PG is going to be a rumored target by Suns fans. That being said, can we stop floating or latching onto proposed trades of a player half a decade older and coming off major injuries that have cost him almost 2 seasons? That team trading said player with recent injury issues might just know something the Suns don’t.

On the other hand, for those who REALLY want to see Jalen Green traded, at least Murray was back for 14 games at the end of last season and did look good for a player coming back from an Achilles injury, an injury others have recovered well from. His previous injury (fractured hand) is a totally different part of the body and seems more like a freak injury. Despite the age difference and not really seeing Green at full strength last season, I guess I could be talked into liking this one IF the Suns were able to do a full and independent assessment of his recovery and future prognosis from the Achilles injury.

Rod: At 30, and coming off a bad injury that sidelined him for almost all of last season, I’d definitely say no to this one. I will say that a fully healthy Dejounte Murray would likely be a better fit for this team than Green but it would take New Orleans throwing in at least a couple of unprotected 1st round picks as part of the deal to get me to seriously consider it…which I seriously doubt they would do. It makes a little sense as Murray would likely be a better fit next to Booker, but there are too many negatives attached to Murray to make it a good trade for the Suns.

Q2: How do you think the Suns SHOULD manage the center rotation and minutes for Mark Williams, Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro this season?

zenzino: I think it should be a fairly even split between Mark and Oso as starters based on matchups. Managing minutes is key for MW, and Oso showed that he is a workable starting center in most instances.

As an overly simplified example, I’d start MW against teams with longer centers and Oso against more physical centers. Obviously, there are more factors to determine matchups, but you get the picture. Playing 60-65 games is fine for MW as long as the coach decides which games and not injuries.

We’ll know a little more about Man Man’s progress after Summer League and pre-season (he looked good in the first game). Like everyone else, I’d love to see him get a lot more playing time this season and be a solid part of the backup rotation. If he’s ready. Unlike many people here, I am trusting the coaching staff to determine that. A big reason Ott was hired was his experience in developing young players. If Man Man is not playing much, it’s because he’s not ready.

We tend to think of MW as the vet. While he has been in the league four years to Oso’s two, he’s only played 23 more NBA games (166 vs 143). While tenure matters, as you can learn a lot just by being around professional players and coaches, it’s still easy to forget that our center rotation is very young. I expect all three of them to get better.

The small ball haters should be prepared to hate. I see a fair amount of small ball happening this season with Bridges and maybe even Sheer at the 5 for significant stretches.

Ashton: I think it was already settled that Mark Williams does not do back-to-back games. But he is the starter in an NBA market starved for trying to find back-up centers. They are at a premium, and I consider Mark Williams to fill that role on most other teams. And let’s face it, he will need his minutes reduced to avoid injury.

Which leads us to Oso and KM. Maluach has a lot to prove in Summer League, and judging by the first game against Portland, I thought he did well. Especially if KM and Peat develop a rapport.

But the obvious answer is that Oso as next off the bench. There is no way to determine minutes due to who plays or not due to injury or rest management or even if a small-ball lineup is utilized. So, let’s go with this in a normal rotation:

1. Mark Williams: 27 minutes per game (normal health)
2. Oso Ighorado: 13 minutes per game
3. Maluach: Rest of the minutes to continue his development in either garbage time, rest management, small rotations, or injury. This one is too hard to set for actual minutes

OldAz: In the first couple Summer League games, KM looks bigger and more under control. I just wonder how much of this is a product of the Summer League competition. To me, Williams is the clear starter this season but should be limited to 20-25 minutes a game to keep him healthy over the long haul. KM should also get as many minutes as he shows he is ready for (again up to 25 or so a game).

The center position is physical and demanding, and we want the Suns center to play fast and with sustained energy, so keeping these minutes on the low end of that range is a good thing. This leaves very few minutes for Oso, which I am A-OK with. There are places that his defensive energy helps, as well as his offensive facilitation. However, I would much rather see him get a few minutes trying to fit on the floor as a PF with KM (since KM can shoot from deep a bit). IMO, if the Suns are playing Oso more than 15 minutes a game as the center, they are in for a very long season.

Rod: I just hope that Ott will be flexible with his center rotation this season, adjusting it game-to-game. Of course, Williams should start (for now), but both Oso and Khaman should be getting minutes in almost every game to keep Mark’s wear and tear down to a minimum. With Oso and Khaman, who gets the bulk of the bench minutes should be determined on which one is having the best night on the court and/or the best fit against the competition.

Two things Ott should always keep in mind are that Khaman needs the reps and Mark needs to keep his minutes down. Sooner or later, one of the three will likely be moved, but until then, I believe they can find minutes for all three even though a three-player rotation at one position isn’t generally viewed as optimal.

Q3: What are your thoughts on Ryan Dunn’s probable role this coming season?

zenzino: This one is tough. Unlike Oso, Dunn didn’t show much progress last year from his rookie year. Which is not to say we won’t see a jump this season. Progress is rarely linear.

However, Rod posted a graphic in the Feed last week showing the net ratings of various lineups. Dunn was in the two highest ones (so was GA, btw). So he has that going for him.

Dunn is not a good generalist, so he needs to be a specialist. If he can’t get his 3-point shot going, he should concentrate on rebounding, defense, and getting downhill. I’ve always thought he should do more slashing and be a lob threat, as much as he loves to throw it down.

If he built his identity around something like rebounding, for example, whenever the team is getting beat on the boards, the coach will think, ‘we need Dunn out there to get rebounds.’

I think he is really going to have to fight for minutes. If Highsmith is fully healthy (like he should be), he is a more experienced defender and a much better 3-point shooter.

In order to get regular minutes, Dunn may need to be the Swiss Army knife and adjust what he can do within his skill set to what the team needs done.

Ashton: Not much. This guy has been like the invisible man to me, to the point that I forget he is on the roster. He was originally drafted by the Nuggets in a complicated 2024 draft trade that flipped him to the Suns with the expectation of a defensive role. And I will say this again, as I have said at that time, there should be no expectations of an Anthony Guy Bennett (former Virginia coach) led defense that develops 3 and D wings in college. They are just defense, no threes.

I am still having a hard time seeing his role. Sure, since we just talked about MPG in Q2, Dunn has averaged north of 19 minutes. His three-point shooting percentage is enough to ask for Grayson Allen back. Defensively? Okay, not bad but not earth-shattering. I will salute that he never seems to be injured on the Suns squad.

But if I read that Dunn was shipped out in a future trade, I would not cry a dry wash river.

OldAz: After a promising rookie season, Dunn just never found his footing with the new defensive scheme last season. That is where Dunn must turn things around to make any significant impact this season. I know his shot is still inconsistent, but his form is not bad, so I still think that is a confidence thing. The best way for him to gain confidence and earn playing time is to fit in and make an impact defensively and on the boards. Triggering fast breaks is also the best way to get into rhythm and gain confidence offensively.

However, with Brooks, Bridges, and Fleming in front of him, the presence of veteran options like Highsmith, along with Ott’s willingness to play smaller wings (Goodwin, or sliding Green or Book to that wing spot for extended minutes), Dunn will have to earn any playing time he gets. Swapping Allen and O’Neale for only 1 player in his way for minutes did very little to help Dunn IMO, as his path to more playing time is 100% on him to perform.

Honestly, I think it is more likely that even if he performs well early, he will be talked about all season as one to include in a deal at the trade deadline to fill whatever Phoenix’s biggest need turns out to be.

Rod: At this moment, I would say that Dunn’s role on the team is trying to carve out a role in the rotation this fall. With the new roster additions, competition for minutes is going to be fierce. So far, Dunn’s been an up-and-down player without a lot of consistency…especially on the offensive side of the court. His defense has been good but not stellar; at best, he’s been a streaky three-point shooter, his ball handling is fair but not really good enough in traffic for him to drive through traffic….sigh.

It sounds like I don’t like the guy, but that’s not the case. He puts in the effort on the court and has a great attitude, but that’s just not enough to get consistent rotation minutes in the NBA…not on a good team. Unless he makes some significant progress in at least one aspect of his game this season, I see his role being a deep depth (3rd string) bench player.

As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!

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Quotes of the Week

“The three-pointer is something good but it’s not my main focus…really it’s just the icing on the cake.” – Khaman Maluach

“I always play with a chip on my shoulder.” – Khaman Maluach

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Suns Trivia/History

On July 14, 2004, the Suns signed unrestricted free agent point guard Steve Nash to a six-year, $66 million deal to bring their former 1996 1st round draft pick home after trading him to Dallas in 1998 for Pat Garrity, Martin Muursepp, Bubba Wells and a 1999 1st round draft pick.

On July 14, 2009, the Suns signed Channing Frye as a free agent. Frye would play 4 seasons with the Suns, averaging 14.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 38.8% from three on 6.3 attempts. In the summer of 2012, Frye was diagnosed with an enlarged heart, which necessitated him sitting out the entire 2012-13 season while undergoing medical treatment for his condition. Frye’s treatment was successful, and the following season he returned to the Suns’ active roster, playing in all 82 regular season games for the only time in his 13-year NBA career as he helped the rebuilding Suns finish with a surprising 48-34 record, just falling short of making the playoffs in an extremely strong Western Conference.

On July 18, 1999, Joe Proski, the Phoenix Suns’ only trainer in its history to that point, retired, following 32 years with the franchise, 40 years in professional sports, and 41 years as a trainer. His career spanned 2,789 games, including playoffs.

On July 18, 2001, due largely to being charged with domestic abuse of his wife, the Suns traded 3-time All-Star Jason Kidd (and Chris Dudley) to the New Jersey Nets for Stephon Marbury, Johnny Newman and Soumaila Samake. Marbury would play 3 seasons for the Suns, averaging 21.3 points and 8.1 assists per game, although the Suns would only make it to the playoffs once in those three seasons and were eliminated in the 1st round by San Antonio 4-2. In 2004, the Suns would trade Marbury, Anfernee Hardaway and Cezary Trybański to the New York Knicks for Howard Eisley, Maciej Lampe, Antonio McDyess, Charlie Ward, Milos Vujanic and two first-round draft picks. Shortly after that, the Suns traded those 2 1st round picks to the Utah Jazz in a salary dumping move. One of those picks was later used to select one-time All-Star Gordon Hayward.

On July 19, 2001, the Phoenix Suns re-signed Dan Majerle to a one-year, $1 million contract. Seven years earlier, Majerle was traded to Cleveland for John “Hot Rod” Williams, a move the Colangelos later regretted. Majerle would play one final season in the NBA and retire as a Sun.

On July 19, 2017, Brandon Knight suffered a torn ACL while playing pickup basketball in Florida. The news broke a week later on July 25, while hitting the papers for the first time on July 26. Knight would miss the entire 2017-18 season and never play for Phoenix again.

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Important Future Dates

July 9-19 – NBA 2K Summer League 2026 in Las Vegas
July 15 – Suns vs. Pistons 3:00 PM (local), 6:00 PM (ET) ESPNU
The Suns will play a fifth game based on the results of their first four.
Late September (dates TBD) – NBA Training Camps open

Most bad first impressions are our own fault.

Maybe you spilled a drink on someone. Forgot their name five seconds after hearing it. Tried a joke that landed somewhere beneath the Earth’s crust.

Paul George doesn’t get that luxury.

In a few months, he’ll walk into an arena full of people who have already decided they don’t like what he represents before he has even checked into his first game.

Paul George has already done one smart thing as a Celtic. He waived a $3.9 million trade bonus that would have added to Boston’s cap burden, giving the front office a little more breathing room before he ever put on the uniform.

Nice gesture. Thoughtful. Team-friendly. Good optics.

But something tells me the waived trade bonus will be completely forgotten the first time George appears on the injury report with right knee soreness.

The first few days after the Jaylen Brown trade belonged to anger, confusion and what felt like a 500% increase in Google searches for “optionality.” Jaylen had been here for a decade, won a championship and built enough memories that his eventual return will probably require tissues and an extra commercial break.

The shock is wearing off. The F-minus trade grades have been filed, sports radio has mostly stopped trying to fire Brad before lunch, and Summer League clips have started washing over us like a deeply needed shower.

Now comes basketball. Thank goodness.

Trece pic.twitter.com/SzqPT8os4f

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 7, 2026

Celtics fans are beginning to look at this roster and ask the colder question that eventually follows every emotional transaction: Did this trade make the team better?

George is the only part of this trade that can lace up sneakers.

Draft picks can hide inside future seasons. Optionality can spend the summer hiding behind Brad Stevens at a press conference. A shorter contract cannot miss an open three or get beaten backdoor. But Parquet P has to take the floor in front of 19,000 people and turn Brad’s crossed fingers and future assets into actual basketball.

That is a hard first impression anywhere.

In Boston, it’s meeting-your-Lakers-fan-father-in-law difficult.

Boston will grade the player before the plan

So far, the Celtics have been careful about how they describe George.

Brad Stevens did not pitch him as a one-for-one replacement for Brown. He talked instead about the total package: George, draft capital, a shorter contract and the flexibility to keep shaping the roster.

Joe Mazzulla was more direct in his assessment.

“You’re getting rid of strengths, but you’re bringing in new strengths,” Mazzulla told CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell in a recent interview.

That is probably the fairest way to discuss the trade. Brown brought force, durability and years of chemistry with Jayson Tatum. George brings something different, and intentionally so. The Celtics believe those differences can fit into the team they are building now.

Celtics fans will be grading with a red pen.

George’s first quiet night will not be treated as one. It will become an audit.

Four missed jumpers in the first half? Here comes the return of the trade grades.

A maintenance day in November? Someone will post Jaylen’s 2025-26 season minutes before the coffee finishes brewing.

A bad game against Philadelphia? NBC Sports Boston may as well cut to the 2031 first-round pick sleeping peacefully in its crib.

The new plan also includes Mitchell Robinson, future picks, a larger role for Payton Pritchard and whatever Boston can pull from its young group.

Boston didn’t trade Jaylen for Paul George. They traded Jaylen for an entirely different idea of how to build a roster. George just happens to be the face on the front of the package.

Brad Stevens said multiple times that "optionality" was gained by trading Jaylen Brown. A question was asked about how trading for Paul George, who makes similar money for just one less season, provides that.

"I think when you use the term 'optionality', you're talking about… pic.twitter.com/bmAh3B9DvO

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) July 6, 2026

He is also 36, carries a long injury history and is stepping into the space once occupied by a player woven deeply enough into the city that October 24 is officially Jaylen Brown Day.

George’s reputation will follow him, too. None of his stops since Indiana ended the way those fanbases hoped.

That is how players start collecting narratives. Every injury becomes proof they’re washed. Every playoff loss becomes evidence they cannot win. Every podcast episode becomes another reason to question whether basketball still comes first.

Paul Hudrick, who covered George during his two seasons in Philadelphia, pushed back on that perception during a recent CelticsBlog Feed Q&A.

Hudrick described a player who may have pushed his body too far during a miserable first season in Philadelphia. George played through knee, groin and finger injuries, took injections to stay on the floor for a 24-win team and stopped recording his podcast.

More than anything, Hudrick came away impressed by George as a leader. During his suspension last season, he could still practice with the team and would often finish sessions playing one-on-one against younger teammates and giving them pointers. When Philadelphia’s lost season turned into a parade of 10-day contracts, Hudrick overheard George introduce himself to one new arrival and give him his phone number.

A future Hall of Famer did not have to make himself available to a guy whose contract might expire before the road trip ended. George did anyway.

He also remained accountable to the media and appeared to understand the responsibility that came with his contract. None of that repairs his knee or guarantees he will stay healthy, but it rounds out the person Boston is bringing into a locker room filled with young players who will suddenly be asked to do more.

Boston tends to appreciate that level of investment in a team. Still, George’s effort will need to be visible from the balcony.

A deflection into the third row will help. So will making the extra pass or defending someone bigger than him in a game the Celtics need to win, which Celtics fans consider to be all of them. George does not need to arrive declaring that Boston is his city now. If you’re reading this, Paul, please do not do that.

He needs to make a few winning plays and let the Garden reach its own conclusion.

The useful version of Paul George still fits

The Celtics did not trade for the Paul George who finished third in MVP voting in 2019.

If Boston spends next season trying to locate him, someone should unplug Brad’s brain and force a hard reboot.

The encouraging part is that the Celtics may not need anything close to that version.

Hudrick described the best current version of George as an elite 3-and-D player who can occasionally create offense. The burst that once made George a genuine star may never fully return, and George himself has acknowledged that uncertainty. But Hudrick was impressed by how well he still defended Tatum and Brown during the playoffs (too soon?), and said George’s off-ball defense remained elite throughout his time in Philadelphia, even when injuries limited him elsewhere.

Paul George, Game 6 pic.twitter.com/VjaRQu7daz

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) May 1, 2026

That player has a locker waiting for him in Boston.

The fit starts with shooting. George is a career 38.4% shooter from three and, as fellow staff writer Jacob Issenberg noted, has made 41.3% of his catch-and-shoot threes over the past nine seasons. That creates a very different decision for defenses when Tatum drives or Derrick White gets into the paint. Leaving George alone is still dangerous, even if the rest of his game no longer looks like it did in Indiana.

He’s also perfectly comfortable operating without dominating the ball. Philadelphia used him alongside Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe. The best stretches came when George accepted a supporting role, defended, spaced the floor and occasionally took control of a young, bench-heavy unit.

Boston does not need another player fighting Tatum for the steering wheel. Someone who knows when to take it for a few exits? Yes please.

Forget the 1A + 1B conversations. Tatum is the unquestioned first option, while White and Pritchard will handle more creation. George shouldn’t require 20 shots or an offense built around his preferred elbow touches. He can move between roles depending on the lineup.

Most nights, Boston can ask him to space the floor, disrupt passing lanes and occasionally rescue a possession after the offense has spent 18 seconds wandering around without a plan. We know those possessions well.

Boston also finished fourth in defensive rating last season despite ranking 29th in forcing turnovers, an area where George could immediately help. As Nate Moskowitz highlighted, George graded in the 93rd percentile at his position in defensive turnover impact while averaging 1.7 steals and 4.1 deflections per game.

Nobody should read “93rd percentile” and start fitting him for Gary Payton’s handcuffs. They have Tatum, White, Hugo González and other younger legs for the exhausting assignments. But George can work as a help defender, read the floor and punish the careless pass Boston too often watched sail harmlessly through the lane last season.

Paul George quick hands and reflexes pic.twitter.com/DCwLpduTgA

— Pull up shoot (@NElGHT_) July 7, 2026

There is also something appealing about plugging him into a system that should not ask him to drag an offense through February.

The Celtics won 56 games despite playing most of the season without Tatum. Joe Mazzulla could probably coax 48 regular-season wins out of five shooters, a folding chair and one deeply committed second-round pick. They have enough depth to manage George’s minutes, skip back-to-backs when needed à la Al Horford and resist treating every road game in Charlotte like a referendum on toughness.

Boston can ask less of George. Sadly, it cannot make him younger.

The knee remains the biggest concern. Hudrick said George did not look right until after his suspension last season, and even then, the old burst never fully returned. The glass-half-full take is that he finished the season healthy, did not need another procedure and should have a normal offseason of training.

Normal would be a great start.

The Garden does not believe in grace periods

First impressions are funny. Some people meet their future spouse and know immediately they’re the one. Others spend six months finding them annoying before realizing they are the best thing that ever happened to them.

Celtics fans generally give you somewhere between six possessions and halftime before making up their minds.

George could play well for three weeks, miss one nationally televised game against New York and find himself on trial in Boston Common by midnight. One strong quarter against Philadelphia could turn the Garden into a revival meeting. One bad quarter could swing it right back. The opinion changes will be violent and deeply unserious.

George’s job is to help Boston win, not make anyone forget Brown.

That means defending, spacing the floor and being healthy when it matters. The Celtics cannot ask him to replace Brown’s force, become the Energy Shifter™ and play 70 games. They need the player Hudrick described: useful, competitive and still capable of reminding everyone why he made nine All-Star teams.

First impressions are often remembered as cleaner than they really were. The spilled drink becomes a funny story. The person you could not stand somehow ends up beside you ten years later, insisting you hit it off immediately.

George may win Boston over quickly, or he may spend half the season trying to get the stain out of his shirt.

Either way, the Garden will begin making up its mind about 18 seconds into his first shift.

He’d better make the extra pass.

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson is on a quest for his second championship after ending the Knicks’ drought of winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy this summer.

Brunson led a movement that snapped a 53-year drought of losing, but he hopes to bring another ring to the Knicks. Bleacher Report contributor Andy Bailey believes Brunson will be the 24th-best player in the NBA by the start of the new decade.

“Brunson has already had to learn how to dominate at both a size and athleticism deficit. He’s done it with skill and craft,” Bailey wrote. “And neither trait is likely to abandon Brunson over the next four years. In fact, there’s a real chance he only sharpens those between now and 2030. We just witnessed Chris Paul remain very effective well into his 30s, and the similarly built Brunson could do the same.”

Brunson turns 30 this summer, which could suggest that he is heading towards a decline. However, the injuries he has faced over the years have not slowed him down, and there’s reason to believe that he isn’t stopping anytime soon.

The top 30 players in the NBA in 2030, predicted by @BleacherReport

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Luka Dončić
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
4. Nikola Jokić
5. Anthony Edwards
6. Cooper Flagg
7. Cade Cunningham
8. Cameron Boozer
9. Tyrese Maxey
10. LaMelo Ball
11. Darryn Peterson
12. AJ… pic.twitter.com/IvkNBkQnZ1

— NBARetweet (@RTNBA) July 13, 2026

There is still potential that Brunson has not played up to the best of his abilities quite yet. It’s possible he could have another gear in him, which would be great for the Knicks.

With his co-stars Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby lining up for extensions coming up, the Knicks could keep this core together for the next several years in hopes of winning another championship or two.

My mom recently sent me a photo of Luke Kornet. How is my mother grabbing off-court photos of the Spurs center? He was at 6:00 a.m. mass at a local Catholic church this summer, the same church my parents attend. One of the parishioners asked and Kornet respectfully complied.

For those who are unaware, Kornet is a devout Catholic. In fact, when he was with the Boston Celtics, Kornet launched a blog in which he posted about the churches he visited while traveling with the team.

During the playoffs, the Spurs got an emotional and spiritual boost from the Saletian Sisters of St. John Bosco. There was a viral video of him being blessed before the game.

This time last year Luke Kornet was considered the steal of free agency. The 2024 NBA Champ came in to back up Victor Wembanyama and add a veteran presence to the young Spurs roster. He shined throughout the season, elevating the team and helping the Spurs get to their first Finals appearance in a dozen years.

Last week, Kornet made a phone message inviting LeBron James to consider the San Antonio Spurs as for his twenty-fourth season. If you haven’t listened to it yet, it is hilarious. Kornet really has a great sense of humor.

Luke Kornet’s voice memo for LeBron to join the Spurs:

“Mr. James, it’s Luke Kornet. You can play alongside a generational player (in myself), Victor too. We have SeaWorld, La Panaderia, it’s bussing. You’re chasing number 5, we have 5, we’re chasing 6. Around the same… pic.twitter.com/ASuyrYlTVy

— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) July 10, 2026

Today, Luke Kornet turns 31. Hopefully, he is embracing his time off, enjoying his family, and recharging for next season.

Happy birthday, Luke.

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Dallas Mavericks star forward Cooper Flagg is on a trajectory to be one of the top players in the league when he reaches his prime.

Flagg has not even turned 20 yet, but he is showing signs that he can be elite in the league. Bleacher Report contributor Andy Bailey believes he will be the sixth-best player in the NBA four years from now.

“As an NBA rookie, he averaged 15.7 points and shot 26.4 percent from deep in his first 19 appearances. Over the rest of the campaign, he put up 23.0 points and shot 30.8 percent from three,” Bailey wrote. “His assist numbers saw similar upticks too. And when you watched him play, it was clear that things were sort of clicking for Flagg with each successive appearance.

“At this rate, the three-point shot is bound to come along at some point. His playmaking is only going to keep getting better too. And with his competitiveness, the thought of being the sixth best player in the league in four years would only make him push even harder to be first.”

The only players that ranked ahead of Flagg were Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.

It will be intriguing to see how Flagg operates under new head coach Dusty May. The Mavs have a vision for the future and Flagg is at the forefront of it. He showed in his rookie year how dominant he already is, but with a tailor-made plan for him over the next couple of years, Flagg could be a major problem for the other 29 teams in the league.

Mavs Moneyball community, how high do you think Flagg’s ceiling is? Chime off in the comments section below.

NBA icon and all-time leading scorer LeBron James is deliberating where he will play basketball next season. Meanwhile, the rest of the NBA world waits.

James, who in late June informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he would be moving on from the franchise, is an unrestricted free agent and is free to sign wherever and whenever he pleases.

At this stage, James has all the information he needs from teams and is weighing his options, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly comment on the specifics of James’ thinking. As a result, a decision could be imminent.

James, 41, is a player who has unparalleled stature in the NBA. As such, he’s calculated and deliberate about his decision making and is able to decide his future on his own terms. James has earned that right, and he’s being intentional about his decision.

James, a 22-time All-Star and four-time champion, has played a record 23 seasons in the NBA and wants to compete for another championship.

LeBron James landing spots

James has been linked to a handful of teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.

On one hand, given James’ tenure and stature in the league, the Cavaliers and Heat would appear to make the most sense; James has played for both before and has helped deliver championships to each franchise.

Cleveland selected James first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, and he’s from Akron, Ohio. In fact, if James were to join the Cavs, he would be playing in his third different stint with the team. James willed Cleveland to its first championship in franchise history at the 2016 NBA Finals, when the Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 series deficit to win. James would be joining a Cavs team that got swept in the Eastern Conference finals but features star guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.

In Miami, James played arguably the best basketball of his career, winning Most Valuable Player in two of his four seasons there. The Heat also won two Finals, and the system, coaching staff and front office are mostly the same from when James played there, from 2010-14. The Heat just recently acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he and James would making an intriguing pair of fastbreak threats, alongside Heat captain Bam Adebayo.

And while it may appear to be an odd fit for James to join a new team at this stage of his career, each of Philadelphia, Golden State and Minnesota present interesting options.

The Sixers are poised to compete in the East after they acquired Jaylen Brown. The Warriors feature Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, two of James’ long-time friends. And the Timberwolves have one of the most dynamic young players in the NBA in Anthony Edwards.

LeBron James stats

Although he turned 41 years old in December, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games this season. James owns a number of all-time records, including points (43,440), games (1,622), postseason points (8,521) and postseason games (302).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is LeBron James close choosing his next team? What we're hearing

The 2025-26 Boston Celtics were an elite regular season team last season because they dominated on the margins. Low turnovers and dominating the glass were the foundation. By signing Mitchell Robinson, the Celtics are deepening their belief in that idea.

No, Mitchell Robinson does not shoot threes and no, Mitchell Robinson will not become a three-point threat once he starts playing for the Celtics. Mazzulla Ball is not all about shooting threes. Are there still people who really still believe that?

Mazzulla Ball is about dominating the margins — winning the possession battle and taking more shots than your opponent plays a big part of that and winning the rebounding and turnover battle are the best ways to win the possession battle.

Well, who better to add than the best offensive rebounder in the NBA?

Robinson had the best offensive rebounding rate in the NBA last season, rebounding 21.2% of Knicks misses, according to Cleaning the Glass. The Celtics were 5th in the NBA in offensive rebounding rate last season at 31.8%. Robinson will make the Celtics even better at something they were already very good at.

Robinson also took a big leap as a defensive rebounder a season ago. Entering last season, Robinson’s career high in defensive rebounding rate was 18.2% in 2023. Last season, that number jumped to 23.1%.

After struggling at the beginning of last season due to rebounding, the Celtics shored up their defensive rebounding, they were 2nd in the NBA in defensive rebounding rate from December 1st on. The addition of Robinson and return of Jayson Tatum should boost them even higher in that regard.

Speaking of Tatum, the two man game between Robinson and Tatum should be elite. According to Basketball University, since 2016, Robinson is the most efficient roller in the NBA.

Most Efficient Roll Men since 2016…

Red Zone Targets pic.twitter.com/PieOa3RuVL

— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) July 7, 2026

One thing the Celtics did not do a great job of last season was forcing turnovers. They ranked 23rd in opponent turnover percentage. Both big Celtics additions, Robinson and Paul George, will help with that.

Robinson was 10th in the NBA among big men last season in steal percentage, at 2%. Robinson, in fact, is one of the best defensive players in the NBA.

An elite rim protector, Robinson is also very good when he switches, as seen by his steal percentage. He can move his feet extremely well, which allows for teams to switch more than they typically would. This can allow Boston to use Derrick White as their roamer and have Robinson guard centers.

Robinson does have his weak points. First is health; Robinson has missed games throughout his career and didn’t play in back-to-backs last season, something that I would expect to carry over into this season. Secondly is the free throw shooting.

I feel like we all know Robinson is a really bad free throw shooter. It was hard to miss the “worst in NBA history” graphic during the Finals.

Mitchell Robinson's free throw percentage in the playoffs is the worst in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/CwnaAbiQTB

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 11, 2026

The good news for the Celtics is they don’t ever get to the line, so they don’t spend much time in the bonus, which means teams can’t play Hack-a-Mitch.

Mitchell Robinson is an awesome player who is going to fit in beautifully with the Celtics next season as they look to get back to the Finals. Also, if someone says “Mazzulla Ball is all about threes,” just ignore them because they don’t know what they are talking about.

Why Steph Curry deserves slice of Warriors' pie after saving NBA franchise originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jaylen Brown said the quiet part loud enough to be heard by those atop every NBA team, certainly Warriors CEO Joe Lacob. Loud enough to be on the minds of every franchise player, none more than Stephen Curry.

Why, Brown wondered a few months ago, can’t NBA players generate franchise equity as owners do?

Curry knows why but yearns for change.

Given that Wednesday is the 16th anniversary of the marriage between the Warriors and the ownership group led by Lacob and Peter Guber, this seems particularly topical. When the group invested $450 million on July 15, 2010, many considered it an overpay.

Sixteen years and four NBA championships later, the folks at Forbes, who calculate franchise valuations, say the Warriors are worth more than $11 billion, making them the most valuable property in the NBA.

Thanks to Curry’s 17 years as the team’s centerpiece, Lacob, Guber and Co. underpaid.

The Warriors have grown from local cult following to global sensation. Lacob, Guber and Co. entered with a vision of building an elite sports franchise and succeeded – with Curry taking them on a ride to tremendous prosperity.

“Because of the way the CBA is structured right now, we can’t participate in equity,” Curry said in an interview last year with Speedy Morman, then with Complex.com. “And that’s a big deal, because it is a partnership with ownership, it’s a partnership with the league. And we’re on the short term of that revenue.”

The collective bargaining agreement, which determines stipulations for maximum contracts, is why the Warriors can’t legally pay Curry his true worth.

They can make it up to him after he retires. Curry is 38 years old. Body willing, he wants to play another two years. He will have made about $600 million in pretax paychecks from Golden State. He has remained committed, through times good and bad, to the Warriors.

Moreover, Curry consistently has stated his intention to spend his entire NBA career with the team that drafted him in 2009 under the previous ownership.

“For him to be able to stay in one city for that long, why would you want to leave?” Curry’s dad, Dell, told NBC Sports Bay Area last week. “You’ve given so much to that team, to the organization and the city.”

Lacob, Guber and Co. inherited a gold mine. Everyone on the Golden State payroll can point to Curry as the central figure in the meteoric rise of the franchise. Without him, there would be no championships. No five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. No record 73-win season. No first and only unanimous MVP. No explosive production and profit off Golden State Warriors gear. Never any talk of a dynasty.

“None of this happens without you,” Andre Iguodala said of Curry 17 months ago, during his jersey retirement ceremony at Chase Center. 

When Curry leaves, the Warriors likely will tumble from their longtime perch atop the NBA’s revenue engine, from national TV to jersey sales. No player in the league mints more local or national TV revenue. Curry is an economy unto himself.

Which is not to suggest the Lacob-Guber ownership didn’t, from the start, do their part to elevate the franchise. They made shrewd decisions in recruiting business-side savant Rick Welts and basketball sage Jerry West – moves that declared the Warriors were aiming for the best of the best. Hiring Mark Jackson as head coach was more strategic than intuitive; it brought a level of national publicity rarely given to the once irrelevant team by the Bay.

But it was Curry who awakened and energized a slumbering fan base that grew exponentially because of his exploits. Dub Nation is his empire.

Chase Center, the cash cow crucial to the franchise worth, was visualized by Lacob and Guber but actualized by the broad influence and civic goodwill of Curry. Dealmakers bend toward winners. Champions gain leverage, and their ideas suddenly are more popular. No athlete in Bay Area sports history is more revered for his greatness on the court and civil generosity off it.

Gifting an active player equity in the franchise is tricky for obvious reasons, the most significant being the possibility of a trade. Curry and Brown long for a day that might never will happen. They make good money, but it’s a faction of what goes to successful ownership.

“The idea that we can’t participate in equity while we’re playing is a part of why I would say, yes, we are underpaid,” Curry told Morman. “Because you want to be able to participate in that rise. I know we’re blessed to be in a position where we’re playing basketball for a living, and these are the type of checks that people are earning. And I think it’s all deserved. It’s a special commodity, a special industry that probably won’t go anywhere. Because that entertainment value is there.

“I feel like, hopefully, sooner than later, those rules change a little bit so that players can participate more in the upside of team equity, the league valuations and all that type of stuff.”

Once an NBA player retires, he no longer is subject to any CBA restrictions. The post-career portfolio for Magic Johnson, for example, included his purchase of a 4.5-percent share of the Los Angeles Lakers for $10 million in 1992. The Lakers were worth about $200 million. When he sold his shares in 2010, they were worth three times as much.

Another instance of player-turned-owner involved Billy Beane, who evolved from fringe player for the Oakland Athletics to front-office executive with the team to Hollywood caricature to a 4-percent stake in ownership (now at 1 percent).

Beane paid nothing for his initial share. It was a gift from ownership.

The Warriors now are worth 24 times more than what Lacob, Guber and Co. paid. We know where they would be in the NBA hierarchy without Curry; we all saw it when he missed most of the second half of last season. There was not a glimmer of hope until he returned.

No player in the NBA is, upon retirement, more deserving of being gifted a piece of his team’s franchise than Curry. No player on any team has done more to send ownership stock skyrocketing, enriching those currently holding shares.

For Steph, 2028 should be the year of equity. Call it a reward, if you like, but he has earned it.

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NBA Summer League is in full effect, and we’ve gotten an incredible showing from each of the first four draft picks: AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and Caleb Wilson.

😳 pic.twitter.com/iQoxfFbuBV

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 14, 2026

Yes, it’s only summer league, but we’ve seen that all four of these prospects have the potential to have incredible careers. More than likely, these four will be connected for their entire careers because of this draft. How many titles they win, All-NBA selections they receive. And that’s what brings us to this latest NBA Reacts question. Who do you think will have the best career of the top-4 rookies?

When all is said and done, this draft could go down as one of the greats, like the LeBron James draft in 2003 or the Michael Jordan draft in 1984. Those drafts were loaded just like this with multiple Hall of Famers. No question, this draft has that possibility, you just hope that your team came away with the best potential player.

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

NBA commissioner Adam Silver reiterated Tuesday night after the Board of Governors meeting that the investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap by funneling money to Kawhi Leonard for an endorsement deal he allegedly never fulfilled still is not completed.

Silver said his “timeline remains this summer” to make his findings known after high-powered New York law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz wraps up its investigation and presents the findings to the NBA.

The investigation centers on a $28-million endorsement deal to Leonard from a company called Aspiration that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $60 million into.

With the investigation being about 11 months old, Silver was asked about a timeline for the NBA to announce the results.

“As you know, I am not conducting the investigation, nor is the league office,” Silver said. “It’s being conducted by the Wachtell law firm, independent of the league. Of course, as I have said previously, we all have an interest in wrapping this up and as I most recently said in an interview, that I’m hopeful that it will wrap up this summer so that will continue to be the goal here.”

Read more:Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto put on hold until the NBA probe into the Clippers concludes

The Clippers traded Leonard to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks. Leonard, who spent the last seven seasons with the Clippers, led the Raptors to the NBA championship in 2019. The Raptors then decided to put the trade on hold until the investigation is over.

“And I just want to clarify, so everyone understands, the league did not pause the trade,” Silver said. “The parties that did the trade made the decision not to go forward given that the investigation would remain open and the possible impact on Kawhi or his contract was yet to be known and so they chose not to live with that uncertainty. But, that was well-known before the trade was proposed and I didn’t think there was any reason for people to believe that the status of Kawhi Leonard would change merely because he was traded. The investigation needs to run its course.”

Read more:Plaschke: Clippers' Kawhi Leonard was the worst free-agent signing in L.A. history

The Clippers have consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding the investigation.

Because of the probable length of the report, Silver was asked about reading such a voluminous amount of information and if things would be resolved before the start of next season.

Silver also didn’t talk about whether Leonard is being investigated for any other side deals.

“I don’t know specifically what will be in the report,” Silver said. “To the best of my information, the report is not done. I do get regular updates from our general counsel, who is Rick Buchanan, and he deals with on a weekly basis on who they are talking to and what they are finding on a preliminary basis. But my understanding is that Wachtell is now in the process of going through the information they’ve gathered and drawing conclusions from that information. And I think, yes, it is realistic to think that this can be wrapped up, and I would say needs to be wrapped up before the beginning of next season.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors remain at a standstill regarding the proposed trade that would bring Kawhi Leonard back to Canada.

Leonard’s seven-year tenure with the Clippers ended after he was traded to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, June 30, for forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031, 2033), two second-round picks (2030, 2033) and a 2027 first-round swap.

Both teams have since put a halt to the trade, citing the ongoing investigation surrounding Leonard, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, and Leonard's uncle/advisor Dennis Robertson. All three men were allegedly involved in a “no-show” agreement with a company, Aspiration, to funnel extra compensation to the player as part of a salary cap circumvention.

There’s a belief that both sides are still willing to go through with the deal with the assumption that there will be limited consequences for the parties involved. 

"My timeline remains this summer," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said when talking to reporters on Thursday, July 14. "... I'm not conducting the investigation … as I've said previously, we all have an interest in wrapping this up, and I most recently said in an interview that I am hopeful it will wrap up this summer and that will continue to be the goal here."

Silver will be responsible for deciding on any potential discipline after the law firm conducting the investigation delivers its findings to him. 

Silver stated that he expects the investigation to be concluded this summer.

“I want to clarify that the league did not pause the trade,” Silver said. “The parties involved in the trade decided not to move forward, given that the investigation remained open and any potential impact on Kawhi or his contract was yet to be known, so they chose not to live with that uncertainty.”

The commissioner also mentioned that it was well known before the trade was proposed that Leonard’s potential status or repercussions from the investigation wouldn’t change because he was traded.

“I can’t comment on the specifics of the investigation, but what I can say is we did not do what we are accused of doing,” said Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, on June 23. “The investigation has had no impact on how we go about our business. We just continue to go about our business as normal.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA hopes for Kawhi Leonard, Clippers investigation to end by summer

The battle of LA, Summer League edition, ends with the Lakers beating the Clippers,99-85, on Tuesday night. They are now 3-0 in Las Vegas Summer League play. 

It was the Chris Mañon show early, as his defense forced a Clippers turnover right after the opening tip, leading to a layup. He also drained a triple, giving him five points. Cameron Carr got his first points of the night, knocking down a 3-pointer. Kobe Sanders was leading the Clippers with four points. 

Mañon continued to dominate, pushing his point total to 10. He was the first player from either team in double figures. The young Lakers were having a nice night from behind the arc, shooting 55%.

At the end of the first, the purple and gold were up by eight. 

Las Vegas Summer League Lakers: The kids can play!

— Edwin Garcia (@ECreates88) July 15, 2026

Carr started the second period with a jumper for the Lakers. Both teams were shooting at a high level in the quarter. The Lakers made all six of their first shots, and the Clippers made five of their six attempts. Sean Pedulla and Jahmyl Telfort combined for eight points for the Clippers.

Adou Thiero got on the board, converting on a layup. After a small scuffle between the teams, a few techs and a flagrant foul were given. 

The Lakers continued to play well offensively, building their lead to 15. Their defense was also great, forcing the Clippers into difficult shots. Carr was now in double figures with 11 points. 

At halftime, the Lakers were up by 16. 

The Lakers are steamrolling the Clippers, leading 54-38 at the half. Chris Mañon, Cameron Carr and Arthur Kaluma are all in double figures. Two-way player AK Okereke is right behind them with eight points. Another half like this and the Lakers will stay undefeated in Las Vegas.

— Edwin Garcia (@ECreates88) July 15, 2026

Sanders scored on a jumper for the Clippers to start the third period. The Clippers had a hot start, with Sanders and Pedulla both draining triples. They were on an 8-0 scoring run. Mañon converted on a free throw for two points. 

The Clippers cut their deficit to nine. Offense had become a struggle for the Lakers, as they made just one of their first five shot attempts. Thiero converted on a much-needed three-point play.

Carr ignited for the Lakers, scoring eight points and pushing his point total to 19. The Lakers were up by 23 at the end of the third. 

Carr drive against Wagler

"He can't guard me!" pic.twitter.com/Wo8niznn1A

— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) July 15, 2026

Carr started the final frame with a free throw. The Clippers were actually shooting better than the Lakers in the quarter, 45% to 37%, but the Lakers were still in full control with their big lead. 

Thiero put the finishing touches on a great win with an emphatic dunk

Key Player Stats: 

Carr ended with 23 points and two assists. Mañon finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds,  two assists and two steals. Arthur Kaluma pitched in with 15 points and four assists.

Thiero had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists. AK Okereke had 11 points in 14 minutes of play. 

The next Lakers Summer League game will be against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday at 3:00 PM PT. 

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.

Send in your questions now for this week’s episode of The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast to discuss everything Pistons. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman.

Join us live on Thursday afternoon for the show where DBB’s own Robbie Bettelon will join the show to discuss the Pistons’ offseason, Summer League and more. When will the Jalen Duren saga end? How do you think Ebuka Okorie will contribute to the roster next season? Is Ron Holland in for a leap?

Plus, The Pindown has a phone line where you can leave a message and hear your voice on the show. Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message around 45 seconds or less so we can fit everyone into the show.

The podcast will be uploaded to all audio platforms the following morning.

The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast Vitals:

When: Thursday July 16 at 2:45 p.m. ET

Where: Detroit Bad Boys YouTube Channel

How to submit questions:

• Detroit Bad Boys Website: Comment section of the weekly Pindown episode articles.
• Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message to 45 seconds or less.
• Twitter: @detroitbadboys, @blakesilverman or @therealwesd3
• YouTube: Chat section of The Pindown live recording — Subscribe here

As always, leave any questions or topics you want to be discussed in the comment section below.

LAS VEGAS — Nets general manager Sean Marks said Brooklyn will have extension talks with Michael Porter Jr., but there is no rush.

“I’m sure we’ll have those discussions. I think we’ve got time. There’s no immediate hurry right now with Mike. We value him a lot. He had a terrific year last year, arguably his best year as a pro. I give him a lot of credit for that,” Marks said. “It’s been great to see what Mike’s done for us. I look forward to having those discussions, and seeing what Mike can do the rest of the summer and the rest of the season.”

Porter is on an expiring $40.8 million deal, and on July 6 became eligible for a four-year, $234 million extension. The Nets clearly won’t give him that much, but how much would they be inclined to pay? And how much urgency do they have to get a deal done sooner rather than later?

“No, any time you’re in a hurry, that’s when people make mistakes,” Marks said. “We’ve got a well-thought-out plan here over not only the last couple of years but the couple of years ahead. We’re gonna try and find who the next Nets are gonna be. I don’t think we wanna do anything hastily or in a rush here.

“As I said before, I love Mike, the guy, the person, the player, and I hope he is part of this team. But we’re just gonna have to have those discussions between the two of us and our representatives and go from there.”

After trading Nic Claxton for Julius Randle (and Joshua Jefferson), the Nets still have about $11 million in cap space. That doesn’t include their agreement with Moritz Wagner, whom they can neatly fit into the mid-level exception.

One option suggested by ESPN insider Bobby Marks and Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron was to use cap space to renegotiate and extend Porter. Brooklyn could give him a raise up to the 30 percent max for this season (to $49.5 million), and then up to a 40 percent pay cut in the first year of the extension, 2027-28.

Having Porter with a smaller cap hit — say, $30 million to start — would help the Nets’ team-building by the time they start to actually contend. Marks did acknowledge it as a viable option.

“There’s going to be a lot of things on the table for us. That would certainly be something we’re going to have that optionality that we have not only with MPJ, but with a lot of our guys,” Marks said. “And I like the fact that a lot of our guys are playing with a chip on their shoulder and have something to prove, not only the guys we acquired in our trades but the guys we’ve signed here.”

Porter joined Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic and Jaylen Brown as the only players to average 24 points and seven rebounds this past season, even after a slow finish and a hamstring injury.

The 27-year-old has stated a desire to re-sign, saying, “I’d love to spend many years in Brooklyn, make this my home and build and watch this franchise take off.”

---

Brooklyn smothered Sacramento 115-83 in summer league action Wednesday. They forced 28 turnovers that they converted into 41 points.

Egor Dëmin had 22 points, eight assists, four steals and zero turnovers. Rookie Mikel Brown Jr. added 16 points, five assists, two steals and a block. He also told the coaches he wanted to guard Sacramento’s Darius Acuff Jr.

“Yeah, coming into the draft, people were like, ‘Defense, can he deal with the physicality, can he guard at a high level?’ Where I come from, man, if you’re the one getting picked on, you ain’t supposed to be on the court,” Brown said. “So that’s just my mentality going into every single game.”

Acuff had 26 points but five turnovers and finished minus-15.

The Washington Wizards had their NBA Summer League record blemished for the first time Tuesday in a 99-87 loss to the Chicago Bulls at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The undermanned Wiz started the game off strong, racing to a 9-0 lead against a Bulls squad on the second night of a back-to-back. With no AJ Dybantsa, Will Riley, or Tre Johnson, it was Chris Livingston who picked up the scoring slack throughout the night.

The Kentucky alum led Washington with seven points, giving his team a 21-15 lead in a sloppy first quarter that featured 13 fouls and 13 turnovers. Juju Reese also brought some energy with his board work with 4 points and 4 rebounds.

steal ➡️ slam pic.twitter.com/MehVq1glfC

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 15, 2026

Livingston stayed hot with five quick points to start the second quarter to extend the lead back up to nine. But the Wizards allowed the Bulls to get back in with the three-ball. Chicago connected on four triples and a three-point free throw from Caleb Wilson to overtake Washington 37-36 at the half.

The third quarter saw Felix Okpara flash some of his potential. He rolled his way to the rim for a couple of dunks and even showed off a midrange jumper. He’ll become an instant lob threat for Trae Young if he’s able to scratch out a few minutes in Brian Keefe’s rotation.

FELIX UP TOP 💥 pic.twitter.com/ATE7ShHvw8

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 15, 2026

An Okpara free throw for two points tied the game at 57. That marked the beginning of the end for the Wizards, as turnovers and shoddy transition defense allowed the bulls to go on a 23-6 run extending to the fourth quarter.

Washington had almost as many turnovers (6) as shot attempts (7) during that stretch, as Chicago cruised to the 12-point victory.

Livingston paced the Wizards with 21 points scored in a variety of ways. He drained a couple of threes, finished several strong drives to the rim, and even showed off some counter moves when the defense cut him off in the lane.

Chris Livingston 💪 pic.twitter.com/R7k3hySgm6

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 15, 2026

Okpara finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and a block. Kadary Richmond and Seth Trimble combined for 24 points, but only shot 6-for-19 from the field.

The Wizards have a quick turnaround with a matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night on the same floor.