STATELINE, Nev. — Austin Reaves was somewhere near a fairway in the middle of a golf course when he learned he and LeBron James would no longer be Lakers teammates.
The news put a complete damper on his afternoon, he told The California Post on Wednesday.
Austin Reaves dribbles upcourt against the Golden State Warriors. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectLeBron James reacts after making a three point shot. Getty Images
“I texted him,” Reaves said of his initial reaction to James bolting from Los Angeles, “and told him I was having a great day on the golf course until he ruined it.”
James informed the masses on June 30 that he would don a new uniform in 2026, and Reaves told The Post while out at the American Century Championship in Nevada that the decision affected him.
Reaves, who signed a $185 million extension to remain with the Lakers just a week before James made his choice, has never played an NBA season without the 41-year-old on his team, and he explained it’s going to take some time to get used to.
“I don’t have enough time to explain how much he means to me and my career and what he’s done for me,” Reaves said.
The 28-year-old, though, made it clear he’s harboring no ill-will toward his longtime friend over the move.
“There’s nothing but love and respect,” Reaves said. “And when he comes to LA, I need to see him out on the golf course. Maybe play a couple holes or something.”
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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 10: John Collins #20 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on January 10, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA has captured the Detroit Pistons mega-trade that includes five other teams, 10 players, and a handful of draft picks trading hands on its official website. That is a sign that the deal is complete and, importantly, not getting any bigger.
There has been no official press release sent by any of the teams involved, but let’s be honest, that’s a lot of stuff to type up.
The key players in the deal, from Detroit’s perspective, are all names we’ve heard before. Detroit is sending out Isaiah Stewart (to the Memphis Grizzlies), Caris LeVert (to the Milwaukee Bucks), and Marcus Sasser (to the Dallas Mavericks). Incoming to the Pistons will be John Collins (from the Los Angeles Clippers), and Taurean Prince and Gary Harris (from the Bucks).
The deal is unofficially even bigger than it looks because the draft considerations Detroit received from the Grizzlies for Stewart are the exact picks Detroit sent to Memphis as it moved up the draft board on NBA Draft night to select Ebuka Okorie at No. 17.
Here is how the trade officially breaks down for all involved.
Detroit Pistons Receive:
Gary Harris (Bucks)
Taurean Prince (Bucks)
John Collins (Clippers)
Draft Considerations (Grizzlies)
Dallas Mavericks Receive:
Santi Aldama (Grizzlies)
Marcus Sasser (Pistons)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive:
Isaiah Stewart (Pistons)
D’Angelo Russell (Wizards)
AJ Johnson (Mavericks)
Draft Considerations (Wizards)
Milwaukee Bucks Receive:
Caris LeVert (Pistons)
Draft Considerations (Pistons)
Washington Wizards Receive:
Khris Middleton (Mavericks)
Draft Considerations (Mavericks)
Los Angeles Clippers Receive:
Draft Considerations (Pistons)
Because several players were traded for draft picks, there are also some sizeable trade-player exceptions involved that will expire in a year, will likely go unused, but are always helpful to have at your disposal in case the right kind of deal presents itself.
Several of the teams are also hard-capped because of players obtained in sign-and-trade deals, including the Pistons.
Here is a not-so-helpful visual representation of the deal, included just because it’s kind of funny. When the deal is represented on the basketball-reference transaction log, it will also look like an Infinite Jest-sized chunk of text.
Who is the most important player in this deal? John Collins? Isaiah Stewart? Santi Aldama? Who knows. But it’s done.
And the summer league slate features several head-to-head matchups between big-name rookies, including Dybantsa taking on Peterson in a showdown of the top two picks.
So, from the format to the schedule and how to watch the games, here’s what to know about Las Vegas Summer League:
How does the NBA Las Vegas Summer League work?
The Las Vegas Summer League features all 30 teams playing at least five games. The top four teams in the standings through four games qualify for a semifinal round, while the other 26 teams play in a final consolation game.
The semifinal winners then meet a championship game to close out the tournament.
Where are NBA Las Vegas Summer League games played?
Games are played across two venues on the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, (UNLV) campus: the Pavilion and the Thomas & Mack Center.
FILE — Exterior view of Thomas & Mack Center during the 2019 NBA Las Vegas Summer League. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
What are the NBA Las Vegas Summer League rules?
Here are some of the main rules to know:
Games feature four 10-minute quarters, with an eight-minute halftime.
Teams are given two timeouts per half. They also have one challenge to trigger a replay review of fouls, out-of-bounds violations or goaltending calls.
A player fouls out after committing his 10th foul, unless it’s a semifinal or championship game. For those playoff contests, a player fouls out after his sixth foul.
In the event of a tie game after four quarters, a two-minute overtime is played. If the score is still tied after OT, the game heads to a sudden death period where the first team to score wins.
The NBA is using a “one free throw rule” in summer league games this year. Under the rule, most foul shots result in just one free throw. For example, if a player is fouled on a missed 2-point shot, he shoots one free throw worth two points. If a player is fouled on a missed 3-point shot, he shoots one free throw worth three points. The rule, which has been used in the G League for several years, is applied to all foul shots occurring before the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
And the summer league slate features several head-to-head matchups between big-name rookies, including Dybantsa taking on Peterson in a showdown of the top two picks.
So, from the format to the schedule and how to watch the games, here’s what to know about Las Vegas Summer League:
How does the NBA Las Vegas Summer League work?
The Las Vegas Summer League features all 30 teams playing at least five games. The top four teams in the standings through four games qualify for a semifinal round, while the other 26 teams play in a final consolation game.
The semifinal winners then meet a championship game to close out the tournament.
Where are NBA Las Vegas Summer League games played?
Games are played across two venues on the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, (UNLV) campus: the Pavilion and the Thomas & Mack Center.
FILE — Exterior view of Thomas & Mack Center during the 2019 NBA Las Vegas Summer League. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
What are the NBA Las Vegas Summer League rules?
Here are some of the main rules to know:
Games feature four 10-minute quarters, with an eight-minute halftime.
Teams are given two timeouts per half. They also have one challenge to trigger a replay review of fouls, out-of-bounds violations or goaltending calls.
A player fouls out after committing his 10th foul, unless it’s a semifinal or championship game. For those playoff contests, a player fouls out after his sixth foul.
In the event of a tie game after four quarters, a two-minute overtime is played. If the score is still tied after OT, the game heads to a sudden death period where the first team to score wins.
The NBA is using a “one free throw rule” in summer league games this year. Under the rule, most foul shots result in just one free throw. For example, if a player is fouled on a missed 2-point shot, he shoots one free throw worth two points. If a player is fouled on a missed 3-point shot, he shoots one free throw worth three points. The rule, which has been used in the G League for several years, is applied to all foul shots occurring before the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
Outside of Eye Designs of Westchester, I squint like Clint Eastwood through the sun at the VW Beetle. Unlike Clint, I’m not cool. I’ve got a bladder full of Gatorade and nerves. Never have I interviewed a sports professional in person. A line of fanboy questions waits in my head as my trembling thumb opens my iPhone’s Voice Memos app, ready to record my exchange with Mike Brown, skipper of the World Champion New York Knicks.
To my disappointment, and some relief, the driver emerging from the car is not Coach Brown. Unless his disguise is a blonde wig and a stuffed blouse. The woman smiles as she enters Eye Designs and nods at my shirt, saying, “Yeah, Knicks!”
Yeah, whatever. Everybody is a fan these days. Not long ago, that wasn’t the case. The last of the worst was the 2019-20 season, when the best the team could attract was not Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant but players like Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, and Reggie Bullock. After two decades of mediocrity—and worse—fans were more interested in watching the gyrations of the Knicks City Dancers than the ball-handling of Elfrid Payton.
Oct 25, 2019; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale (right) coaches New York Knicks small forward RJ Barrett (9) and center Julius Randle (30) during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
In the 2019 draft, team president Steve Mills chose RJ Barrett with the third pick, missing out on Zion Williamson and Ja Morant. (In retrospect, two bullets dodged.) Sophomore coach David Fizdale went 4-18 before receiving the ax, and interim coach Mike “Really Likable” Miller finished out the season. The team’s 21-45 record put them in 12th place.
Owner James Dolan dropped Mills on February 4, 2020, and hired his replacement, Leon Rose (of CAA), on March 2, 2020. That summer, Rose rescued Tom Thibodeau from the coaching pile and drafted Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley. We couldn’t yet see the vision but were thrilled when Thibs led his ragtag roster to a postseason appearance and won Coach of the Year. For the first time in what felt like forever, the Knicks’ leadership seemed competent.
<p>NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 16: Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks huddles with his team during a time out during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 16, 2020 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> | NBAE via Getty Images
In the next draft, New York selected Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride, and Jericho Sims. Rose rolled the dice on Kemba Walker and found his knees were toast. The roster became a mess, as evidenced by the 23 names listed at Basketball-Reference.com. It’s no surprise they finished 37-45, and the ice beneath Thibs was thinning faster than his hair.
Then the vision came into focus. Rose signed Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein in the offseason and flipped Cam Reddish for Josh Hart at the in-season deadline. With improved talent at his disposal (especially with the additions of Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges), Thibs marched his troops into three straight playoff appearances. The mood of the fanbase went from We Here to We Believe.
The run reached the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, when the Indiana Pacers stole Game One and then the series, 4-2. Fans were mixed after losing to the lesser team: should Thibs keep his parking spot after finally bringing the team back to the ECF, or were his predictable tendencies the last obstacle to reaching the Finals?
Leon Rose settled on the latter. Three days after the team’s last loss, Thibs was canned. The search for a new coach commenced.
Veteran coach Mike Brown was not their first interview. They requested access to several sitting head coaches (including Ime Udoka, Jason Kidd, and Billy Donovan) but were denied. For a brief moment, the ghosts of LOLKnicks rattled their chains. Did Leon and Wes really fire Thibs without a successor in place? What an unforced boner!
The brass pivoted toward available options like Taylor Jenkins (formerly of Memphis) and Brown, who had interviewed multiple times and had strong ties within the organization, including with executive William Wesley. These options seemed more like lateral moves from Thibs, though. Some fans began to wonder if there was any point in the change after all.
Following many meetings with the front office and Dolan, the Knicks hired Brown on July 7, 2025.
TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK – JULY 08: Head coach Mike Brown speaks to media during his introductory press conference at Knicks Training Facility on July 08, 2025 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It wasn’t a bad gig to walk into. Brown inherited a roster that Thibodeau had helped transform into a contender, built around some of the NBA’s best talent. Mike’s challenge was not to build a culture from scratch but to elevate an already successful team.
Back in Scarsdale, noon has passed and this face needs food. I walk over to Sal’s Market and order a meatball sub. The guy behind the counter, presumably Sal, points his pen at my chest.
“Your shirt has Mike Brown on it, and meatball subs are what he always orders.”
Ahhh! I knew it! I knew it!! I always knew that if Mike and I ever met, we would find ourselves totally simpatico.
“What a great coach,” Sal continues, now scratching behind his ear with the pen. “Did you know that one of his first priorities as coach of the Knicks was relationship-building?”
Yes, I had heard that. Sal goes on: “Mike says that leadership must eventually come from within the locker room.” He casts a quick glance at his staff members working behind him. “I run a tight ship here, just like Mike. Everybody in lockstep.”
I smile and back away from the counter, hoping to indicate that the conversation is over and Sal should get cracking on my sangweech. Taking a Diet Coke to the front table, which has a view of the Eye Designs parking lot, I wait and reflect on Mike’s coaching style.
Brown sought out conversations with Brunson and the team’s leaders, laying a foundation of trust before implementing changes. He wanted to modernize the offense by increasing ball movement, player movement, and three-point volume while preserving the physical identity established under Thibs.
He also adjusted the way the Knicks approached the regular season. Unlike his predecessor, who demanded maximum effort for 48 minutes of every game, Brown emphasized preserving players for the postseason. “The biggest thing is trying to make sure you watch everybody’s minutes instead of trying to chase games,” Brown said. “There might be some games where maybe you throw in the towel early . . . we don’t want anybody worn out by the end.”
More important than the tactical changes was Brown’s leadership style. He established an open-door culture in which players, assistants, executives, and support staff all had a voice. Brown regularly sought input from players on schemes, rotations, and play calls. Reportedly, he shared rotation plans with Leon Rose before games, thereby keeping the leadership aligned from the top down.
He empowered assistants to diagram plays during timeouts. When his staff unanimously disagreed with him, Brown often reconsidered his own position rather than relying solely on authority. One of his ideas, to relegate Josh Hart to the bench unit, proved detrimental to winning, and when his staff challenged it, Brown acquiesced.
<p>LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Mikal Bridges #25, OG Anunoby #8, Jalen Brunson #11, Josh Hart #3 and Head Coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks during the NBA Emirates Cup Final on December 16, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> | NBAE via Getty Images
Sal brings my sub to me, and I dive in. I’m surprised by how hungry waiting in the sun has made me. For a few minutes, I forget about my assignment and focus on rapidly putting this delicious food into my belly. There’s so much red sauce on my face that I look like Diane Ladd in the lipstick scene from Wild at Heart. I don’t care that I’m a horror show, and neither would Mike, because his defining trait is humility.
Brown openly admitted mistakes, publicly held himself accountable, and encouraged disagreement. He believes that people commit more fully when they help shape the process. Mike restored elements of Thibodeau’s defensive system when players and coaches believed it would help. The savage Mikal Bridges, who reportedly was not especially disappointed by Thibodeau’s ouster, noted that Brown willingly discarded ideas that did not fit the roster, and Josh Hart praised Brown’s openness to player-led adjustments during games. The club won the In-Season NBA Cup tournament and finished the regular season with a 53-29 record, their best in 13 years.
Flexibility became critical during the 2026 playoffs. After falling behind 1-2 to the underclassed Atlanta Hawks, Mike remained calm despite criticism. He reimagined the offense around Karl-Anthony Towns’ passing ability, moved Towns into more of a facilitating role, redistributed playmaking responsibilities, and made key defensive matchup adjustments. The Knicks responded by going on a historic 13-1 run to win their first championship in 53 years.
Brown’s confidence never wavered, even when the opponent was the franchise where he had won his first championship as an assistant. Before facing San Antonio in the Finals, Brown joked, “They definitely want to beat me, and I want to kick their ass. I love them, and you can always love them before and after.”
By defeating the Spurs, Brown became only the second coach in Knicks history, alongside Red Holzman, to lead the franchise to an NBA championship. Not bad company.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (R) gives New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown the Keys of the City during a championship celebration and Key to the City ceremony at City Hall Plaza after a ticker-tape parade honoring the team's NBA Finals victory in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
In the immediate aftermath of the championship, Brown laughed when asked how he felt. “I am so tired,” he said. “I mean, I’m gassed. You know, this stuff is harder than what you think.”
No kidding, Mike. Covering the season for Posting & Toasting was a bear, too—but to finally be able to call our Knicks World Champions was worth it. For delivering the title, Mike Brown deserves to be adored by the fanbase forever. I’m feeling enthusiastic about telling him as much when we meet, nerves be damned.
With my meatball sub conquered, I dispose of my trash, wave goodbye to Sal, and head over to Eye Designs. To my alarm, I see a car—a red Mini Cooper!—turning out of the parking lot and into traffic. Frantically, I charge into Eye Designs.
“You again,” groans the receptionist.
“Did I just miss–? Was that–?” I can’t get out the words and can only point at Mike Brown’s face on my t-shirt. The woman gives me a cold smirk and merely shrugs.
In a stunned stupor, I trudge outside. The sun looks angry through the trees. I feel dizzy and dumbfounded on the sidewalk. After a moment, I consider what Mike would tell me right now. The wise sensei would say: Every experience teaches you something. He would ask: What are you gonna do next?
For Mike Brown, the championship was about more than the final outcome. It represented the culmination of nearly three decades of growth, setbacks, reinvention, and perseverance. He had coached alongside or worked with Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Reggie Miller, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, Jalen Brunson, and Karl-Anthony Towns. All Hall-of-Famers in my book, and all different personalities, from dawgs to divas. He had won two Coach of the Year awards, endured multiple firings, reinvented his philosophy, and adapted to every stage of the modern NBA. Mike is humble. Mike evolves. Indeed, this is a Mike we should all be like.
What I’m doing next is plucking up my spirits, heading to my car, and driving back to Binghamton. The lesson of today’s adventure has yet to reveal itself, but maybe I can ask Mike about it when he returns for his next six-month checkup.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 25: New Dallas Mavericks player Morez Johnson Jr. holds a jersey during a press conference at American Airlines Center on June 25, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Johnson was selected ninth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Michigan fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Three Michigan men’s basketball players were selected last month in the 2026 NBA Draft. But which of the three will have the best rookie season? Vote in this edition of SB Nation Reacts.
Forward Morez Johnson Jr. was selected No. 9 overall by the Dallas Mavericks. Johnson will reunite with Michigan head coach Dusty May, who took the Mavericks a day before the draft.
Forward Yaxel Lendeborg was selected No. 11 overall by the Golden State Warriors. Lendeborg, the Big Ten Player of the Year,
Center Aday Mara was selected No. 12 overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
All three players are in solid situations heading into their rookie campaigns. Johnson has familiarity in May’s scheme, Lendeborg will be on a team with future Hall of Famers in Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, while Aday Mara joins a Thunder squad just a season removed from an NBA championship. Johnson could receive the most minutes of the bunch, with Lendeborg and Mara being more rotational pieces in their rookie campaign.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers sit on the bench during their preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 18, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors had big plans for this offseason to give Stephen Curry one last shot at a fifth championship. The Warriors entered the summer hoping to sign LeBron James in free agency and trade for Anthony Davis to unite the former superstar teammates with Curry and Draymond Green. While James still hasn’t decided on where he’ll play next year, Golden State is now reportedly out of the running because they don’t want to meet the Washington Wizards’ ridiculous asking price for Davis.
Charania reports that the Warriors believe they’re not a finalist to sign James unless they swing a trade for Anthony Davis. The Warriors’ need to land Davis to sign LeBron puts the Washington Wizards in a position of power, and right now they’re using every ounce of leverage in the Davis trade discussions. Washington reportedly wants Jimmy Butler, multiple first-round picks, multiple first-round swaps, and multiple second-round picks from Golden State for Davis, according to Charania. If they can’t do it, LeBron is likely to sign elsewhere.
Listen to Charania breakdown the Warriors’ place in James sweepstakes here:
The Wizards didn’t really give up much to get Davis from the Dallas Mavericks at February’s trade deadline. Washington parted with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round pick (No. 30 overall) and a top-20 protected 2030 Golden State Warriors pick in addition to matching contracts to land Davis. Davis didn’t play a game for the franchise, but the Wizards now could flip him for an even bigger haul of assets if the Warriors really get desperate. There’s only one problem: at least for right now, Golden State rightfully isn’t going to play ball.
James and Davis won a championship together with the Los Angeles Lakers inside the bubble in 2020. Both are represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, which has set off speculation that the agency is using Golden State’s interest to get an extension for Davis in Washington.
I think everyone is right in this situation:
LeBron is right for not wanting to sign in Golden State without Davis. The Warriors aren’t going to be a championship team if they just add James, especially not with Jimmy Butler out for most of next season as he recovers from a torn ACL.
The Wizards are right to use all of their leverage to rob the Warriors. The reality is that Washington isn’t going to be very good even with Davis on the roster next year, and he doesn’t fit their timeline around No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa at 33 years old. Washington should continue to press Golden State for all it has right up until the moment LeBron is ready to announce his decision.
The Warriors are right not to want to give up multiple firsts and multiple swaps for Davis, who just isn’t a reliable player due to constant injuries.
Will the Warriors eventually change their minds? Will the Wizards eventually lower the asking price? It’s all still on the table until LeBron finally decides where he’s playing next year.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 03: Ziaire Williams #1 of the Brooklyn Nets gestures during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on April 03, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While the Sixers have now filled out 14 of their 15 available roster spots this offseason, they are obviously waiting on one more big shoe to drop. The fact that they’re even in the James sweepstakes is such a pleasant shock in and of itself. It would be incredible if somehow Philadelphia ends up being where James chooses to play next season, but he still has plenty of options that just feel more likely.
Regardless of who takes up that last roster spot, the Sixers will only have the veteran’s minimum to offer. Even if they land James, they could probably use one more center or forward to fill out the roster. They’d be able to do so by waiving Dalen Terry, whose contract is not guaranteed yet. With a week of free agency in the books, here are five realistic targets that are not named LeBron James.
Nick Richards
This maybe wouldn’t count as a glut, but Richards would be the fourth center on the roster should they bring him in. Joel Embiid and Adem Bona are already on the roster, and the team signed Ariel Hukporti earlier in the offseason. If the last two years have shown anything, the Sixers can never have enough bodies to throw at that position.
At 6-foot-11, Richards presents a bigger option at that position than Bona. He’s always posted a solid block rate throughout his career, rarely dropping below 2.5%. Last year was no different for both Phoenix and Chicago.
Richards had fallen out of the rotation in Phoenix, only averaging nine minutes a game and appearing in just 28 games before being moved to the Bulls at the trade deadline. Once he got there he played 22 minutes a game and averaged 9.4 points and 7.6 rebounds. Other than size, he might not have a ton more to offer than Bona or Hukporti, but a taking a flyer on him is something this blog has been a fan of for a long time.
Ziaire Williams
The backup big rotation has been shaken up a little bit, but the Sixers’ depth chart on the wing is jarringly different from a season ago. Gone are Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes. In their place are Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons.
Justin Edwards had an encouraging moment or two in the playoffs, but his sophomore season on the whole didn’t instill a lot of confidence. Williams, who’s spent his five seasons in the league with Memphis and Brooklyn, would provide a different flavor on the wing for Nick Nurse.
The 6-foot-9 wing has made his name in the league so far by causing deflections. This past season he posted a 2.6% steal rate for the Nets, one that put him in the 94th percentile in the league, per Cleaning the Glass. On top of having a skill Nick Nurse has always coveted, Williams’ three-point percentage has increased as he has increased the volume of his attempts.
After making the jump to 4.8 attempts per game in 2024-25, Williams has settled into a 34% three-point shooter the last two seasons. If he can continue hovering around the league average, he could be a forward that fits well into Philadelphia’s system.
Kevin Love
It’s become a tradition of the Embiid era to acquire a washed-up backup center, regardless of the front office. The 37-year-old Love, who will turn 38 when the season begins, fits that bill. His days of being able to provide stout defense are past him, but he could still help a team in a very limited capacity.
His touch and feel for the game haven’t gone anywhere, shooting 37% from three last season in Utah while posting an assist percentage in the 79th percentile across the league. A stretch big just hasn’t been common for the Sixers in this era. Love, like so many true stretch-fives, is certainly an imperfect option, but he could give the offense a different wrinkle. This blog was frankly bummed that Guerschon Yabusele returned to Europe to sign with Panathinaikos in Greece. With Yabusele off the board, Love is the last best option as a toolsy big.
Another part of Love’s game that hasn’t gone anywhere is his rebounding. He posted a 26.1% defensive rebounding rate, which is still good enough to be in the 97th percentile. The Sixers, who have been a below average rebounding team for nearly half a decade now, can take whatever help on the glass they can get.
This is really getting into flyer territory with Nance having only played 59 games over the past two seasons. While he’s not the bouncy forward he used to be, Nance is still a big body who will at least get his hands on the ball every now and then. Returning to Cleveland last season, Nance posted a 2.1% steal rate in the limited playing time he got.
The most concerning sign for Nance as it pertains to the Sixers is the decline in his rebounding. He averaged 2.7 boards in his limited time last season with his defensive rebounding rate dropping just as much. Regardless of what position the Sixers go with to use their final roster spot, rebounding is something they need to prioritize.
Drew Eubanks
With the Dancing Bear no longer an option here, Eubanks is one last choice to add a center and, at 29 years old, he presents an option that isn’t immediately washed. Eubanks played 42 games last season for the Sacramento Kings. The 5.2 points and 3.0 rebounds averaged per game were right in line with his career averages.
There’s also at least the idea of Eubanks as a rim protector. He’s hovered over a 2% block rate his entire career, posting one of 2.2% last season with the Kings. At 6-foot-10 he doesn’t have a big size advantage over Bona and Hukporti, but would still be more of a traditional big option if that’s what the Sixers want to add.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 27: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LeBron James might be gone from the Lakers, but that doesn’t mean player empowerment is over in Los Angeles.
Luka Dončić has had some things to say.
He’s reportedly been in “constant communication” with Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka this summer and has made it known he wants an A-list center.
It cost Pelinka a King’s ransom to fulfill The Don’s request. Gone are LA’s two first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, and the Jazz can swap firsts in 2028 and 2030. That’s the draft capital going to Utah, but Los Angeles still has to foot the bill. The Lakers agreed to a four-year, $130 million deal for Kessler, making him the third highest-paid player on the roster.
However, if Luka is the franchise, then making him happy is a top priority. According to Iztok Franko, a basketball reporter who has covered Luka for years, he wanted Kessler on the Lakers.
The price the Lakers paid for Kessler was a steep one: unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with first-round swap rights in 2028 and 2030. It is comparable to, and in some cases exceeds, what other teams paid this summer for established stars like Jaylen Brown, LaMelo Ball, and Kawhi Leonard.
At the same time, there is a perfectly valid counterargument. If Kessler was the franchise center Dončić wanted so badly, and from the people I’ve spoken to I can confirm he pushed hard for this move, then perhaps that was simply the cost of doing business.
So, yes, it may have been a slight overpay. And sure, it cost a ton of draft capital. But sometimes in life, when you really want something, you pay the price.
It’s why drinks at sporting events are so expensive, and the food at Disneyland costs far more than it takes to produce. But when you are enjoying that cold beverage and eating at the greatest place on earth, none of that seems to matter.
The joy of the moment gives one a dopamine hit money could never. And if Kessler makes Dončić happy, fuels him to become the best version of himself and brings the Lakers a title, the cost of this deal will be irrelevant.
Pelinka did his job. He got his star backcourt player the frontcourt partner he desired. Now it’s up to them to make it worth it.
When DeMar DeRozan walked into Golden 1 Center alongside Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé on July 6, 2024, it seemed the fortunes of the team had shifted.
Pairing DeRozan with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis seemed like taking the next step to relevancy following a pair of promising seasons.
Two years later to the day, the Kings waived DeRozan before he entered the final year of the three-year, $76.7 million contract he signed in 2024.
Kings general manager Scott Perry spoke with media members on Wednesday and explained what went into the decision to waive the six-time All-Star.
“Since the season is over, when we could start looking at different moves to make, we were trying to figure out ways how we could keep him,” Perry said. “But, as we all know, one of the things in this league, there is a financial component to this job, so unfortunately we weren’t able to figure out or do anything that would allow us to keep him from that standpoint, but I’m going to miss him, I’ll be honest with you.”
DeRozan had $10 million guaranteed left on his deal and, as of now, the Kings reportedly haven’t decided whether or not they will stretch those funds over an extended period to lower the cap hit, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
DeMar DeRozan is a cap casualty for a rebuilding Kings team that needed to reduce salary. Only $10 million of his $25.7 million was guaranteed this upcoming season. The Kings could choose to stretch the $10 million later, per source, but no decision yet.https://t.co/WmoYI9cNsB
While DeRozan’s time with the Kings didn’t go the way the team had hoped, Perry said his ability to mentor the young players on the team and professionalism stood out.
“I’ve been in the league 26 years, and he was one of my favorite players to work with, bar none,” Perry said. “… His professionalism, his leadership, the way he went about preparing for his job each and every day — exemplary. And how he poured into our young players last year, our rookies, was very important and very much appreciated.”
The 17-year veteran is now one of the NBA’s top free agents and will surely garner the attention of plenty of title hopeful teams — potentially including the Warriors.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: Ryan Conwell #7 of the Miami Heat looks on in the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on July 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s taken a little under three weeks for former Louisville guard Ryan Conwell to endear himself to Miami Heat fans both on and iff the court.
On the court, Conwell was Miami’s clear standout during its three games at the California Classic Summer League. Conwell led the team in scoring at 21.0 ppg, while also adding 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest.
On a team in need of exactly the type of niche player that Conwell can be at the next level, it certainly appears that Conwell has a very good shot at not just making the Heat’s opening night roster but cracking the team’s rotation.
You can count former NBA standout turned podcaster Jeff Teague among Conwell’s believers.
Jeff Teague says Ryan Conwell is making summer league look easy:
“He’s actually killing though. The fact he got 26… I ain’t gonna lie, Ryan you out there killing boy! You ain’t ever scored on me like that. He’s making it look easy.”
Off the court, Conwell also has received praise for the way he has handled the Heat adding superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, a player who expressed a desire to wear Conwell’s No. 7 for Mimi.
“Giannis, I mean, he get whatever he wants,” Conwell said on Tuesday. “I’m just now coming into the league. I got a lot of work to do and I’m trying to get to where he’s at. So whatever number Giannis wants, he can have it. And I’m going to take whatever number the team gives me.”
He was an easy guy to root for here, and he’ll be an easy guy to root for at the next level.
After the Boston Celtics won the title in 2024, you couldn't blame fans — or Jayson Tatum — for envisioning a few more to follow. This was a well built team with two elite perimeter players in the form of Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics were primed to go after banner 19.
Instead, just more than two years later, the roster is barely recognizable from the one that won that ring. The last dagger was Boston’s surprising trade of Brown to division rival Philadelphia for a way-too-small package built around Paul George and draft picks.
"To be honest, weird. It's weird... You play on a team with a guy for nine years. I was fortunate enough to go to the finals with him twice, and win a championship, and push each other to be the players that we are today...
"It's tough. But it just makes you appreciate the moments and time that we had. Obviously, it came to an abrupt ending, but it doesn't mean that it wasn't super successful. Great years, obviously, that he gave to the city and to the organization."
Celtics boss Brad Stevens was clear when speaking about the trade this week, he did not consult Tatum in making the deal.
Stevens’ reasoning for the trade was that, in the salary cap apron era, having two supermax players (Tatum and Brown) eating up a combined 70% of the salary cap meant the team couldn't build out a championship roster. He pointed to recent champions built around one star, such as the Knicks being built around Brunson.
That also only worked because Brunson willingly took far below the max. Good luck finding another star willing to do that. It's going to take some very creative team-building to win in the luxury-tax apron era, and Stevens believed he was getting ahead of the curve with this trade.
However, in the short term, the Celtics got worse, and that's going to be hard on Tatum.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 7: Henri Veesaar #13 of the Atlanta Hawks is pressured by Lawson Lovering # 34 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of their 2026 NBA Salt Lake City Summer League game at the Jon M Huntsman Center on July 7, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. ( Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) | Getty Images
The second round of Summer League games ended Tuesday night with the completion of the Utah Summer League. Like the California Summer League, the Utah Summer League had a limited number of teams that got some extra reps in before all 30 NBA teams head to Las Vegas for the main event and conclusion of Summer League play. However, unlike the California Summer League, the Utah Summer League only had four teams and only one Tar Heel was represented. So without further ado, here is a look at that one player, a guy a lot of North Carolina fans were hoping might still be wearing Carolina blue this upcoming season instead of the uniform he will be donning instead.
Henri Veesaar, Atlanta Hawks
Veesaar, playing in his first Summer League as second round pick of the Hawks, played in all three games during the Utah Summer league and even started his third game. The former UNC center had an auspicious start in his first two games combing to score just seven points while shooting 3 for 8 from the field and just 1 of 4 from downtown while also grabbing 10 boards across the two contests.
Veesaar finally looked like a rotation player in his third game, the one he started, scoring 11 points and grabbing five rebounds in 23 minutes of action. Veesaar hit 2 of 5 from three-point range and also had four assists, a block, and a steal. Veesaar also had four turnovers but it was a promising sign for the rookie big man as he will look to improve on those numbers in Las Vegas and become an important part of an Atlanta Hawks rotation in desperate need of some quality size after getting exposed by the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs.
From 2015-18, the rivalry between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers was at its peak.
LeBron James and the Cavaliers historically pulled off a incredible comeback in the 2016 NBA Finals after facing a 3-1 series deficit, ultimately winning the title in a Game 7 thriller.
Bob Myers served as the general manager for the Golden State Warriors for nearly a decade. NBAE via Getty Images
Throughout that period of Warriors and Cleveland basketball for four straight postseasons, Bob Myers was the general manager of Golden State.
Myers was the architect behind the Warriors dynasty, drafting players like Draymond Green and recruiting superstars like Kevin Durant. He also hired head coach Steve Kerr, who remains in the position to this day.
In 2026, Myers oversees operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.
LeBron James has yet to make a decision on where he will go next in free agency. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
76ers president Bob Myers makes his case to LeBron/Rich Paul on why he should join the Sixers:
“If he was here I’d say ‘I honestly believe this is your best chance to win. You have to decide all the other things that are equally important’ — What I would just say is, if it’s… https://t.co/ciC9dQJvWvpic.twitter.com/AJB0WexPHk
After facing James as an opponent for years, Myers has made a pitch to welcome him to Philadelphia.
“If he was here, I’d say I honestly believe this is your best chance to win. You have to decide all the other things that are equally important,” Myers said on the Game Over podcast with Rich Paul and Max Kellerman.
“What I would just say is, if it’s about winning, let’s talk about this team. Because you can win here in Philadelphia.”
Just about every team in the league would welcome James with open arms, including the Sixers. The organization is considered a favorite to land the veteran, but his free agency remains the biggest mystery of the summer.
Ultimately, James will make the final decision on where he goes next, but that won’t stop teams from making public pitches for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
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The Lakers have remade their roster this offseason, adding players they see as better fits around Luka Doncic's style. Los Angeles overpaid but got its center in Walker Kessler (now he just has to stay healthy), re-signed Austin Reaves to be the secondary shot creator next to Doncic, and added a good two-way wing in Quentin Grimes.
Jonathan Kuminga is a player the Lakers are after, according to people with knowledge of the situation who said L.A. is looking at a two-year, $20-million deal for Kuminga, the sort of athletic wing player the Lakers need to start at small forward.
The Cavaliers also have expressed interest in Kuminga, but they need the LeBron James situation to play out — Cleveland may be the frontrunner — before moving on to Kuminga.
Kuminga checks a lot of boxes for the Lakers: Good size at 6'7", a plus defender on the perimeter, and he averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season, shooting 33.3% from 3-point range. However, he has been better with the ball in his hands as a shot creator than he has been working off the ball, and he struggled to fit into Steve Kerr's ball-and-player movement system with the Warriors, which led to clashes with the coach.
How well would Kuminga adapt to being the No. 3 option and having to work primarily off the ball and knocking down 3s for the Lakers?
It's currently envisioned that the veteran, more steady Grimes will start at the three, but the Lakers have a lot of decisions to make at training camp.
