Category: NBA

LAS VEGAS — After the Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets and bought out Bradley Beal this summer, all the attention turned toward how the team planned to build around Devin Booker, whom Suns management has continued to express the team is building around despite numerous rumors and mock trades surrounding the NBA All-Star.

Along with acquiring Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, two of the most important pieces the team is planning to build around are Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach, who are getting their second go-around in NBA Summer League after both played sparingly in their rookie years. Both were acquired in the deal that sent Durant to Houston.

After the team’s second game in three days and an 81-75 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, the two reflected on their second stints playing in Summer League in a joint postgame interview.

Maluach, who’s currently leading the Summer League in rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 50% from three on 5.5 attempts a game, has said he’s been given opportunities to learn how to be more adaptable. He’s trying to find ways to improve while playing and when no one’s watching.

“I go back and watch film and just observe the game and just really get better. Continuing while the game is going on, keep on adjusting, keep on getting better throughout the whole game,” Maluach said.

While he’s been strong on the boards and has averaged a combined three steals and blocks per game so far, the Duke product is focused on cutting down his turnovers after averaging 3.5 in his first few contests. He knows as a young center it’s something he needs to focus on.

“Being a young big, when the (regular) season gets here I know a lot of people are going to pressure up into me and try to make me turn over the ball, and I just gotta be able to take care of the ball so that my coach can trust me with the ball.”

Fleming, who has had a rough start to Summer League shooting just 36.8% from the field, is taking pride in doing the small things and being a leader as a veteran on the roster, along with Maluach.

“Just being able to make the next play for my teammates and knowing they’ll do the same when one of us (him or Maluach) gets in trouble, just being there for each other,” Fleming said.

When it comes to the defensive side of the ball, Fleming wants him and Maluach to take a unified approach to limiting other teams.

“I think we all just gotta go out there trying to make the right play. Whether it’s me, whether it’s him (Maluach), we both go out there just looking to make the right play.”

After the game, it is important to note that Fleming had his left hand wrapped up but said he was “fine” and that he was just feeling a bit “sore.”

As is typical for many players going into their second season in the NBA, playing in Summer League, Fleming and Maluach’s time in Summer League could possibly be over. However, Suns assistant coach Chaisson Allen, who is the head coach of the Summer League team, signaled there is a chance both could play tomorrow against Milwaukee because he said it’s important for young players to get reps.

Phoenix will play the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 p.m. tonight in what will be the team’s third Summer League game, which can be watched on Amazon Prime.

The Spurs re-signed Victor Wembanyama, something everyone expected to happen. What was surprising about it was that Wembanyama, a consensus top-five player in the league, decided to settle for the normal maximum contract instead of one that would have gotten him a bigger payday if he simply met some criteria he was likely to meet.

While not providing an immediate impact on the cap situation, as the extension doesn’t kick in until next season, Wemby’s decision does help the Spurs in several ways going forward.

The Spurs have gained a lot of certainty about their cap situation

While Wembanyama’s decision has been described as a pay cut, that’s not technically accurate. Not yet, at least. The most Wembanyama could have signed for was 25 percent of the salary cap, which is what he’s slated to get. What The Alien gave up is the possibility of getting paid 30 percent of the cap if he had made an All-NBA team or won Most Valuable Player or Defensive Player of the Year in the 2026/27 season.

The chances of Wembanyama reaching one of those benchmarks were likely, as he was recently unanimously named DPoY and made first-team All-NBA. Now, Wemby only just made it to the 65-game threshold for the awards, so there’s a case to be made that health could have prevented him from getting the 30 percent max. Even then, the Spurs wouldn’t have known until next season how much money Wemby would command.

The biggest immediate benefit to the Spurs is that they have gained certainty. They know for a fact that the most Wembanyama will get is 25 percent of the cap and can prepare for the future accordingly. They’ll also get to avoid the awkwardness of having Wembanyama’s health and rest intertwined with his earning power, but that’s a bonus.

Wemby’s sacrifice could push back the time for painful decisions

The added predictability to their cap situation should allow the Spurs to push back some tough decisions. Instead of making $54 million in 2027/28, Wembanyama will make $43 million. San Antonio will have around $202 million in committed salary for 11 players, including Luke Kornet’s partially guaranteed deal, narrowly below the tax line, estimated to be set at $211 million. The aprons will be set over the tax line.

In theory, the Spurs could keep Kornet, bring back Keldon Johnson to a smaller contract, and sign their first-round pick while not crossing the second apron line. If Johnson commands a higher salary than they are comfortable paying, they could let him go and use their mid-level exception to replace him while likely still remaining below the first apron. If they want to stay under the tax while signing their first-rounder, they could easily do so by letting Johnson go, waiving Kornet to save around $7 million, and filling out the roster with minimum contracts.

It’s unclear whether the Spurs will want to duck the tax or be fine with paying it while not crossing the second apron. What Wembanyama’s new extension does is likely allow them to do either while retaining their core rotation players. For now, at least.

The cap reckoning is still coming, but Wemby’s sacrifice could inspire others to take less to stay together

Wembanyama deciding to take 25 percent of the cap no matter what brought predictability and potentially delayed some tough decisions, but those tough decisions are still coming. What the Spurs can hope for is Wembanyama’s sacrifice to inspire others.

Eventually parting ways with De’Aaron Fox, who signed a veteran extension for 30 percent of the cap, seems inevitable, as the young Spurs whose small contracts are making his deal palatable become more expensive. Especially since the two players likely to earn max or near-max contracts are also on-ball guards. By 2028/29, San Antonio will have to get money off the books for a Stephon Castle extension, and if it doesn’t come at the expense of trading Fox for expiring deals before then, it will likely cost them their depth. There’s no escaping that reality.

What Wembanyama’s decision can affect is what happens next. Now, there would be nothing wrong about Castle and Dylan Harper signing for the maximum, whatever that might end up being. It’s not their fault the tax and the aprons are so punishing. But if they do take less, keeping both of them, along with Wembanyama, could be possible, at least for a while. Having 75 percent of the cap or more tied to three players would make team-building hard, but if the Spurs can get even small discounts from the guards, they could use their draft picks to add cheap depth while still having room for a couple of mid-sized deals.

Unless the CBA changes dramatically in 2029, paying three stars for the rest of their careers will be close to impossible, but pay cuts across the board could buy the core some time.

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Eight more games are on tap for Monday’s Summer League slate, and I’m highlighting my favorite values from Kalshi.

The Celtics come in as small dogs against the Hawks, but I’m taking them to win. The Heat go toe-to-toe with the Cavaliers, and I’m taking the Heat to prevail. No. 5 pick Caleb Wilson went off in his Summer League debut, and I expect him to lead Chicago to victory against the Jazz, who will be without Darryn Peterson.

Check out my NBA Summer League picks for Monday, July 13.

NBA Summer League predictions for July 13

Pick
Celtics moneyline	+156
Heat moneyline	-104
Bulls moneyline	-177

Today's Summer League Picks

  Celtics moneyline (+156 at Kalshi)

A pair of 2-0 teams face off, but the Atlanta Hawks are heavy favorites, offering strong value in betting on a strong Boston Celtics team at +156.

Rookie second-rounder Dillon Mitchell has been electric, and the St. John’s product will look to build on a 24/8/2 performance with six steals and two blocks. Last year’s rookie class of John Tonje, Amari Williams, and Hugo Gonzalez have played big minutes in SL action, parlaying NBA experience into productive play time.

Atlanta sports a strong SL roster featuring Kingston Flemings and Asa Newell, but Boston’s depth and experience will keep them competitive and push them over the top in what should be a competitive matchup.

 Heat moneyline (-104 at Kalshi)

Through two Summer League games, the Miami Heat have six players averaging double-digit points, including NBA vets Jahmir Young and Trevor Keels, who are averaging 20+ apiece.

Second-rounder Ryan Conwell posted 19 points in his SL debut and rested Saturday, so he should have fresh legs as he builds on a strong debut.

Fellow second-rounder Maleek Thomas has shined for the Clevleand Cavaliers, and they boast a pair of experienced players in Nae’qwon Tomlin and Malaki Branham. 

Both teams have strong talent at the top of their rosters, but the Heat are a bit deeper and should have the edge as small favorites.

 Bulls moneyline (-177 at Kalshi)

The Utah Jazz aren’t short on talent, but they haven’t won a SL game yet. Their path to victory won’t get easier tonight with No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson out of action.

The Chicago Bulls lost their lone SL game by a single point, staying competitive with a Grizzlies roster that may be the most talented in Vegas.

Rookie Caleb Wilson posted a monstrous 35 points in his debut, and he may be the best player on the court in tonight’s matchup. I’ll take him to deliver another strong performance and guide his team to its first win of the summer.

Monday’s NBA Summer League parlay

Celtics moneyline

Heat moneyline

Bulls moneyline

+686 at Kalshi

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for their first win in Summer League. We’ll see if they can do so against the Miami Heat on Monday evening.

Meleek Thomas has been the story out of Vegas so far for Cleveland. The excellent shooting that was the headline in the post-draft analysis has been on full display. He’s connected on 6-15 (40%) from three and 17-39 (43.6%) from the floor. This has added up to an impressive 25 points per game.

The playmaking has been better than anticipated from Thomas. Koby Altman discussed wanting to see him play the point more in Summer League. We can see why, as he’s displayed a nice feel for the game, resulting in five helpers per contest.

While Thomas has been impressive, not everyone on the team has. The Cavs would certainly like to see more out of the two-way players under contract.

Riley Minix has struggled to find his shot and has yet to hit a three in Vegas on 10 attempts. Additionally, Ernest Udeh Jr. hasn’t been able to make much of an impact as a scorer or on the glass in his run so far. We’ll see if either can turn things around on Monday.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat

Where: Cox Pavilion – Las Vegas, NV

When: Mon., July 13 at 8 PM

TV: Prime Video

Point spread: Cavs -1.5

Cavs notable players: Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Meleek Thomas, Ernest Udeh Jr., Riley Minix, Tristan Enaruna, Malaki Branham

Heat notable players: Myron Gardner, Vladislav Goldin, Trevor Keels, Jahmir Young, Ryan Conwell

LAS VEGAS — Mikel Brown Jr. isn’t the Nets’ only first-round rookie, or even the only one, with a delayed debut.

After having to wait for the trade that brought him to the Nets to finally become official — a holdup that cost Joshua Jefferson the first four games of summer league — he finally saw his first action in Saturday’s 83-76 loss to Atlanta.

For a player who hadn’t seen live action since his college career was cut short by injury, Jefferson showed predictable rust. The 22-year-old will spend the rest of the Nets’ stay in Las Vegas knocking that off.

“Definitely. [Saturday] was just the first game in four months, since March when I got hurt. So it’s really been a long time since I’ve been in a playing setting because I wasn’t able to get any practice reps either,” Jefferson said. “So, I definitely think I’m going to be fine. I showed some glimpses [of] what I can do with the ball in my hand, so just got to keep playing.

“[The] first half was good. Had some really good showings. Just getting comfortable with the guys. I never played with them before, so it’s going to be pretty foreign for me for this first time. But just good to get good reps right now. So, just continue to play hard.”

Jefferson certainly played hard, if not particularly crisply. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward struggled from the floor. Jefferson finished with nine points in 26 minutes, shooting just 1-for-8 and 0-for-4 from deep. His only make came on a driving layup.

“We’d both say he wanted to make more shots. He’d say the same thing,” Nets summer league coach Dutch Gailey said. “It’s the little things that he’s doing well, and it’s the first game to get him a feel. We’ll watch the film with him, come back, get practice and then we’re back at the game [against] Sacramento.

“He’ll have a better understanding of the pace of the game. … The change is a big change, especially when you haven’t played. He’s coming off an injury; he hasn’t played in a while. So, there’s a lot of stuff he did well, and there’s stuff we can help him with. That’s going to be our goal over these next two days.”

The aforementioned injury and trade delay made Jefferson’s wait longer than expected and the rust more glaring than usual.

Jefferson averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals for Iowa State, but a left ankle sprain in its NCAA Tournament opener ended his college career.

The Nets drafted Jefferson with the No. 28 pick they got in the Julius Randle trade. But with the deal not official until Friday, he missed the California Classic and opening win over the Knicks in Las Vegas.

Unable to even practice with the Nets, both the rust and unfamiliarity were obvious in Saturday’s debut.

“I’ve been training on my own, just trying to push my wind as much as I can. My body felt good; just gotta keep playing,” Jefferson said. “I’d be pleased with my activity level and how hard I’m playing. You’re going to miss shots; you’re going to make shots. So I can’t dictate how I play off of that, just your energy and your effort level.”

Still, Jefferson showed a couple of the traits that convinced the Nets to add him to a crowded power forward room behind Randle and alongside Noah Clowney and Danny Wolf.

Jefferson ripped down a rebound and went coast-to-coast for his only bucket, went 5-for-6 from the line and added a nice bounce pass for an assist.

Granted, down 75-72, he drove and kicked out to the corner, but the spacing was off to result in a turnover with three minutes left. With improved familiarity, though, his playmaking fits with the passing the Nets have been indexing.

“Just the way my passing can affect the game, making everybody feel involved, get the ball flying around. It’s easy to guard people when the ball’s sticking in one person’s hands,” Jefferson said. “So as long as I can continue to show that with the team, we’ll be fine.”

What an eventful couple weeks it’s been!

Jaylen Brown is a Sixer, the team is reportedly one of the organizations LeBron James has genuine interest in joining and Labaron Philon Jr. is hooping in Vegas.

We went from a doldrum offseason to arguably the most exciting summer in recent memory for the local basketball team.

Hit me with your questions below!

How glorious it is to see Tarris Reed Jr. end up a San Antonio Spur. The Bear snuck into the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, after quietly rising up draft boards in recent weeks thanks to his intriguing measurements and workouts. He’s teaming up with another former Husky in Steph Castle on one of the best teams in the league.

After watching Huskies go to poorly managed organizations like Charlotte and New Orleans in recent years, Reed going to San Antonio is a breath of fresh air. The house that RC Buford and Gregg Popovich built runs the franchise like a finely-tuned machine, drafting and developing the likes of Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones, Dejounte Murray, and Derrick White over the years, all late-round picks.

Beyond the organizational pedigree, there’s an immediate pathway for Reed Jr.

Backup center Luke Kornet is in year two of a $41 million deal. The 7’1 former Boston big averaged six ppg and six rpg last year in a career-high 21 mpg, but averaged only 3.7 ppg in 13 mpg in the playoffs.

The Spurs desperately needed more than just size in the post to back up Wemby. There was also no one to put the ball in the basket when Wemby sat beyond Dylan Harper. Kornet offered next to nothing beyond an occasional lob, and his lack of athleticism was exposed in switches defensively.

Enter Tarris Reed Jr, who can now keep frontcourts honest. He also made massive strides as a defender, adjusting in year two under Hurley to the intensive defensive scrutiny he puts on his big men. He always had the mobility to stay in front of quicker players and the length to recover; now he can read angles and defenses.

There’s a world where Reed can end up taking some, if not all, of Kornet’s minutes his rookie year. Not a bad baseline.

Using that role classifier below, Reed has the potential to slot into two roles as a backup big in the league. He’s already a solid post scorer, a skill that should translate to the next level albeit in a less featured role. His ability to become a serviceable roll & cut big will determine his ceiling.

How dire of a need was an athletic, mobile, space-eating big man? Reed Jr was technically part two of San Antonio’s double-down on the center position from last month’s draft.

Six picks earlier, San Antonio took 6’10 Kentucky big Jaiden Quaintance. But Q is recovering from meniscus surgery, having only appeared in four games for the Wildcats last season. Quaintance on paper is a skilled two-way big man that can protect the rim at an elite level, but needs to stay on the court. In a perfect world, he and Reed combine to become the Bash Brothers on the bench protecting Wemby the way Kornet did from the overly physical treatment he’s begun to receive. Except unlike Kornet, Reed (and Quaintance) have higher ceilings.

The timetable for Q is unclear, and thus the draft plan from the Spurs makes sense. Let him recover without an urgent timeline, and put the older, more proven Reed out there to see if he can provide an immediate impact.

Los Spurs traded up for Tarris. There’s a plan for him. There are no other backup bigs on the roster beyond Kornet and Quaintance. Reed will have all summer to make his mark; he started the first Summer League game over the weekend, scoring 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting, with seven rebounds in 27 minutes. He followed that up with his first professional double-double, scoring 12 points (on 10 shots) and snagging 12 rebounds.

All UConn fans want to see from their guys at the next level is a plan. There didn’t seem to be a plan for Liam McNeeley with the Hornets. For the Spurs, it’s simple: beef up around Wemby. The superstar needs enforcers around him to ascend to the next level. It’s exciting there are not one but two Huskies involved in a team’s very shrewd and very intentional efforts to become the next dynasty.

We are now through the first weekend of the Las Vegas Summer League and after a couple opening summer leagues in California and Utah respectively, all 30 NBA teams have shown up for the main event. The University of North Carolina has quite a few players represented, so let’s take a look at Tar Heels (and former Tar Heels) who are playing in Las Vegas this Summer.

Henri Veesaar, Atlanta Hawks

Veesaar continued his strong finish to the Utah Summer League with a strong start in Las Vegas. In his first game against San Antonio, Veesaar finished with 14 points and six rebounds while hitting five of his eight shots — including two of his five from downtown — in 19 minutes off the bench for the Hawks.

Veesaar’s second game was not as impressive, as the big man finished with just six points and a single rebound in 17 minutes in a win against the Nets. Veesaar did hit three of his five shots but missed his lone three-point attempt.

Veesaar and the Hawks next play Monday against the Celtics.

Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets

Powell continues to have a horrible second round of Summer League. After playing poorly in California, the former first-round pick has scored five total points in 45 minutes across two games starting for the Nets. All of Powell’s points have come off free throws as he is zero for 11 in Las Vegas, including 0-for-4 from behind the arc. On a positive note, Powell does have five total rebounds and three assists while only committing one turnover despite his shooting woes.

Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls

We covered Wilson pretty extensively after his record-setting debut, but I did want to do a little comparison before moving:

Player A

26 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.3 spg, 1.8 bpg, 2.3 topg, 62.3 FG%       

Player B

21.8 ppg, 7 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.83 bpg, 3.5 topg, 49.2 FG%

Player A is what Wilson averaged against the perceived top three for the 2026 draft. Player B is what those top three averaged against Wilson. Wilson is 2-2 in those games, with both losses coming by a combined three points. Assuming no one gets shut down (a summer league tradition for top picks), Wilson’s next two games come against Peterson and Dybantsa respectively, which means two more chances for the number 4 pick to show why he should’ve been picked higher.

Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks

Ryan came back for the Bucks after missing Milwaukee’s final two California Summer League games with a less-than-impressive game off the bench against the Heat. Ryan finished that game with just seven points shooting just two for seven from the field, including one for four from three. Though he did have eight rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes, Ryan also had four turnovers in the 30 point blowout loss.

In his second game against the Spurs, Ryan came off the bench again and acquitted himself well, scoring 15 points, grabbing five rebounds, and getting four steals in the loss to the Spurs. Ryan’s next game is Monday against the Suns.

Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks

Nance, who did not play with Milwaukee in California, started both of his games for the Bucks. Nance had an efficient game against the Heat, scoring 16 points and grabbing seven rebounds while hitting six of ten from the floor — including four of his eight three point attempts — in 21 minutes of play. In his second start against the Spurs, Nance finished with eight points, five rebounds, and five assists in a quieter game. Like Ryan, Nance’s next game is Monday against the Suns.

Tyler Nickel, New York Knicks

Nickel has had a pretty impressive Summer League for the NBA champions. The former Tar Heel scored 18 points while hitting six of ten from three in his first game against the Nets. In his second game he had 16 points while hitting four of 11 from deep. Both games were blowout losses, but Nickel can’t be blamed for that. Nickel’s next game is Monday against the Pistons.

RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs

Davis continued his impressive Summer League with three more games this weekend in Las Vegas. After two good showings in California, including one start, the five-year Tar Heel started off his Vegas showing strong with 12 points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals in 25 minutes off the bench in a loss to the Hawks. Two days later he had five points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 18 bench minutes in a blowout win over the Knicks. In both games Davis did have three turnovers, but seemed to be a valuable player.

In Davis’s third summer league game, the second year guard made his second start of the Summer League in a game against the Bucks. Davis had his best game of the Summer League season, scoring 20 points while dishing out three assists and getting two steals in in 29 minutes in the win for the Spurs. Davis’s next game is Wednesday against the Jazz.

Seth Trimble, Washington Wizards

Trimble, who signed with the Wizards on an Exhibit 10 contract, is playing for his NBA future. So far the four-year Tar Heel has looked alright. In his first game against the Jazz, Trimble had two points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 12 minutes off the bench in a game where the spotlight was definitely on the top two picks from the 2026 NBA draft.

In his second game against the Kings, Trimble had eight points, five rebounds, two steals, and an assist. Trimble’s best shot is probably getting some sort of G-League deal (whether two-way or not) and so far he is showing off his all-around game in Las Vegas. Trimble’s next game is Tuesday against the Bulls.

Additionally, former Tar Heels Jalen Washington and Caleb Love signed with the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers respectively. Washington didn’t get any playing time in the Bulls’ one game this weekend, and for some reason Love is not on the Sixers’ Summer League roster.

The NBA offseason is in full swing, and among the crazy moves that have already taken place, one of them notably involved someone who’s the most notable Syracuse Orange men’s basketball alum in the league.

Jerami Grant is entering his 13th season in the league, and it will, at least for now, be spent with a new team.

Grant was part of a blockbuster-ish move between the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies. Portland traded Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis in exchange for former two-time All-Star Ja Morant.

Assuming he stays there by the time the offseason ends, this will be Grant’s fifth NBA team in his NBA career. Grant, who was drafted No. 39 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, previously had stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Portland, most recently.

Despite being in the league for some time, Grant certainly still brings plenty of value to any team.

Grant’s archetype — a forward who can both knock down threes at an efficient rate and be a multi-position defender — remains the league’s highest commodity. While he isn’t the elitist of defenders or the best of rebounders (career 3.9 RPG), he can fit into the larger scheme and won’t necessarily be “hunted” by opponents.

Last season, he averaged 18.6 PPG in just under 30 minutes per contest, and his perimeter efficiency is especially noteworthy. Grant knocked down 39% of his 6.1 attempts per game. That’s been a constant for years for him. Across his last four seasons and 221 games (201 as a starter) in Portland, he’s been at 39% on 5.8 APG.

Also, Grant has been a reliable 15- to 20-point scorer. Pair that with being wing-sized and theoretically fitting into any defense, and he can still retain his value well past his true prime. In 2026-27, Grant will be playing his age-32 season.

In Memphis, it will be interesting to see how the team manages him.

On the one hand, Grant’s aforementioned skill set and veteran expertise in the league will help a franchise that is now turning the page on the Morant Era and moving into a full-on rebuild. Memphis needs that for a team with a new young core of guys like Cameron Boozer, Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, and Jaylen Wells.

On the other hand, Memphis’ offseason may not be done quite yet. Take a look at the Grizzles’ roster, and it’s clear the team is *way above the 15-player limit. That came via the moves Memphis made during the offseason, new draft picks, and younger players from the previous season. Grant can be moved by Memphis starting on August 29, according to Spotrac, so it remains to be seen if he stays or goes.

Grant’s current deal is also a hurdle in any potential move.

He can still be under contract for at least two more seasons. This is part of a five-year, $160 million deal he previously signed with Portland. Grant’s 2026-27 salary is guaranteed at just over $34 million. He then boasts a player option for just over $36 million for the 2027-28 season.

For any team, even with the value he can bring to a better team than Memphis, it’s a big financial pill to swallow, especially in an era of the second apron and new financial restrictions that franchises are navigating. Grant’s 2026-27 salary makes up 20.7% of the cap that year; for the player option season, it would be 20.9%.

Of note, teams are still willing to pay in the ballpark of those figures. The challenge is taking that salary in midseason, especially when it’s tougher to find the matching salary and adequate flexibility to make it work.

What most likely happens is that either Grant gets dealt again, or he stays in Memphis for at least the start of the year and gets moved during the trade deadline or next offseason.

Another intriguing option is that if Grant stays, he could decline the player option to sign a longer deal.

A realistic example is someone like Andrew Wiggins with the Miami Heat. Wiggins just signed a three-year, $64 million extension. In this case, Wiggins accepted his $30.2 million player option for this year, then added two years at the remaining $34 million. A similar configuration will likely happen with Grant, either declining or accepting the option, and either in Memphis or with a new team.

Again, Grant will have options, and it will certainly be interesting to see what comes next for the veteran ‘Cuse alum.

LAS VEGAS — Entering what feels like a make-or-break season for his Knicks career, Pacôme Dadiet understands the assignment.

“[Become] more efficient at the 3-point line,” the 20-year-old forward said over the weekend, “and play harder.”

Dadiet has been, to this point, a disappointment as New York’s lone first-round draft pick in the past four years. His career 3-point efficiency sits at a paltry 21.9 percent. Scouts have noted his low motor, with Dadiet’s relaxed movements reminiscent of another former Knicks first-round pick: Kevin Knox.

With that in mind, Dadiet’s goal to “play harder” is noteworthy. It would help his defense and rebounding, which also have underwhelmed. As one NBA general manager jokingly texted last year during Las Vegas Summer League: “I wouldn’t trade a croissant for Pacôme Dadiet.”

Even with all the signs of a bust, the Frenchman remains on the Knicks roster — guaranteed at roughly $3 million — because of the tantalizing potential. He has the ideal build and skill set for a forward, standing at 6-foot-9 with all the proper mechanics on his jumper.

He’s also young enough to believe a giant leap still is possible.

It’s why people inside the Knicks are predicting a breakout for Dadiet, who nonetheless struggled in the opening two games of this year’s summer league with 16.5 points per game on 36 percent shooting — and 15.4 percent from beyond the arc.

It’s all significant now for Dadiet, whose contract includes a team option for next season with an Oct. 31 deadline. If the Knicks don’t pick up that $5.3 million option — and it would be impossible to justify picking that up right now — Dadiet will become a trade candidate and a free agent next summer.

“I have a better feeling of what the expectations are,” Dadiet said. “So trying to put that into my workouts. Also, I know when to take time off [and] when to work; feeling more experienced.”

What are those expectations?

“It’s more like playing hard [and being] somebody who can make shots, [make] open shots, play defense,” he said.

Dadiet certainly has the blueprint for success on a championship squad. He has watched and absorbed masterful playoff performances from Knicks wings Mikal Bridges and, especially, OG Anunoby.

They played off the ball, played defense and thrived.

“I’ve been watching them a lot,” Dadiet said. “I know [playing off the ball] is important to our schemes, so just try to be better.”

To stick around, Dadiet has to capitalize on his chances. They’ve been sporadic for him in the NBA.

He shockingly started his 2024-25 rookie campaign in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation, but that lasted just a couple of games before Dadiet was relegated to the bench. He was a starter in the preseason last year under Mike Brown but struggled during the games in Abu Dhabi and never recovered.

People around the league believed Dadiet’s preseason chance last year mostly was about showcasing him for a trade.

A deal never developed, and Dadiet is now part of a young group the Knicks will try to lean on to get through the regular season. After Thibodeau was fired, the Knicks put out the message they’re emphasizing development and even hired a player development coach, Billy Lange.

It’s especially important since building out depth is more difficult while under the mandate of avoiding the second apron of the luxury tax. Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, Mohamed Diawara, Tyler Nickel and Jack Kayil all have been drafted over the last three years. It’d be great for the Knicks if one pops.

Dadiet is overdue and grasps that 3-point shooting and effort are the way forward.

Moses Moody ‘curious' about potential Warriors trade if LeBron James signs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The LeBron James free agency saga has been drawn out for weeks now. If James does sign with the Warriors, what does that mean for forward Moses Moody and his future with the franchise?

“I’m curious,” Moody admitted in an interview with The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II. “I had some conversations just trying to figure out what’s going on.”

Moody suffered a torn left patellar tendon in March, which required surgery and caused him to miss the rest of the 2025-26 NBA season.

A potential LeBron signing would confirm the agenda for Golden State is to win right away. With a timetable uncertain for Moody’s return to the floor, a trade is possible to maximize the Warriors’ potential during the 2026-27 season.

Another factor is that Moody and James are represented by the same agent: Rich Paul. Paul has been active in the media recently since James announced his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I don’t call Rich every day,” Moody said. “I’m not in it like that, because I ain’t got nothing to do with how it’s gonna go down. So I’m just watching. … Whenever something needs to be talked about, it will.”

Some of the top potential suitors for James include the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Warriors. James recently spent some time with Draymond Green, who couldn’t help but try to recruit LeBron to the Bay. Green shared how the experience went on “The Draymond Green Show.”

LeBron’s decision doesn’t affect just him. Many role players like Moody will have their fate decided by the outcomes of NBA free agency. Once the first domino falls, then the rest will follow in line.

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Why Jay Bilas is confident Yaxel Lendeborg, Warriors are a ‘perfect match' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

STATELINE, Nev. – Yaxel Lendeborg’s journey from college basketball to the Warriors was long and stellar yet perhaps under appreciated for his ability to adapt to his surroundings. He was a transformer in the purest sense.

The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Lendeborg spent two seasons at University of Alabama-Birmingham, where his dominating play at power forward and center made him the most coveted big man to enter the NCAA transfer portal in April 2025.

Lendeborg chose the University of Michigan, where coach Dusty May scanned his rebuilt roster and opted to move Lendeborg to small forward. Alongside fellow transfer students Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr., Lendeborg became a super-size wing.

After moving from the paint to the perimeter in his final college season, Lendeborg was the best player on a Wolverines team that rolled to a national championship.

Jay Bilas, a college basketball analyst at ESPN since 1995, believes Lendeborg’s adaptability was a factor when Golden State selected him with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

“I think it’s difficult for the average player,” Bilas told NBC Sports Bay Area. “But for the star player . . . that’s one of the beautiful things about Yaxel Lendeborg. He’s willing to do what’s asked of him. UAB said ‘Hey, we need you to operate more in the middle and play a 5 spot and guard the 5.’ He essentially played the 3 — or hybrid 3-4 – at Michigan. And he did it. And by all accounts was a great teammate.”

In Lendeborg’s final season at UAB, he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. He was one of only two players in NCAA Division I history finish a season with more than 600 points, 450 rebounds and 150 assists. The other is Larry Bird, who accomplished the feat in 1978-79.

With Lendeborg’s name on the board when the Warriors were on the clock on the night of the draft, he was the obvious choice for a team with many needs and a veteran core desperate for effective support.

“We’ve been following Yax for a few years now,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said after the draft. “And I think the biggest thing that sticks out about him is he’s a winner. Speaks no further than winning the national championship this year at Michigan.

“But at prior levels, focused on winning, multiskilled, versatile player that we think can play both sides of the ball. He’s got tremendous size. He’s got a great feel for the game. He’s a tremendous teammate. We think he’ll fit in really well here.”

The Warriors project Lendeborg, 23, will be no less than a rotation player as a rookie, with the likelihood of earning some starts.

“I felt like it was a perfect match because Yaxel Lendeborg is not only an outstanding player; he’s got tremendous versatility and he’s built like a tank,” Bilas said. “Because of his versatility, people would say he’s a ‘Swiss Army knife.’ He’s a Swiss Army tank. But he’s plug and play. 

“He’s going to be 24 before the season starts, so he’ll be he’ll be ready to go on day one.

You don’t have to wait; it’s not like you’re taking an 18- or 19-year-old freshman that might take a little bit of time to develop. He’s ready now. And he’s really smart. And it’s not all about him. He’s a team guy, so he’ll fit in really nicely with Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, the whole crew. Draymond Green. He fits the maturity of that team.”

Lendeborg has appeared in four NBA Summer League games, two in the California Classic at Chase Center and two more in the Las Vegas Summer League. He’s averaging 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists per game. Moreover, he usually has been the most impressive player on the floor.

Lendeborg is not a perfect player. His athleticism and lateral movement are good but not elite. He’ll turn 24 on Sept. 30, which doesn’t hurt Golden State’s team-building approach, as he’ll still be in his mid-20s when Curry and Green leave the franchise.

The Warriors already know they have a young player who can fill several needs. It’s a plus that he can provide help at every position on the frontcourt.

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LeBron James is 41 years old and still seizes the epicenter of the NBA offseason discourse. He is a gargantuan figure, almost larger, if not bigger, than the sport of basketball itself. Therefore, it is assumed that where LeBron goes, he will be the sun of any team’s solar system.

A common complaint amongst NBA pundits about another potential reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers is that LeBron’s positional fit is, if anything, more awkward than others’. While LeBron will be the biggest name on the roster wherever he lands, at this phase of his career, LeBron cannot be the end-all, be-all of the roster. The good thing for both LeBron and the team is that his game is so versatile it seamlessly integrates into whatever the roster requires of him.

LeBron’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers really took an interesting turn when Luka Dončić arrived. While it definitely extended the window for LA, it left LeBron in a position we hadn’t really seen him in his 23 years in the league: a clear second banana.

Instead of inviting criticism, it actually drew the King more praise — highlighting that this new role was a perfect transition for an aging mega-star. LeBron is one of the smartest players in league history. He knows what the team needs and what leads to winning. Instead of being the focal point, he showed that he can expand his game to help maintain a dependable floor of production while also driving winning through contributions that extend beyond the box score.

LeBron’s greatest offensive strength this past season wasn’t any one skill; it was his capacity to be whatever the Lakers needed on a given night. He could function as the engine of the offense, initiating nearly every action, or recede into a complementary role, leveraging his screening, cutting, spacing, and connective passing to elevate the players around him. Few stars possess that kind of stylistic flexibility without sacrificing their effectiveness.

That versatility became especially valuable as the Lakers’ personnel shifted throughout the year. Rather than forcing the offense to conform to him, James continually reshaped his game to fit the roster at hand, ensuring the team retained its identity regardless of who was available.

By the time the playoffs arrived and injuries thrust him back into the spotlight, he effortlessly expanded his responsibilities, controlling tempo, diagnosing coverages, and creating advantages wherever they presented themselves. His ability to toggle between superstar creator and elite complementary piece wasn’t simply a luxury; it was the foundation that kept the Lakers competitive under constantly changing circumstances.

In Cleveland, LeBron would be able to continue this role on a greater scale, as Cleveland’s roster is more balanced. With James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, they would carry the bulk of time on-ball, allowing LeBron to choose his spots. The presence of dynamic bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen allows LeBron to have plentiful options while also having elite lob threats and, in the case of Allen, an excellent screener. Knockdown shooters like Sam Merrill and Max Strus are archetypes that have always had success with LeBron throughout all iterations of his career.

The basketball concerns floating around about LeBron being an awkward fit with the Cavaliers are underselling the fact that the Lakers have asked him to be the ultimate basketball chameleon over the last season and a half. LeBron can insert himself into any offense in the league and find his best way to ingratiate himself with any roster. Cleveland offers him the most coverage of responsibility to be the guy of any of the realistic options out there. It already is apparent that Cleveland’s stars are welcoming and not daunted by the prospect of the King joining the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers aren’t desperate for the 2010’s version of LeBron James; this isn’t 2014 when he brought with him a level of competency that the franchise was lacking. This team has been a constant postseason presence since 2022, having just made their first non-LeBron run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The potential reunion is one where LeBron can insert himself into the Cavaliers lineup, and it’s not like the messiah arrived. It instead feels like the ultimate complementary piece that completes the Cavaliers roster.