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Could this be the week that "The Decision 2.0" comes to an end? The entire NBA world is waiting with bated breath to see where LeBron James will sign in free agency — a decision that is expected to come sometime this week.

After closing the door on his eight-year run with the Los Angeles Lakers, the latest LeBron James next team odds have the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat — his only two stops prior to L.A. — as the clear favorites to bring back The King for what could be his final NBA season. But there's smoke around the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers, too, while the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets loom as long shots with over $100 million in trading volume on the NBA's hottest market.

While the internet sleuths latch onto every word in this ever-changing saga, I donned my investigative journalist cap and went to work gathering and decoding all of the various clues dropped by LeBron, agent Rich Paul, and the various power brokers at play to nail down where he'll play next season.

Where will LeBron James play next year? Latest odds & favorites

Team		Buy 'Yes'	Buy 'No'
Cleveland Cavaliers	+133	43¢	58¢
Golden State Warriors	+285	26¢	75¢
Miami Heat	+400	20¢	81¢
Philadelphia 76ers	+900	10¢	91¢
Minnesota Timberwolves	+2400	4¢	97¢
Denver Nuggets	+4900	2¢	99¢

Pricing provided by Kalshi - accurate as of July 13

With four rings and countless records under his belt, James' priorities aren't the same now as they were eight years ago when he left Cleveland a second time to chase another title.

As his agent laid out earlier this month, "happiness" is the driving force for James ahead of what sure feels like his last dance. He's already signaled that he's willing to be a supporting piece, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, while taking a massive paycut to sign for a minimum contract or within a cap exception.

That's why the Cavaliers are the clear favorites to lure LeBron back for a second homecoming after he returned in 2014 and led them to their lone title in 2016. But the Heat briefly overtook the Cavs as market favorites this weekend after rumors casting doubt on the Cleveland reunion, and there are a whole host of suitors who still think they're in the mix for the NBA's top remaining free agent.

Another interesting note: NBA reporter Marc Stein said last Friday that LeBron is "looking at Eastern Conference destinations with much more seriousness" for his next home, which would put the focus squarely on Cleveland, Miami, and Philadelphia. Still, with so many different reports in every direction, it's too early to truly rule anyone out.

When will LeBron James sign in free agency?

Date		Buy 'Yes'	Buy 'No'
Before July 15, 2026	+700	15¢	87¢
Before July 17, 2026	+108	52¢	51¢
Before July 19, 2026	-285	62¢	40¢
Before July 26, 2026	-300	78¢	24¢
Before August 2, 2026	-525	84¢	17¢

Pricing provided by Kalshi - accurate as of July 13

Unlike in previous years, when James' free-agent decision was the first major domino of the offseason, this one could be the last of the summer. Last Thursday, Stein said that most around the league "do not expect a resolution this week" and expect this free-agent saga to last deep into Summer League (July 9-19).

Because James is expected to sign for the minimum or thereabouts, he can theoretically wait for all of the dust to settle in free agency and pick his final destination based on which team is in the best shape before his arrival. That said, he already has a "favorite in his head" according to Windhorst ... which makes it even more intriguing to read the tea leaves while we wait for his final decision.

The latest reporting suggests James could drop the news during a live podcast recording at Fanatics Fest NYC, a massive event in New York focused around sports cards and other events. That news has moved the market with a decision now expected by this weekend.

Where will LeBron James sign in free agency?

While we technically don't yet know where LeBron will sign this summer, the evidence is mounting for each of the favorites in this free agency sweepstakes. So we constructed our own virtual corkboard and rated every clue on a 1-to-5 scale in terms of how convincing it is to a jury of NBA prognosticators (me). Let the reckless speculation begin.

Cleveland Cavaliers (43% chance)

National insiders close to LeBron think he's going to Cleveland. Windhorst, who has been as plugged in with James as anyone over the last two decades, said last week that LeBron "knows what he's going to do" and that the "vibes are pointing toward Cleveland" — a pretty damning 1-2 punch for the rest of the league. That same day, Stein also reported that the rest of the league views Cleveland as "the scenario to beat" in free agency. Consider me convinced on that bit alone. 🔍🔍🔍🔍🔍

Bill Simmons said LeBron to Cleveland is "done." Nearly an hour into his podcast last Thursday, Simmons declared that "the Cleveland thing is done" and argued Golden State was only ever used as leverage to get Draymond Green and Anthony Davis — two fellow Klutch clients — paid top dollar on their ensuing extensions. The news was swiftly reported as fact and led to sharp movement in the market toward the Cavs, though I'm skeptical this is truly reporting rather than his own take. Still, there's clearly smoke here. 🔍🔍🔍🔍

His childhood best friend runs the Cavs' front office. Brandon Weems — whom Paul called "basically LeBron's brother" — is Cleveland's assistant GM, and Paul called him out as a "big, big X-factor" in the Cavaliers' pitch to bring James back home. He's seen as the favorite to replace Mike Gansey as general manager after he left for the 76ers. 🔍🔍🔍🔍

Cleveland is clearing the way for his return. While the Cavs invested $273 million in a Donovan Mitchell extension this summer, that didn't block LeBron's return to Cleveland — if anything, it locked in a clear succession plan. But the Cavs letting Dean Wade and Keon Ellis walk without any notable additions indicates that they're retaining maximum flexibility for LeBron ... and possibly for Bronny James, too. 🔍🔍🔍

Kenny Atkinson is openly pitching the reunion. It's not often that you see active NBA head coaches talking openly about their team's free-agent pursuits, but Atkinson seemed to have no issue spilling the beans on a recent appearance on SiriusXM Radio — saying it's "exciting" for his team to be "in the mix for the greatest player of all time." It's not exactly a secret that the Cavs are pursuing LeBron, but it did shock me to hear Atkinson speak so candidly about it. Does he know something we don't? 🔍🔍🔍

He spent his free-agency week in Akron. Sure, LeBron can return home to golf and catch up with old friends without suspicion. But he was photographed with his high school teammates and Weems as part of a very public trip back home earlier this month that also saw him enjoying a night out at House Three Thirty in Akron and posting on Instagram about his trip. For most players, it'd likely be a coincidence, but James always has a penchant for telegraphing his next move with intention. 🔍🔍🔍

He's dropping obvious hints on Instagram. As far as social media speculation goes, it's hard to beat this one: James liked an Instagram post openly calling for him to "come home" before later posting an Instagram video of him "enjoying a nice cruise thru my city" in Cleveland. You can never read too much into social media activity, hence the three-glass rating, but this feels like a smoking gun if there ever was one. 🔍🔍🔍

He may already be filming the ending. If reports are true that James could be documenting his 24th season for a film or series, that would add another point in Cleveland's favor for a true storybook ending fit for a documentary. Of course, LeBron can record his last act in any city, but this would make too much sense. 🔍🔍

What's the case for Cleveland? Nobody needs to explain the allure of LeBron returning home one last time: he left Miami to return to Cleveland in 2014 and promptly carried the Cavs to their first-ever title to complete the prophecy foretold for the Akron kid. Knowing how much legacy matters to LeBron, closing the final chapter of his career back home would be almost too sweet to turn down ... which is apparently how rival teams feel, too. Assuming James truly is willing to take a steep pay cut to facilitate a return to his hometown — which remains disputed among NBA insiders — it would take one heck of a pitch from a competing team to lure him away.

Golden State Warriors (26% chance)

The Warriors' surge felt real for a moment. It's been weeks since Golden State peaked at 65% on Kalshi following multiple reports that the Warriors were making a play at LeBron, and that early momentum still seems to be dragging the Dubs into this race — even if it seems far less likely now that the Anthony Davis trade rumors have died down. Still, Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option in part to free up space for a potential James signing, so this doesn't feel entirely like a false signal. 🔍🔍🔍

LeBron and Draymond are openly hanging out. Speaking of Green, the Warriors forward (and fellow Klutch client) was seen golfing with LeBron in Puerto Rico last week, which fueled rumors that the two might play together in either Golden State or Cleveland. Green has previously said that he's "always wanted" to play with James — though if you believe the "leaked" post from Poke Fresh Ohio, that reunion will be in Ohio. 🔍🔍

Stephen Curry is joining in on the fun. While attending a celebrity golf event in Tahoe, Curry made his own pitch for James to join him in the Bay and called it a "unique story in NBA history" if they were able to team up. His quote about playing golf with LeBron drew headlines, but him saying that "we obviously would love to play together" certainly caught my attention ... even if it's likely media speak. 🔍🔍

Even his own podcast is teasing a LeBron-Curry reunion. The most recent upload on the "Mind the Game" YouTube channel is a clip of James and Curry gushing over their Team USA chemistry for 10 minutes, touting the "perfect basketball" they played together and reminiscing about their on-court exploits in their brief time as teammates. It's probably nothing, but with LeBron, you truly can't rule anything out. 🔍

What's the case for Golden State? Playing alongside Curry might be the single biggest draw that any team can offer on the court, and joining a Warriors organization known for its commitment to joy and cerebral basketball is a quintessential fit for LeBron in his final year(s). The issue is whether they can make a strong enough case without prying Davis out of Washington, which looks to be a nigh-impossible challenge. Simmons could be right that Golden State is purely a leverage play for James' Klutch teammates; I'm not quite ready to rule out LeBron's greatest career adversary, but momentum is certainly fading.

Miami Heat (20% chance)

Miami is the only other team that can sell a homecoming. Windhorst lumped the Heat in with the Cavs as a "category of their own" last week — the only two suitors where James wouldn't be dogged by ring-chasing narratives because he's already hung banners in both buildings. Windhorst added that LeBron still "repeats Miami Heat mantras" and that the organization is "part of his basketball DNA." I'm certainly listening. 🔍🔍🔍🔍

One source swears it's a "done deal" ... somewhere other than Cleveland. Last Friday, Windhorst threw a Molotov cocktail into the cauldron when he said on ESPN Cleveland radio that a "good source" told him that "it's a done deal in another city." Windhorst wouldn't name the team and didn't confirm the report himself, but The Athletic's Sam Amick reported the same day that a rival team believed Miami had moved into the lead — which briefly vaulted the Heat to the top spot across prediction markets before the board settled back. I personally don't buy it, but I wouldn't ignore it, either. 🔍🔍🔍

His organizational bridges remain intact. ESPN's Shams Charania reported last week that there's no lingering tension with Pat Riley, and James has a close relationship with former coach Erik Spoelstra and current Heat star Bam Adebayo, both of whom united with James at the 2024 Olympics. With no state income tax and past ties to Miami, it's easy to see LeBron talking himself into a return to the place he won his first two titles. 🔍🔍🔍

The Heat already swung a massive superstar deal. While the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't explicitly a pitch for LeBron, it does match the organization's penchant for acquiring stars in bunches - much like they did in 2010 signing James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade in South Beach. Windhorst has been adamant that teams chasing LeBron need to take big swings to attract him — could that be enough? 🔍🔍🔍

Miami's newest star wants to "win today." Speaking of Giannis, the newest Heat star posted a potentially cryptic message on Instagram last week, captioning a video with "win today" a day after free agent Bradley Beal posted "Win the Day!!" on Twitter/X. That alone wouldn't be all that suspicious if it wasn't a phrase that LeBron uttered just a few weeks ago on his podcast. Antetokounmpo also stirred the pot when he said he likes to watch James play on a recent live stream. This definitely falls under the "reckless social media speculation" category ... but it has my attention nonetheless. 🔍🔍🔍

There's room for Bronny, too. Much like the Cavs, the Heat are reportedly open to signing Bronny James if they ink a deal with his dad in free agency. I have to imagine any team in the league would agree to that for James, but the direct reporting here is worth noting. 🔍

What's the case for Miami? It's the mirror image of Cleveland's pitch with more championship pedigree: James led the Heat to two titles under Spoelstra in 2011-12 and 2012-13, and they're set up to make another run in the Eastern Conference this year with Antetokounmpo and Adebayo in place. The Heat saw their odds spike last Friday after various reports that cast doubt on Cleveland's commanding lead — if LeBron-to-Ohio falls through and he still wants to "return home," there's a clear option waiting for him.

Philadelphia 76ers (10% chance)

"Everything changed" after the Jaylen Brown trade. Those were Paul's opening words in his now-famous whiteboard breakdown, declaring that "everything changed" once the Sixers landed Brown. Charania backed that report by saying the 76ers were "not in the picture" until trading for Brown changed James' perspective. If true, that could shake LeBron's preference toward an early favorite and lead him to a basketball-centric decision for a team that is arguably a floor-spacing power forward away from contention. 🔍🔍🔍🔍🔍

Tyrese Maxey's name had a literal star on the whiteboard. This might be the biggest smoking gun this side of Cleveland. When Paul revealed the famous whiteboard to Max Kellerman, Maxey was the only player on the entire board with any sort of symbol (save for a minus sign for the Cavs trading away Darius Garland). Maxey is a Klutch client who has worked out with James since his pre-draft process back in 2020, and Windhorst reported last week that Maxey is the "biggest factor" pulling LeBron to Philly. Paul said that LeBron "loves Maxey, so we don't even need to talk about that." Say no more. 🔍🔍🔍🔍🔍

There's a familiar face in Philly's front office. Mike Gansey, who recently left his post as Cavaliers GM to run the 76ers' basketball operations, played against James in high school and spent more than a decade in the Cavaliers organization. He said last week that he's "known LeBron for a long time" and "would love to have him" in Philly. Those comments weren't groundbreaking, obviously, but the off-court connection could help swing the tides toward the Sixers if James is compelled by the on-court fit. 🔍🔍🔍

Sixers ownership pitched LeBron on Paul's own podcast. Team president Bob Myers hopped on "Game Over" this month and made his pitch directly: if LeBron wants to win, he can win in Philadelphia. The pitch itself says less than his presence on the podcast, which could be Paul drumming up headlines or signal the 76ers' gravity in this race. 🔍

What's the case for Philadelphia? The 76ers were clear long shots entering this offseason, but hiring the Cavs' former general manager and then pulling off perhaps the biggest heist of the summer clearly has LeBron's attention. The Sixers pulled out all the stops to recruit James in 2018, and the Maxey appeal seems legitimate. I'm not sure there's enough here to overtake the favorites, but the smoke keeps billowing out of Philly.

Minnesota Timberwolves (4% chance)

Nobody is pushing harder than Minnesota. The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski reported last week that the Wolves have "ramped up" their pursuit and taken a pitch straight to LeBron's camp, operating with "full belief" that they belong in this race. Unrequited love doesn't spell a lasting union, but for a franchise that has never landed a marquee free agent, it's a rather bold stance that certainly has my attention ... even if LeBron's interest remains fuzzy. 🔍🔍🔍

The Timberwolves are making moves with James in mind. Minnesota traded Julius Randle and Naz Reid this summer, conveniently leaving the starting power forward spot open next to Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert. LeBron has already signaled that he wants to play a supporting role for his next team, and the T-Wolves don't seem eager to fill out their lineup without first seeing if he slots into it. 🔍🔍🔍

LeBron and Anthony Edwards have real history. James drafted Edwards first overall in the 2023 All-Star draft, and he lavished praise on the former top pick earlier this season, saying he loves "everything about him" and that he has "a fan in me and a friend in me for life." Edwards has made no secret of his admiration for King James, and helping shape a future face of the league could be enough to compel James to move north. 🔍🔍

What's the case for Minnesota? The best case for the Timberwolves is similar to that for the Cavaliers in 2014: join a team that has never won it all and put your stamp on NBA history as a leader on and off the court for a talented young squad. The Timberwolves were the only team on Paul's whiteboard without a championship, and LeBron could help snap the state's 35-year title drought across all major sports. This would be a true long shot given the lack of tangible connections to the franchise, but it'd be a heck of a fit on the court.

Denver Nuggets (2% chance)

Denver made the whiteboard's inner circle. For all of the talk that the Nuggets are out of the race, Paul placed them directly in the heart of the famous whiteboard as one of the five teams with a real chance to sign him. Paul was adamant that Denver was a "legitimate destination" for James this summer - that alone keeps them in the mix. 🔍🔍🔍

LeBron has history with Nuggets ownership. James has a genuine friendship with Josh Kroenke, the team's CEO/president and co-owner, that dates back years — Kroenke famously mailed LeBron a throwback Nuggets jersey when he was last a free agent in 2018. Paul also added Kroenke's name as a parenthetical note on the whiteboard, which is either another meaningless diversion or a real signal about Denver's chances in this race. 🔍🔍

Windhorst highlighted Denver as a dark horse to watch. Early in free agency, before reports swirled about favorites and shortlists, Windhorst said he "long believed" that Denver was a compelling outlier in the LeBron sweepstakes — especially given his "overly effusive" praise for Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, a fellow basketball genius and all-time passer alongside James. 🔍🔍

What's the case for Denver? If this decision is about basketball, few teams offer a more compelling on-court environment than the Nuggets, who already feature a heliocentric offensive star and could desperately use a high-IQ power forward to play off Jokic and Murray. Given the desperation in Denver to improve the roster without increasing payroll, James on the minimum would be a dream scenario ... but only if LeBron agrees.

Long shots to sign LeBron James

It feels like a near-certainty that James will sign with one of the teams listed above, as all other options have less than a 1% chance on Kalshi, with no strong reporting to back them. Here are the top teams on the outside looking in:

• New York Knicks: Paul delivered a rather shocking admission when he said that LeBron would be "going to the Knicks" if they hadn't won the title. But they did win it all behind franchise star Jalen Brunson, whom Paul suggested would need to offer his blessing for any sort of move. We can effectively rule this one out, though the alternate history is fascinating to consider if you believe Paul's candor.
• Dallas Mavericks: Paul listed the Mavericks on the whiteboard with "oil, golf, Macau, Africa" scribbled in the margins — presumably a nod to the off-court business opportunities he'd have in Dallas. But there simply isn't enough connecting LeBron to Big D, especially not with the roster seemingly years away from contention.
• Boston Celtics: One of James' biggest career rivals made the whiteboard, but the Celtics are somewhere between rebuilding and reloading after shipping Brown to Philly. I couldn't find any real connective tissue here (believe me, I looked).
• San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama is a bigger draw than potentially anyone in the league, but the Spurs using their mid-level exception to sign Tobias Harris for $31 million says everything I need to know about their interest in pursuing LeBron.

Which team will sign LeBron James?

Back in 2014, fresh off four straight Finals appearances in Miami, James shocked the world and returned home with unfinished business. He wouldn't surprise anyone by re-signing with Cleveland this time around, but the stakes are also different this summer.

If the NBA's all-time leading scorer truly values burnishing his resume with another ring (or two), he'd sign with a team like the Timberwolves or Nuggets - or even the Spurs or Thunder, though he'd never duck the ring-chasing narratives if he went to either spot. But if he was serious about chasing a fifth championship, why did he spend the first week of free agency palling around Akron with the Cavs' assistant GM and posting Instagram stories of the hottest spots in northeast Ohio?

LeBron has proven to be a Hall of Fame sentimentalist, which is why I firmly believe that he'll sign with the Cavaliers for one final ride with his hometown team. Cleveland is the only place that can truly offer a clean ending to an illustrious career with an outside chance to compete for another title, too. And if happiness is what he seeks ahead of his 24th season, the relationships he's built within the organization should help close the deal.

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.

Spurs fans are excited about the drafting of Jayden Quaintance, but we honestly haven’t gotten to see him in action. The 6’10” power forward was drafted in the midst of recovering from back-to-back injuries. First, a knee surgery in early 2025 followed by a torn meniscus a year later. In his draft conference, he stated he was working with the Spurs medical staff toward another surgery.

In the meantime, Quaintance has been involved with Summer League from the bench, soaking up the knowledge coach Corliss Williamson is instilling in the team.

Here’s some collegiate highlights. Fun fact: at the 1:30ish mark, he blocks his new teammate Carter Bryant.

Quaintance graduated from high school a year early. After a year and twenty-four games at Arizona State, he transferred to Kentucky where he played in four games. And today, he turns 19.

There are high hopes for Quaintance once he is fully healed. An avid chess player, Quaintance hopes to connect with Victor Wembanyama from across the chess board. On the court, he shows hints at the defensive acumen to make the Spurs one of the most feared teams in the league.

For now, the 20th pick of the draft is spending his birthday in Las Vegas getting to know his new teammates and waiting for his chance to return to the game he loves.

Happy birthday, Jayden.

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

Mark Pope has drawn some criticism from fans in his first two seasons in Lexington regarding his substitution patterns.

Fans have (understandably) been frustrated with the deep bench Pope deploys throughout the season, as opposed to tightening the rotation and keeping his top players in the game longer.

Pope was asked about his substitution strategy during an appearance on Kentucky Sports Radio this past week, emphasizing player development over the course of the season. Pope said there are several variables that come into play when it comes to substitution patterns, but it’s also important to develop players up-and-down the roster.

“Developing guys is really important,” Pope said. “And you saw that, a great example is Collin Chandler. Collin Chandler was the seventh most improved player in all of college basketball last season. That doesn’t happen by accident. You have to kind of nurse guys and grow guys. You know, Jasper Johnson is a player that has tremendous upside and we needed him and kept trying to find the right situation for him, and he’s going to be a great player. Some of that’s going to come from those developmental minutes.

“You look at Otega Oweh’s rise and us being able to continuously put him in new situations. That’s how guys grow. Malachi Moreno, you know, early on in the season force feeding him some minutes helped him grow into the guy who had to carry the load for so much of last season. You kinda go down the list. For us, we are developers of players. I think it’s one of the things we do better than anyone else in the country. We help our guys get better.

“I’m really proud of the fact that Amari came in as a non-draft board guy. That Koby came in here as a non-draft board guy. That Otega came here as a non-draft board guy. These are not guys that were predestined to be drafted players. JQ was, but those other three weren’t and the fact that those guys came her and we were able to develop them, and they were able to develop themselves because it’s their hard work that does it, to earn themselves a chance to go play at the next level is really important to us.”

So what does that mean going forward? It sounds like Pope will continue to deploy a deep bench throughout the regular season, while tightening the rotation for the postseason. It’ll be interesting to see how Pope rotates lineups with this group this season.

The Washington Wizards’ summer of 2026 has centered around AJ Dybantsa’s professional debut in the Summer League. And so far, Deandre Ayton is coming to Washington, Khris Middleton is returning and Patrick Ewing is returning to coach with the first NBA team he ever coached for. In Ewing’s case, keep in mind that as a player, he is the (now second) best New York Knicks legend of all time. Why? Because the Knicks won the 2025-26 NBA championship!

Okay, I ribbed on Ewing a little too hard there.

But what about Anthony Davis? The Golden State Warriors apparently wanted him from the Wizards, but Washington has since made it clear that he’s staying. So … what now?

On Game Over, an NBA podcast with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul (who is Davis’ agent), Kellerman just asked him straight up on an episode which was released yesterday. Paul said simply “yes” and then “Why wouldn’t he” when pressed further. Paul even said “I don’t know anything about [a trade].”

I’m trying to look closer at Paul’s body language and he doesn’t seem relaxed about this topic. I can 100 percent believe him that Davis will start the 2026-27 season with the Wizards. However, he’s not so relaxed when being pressed about trade requests and the like. Interpret that for what you will.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The Dallas Mavericks have 14 of their roster spots filled for the upcoming season, leaving one vacant for them to work with.

It remains to be seen what the Mavericks will do, but there is reason to believe that a reunion with Brandon Williams could be in the cards.

“Guards who can get both feet in the paint outside of transition aren’t easy to find. Fortunately for clearance-rack shoppers, Brandon Williams is sitting right here,“ Bleacher Report contributor Dan Favale wrote.

“… A distinct lack of size hurts Williams on the defensive end. His three-point shot has also proven to be a non-starter, and even out of drives, he’s not the most reliable passer. But a 49.1 percent clip on long twos the past two years (28-of-57) coupled with reasonable free-throw shooting suggests there could be more levels to his scoring arsenal.”

When the Mavs traded for Detroit Pistons point guard Marcus Sasser, it definitely hurt Williams’ chances of returning to the team. It’s hard having Ryan Nemhard, Sasser and a returning Kyrie Irving on the roster. If Williams was added, that would give them four point guards that stand 6’2 or shorter. It’s incredibly hard to find minutes for all of them.

That being said, Williams brought an edge to the Mavericks the team needed. The attitude Williams had when he was playing for the Mavs was infectious, and it’s not easy to find that in the NBA. Williams improved a lot for the Mavericks, and who’s to say that the 26-year-old guard won’t get even better if he were to remain with Dallas?

Mavs Moneyball community, what do you think about the chances of Williams filling in the final roster spot for the team? Chime off in the comment section below.

NBA star Victor Wembanyama has signed a long-term deal with the San Antonio Spurs.

The 7ft 4in France centre's deal, according to ESPN, is for five years and worth $252m (£188m), which is the NBA's maximum for a rookie scale player extension.

The 22-year-old reportedly has an option in the fifth season and could have opted for clauses to make the deal worth more but did not do so to give the Spurs more financial flexibility.

"Spurs family, I'm here to stay. Whatever it takes," Wembanyama wrote on social media prior to the deal being announced.

The two-time All-Star, who was the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, helped the Spurs reach the NBA Finals last season but they missed out on the title, beaten 4-1 by the New York Knicks in the best-of-seven series.

Wembanyama became the youngest player to win the NBA defensive player-of-the-year award as he secured all 100 of the first-place votes.

He had a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game, while he averaged career highs of 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 64 regular-season games during the 2025-26 campaign.

We so back the Knicks even played basketball yesterday.

It was a Summerbeating at the hands of the Neighbor Nets, but that’s the only place Brooklyn can beat New York these days.

Here’s the latest from Las Vegas.

T.J. Saint

On Tyler Nickel:

“I’ve been most impressed with Nickel’s defense.”

On Mohamed Diawara, Pacome Dadiet, and the Summer League opener:

“I think they struggled a little bit. We talk about responding to adversity, we got to respond to adversity. They have to respond to adversity tomorrow. They struggled a little bit. They let little things affect them on the defensive end and then it kind of snowballed. So we got to be better. It’s on those two guys and Dillon Jones and me to be better.”

Mohamed Diawara

On the last few weeks after winning the NBA championship:

“I went straight, straight to the gym because I knew that I had some work to do. So, I mean, a little bit of fun, a little bit of break, but right back to work. I got after it like two days after the parade and everything. So, yeah, a lot, a lot of work.”

On re-signing with the Knicks:

“I had a great season with the Knicks. We just won the title, so I didn’t have anything to do anywhere else. So yeah, for sure, I was happy to be back.”

On how his offseason approach has changed after one NBA season:

“Yeah, a little bit. Now I know that I’m physically going to be more ready, more consistent at the two-point shots. So, yeah, I know that my summer was way different now, but I know a little bit better.”

Clarifying his free agency comments:

“I just said that I wouldn’t have taken up free agency. After the parade, I just really liked the work and was thinking about the Summer League, I didn’t even think about the free agency.”

On his Summer League performance:

“I got to do way better. I think the level that we take back is, like, a little way better. I can play like I played today, and just be better than last game.”

On Mitchell Robinson’s mentorship:

“He’s a great guy, great player, great person. I enjoyed the run here this season, and I look forward to play against him next year.”

Tyler Nickel

On joining the defending NBA champions:

“Yeah, I mean, it’s crazy, like, how fast everything happens. But, you know, hearing my name, obviously, I was super excited. Obviously, a championship organization. I thought it was perfect. It’s a perfect situation to see what they’re all about and the standard that they hold everybody to in the program. I think that’s perfect to be around.”

On what the Knicks see in him:

“That’s really hard to say right now. I’m not going to speak on it because I can’t really specify what they see in me, but I’ll let you close out that.”

On entering the Summer League with nerves:

“Of course, yeah. As a kid, you know, you dream about being in the NBA. So this is obviously one of the stepping stones of being in the league. So it’s definitely something—if you didn’t have nerves, you don’t care. So definitely some nerves going through it, but then once you get to playing, it’s a basketball game.”

On whether he models his game after anyone:

“I’ve just been playing for a couple years, I believe. I feel like I’m a mix of some different styles. My size and strength and shooting ability, I feel really comfortable shooting off the move. So, like, a Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, Sam Hauser… but then, I have my own type of, like, just way of being. So it’s kind of like a mix of a lot of people, but also myself.”

On only mentioning white players as his comps:

“Hey, listen, they got roles in the league, man.”

On whether Friday was the first time he talked to Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride, who attended the game:

“Yeah, it was my first time seeing them being around. They seem like really good dudes, and I’m excited to know them better.”

On choosing No. 55 with the Knicks:

“I’ve also always been five, ever since high school. In college, I had to not be five a couple times just because it was taken. But five has been my number. People back home will call me T-Nick, which is my nickname, but a lot of people call me T-Five. So just five has always been me. So then when 55 was available, I was like, ‘I can’t get five, so 55 is cool.’”

Josh Hart

On Tyler Nickel’s Summer League debut:

“55 got a chop.”

Julius Randle

On the similarities between joining the Nets and joining the Knicks:

“There’s definitely similarities for sure. Each [situation] is different. It has its own different challenges. I’m definitely ready to step up to this one. This will be exciting. But it’s definitely similar.

“And for me, I have a lot more experience now than I did when I was that player. So I feel like from a leadership standpoint, I can help a lot more, just being through it and having that experience.”

On his conversations with Nets coach Jordi Fernandez:

“They’re really excited to have me here. Jordi [Fernandez] is really excited. He feels like going into every game, we’ve got a chance to win every single game. To have that confidence from your coach is amazing. … I get to come in and be a leader, show guys how to be a pro.

“We’re coming in trying to win. It’s as simple as that. However we can help give the younger guys experience and confidence and help them fast-track or whatever it is to contribute to winning basketball, that’s really all that matters. All I care about, at the end of the day, is winning, and I know that’s what those guys care about. If I can help give them that experience, great.”

On his playmaking:

“I really enjoy getting guys going: pushing the pace, kick-aheads, opening the floor, getting to the paint, spraying the basketball. It’s about us building our chemistry, knowing where guys like the ball, what spots they want the ball in, guys understanding me and what I’m looking for. It’s going to be fun.”

On trade rumors and joining Brooklyn:

“It feels great to be here. It’s a great opportunity. It’s a city I’m already really familiar with; it’s a situation that I’m familiar with. Then, there’s a lot of talent.

“As far as the trade stuff, man, I’m 13 years in, bro. I played in New York already; so you hear that stuff all the time. I’m used to that. It just is what it is. You ride the wave of it. At the end of the day, I’m playing basketball and I’m doing what I love for a living. So, it’s all I ask for.”

LAS VEGAS — The Lakers easily beat the Thunder 96-84 in Summer League play, and Adou Thiero was a big reason why.

He was flying all over the Thomas & Mack Center and looked the way a two-year player should, as though he has no business competing against this level of talent.

Thiero ended the night with a game-high 20 points and he had a slew of highlight dunks that rocked the crowd and demoralized Oklahoma City.

This was everything the Lakers hoped he could be when they selected him in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Now a year later, he is starting to reach his potential.

“He just wasn’t rushed tonight,” Lakers coach Ty Abbott said after the win. “He took what was in front of him. He attacked matchups. He understood that there was going to be some paint-swarming. Those guys were going to try to flood and meet him at the rim and he made the right pass. When he started doing that, it started to open up for him and he was able to finish at the rim.”

This was in stark contrast compared to Thiero’s start in the California Classic.

In that game, he was still active and a ball of energy, but in the worst ways possible. His play felt rushed. He was attempting shots from uncomprehensible positions. He had just nine points and his lackluster play was a big reason why the Warriors dominated.

But that was then, and this is now.

On Friday night, Thiero was hotter and more relentless than the Las Vegas sun.

He was getting the ball in motion and touching the paint whenever he wanted. When he had the ball at the top of the key, Thiero made the right decisions regarding when to attack and when to pass. He had great instincts for the ball on defense, registering a trio of steals and two impressive blocks.

Thiero has a rare curse: he’s almost too athletic. It allows him to do things no one else can, but also to try things no one should.

Figuring out how to channel his elite athleticism will be the key to him maximizing his ability and his career.

“Pace and just being patient,” Abbott said when asked how Thiero can play with control. “Sometimes it’s kind of two ships passing in the night. You got two guys going at once. Just letting the action come to him, seeing what opens up, and then attacking it then rather than being predetermined in what you want to do.”

All play in Summer League has to be taken with a grain of salt. The list of players who looked good at this level is massive, but the number who were able to translate that to the NBA is small.

Still, it’s good to see Thiero play this well after a season limited by recovery from a knee injury and an MCL sprain.

Now, that’s all in the past. And his future has never looked brighter.

“Definitely feels good to go out and get the reps and then seeing some of the stuff you work on, go out there and work,” Thiero said. “But at the same time, still a lot of work to go. In these games I still see where I need to develop.”

If Thiero keeps this up, all the work he is doing will ultimately translate into his regular-season performances. He has the talent, has put in the work, and on Friday night, Lakers fans got an appetizer on what it could look like when it all comes together.

Here’s hoping that ultimately comes to fruition not just during the rest of Summer League, but in the fall with the main team.

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

It's no surprise that Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is highly regarded in the NBA.

Notable names like Kevin Durant and Al Horford have joined the Warriors via free agency in the past to align with the veteran point guard.

LeBron James has not officially committed to Curry and Golden State, but the Warriors remain among his suitors.

More: What team stands to gain the most from signing LeBron James

James has always spoken highly of Curry and has mentioned that he would like the opportunity to play alongside him again.

LAS VEGAS — Derrick White was home with his wife when he found out that Jaylen Brown, one of his longest-tenured teammates, had been traded.

“It’s tough to see someone get traded, and JB’s been an amazing teammate, amazing friend to me, and kind of welcomed me when I got traded to Boston,” he said. “So I’m always thankful for my time that I spent with JB, and it’s obviously always tough to get traded, and I know how that feels.”

White said he reached out to Brown soon after the trade with a simple message: “Thank you for everything you did for me.”

Neemias Queta, who has been teammates with Brown for three years, also spoke to reporters on Friday night for the first time since the trade.

“It’s not easy,” Queta said. “I think you feel for him. Obviously, it wasn’t easy for him as well. But at the end of the day, it’s part of the business. You know what’s happening. You know it can happen at any moment. But Jaylen’s a guy that you can’t replace in the city. Really, really hard to replace on the court as well. He did so much for Boston in general, and he will definitely be missed.”

Like White, Queta reached out to Brown after the trade, and wanted to stress to him that he’ll still be there for him even though they’ll no longer live in the same city.

“I just wanted to show him a sense of gratitude for pushing me daily, showing that I’m his guy,” Queta said. “I’m still gonna be around. Like anything he needs, he can reach out, and we can arrange things. And I think he just pushed me to be better every day just by his edge and intensity. His ability to corral us as a group was really, really special.”

Hugo Gonzalez shared the floor with Brown for just one season, but frequently lauded the impact the 5-time All-Star had on him. On Thursday, he shared his gratitude for the overlapping year he shared with Brown.

“Jaylen is a Celtics legend, and everybody, [starting with me], is really, really grateful because of the things he has done,” Gonzalez said. “Especially for me, he has been an amazing veteran player. He’s been a leader for me. He’s been a role model. Everybody here is grateful for him.”

After a dominant start in the Las Vegas Summer League, the Lakers are back at it on Saturday as they take on the Dallas Mavericks.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks

When: 7 p.m. PT, July 11

Where: Thomas & Mack Center

Watch: ESPN

Exactly a week ago, this Lakers team was blown out by the Golden State Warriors in their first game together. They looked lost on the court, and it didn’t seem like there would be much to be excited about for the summer.

Since then though, they’ve bounced back significantly and won three straight games, including a strong showing against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the process, Cameron Carr has continued to shine, while Adou Theiro has found his footing after an up-and-down start.

The two have also received sufficient help, and in Friday’s win, it was the likes of Arthur Kaluma and Anton Watson who combined for 33 points.

It’s been a fun team to root for. This squad has the right mix of talent along with the requisite shooting, athleticism, height and two-way production to succeed.

And on Saturday, they have a chance to build on their success against a Mavericks team led by Morez Johnson Jr., whom Dallas selected at No. 9 in this year’s NBA Draft.

Dallas began the tournament with a loss to the Warriors, so look for them to be determined to bounce back in this one. They also have a roster that can really score, especially inside the paint. Look for Johnson to get most of the team’s touches and production going.

As for the Lakers, it’ll be interesting to see if they can maintain their overall production. Since their first game together, their ball movement has improved.

Players know their roles and they seem to have a competitive game plan, at least based on how they’re playing. Hopefully it continues throughout the tournament for the Lakers.

If the Lakers win this game against the Mavericks, they’ll go up 2-0 and play two more games to determine if they advance to the semifinals. The goal is to win all games by as much as possible since the point differential system impacts the team’s standing down the line.

Let’s see if they can win back-to-back games and keep their momentum going against the Mavericks on Saturday.

Notes and Updates

• In case you missed it, yes, the new Lakers signees are in Las Vegas and have shown support for the current summer team.

• There are no injuries to report at this time, and hopefully not for the rest of the tournament.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.

The Phoenix Suns tipped off their Summer League schedule in Las Vegas on Friday night, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 81-79.

It was a tale of two halves for the Phoenix Suns. In the first half, they couldn’t hit a shot, going 0-of-9 from beyond the arc and scoring only 24 points. Sure, quarters are shortened to 10 minutes in Summer League, but 24 points is still 24 points. It was ugly basketball.

Then the Suns came out of the locker room with some fire, and you could see the difference on both ends of the floor. Phoenix trailed by as many as 16 points, but after scoring 57 in the second half, they completed the comeback and walked away with an 81-79 victory.

DJ Steward led the way for Portland with 21 points, while Yang Hansen finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

Javonte Cook led Phoenix with 21 points, but it was the performances from the Suns’ young prospects that impressed the most. Khaman Maluach finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while rookie Koa Peat added 17 points and nine boards. Rasheer Fleming chipped in six points and 10 rebounds, along with two steals and two blocks.

The Suns’ defense came alive in the second half, creating turnovers, generating transition opportunities, and giving the offense the energy it desperately needed. It was far from perfect, but the young Suns responded when things looked ugly and found a way to win their first Summer League game.

Game Flow

First Half

The game started a little later than planned because the matchup before it, between the Celtics and Raptors, went into overtime. Because why wouldn’t an 8 p.m. Suns start get delayed? Typical Suns stuff.

Thankfully, it’s a Friday night.

The first points of the game came after rookie Kia Peat snagged an offensive rebound and then through Ali loop to Khaman Maluach. Chefs kiss? Yes, chefs kiss.

That was the only made basket for the Suns on their first 12 attempts, as they opened the game shooting 8.3% from the field. It was clear Phoenix wanted to see what Maluach could provide on the perimeter, as he began the night 1-of-5 from the field and 0-of-3 from beyond the arc.

Despite the brutal start, the Suns trailed only 7-2 midway through the first quarter.

The rebounding was solid for Phoenix, as their front line was simply massive. Early on, Peat impressed with his ability to attack the glass and secure rebounds. And it was Peat who finally snapped the Suns’ 0-of-13 shooting stretch, rising up and throwing down an athletic dunk to give Phoenix some much needed life.

Maluach scored his second basket of the game with an impressive left-handed bank shot over Yang Hansen.

Overall, it was an ugly quarter for both teams. They combined to shoot 1-of-21 from beyond the arc, with Phoenix going 0-of-9 and finishing the quarter 4-of-22 overall from the field. Maluach led all Suns scorers with four points on 2-of-6 shooting, while Rasheer Fleming added two points and six rebounds.

After one, the Suns trailed the Trail Blazers, 19-10.

The second quarter started much the same, as the Suns missed their first five shots from the field and opened 0-of-2 from beyond the arc. A lazy inbound pass from Maluach didn’t help matters, and he led the team with 4 turnovers in the first half. His handle certainly looked loose whenever he put the ball on the floor.

Phoenix was shooting only 14% from the field midway through the second quarter, although Portland wasn’t doing much better at 25%. With five minutes remaining in the half, the Suns found themselves trailing by 13, 27-14.

The drought was finally broken by a smooth mid-range jumper from second-year Kentucky shooter Koby Brea. It was an in-rhythm shot that looked crisp coming off his hand.

And then there was Koa Peat. At 6’8” and 245 pounds, he clearly looks like an NBA player. Peat flashed that physicality in transition, spinning his way through the defense and finishing through contact for the and-1.

Phoenix didn’t have many made field goals in the first half. In fact, they only made eight. But it felt like every one of them was impressive. To close out the first half, Maluach threw down a sick alley-oop dunk, followed shortly thereafter by a savage slam from Rasheer Fleming.

When the first half was all said and done, the Suns shot 21% from the field, going 8-of-38 overall and 0-of-13 from beyond the arc. They also committed 10 turnovers.

Maluach led the way with 8 points and 6 rebounds. Fleming added 4 points and 8 rebounds, while Koa Peat finished the half with 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 turnovers. Jameer Nelson Jr. scored 4 points off the bench, all of them from the free-throw line. He was also the only member of the Suns to register a steal, finishing with two.

Phoenix trailed Portland, 38-24, after one half of play.

Second Half

Maluach came out firing in the third quarter, knocking down his first two three-pointers to pull the Suns within 12. Phoenix scored a grand total of 10 points in the first quarter. They matched that total in the first two and a half minutes of the third.

The offense felt much more engaged, although there were still issues with moving the basketball. That’s Summer League for you. Guards often drift away from the confines of the offense, hunting their own points rather than creating quality opportunities for the team. Numerous times, both Maluach and Peat set solid screens and rolled to the basket, only to watch the ball go somewhere else despite being open. Such is Summer League basketball.

Rasheer Fleming put together an unbelievably impressive sequence. On one end, he attacked off the dribble, pulled up, and knocked down a 12-footer. On the other, he stayed disciplined as the Trail Blazers tried to shake him with a spin move, refusing to bite before using his length to block the shot.

Then Maluach came down and knocked down his third three-pointer of the quarter. All of a sudden, the Suns’ young players were putting on a show.

The defense started putting on a show as well. Active hands created deflections and loose balls, leading to transition opportunities and finally giving the Suns some life.

The end result? After scoring 24 points in the entire first half, Phoenix exploded for 31 points in the third quarter. The Suns shot 10-of-17 from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, completely changing the complexion of the game.

Maluach scored nine points and grabbed three rebounds in the quarter, while Koa Peat added six points and three boards. After trailing by as many as 17, the Suns entered the fourth quarter down only one, 56-55.

The Suns took the lead to open the fourth quarter on an alley-oop to Maluach. Moments later, he followed it up with a pretty savage dunk over Yang Hansen, adding another highlight to an impressive second half.

Phoenix continued to play well against Portland, outscoring the Trail Blazers 12-6 through the first half of the fourth quarter. A 12-3 run gave the Suns an eight-point lead with four minutes remaining as they continued to build upon the momentum they created in the third.

Koa Peat’s ability to attack was impressive throughout the game. If he gets inside 15 feet, he’s going at you aggressively, using his strength to create contact and draw fouls. There’s a physicality to the way he plays that immediately stands out, and it’s a nice sight to see.

The game came down to the final minute, with the Suns holding a one-point lead and 45 seconds remaining. Phoenix’s Javonte Cook delivered what appeared to be the dagger, knocking down his fifth three-pointer of the game to give the Suns some breathing room.

Portland wasn’t finished. After grabbing a pair of offensive rebounds, DJ Steward answered with a three-pointer of his own with 8.5 seconds remaining, pulling the Trail Blazers back within one.

A foul sent Darius Brown II to the free throw line, where he made 1-of-2, giving Portland an opportunity to tie or win the game with 7.8 seconds left. Following a timeout, the Trail Blazers went the length of the floor and got a shot off for the win. It missed.

Phoenix wins, 81-79.

Up Next

Next up for the Summer Suns? The Summer Pelicans. A team that has made a grand total of one transaction all offseason: re-signing DeAndre Jordan. They did have one draft pick this year, Jaron Pierre Jr, drafted 58th overall. They do not have second-year players Jeremiah Fears or Derik Queen on their roster.

The teams tip off at noon on Sunday. See you then!

The highlight dunk was proof that Adou Thiero is just fine. Thiero delivered a breakaway windmill dunk in the second quarter Friday that brought cheers from the fans, a moment in which the second-year Lakers forward displayed his athleticism.

Thiero’s confidence seemed to grow from that point on, his play for the Lakers during their Las Vegas Summer League opener at the Thomas & Mack Center a sign of his development.

He ran the floor and caught a lob for a dunk. He sprinted back on defense and blocked a shot. He finished the third quarter with a last-second shot off the backboard, a basket that gave the Lakers an 86-66 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Thiero came back in the game in the fourth quarter and threw down another lob dunk.

Thiero completed his night with 20 points during the Lakers’ 96-84 win.

Read more:Lakers' Adou Thiero hoping to learn and lead with Cameron Carr this summer

He played an all-around game, collecting four rebounds, three steals and two blocks with zero turnovers in 30 minutes. He was seven for 12 from the field. He missed all five of his three-pointers, but Thiero finished the game plus-13.

Thiero played after missing the Lakers’ final game at the California Classic in San Francisco because of a right wrist injury.

First-round pick Cameron Carr also played against the Thunder after being limited by a bothersome toenail during the California Classic finale. Carr had another solid game with 18 points on seven-for-13 shooting.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.