Category: NBA

The New York Knicks found a couple of promising young players in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft one day after moving entirely out of the first round to preserve some cap space and avoid stepping into second-apron territory.

Both Jack Kayil and Tyler Nickel topped expectations last month during the Summer League, potentially giving the Knicks two inexpensive prospects (one likely bound for a standard contract, the other for a two-way deal) while the franchise operates under owner James Dolan’s second-apron mandate.

Obviously, with the roster still needing to be fully filled before the start of the regular season and the limitations imposed by beloved Dolan, both rookies’ immediate NBA futures were always uncertain, to say the least. New York could offer either or both players two-way contracts to preserve the roster spot and save some money, and on top of that, it’s always been reported that while Kayil wants to remain in America, he’s likely going to be stashed overseas in Germany for another season.

Now, however, the Knicks might have a Tyler Nickel situation right when the rookie looked like a lock for one of the final roster spots and off-the-bench, deep-rotation minutes.

According to CBS Sports’ Isaac Trotter, the No. 47 overall pick is “expected to explore” returning to college rather than beginning his professional career with the Knicks during the 2026-27 season. Emphasis mine:

“Former Purdue All-American Braden Smith is not considering a return to college basketball in the fallout of Friday’s injunction that cleared a path for a fifth year of collegiate eligibility for the Class of 2022, his representatives at Priority Sports told CBS Sports.

“Smith was the No. 38 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, who traded his draft rights to the Indiana Pacers. He is one of five second-round picks who have not signed a rookie contract yet, joining BYU’s Richie Saunders (No. 32 to the Memphis Grizzlies), Vanderbilt’s Tyler Nickel (No. 47 to the New York Knicks), St. John’s Dillon Mitchell (No. 40 to the Boston Celtics) and Florida State’s Lajae Jones (No. 54 to the Golden State Warriors). Nickel and Mitchell are expected to explore their college options, but Smith’s record-setting career is over.”

Hours before Trotter’s report emerged, Nickel already did something intriguing by posting (now deleted, captured below) a single thinking emoji on X.

The possibility follows a recent legal ruling allowing players to compete for five college seasons. Nickel already entered the NCAA’s transfer portal in April and could reportedly earn more through name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities back in college than he would on a two-way contract.

The Nashville Post estimates Nickel’s NIL valuation between $1 million and $1.4 million, and it’s fair to say that Nickel strengthened his case to either get a bigger NIL deal or snatch a roster spot with the Knicks following his performances at the Las Vegas Summer League. He averaged 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds while making 41.3% of his three-point attempts.

Nickel’s quick release and shooting ability gave him a clearer path toward an NBA role than many second-round selections, and he showcased exactly that skill set in Vegas to the surprise of no one, seemingly paving his way to the pros if all went (it could still go) according to plan. The fact that Nickel performed better than expected defensively during those hot exhibition games also helped his case.

While a return to college would not cost New York his rights (the Knicks have a year to negotiate with the player and sign him, starting to count from draft day), it could leave the Knicks without one of their two latest draft picks next season, or two if Kayil indeed returns to Germany.

In separate deals, Andre Jackson Jr. and Cole Anthony have agreed to terms with new teams, with A-Jax heading north of the border to the Toronto Raptors and Anthony travelling across the pond to Australia’s Melbourne United.

Per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Jackson is heading to the Raptors in an attempt to prolong his NBA career after failing to establish himself with the Bucks over the last three seasons.

The Toronto Raptors and Andre Jackson Jr. have agreed to a deal, league sources told @hoopshype. He’ll compete for a roster spot with the Raptors. He spent the past three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. pic.twitter.com/2r6BxS8yVe

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 5, 2026

A second-round pick in 2023, Jackson projected as an athletic wing stopper for the Bucks and a position was there for the taking. But despite his stifling defence in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Final against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and some occasional highlight plays—rumour has it his putback dunk against the Kings still reverberates in Sacramento—he just wasn’t able to put it together in Milwaukee. In total, he played 172 games for the Bucks, averaging 2.7 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 1.0 APG in 11.4 MPG.

On the other hand, Cole Anthony, last season’s reserve point guard for the Bucks—at least to start the season—has signed with Melbourne United in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), per a release from the team. According to the release, Anthony is thrilled about his new adventure:

I’m super excited to begin this journey with Melbourne United. This is a great opportunity to continue growing as a player and compete for a championship. I’m ready to get to work and can’t wait to represent the club and meet the fans!

Drafted 15^th overall in 2020 by the Orlando Magic, Anthony was a welcome signing by the Bucks last offseason after negotiating a buyout from the Memphis Grizzlies. With Milwaukee, he played 35 games—all off the bench—averaging 6.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 3.5 APG in 15.1 MPG. He was particularly effective in the opening week and a half of the season, with standout games in wins against the Toronto Raptors (23 points, seven assists) and the Golden State Warriors (16 points, two assists).

But Anthony couldn’t maintain his form and his minutes dwindled. In February, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Amir Coffey in a three-team deal that brought Ousmane Dieng to the Bucks. Just 22 days later, he was waived.

While Jackson will likely have to earn a roster spot with the Raptors and Anthony has had to leave the NBA to continue his career, they’ll forever hold a place in Bucks history.

All the best, fellas.

While Anthony’s exit from the NBA points to Jon Horst’s continued masterwork as a trader—the Bucks clearly got back the best player in that deal—Jackson’s Raptors lifeline raises another question about his drafting resume. Agree?

The planned launch of a bespoke European NBA league has the potential to take basketball in the United Kingdom to the "next level", says the New York Knicks' OG Anunoby.

With the working title of NBA Europe, it is planned for launch in October 2027 and will consist of between 12 and 16 European teams - with London and Manchester expected to be included.

The deadline for final bids to own franchises was in June and it is hoped the identities of teams that will feature will begin to be announced this year, with the NBA receiving bids between $500m (£372m) and $1bn (£745m) for each target host city.

Anunoby is the standout current player of UK origin in the NBA, having played a starring role in the Knicks' first NBA title win since 1973.

Alongside the Portland Trail Blazers' Jeremy Sochan, the Boston Celtics' Amari Williams and Tobi Lawal, who is set to make his NBA debut this season for the Dallas Mavericks, Anunoby makes up part of the NBA's UK quartet.

"I think it is amazing," Anunoby told BBC Sport when asked about the NBA Europe plans.

"Basketball continues to grow, especially here in London and in Manchester.

"It's exciting and I think it is going to take basketball to another level out here."

Plans for the league's launch in just over a year's time remain "on track", with the league set to start in tandem with the 2027-28 NBA season.

"Planning is going really well. We've had an amazing amount of demand in the last couple of months for NBA Europe, particularly as bidding closed," said Laura Pinnell, vice-president of Consumer Group and head of marketing for the NBA across Europe and the Middle East.

"I would say the UK is one of the biggest opportunities for us out of the whole project.

"The growth opportunity is incredible and actually a London franchise, there is discussion about a Manchester franchise. All of which are great opportunities for fans and also, youth and participation."

Anunoby eyes back-to-back NBA titles

Anunoby, a two-time NBA Championship winner, has spent time in his birth city of London this week during his off-season break.

As well as investing his own money as part of a grassroots court development in Camden, Anunoby has been eyeing the prospect of helping the Knicks win a second NBA title in as many years next season.

The NBA has had eight different champions in as many years, with no team being able to produce back-to-back titles since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.

"That's our goal this year," said Anunoby in response to the prospect of ending the run of consecutive different winners.

But asked which of the Knicks' 29 NBA rivals will pose their biggest threat, the 29-year-old said challenges will come from across the competition.

"The whole league," added Anunoby.

"It is a very tough league and every team is capable and everyone is a threat."

While the entire basketball world was waiting for LeBron James to announce where he’d be signing in free agency, James seemed to be doing anything but playing basketball.

The NBA legend was seen golfing, vacationing, and seemingly soaking up the attention as the sports world awaited his next move.

Of course, LeBron was surely still getting his work on, probably just doing so early in the morning and without any cameras on him.

Then LeBron chose the Philadelphia 76ers, spent some time with his family, and is clearly now back to work.

This was no better illustrated by a photo James shared to his Instagram story on Tuesday.

The photo was a side profile of LeBron preparing to shoot a free throw while his new 76ers teammate, Tyrese Maxey, watched him in the background.

LeBron added the caption, “We IN! Rese for President ”.

LeBron and Maxey are known to have a great relationship with each other, as they’re both signed to Klutch Sports Group. Before the King made his decision, his and Maxey’s agent, Rich Paul, indicated that their connection could make Philadelphia a favorite to sign LeBron.

And that was clearly accurate.

It will be fascinating to see how Maxey (who 28.3 points per game last season) fit in with each other in the Sixers’ offense, especially since they’ll also have Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown competing for shots on the roster.

But this is a good problem to have, especially because LeBron is able to bring out the best in his teammates due to his gravitational pull from defenses.

Illinois forward David Mirkovic, one of the best true freshmen in men's college basketball last season, is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on his left foot, the program announced Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Mirkovic is expected to make a full recovery, according to the announcement. The injury occurred during a team practice on July 31.

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Mirkovic averaged 13.3 points with eight rebounds and 2.6 rebounds per game last season, and was expected to take on an even bigger role in 2026-27 following leading scorer Keaton Wagler's departure to the NBA. Illinois didn't release a timetable for the potential All-American's return.

The Niksic, Montenegro, native helped lead Illinois to the Final Four last season, scoring a career-high 29 points in Illinois' first-round NCAA Tournament win over Penn. He also scored 14 points with 10 rebounds in the Fighting Illini's Sweet 16 win over Houston.

Illinois returns star guard Andrej Stojakovic and standout center Tomislav Ivisic, while adding highly sought-after guard Stefan Vaaks from Providence in the transfer portal. The Fighting Illini don't have an obvious forward replacement for Mirkovic, but could potentially move to a double-big lineup with Zvonomir Ivisic, Tomislav Ivisic's brother.

David Mirkovic stats

Here are Mirkovic's full stats from the 2025-26 season:

• 2025-26: 13.3 points with 8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game on 48.4% shooting (37.5% from 3-point range)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: David Mirkovic injury update: Illinois star undergoes foot surgery, return undetermined

The New York Liberty won again Monday night at Barclays Center. Former Secretary of State, U.S. Senator and First Lady Hillary Clinton sat courtside with Clara Wu Tsai, getting a standing ovation at one point from the 15,312 fans. It was the first appearance by either Joe or Clara Wu Tsai since last week’s news that the power couple who control the Liberty, New York Nets and Barclays Center were divorcing.

But the game, not the impending split, was the news. It was the Libs fifth win in six games, their best stretch since early in the season … and that’s just fine with Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. BSE and no doubt the Tsais would prefer it that way: the game is the the thing … with no one bothering to mention news of the dissolution of the couple’s 30-year marriage. As their original statement to the New York Post’s Page Six claimed,

“Joe will remain Chairman and Clara will remain Vice Chair of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment. Joe will remain Governor of the Brooklyn Nets and Clara will remain Governor of the New York Liberty. They will continue to own and be stewards of the teams with professional management in place as they always have.

“In the long run, they also plan to involve their children.”

A team insider said it more bluntly in talking with ND, “We are not splitting our basketball operation … The Nets and Liberty will work even more closely together in fandom, analytics, performance.”

And why not? While some fans think they see the news of the split as a prelude to a sale, there is no evidence to suggest that but plenty to support the idea that the Brooklyn assets are, as the insider noted, the “family business.” It’s a great business to be in, in some ways even more so than their other corporate holdings whether in Alibaba, the giant Chinese e-commerce, AI and cloud computing business; or their minority investments in everything from SpaceX to Fanatics to ByteDance, developers of TikTok, even the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Brooklyn is generational and all three of the Tsai children have played competitive sports at a high level.

Indeed, a deep dive into the financial structure of the NBA shows that this would be precisely the wrong time for any kind of fire sale of an NBA or WNBA team. The leagues aren’t just booming. They’re exploding. Valuations and profits are about to take off like a rocket once again, putting the league on a trajectory that may never reach the stratosphere of the NFL, but narrow the gap between the two sports.

Currently, Sportico estimates the Nets along with Barclays Center are worth $6.22 billion. That’s around double what the Tsais paid for those assets — $3.3 billion — back in 2019. The Liberty’s value has jumped even more. Earlier in 2019, they paid $12-to-14 million to James Dolan for the then-moribund W team, mostly in debt relief. Sportico put the Liberty value at $600 million. In those ensuing seven years, there’s also been significant investment in the properties. Barclays is midway through a four year, $140 million upgrade and the Liberty’s new $80 million practice facility is underway in Greenpoint.

In the next couple of years, most analysts believe, things will get even more lucrative for the owners of NBA franchises. The league has announced it will add two new teams with Seattle and Las Vegas the leading candidates. In recent weeks, the rumored price tag for each of the two has jumped from early estimates in the $5 billion range to as much as $7 to $8 billion. The fees that new investors pay to get in will be shared among the 30 current owners. Assuming the total price tag is $15 billion, each current owner could wind up with a $500 million windfall.

Expansion would also mean the valuations of all NBA teams will rise. If teams in Seattle and Las Vegas are going to be worth $7 to $8 billion on arrival, what valuation would financial analysts pin on the Nets playing in New York in an established arena? Does $10 billion maybe more sound reasonable? (There’s a reason James Dolan, even before his team won the NBA championship, was talking about spinning off the Knicks from the Rangers, and separately suggesting he could sell off a piece to passive investors, perhaps a sovereign wealth fund in the Middle East, reaping a huge billion dollar profit.)

Then, there’s the league’s international expansion. The NBA is finalizing plans to create a 12-team European league which by some estimates could result in another $20 billion for current owners. It won’t end there. The NBA already owns and operates the Basketball Africa League and last October cemented new arrangements with NBA China after a seven-year hiatus.

Ratings under the new NBA TV contract in North America are setting records and the NBA’s popularity worldwide is on the rise. No, it didn’t hurt that a team in the biggest market was in the Finals.

Beyond the league’s overall popularity, the Nets and Liberty have their own advantages that add to a distinct value. To start with, there are few owners better suited for taking advantage of international expansion than the Tsais.

The Nets are the third most popular team in China, the league’s second biggest market, by most measures. Its pages on Weibo, the Chinese combination of Facebook and X.com, are the third most popular in the league, behind only the Warriors and Lakers. They have a five-person team that examines Chinese business opportunities. It was not a coincidence that the Nets hosted the NBA China Games last October in Macao. There are simple things as well. The Nets created a version of the Brooklynettes that tour China called “Cheer Nets,” a dance team that performs around the PRC, pushing the brand. Just this week, they were in Shanghai and Huangzhou along with Day’Ron Sharpe, Kenyon Martin and assistant coach Juwan Howard, a tour sponsored by the team.

Beyond China, the league put out numbers three years ago showing Brooklyn’s team had more than 10 million fans outside North America and estimated they were the third most popular team in France as well as China. As we’ve noted, the Long Island Nets have played 10 “home games” at Place Bell in suburban Montreal over the last two years, hoping to build a fan base in French-speaking Canada. So far, so good, each of the games was a sell-out with sales of “Les Nets” gear to match.

Sure, the Nets, the centerpiece of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, has “issues,” following their two-year tank and the Liberty have had some “growing pains” under new head coach Chris DeMarco. And, of course, the team across the East River just won it all but the Tsais show no indication they’re giving up. That’s from a performance aspect. From a financial aspect, BSE was an attractive enough asset that members of the Koch family invested nearly $700 million for a 15% stake. Nor did Jack Ma, one of China’s richest men, blanch when he bought an approximate 10% stake in the Liberty along with a number of American sportswomen.

Nor are they abandoning generational fandom, getting fans while they’re young. In fact, they are making more use of their latest investment, the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center for the city’s youth, employing it for the first time as a venue for a press conference last month when introducing their draft picks. And their program to offer free basketball clinics to New York school children now encompasses 50,000 kids, up from 44,000, last year.

Division of assets in any divorce proceeding can be a slow, grueling process, but for the Tsais, the big decision appears to have been made: they’re not going anywhere.

• The nervous Nets fan’s guide to the Tsai ownership divorce ($) – Brian Lewis – New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers legend and four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal has been painfully candid about his family life breaking down.

During a 2022 appearance on “The Pivot” podcast, Shaq went viral for admitting regret about his role in his divorce, and added, “I was lost. 76,000 square foot house by yourself, lost. No kids, go to the gym, nobody playing in the gym. We go to their room, nobody’s there. You start to feel it.”

Another comment Shaq made about his deteriorated family life during a conversation with his son, Shareef, on a recent episode of his “Post Moves” Netflix show is raising eyebrows on Tuesday.

Shaq was speaking to Shareef about the sacrifices it takes to play professional basketball, especially when it comes to building and sustaining a family.

“Are you ready to live that life? If you want to be great, my man, you gotta sacrifice everything. I’ve lost a family trying to be great,” O’Neal added.

Shaq’s claim that he lost a family “trying to be great” has gone viral, as fans are raising their eyebrows about how he’s seemingly using his pursuit of greatness as an excuse for the detrimental decisions he made in his personal life.

This is especially true because it appears to contradict the accountability Shaq has shown in the past. He previously admitted that his own ego-fueled decisions and mistakes has led to his present situation.

O’Neal and his ex-wife of nine years, Shaunie Henderson, finalized their divorce in 2011.

“I wasn’t protecting [Shaunie] and protecting those vows,” he said about his marriage with Henderson. “Sometimes you live that double life and you get caught up in it.”

Regardless of his reasoning, it’s clear that Shaq has a lot of regret for his current family situation. But at least he’s getting to spend time with one of his six children—even if it is for the cameras.

Last week, news broke that Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Doncic would be hosting the entire Lakers roster in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp in August.

The training camp would include working out, playing pick-up games, golfing, and exploring Ljubljana, Slovenia’ capital city. This is Doncic’s attempt to help build chemistry and camaraderie, both on and off the court, for a roster that looks a lot different than it did last season.

On Tuesday, it came out that not only is Luka hosting his Lakers teammates in Slovenia; He’s also paying the full bill to fly out every Lakers player who’s able to attend the camp.

This includes 16 of 17 players on Los Angeles’ current roster. But there’s one notable player who’s being left behind from the trip.

Rookie Cameron Carr won’t be able to attend because it conflicts with a mandatory NBA rookie orientation, which NBA insider Marc Stein reported in his Substack newsletter “The Stein Line” on Tuesday.

Carr was the Lakers’ first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, at No. 24 overall. He performed well during Summer League and seems to have a good shot at making an impact for Los Angeles this upcoming season

It’s unfortunate that Carr will have to miss what’s sure to be a memorable trip, where he’d have the chance to build relationships with his teammates. But he should have plenty of time to build those relationships once his teammates are back in Los Angeles.

It will be fun for Lakers fans to follow the team’s time in Slovenia, as there are sure to be great moments both on and off the court.

Why Draymond Green didn't want ‘fight over' no-trade clause in Warriors contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

In June, Draymond Green opted out of his contract with the hopes that Warriors could sign a player with the “mid-level” slot (aka LeBron James), but when that fell through, the four-time NBA champion re-signed with Golden State – with one note-worthy contractual detail.

“It was reported that I did not receive a no-trade clause,” Green said on “The Draymond Green Show.” “No, I didn’t. I think it was something that we could have fought over, but it wasn’t worth fighting over. I think if the Warriors want to trade me at some point in the season, they want to trade me. I’ve never been a guy who wants to stay somewhere where I’m not wanted.”

The absence of the no-trade clause isn’t something new, as ESPN’s Anthony Slater said when Green signed his contract, stating it’s the same deal the Warriors and the four-time NBA All-Star had in place prior to him opting out.

Green’s name reportedly was floated last season when the Warriors were attempting to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but ultimately that swap never came to fruition either.

“As I’ve always spoke about, I think there is a partnership that this works for us, it works,” Green said. “If it doesn’t, it doesn’t, you know, and I never want to be that guy anyway. So, to sit and fight over a no-trade clause, I don’t think it was worth it. It’s pointless. So, that wasn’t a thing.”

Green’s one-year deal with Golden State is worth over $27 million. The forward, who turns 37 in March, then will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

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Luka Doncic‘s former fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, requested Monday that the petition for child support she filed in March in Los Angeles Superior Court be dismissed, according to court documents obtained by The Times.

“I am withdrawing my Petition for Child Support with the specific intention of resolving this matter amicably and by a mutual agreement which is in the best interests of our children,” Goltes wrote in the filing.

The Lakers superstar proposed to Goltes, a fashion and fitness model, three years ago. They met as children in their native Slovenia and started dating as teenagers in 2016. Their daughters — Gabriela, 2, and Olivia, seven months — live with Goltes in Slovenia.

Doncic has spent the offseason in Slovenia and will host a four-day minicamp for the entire Lakers team later this month in his hometown of Ljubljana, which will include workouts, golf and sightseeing ahead of training camp. The guard — who led the NBA in scoring with an average of 33.5 points a game last season — even offered to pay the team’s travel costs.

Goltes, 28, sought child support and attorney fees from Doncic, 27, following an incident that occurred shortly after Olivia was born at Kranj Maternity Hospital on Dec. 6, 2025, in Slovenia. Doncic missed games against the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics to be present at the birth.

Read more:Teen obtained UCLA jersey worn by Kareem in trade for his radio. Decades later, he's set to make a fortune

Goltes objected to Doncic’s desire to bring Gabriela back to the United States with him when he joined the Lakers in Philadelphia to play the 76ers on Dec. 7. Goltes called the police, but officers “did not detect any elements of a criminal offense or misdemeanor,” according to a report viewed by ESPN.

The couple broke off their engagement shortly thereafter. Goltes deleted photos of her and Doncic from her Instagram account and Doncic acknowledged that they had separated. He filed an injunction with a Slovenian court in February seeking immediate contact with his daughters, ESPN reported.

“I love my daughters more than anything, and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” Doncic said in March. “Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness, and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”

Doncic posted a photo on social media of Olivia wearing a pink sweater with a heart emoji covering her face. In his first game back, he inscribed a G and O with a heart on his shoes.

“I got to see my daughter again, my newborn,” he said upon his return. “Coming back, it was kind of hard to leave them behind. But it’s a job, so I got to do it.”

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.

Jaylen Brown can’t afford the time to join “Love Island USA” or “Married at First Sight” that would bring a fun storm to the sports pop culture space.

So, he is taking matters into his own hands and letting fans know he is looking for his match.

The new 76er admitted he was “touched” while attending Donovan Mitchell and Coco Jones’ wedding on an Instagram live stream on Monday, in which he also tried on his new No. 7 jersey.

“Chat, if y’all know somebody or y’all got somebody for me, y’all let me know,” Brown said, per People. “If y’all got some people in y’all mind, put em in the comments.”

“Coco and Donovan, man, they touched me. It was great to see. It was an amazing event. Two beautiful people coming together, man.”

View this post on Instagram

Brown, 29, was one of many NBA faces to attend the wedding of the Cavaliers star and Grammy-winning singer in Connecticut over the weekend.

Bam Adebayo, James Harden, Dwyane Wade, Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson were also guests — the latter of which Brown had a funny dance floor moment with at the reception.

Brunson stared down Brown, who was taking a video of the Knicks star and 2026 NBA Finals MVP, while swaying to the music on the dance floor with a sly smile on his face before calling to Hart.

The moment went viral on social media with fans saying 76ers-Knicks tension has already started this offseason.

The former Celtic and five-time All-Star’s last known girlfriend was former-WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick.

The two confirmed their relationship in Aug. 2024 when Gondrezick posted a photo dump on Instagram that featured Brown and even a photo of a piece of cake with his face on it.

The couple was also seen out together at the Celtics NBA championship parade and ESPY Awards that same year.

Brown and Gondrezick reportedly split in early 2025.

Last month, Philadelphia acquired Brown for Paul George and two first-round picks and two second-round picks.

Since joining the 76ers, LeBron James has claimed Philly as his new team after agreeing to a two-year, $8 million deal.

James and Brown, who is coming off his best season in the NBA with an average of 28.7 points per game, will link up with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and V.J. Edgecombe to try to push the 76ers towards a title.

Luka Dončić is taking charge of the Lakers this season, and that begins with him organizing the entire roster to attend a mini-camp in Slovenia.

Well, almost everyone.

While the trip has made it out of the group chat and will be happening this August, one notable player will be absent: rookie Cameron Carr. On Monday, Marc Stein reported in his newsletter, “The Stein Line,” that Carr will be missing the event due to his NBA-mandated rookie orientation.

The aforementioned Dončić has chartered a plane and is paying the full bill to fly and host every single Lakers teammate in his native Slovenia later this month. I’m told that 16 of the 17 players on the Lakers’ roster not named Dončić — from Austin Reaves to Walker Kessler to Bronny James to two-way signees Arthur Kaluma, Chris Mañon and AK Okereke –have all committed to attend.

League sources say it would have been 17 of 17 if just drafted swingman Cameron Carr wasn’t required to participate in an official NBA rookie orientation that conflicts with what Dončić is calling a “team bonding trip.”

It’s a bummer that Carr will be the only Laker to miss this event. This is the first opportunity for the entire team to be together and begin bonding.

However, he’s also a rookie, and the NBA has this orientation in place for a reason. Rashad Grove wrote a piece for BET last year about the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program, which included the Executive Vice President of Operations of the National Basketball Players Association, Morgan Cato, explaining the importance of this orientation.

Following the Summer League, the rookies will gather for part two of the program in August to expand upon everything they’ve learned during Summer League. According to Cato, the RTP is an alignment with the Player’s Association’s mission, which is “to protect and advance the rights of our players. They are the game.”

“In late August, all of the players will go a bit deeper into everything from media training and engagement to financial literacy to officiating,” Cato said. “It’s more of an intense exposure where they get to work on team building and communication,” Cato said. “By the time they’re ready for training camp, they know exactly what to expect.”

As good as it’d be for Carr to be in Slovenia with the Lakers, he can’t miss this event. Perhaps he can still remain in touch with his peers and talk with them about what’s going on during his downtime.

But it’s a bummer his first months in the NBA won’t include a trip to Europe.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.