Category: NBA

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Kawhi Leonard's uncle reportedly asked Toronto to get the player 'no-show' endorsements in 2019

On Wednesday in New York, the NBA's Board of Governors — the 30 NBA owners — are meeting. While discussion of league rules and other details will be on the agenda, the big topic will be the report that the Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap by Kawhi Leonard having a "no-show" endorsement deal with a team sponsor, a "green bank" company called Aspiration that has since gone bankrupt with the CEO pleading guilty to defrauding investors. The NBA is now investigating the charges, and when Adam Silver meets with the media on Wednesday, that will be the main topic of conversation.

A new report from Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star says that when Leonard was a free agent in 2019, his uncle and manager Dennis Robertson — commonly referred to in league circles as Uncle Dennis — asked the Raptors for no-show endorsement deals at that time. As has been previously documented (and investigated by the league at the time), Uncle Dennis asked for a lot of things during that free agency.

Robertson asked for ownership stakes in outside companies: not just the (NHL's Toronto) Leafs, which he seemed to believe was separate, but with other companies with whom [Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment] had a relationship. And two, the Raptors were told they needed to match at least $10 million per year in extra sponsorship income. Teams are allowed to introduce players to team sponsors; teams cannot negotiate deals, and MLSE was aware of that fact.

But it didn't end there. As one source put it, when told about all the corporate sponsors in Toronto who would be happy to have Leonard as a pitchman, his camp said, "We don't want to do anything." Raptors representatives said any sponsor would want to shoot ads or arrange appearances; Robertson reiterated Leonard didn't want to do anything for the money.

That does sound awfully familiar, and for a lot of fans and people around the league it just adds to the wave of circumstantial evidence in this case. That said, a couple of things should be noted here:

• While the no-show endorsement part with Toronto is new, Uncle Dennis asking in 2019 for stakes in the franchise, exclusive use of planes, a home, and much more is well known and something the NBA knew about. Uncle Dennis's requests are the stuff of legend around the league. The NBA investigated this when the Clippers signed Leonard as a free agent and found no wrongdoing or illegal benefits.

• Even before Leonard was traded to Toronto in 2019, it was known around the league that he wanted to get back closer to where he grew up in Los Angeles. It was thought at the time that he would end up with the Lakers or Clippers as a free agent, and Leonard reportedly was not enamored with the idea of playing next to LeBron James, which gave the Clippers an edge. They pursued him hard, with Clippers' team executive Lawrence Frank conspicuously attending many Raptors games, both home and away, that season. Despite all the rumors and actions by Uncle Dennis at the time, Leonard's signing with the Clippers was not some out-of-the-blue surprise, and he signed a four-year max contract with the move.

The NBA's investigation could head in numerous different directions, depending on whether they find any genuine connection between Ballmer or another Clipper employee and this no-show endorsement deal. Ballmer and the Clippers have vehemently denied any knowledge of impropriety or connection to the endorsement deal. In the initial investigation reported by Pablo Torre on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, he said he had seven different employees with Aspiration tell him this was about salary cap circumvention. This is where the NBA being a league run by lawyers — with an outside law firm running the investigation — will bog down in legal terminology. Employees at Aspiration being told by other people with the company that this was for salary cap circumvention does not prove the Clippers knew or participated in it (was it just an office rumor started by someone without direct knowledge?). It's not that these people are lying or doing anything wrong, but it's not the kind of direct evidence lawyers will demand. Also, another report surfaced that Aspiration gave other celebrities huge endorsement deals with little or no work required, however, as part of those contracts the endorsers then hired Aspiration back using part, but not all, of that endorsement money (which helped inflate the books for Aspiration, who could point to large contracts on their books). It's unclear if Leonard was involved in such a deal and, if so, whether the Clippers were aware of it.

When Mark Cuban appeared on Pablo Torre Finds Out to defend Ballmer, he suggested it was possible this was simply Uncle Dennis and a fraudulent company working together, and that the Clippers were genuinely unaware.

We simply have more questions than answers at this point. About all of it. The NBA's investigation will try to answer them, but it's possible that the evidence we currently have is basically all we will have. While that looks bad in the court of public opinion, whether it would be enough for other owners to bring the hammer down on one of their own is up for debate.

You can be sure Adam Silver will be asked about it on Wednesday in New York.

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LeBron James reportedly did not write or submit article attributed to him in state-run Chinese publication

As used to be an almost annual tradition, LeBron James recently toured China to promote Nike and his signature shoes (his 15th such trip). However, this time, LeBron faced backlash at home in the United States — and in Hong Kong — when his name appeared as the author of an essay for the state-controlled daily news outlet the People's Daily. In the essay, LeBron was very complimentary of China.

However, LeBron didn't write or submit that article, according to reporting by Joe Varden of The Athletic.

Despite James' name being attached to the story, two sources close to James confirmed that he did not submit an essay to People's Daily. Instead, he conducted group interviews with reporters in the two cities he visited... comments made by the Los Angeles Lakers star in group settings throughout his Chinese tour last week, to Shanghai and Chengdu, were printed in Mandarin by the newspaper. At the bottom of the article, according to three Chinese translators advising The Athletic, it refers to James as the "author," but also states that James was interviewed — and the piece was edited — by a reporter from People's Daily.

James was understandably complimentary of the people of China in those interviews. He talked about basketball as a bridge between the countries, exactly the kind of thing a seasoned pro would say when touring a country trying to sell shoes. LeBron is not the only NBA star to tour China late this summer, both James Harden (for Adidas) and Stephen Curry (for Under Armor) did as well.

This was James' first trip to China post-COVID. The last time he was in the country was in 2019, when the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets had come there for an NBA preseason game just as then Rockets GM Daryl Morey Tweeted support for protestors in Hong Kong. That led to a chill that lasted for years between the NBA and China, with NBA games not being broadcast legally in the country. The relationship between the NBA and China has largely thawed, and it appears things are back to business as usual.

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Clippers Investigation Could Hinge on CBA Language, Sponsor Actions

The NBA’s investigation into possible salary cap circumvention by the Los Angeles Clippers could invite interpretative questions about collectively bargained language and when teams ought to be punished for the actions of a sponsor.

The controversy, which concerns an endorsement deal Kawhi Leonard signed with Clippers’ sponsor Aspiration, has been discussed extensively. In 2022, Aspiration signed the superstar forward (through Leonard’s KL2 Aspire LLC), to a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal. On the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, journalist Pablo Torre reported that Leonard wasn’t obligated to perform services to Aspiration, that the deal would end if the Clippers traded Leonard and that the payments were understood as circumventing the cap. 

Aspiration has significant ties to the Clippers. The company signed a sponsorship with the team, while owner Steve Ballmer reportedly invested $50 million into the firm. Aspiration filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and court records indicate the company owes the Clippers and KL2 Aspire $30.1 million and $7 million, respectively. The company’s co-founder Joseph Sandberg also agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud last month. Federal prosecutors accused him of deceiving investors and lenders. 

The key question for the NBA is whether Aspiration’s deal with Leonard was made to enable the Clippers to circumvent the salary cap. 

Leonard signed a max contract with the Clippers in 2021 around the time it partnered with Aspiration. Some basketball insiders were surprised Leonard signed a four-year deal with the Clippers instead of positioning himself for what could have been a longer, more lucrative deal the following year. Regardless, the team could have arranged for Leonard to earn more by arranging for a sponsor to sign him.

The NBA has retained the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, which the league used in its investigation into then-Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Robert Sarver, to investigate the Clippers. Under Article XIII of the CBA, the Clippers could be found at fault with circumstantial evidence, meaning indirect proof that is reliable enough to draw inferences. The Clippers deny the allegations and maintain they’re innocent.

If the Clippers schemed with Aspiration to pay Leonard, then the NBA would issue severe punishments. The league could void the Clippers-Leonard contract and order the forfeiture of first-round picks, a penalty experienced by the Minnesota Timberwolves when they were found to have circumvented the cap to sign Joe Smith. Other punishments could include lengthy suspensions and fines imposed on Ballmer, the Clippers and team officials.

The Clippers would have the chance to appeal to an NBA appeals panel. They could also, at least theoretically, challenge the NBA in court, but any litigation would face severe headwinds. Owners and teams contractually assent to the league and commissioner having final, binding and conclusive authority, meaning courts would give the league sizable deference. 

A murkier scenario is if the NBA doesn’t find sufficient evidence the Clippers directed Aspiration to pay Leonard but concludes Aspiration signed Leonard to a no-show contract as part of an illicit arrangement with Leonard’s representatives. The Toronto Star on Tuesday reported that representatives for Leonard demanded no-show sponsorship income when Leonard, who won a championship with the Toronto Raptors, sought a new contract in 2019. 

Would the Clippers be at fault if a sponsor decides to pay a player, but there isn’t sufficient evidence the team directed that payment? 

This is where interpretation of the CBA would become crucial.

The CBA doesn’t contain a rule that specifically contemplates punishment of a team for the actions of a sponsor. That makes sense since a sponsor is a separate entity. Article XIII references a team running afoul of its language by entering into an agreement or understanding with a sponsor or business, but a sponsor acting on its own doesn’t fit squarely within that definition. Likewise, while Article XIII expansively prohibits “any agreements” of “any kind” that are “express or implied, oral or written” or “understandings of any kind,” that language still implies the team’s involvement.

The CBA also makes clear that teams have discretion in sponsorships. Article XXVIII states that “nothing” in the CBA “shall limit the rights” of “NBA teams to provide, and authorize others to provide, advertising and promotional opportunities within NBA games or NBA or Team events and NBA-related or Team- related content.” 

At the same time, the league could rightfully ask why Aspiration, a sustainability services company, would agree to pay Leonard millions of dollars but not (allegedly) expect anything in return. The NBA could surmise that Aspiration either had a handshake arrangement with the Clippers or, if not, sought to curry favor with the Clippers in hopes of gaining an edge in future business dealings with the team. 

The definition of the word “understanding” is imprecise, and that could become significant in determining what counts as team wrongdoing in the context of a sponsor. Merriam-Webster defines understanding as a “a mutual agreement not formally entered into but in some degree binding on each side” or a “friendly or harmonious relationship.” In court filings, judges and prosecutors have defined understanding as “the comprehension or awareness of the parties” and “at least a universal perception or belief.” The NBA could place a low bar for “understanding” to find the Clippers at fault.

To that point, the NBA might not find the Clippers schemed with Aspiration but nonetheless determine that they deserve punishment for failing to adequately scrutinize Aspiration’s relationship with Leonard. Imagine the Clippers argue they did not direct Aspiration and didn’t know what Aspiration was doing. The league might be skeptical that the Clippers were merely ignorant of the Aspiration-Leonard relationship and question why the team didn’t undertake more diligence. In that same vein, the NBA could view any defense along the lines of “hear no evil, see no evil,” sometimes called purposeful ignorance, as suspicious. 

Article 35A of the league constitution, which is a contract between the league, teams and owners, accords commissioner Adam Silver with wide latitude in suspending and fining team officials when they’re “guilty conduct prejudicial or detrimental to the Association.” Such a misdeed might not warrant the forfeiture of multiple first round picks but could carry a meaningful penalty.

There are other ramifications in a scenario where the Clippers are punished not for plotting to circumvent the salary cap but for what amounts to negligence: unreasonably failing to find out more information about a sponsor when that sponsor is compensating a player in an endorsement deal. Other teams would need to monitor their sponsors more aggressively and thoroughly. Given that private equity groups can now buy stakes in NBA teams, the number of persons connected to a team’s ownership could lead to a long list of conflict checks for teams. It stands to reason that players and the NBPA might argue new guidelines for sponsor-player endorsement deals need to be bargained. 

While the attention on the allegations against the Clippers is understandably focused on Leonard’s dealings, the impact of the league’s investigation could pose consequences for all teams and sponsors in how they negotiate with players.

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Ramp to Camp: Who will emerge as Celtics' go-to big man this season?

Ramp to Camp: Who will emerge as Celtics' go-to big man this season? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics enter the 2025-26 season with plenty of questions following painful roster changes this summer. But there’s one BIG question: Who will emerge as the go-to center in a largely overhauled big-man stable?

The trio of Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porzingis accounted for 4,200 total minutes of regular-season action last season. Take 48 minutes and multiply it by 82 games and you don’t even hit 4,000 total minutes. That’s a lot of big-man minutes to replace.

For Day 8 of our Ramp to Camp series, we asked our panel to pick the Celtics big man most likely to eat up the majority of those center minutes this season. 

Before the August addition of veteran big man Chris Boucher, the Celtics were incredibly green at the center spot. Neemias Queta (1,345 career minutes) and Luka Garza (973) might play more this season than the entirety of their NBA careers. Xavier Tillman has played sparingly since being acquired two seasons ago, but both he and offseason acquisition Josh Minott could be small-ball center options like Boucher, too.

Queta, already the lone rotation holdover, might have put himself in the driver’s seat for starter minutes with his strong play at EuroBasket. The 26-year-old big man has provided solid minutes over the past two seasons, most notably early in the 2024 title season where he made a case for his elevation to the parent roster.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla put Queta in some tough defensive spots last season, maybe with the goal of expediting his development. And now it might be time to take off the training wheels.

Queta is an imposing presence around the basket and looks far more comfortable on the defensive end compared to when he first arrived in Boston. Garza has obvious offensive talents, but has to show he can hold up on the defensive side to earn Mazzulla’s trust. 

Boucher is an interesting addition. He’ll turn 33 during the season, and on a one-year minimum contract, he doesn’t exactly figure into the long-term future of this team. The Celtics would probably prefer to use minutes this season to develop players that might comprise core pieces of a future title contender. And yet Boucher’s veteran steadiness and ability to help nurture a younger stable makes him quite vital to however this year plays out.

The one thing we know for sure at the center spot: Boucher is going to play hard. Remember a couple seasons ago when he bumped Mazzulla during a timeout on the court? Robert Williams III’s bearhug of Mazzulla was the only thing that prevented any further escalation. But coach and player are kind of perfect for each other.

Still, the Celtics have to find the right balance between allowing Boucher to bring some veteran poise to that position and giving Queta, Garza, and the small-ball bigs a chance to develop. If Boucher leads the team in center minutes, it’s only a good sign if the Celtics dramatically outkick expectations and elect to lean on his experience. 

The bigger question here might be whether the center of the future is currently on Boston’s roster. If you’re leery of this center depth chart, we get it. But also remember that few thought Luke Kornet would evolve into an eight-figure center when he arrived.

The Celtics have rarely splurged at the center spot outside of the Porzingis acquisition. Having Horford there with an ability to play in double-big lineups or shuffle him to center was an insane luxury that the team will dearly miss. 

But now it’s on younger players like Queta to show they are ready to shoulder the minutes load.

Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor

Neemias Queta.

Am I overreacting to Queta racking up 23 points and 18 rebounds against lowly Czechia in EuroBasket action? Potentially. But the Portuguese big man has improved every year since arriving in Boston, and he has a golden opportunity to take another leap this season.

Chris Boucher might be the more polished player, but Queta has more upside. Let him work toward realizing it.

Michael Hurley, Web Producer

I know that Chris Boucher is the only option who’s actually played 20-plus minutes a night for full seasons in the NBA, but I bet it’s Neemias Queta.

He has two years of experience working with the Celtics. They’re invested in each other. He took some positive steps last season, so there’s reason to believe that can keep advancing.

Sean McGuire, Web Producer

Neemias Queta.

The lone holdover of the aforementioned group, Queta started just six of the 62 games he played last season because of the depth in front of him. But the 26-year-old fared fine in those six starts and narrowly missed a double-double in three of them.

If Queta can continue to build confidence from long range like he has in FIBA EuroBasket tournament this summer, Joe Mazzulla surely will appreciate it.

Josh Canu, Media Editor

Neemias Queta.

We have all enjoyed the flashes from Queta when called upon. Will he struggle in certain matchups? Absolutely. But he’s the best chance they have.

I think with a bigger workload he will have some eye-popping games and it should be fun to watch him continue to develop.

Jim Aberdale, Supervising Producer, Celtics

I’m guessing most will go Neemias Queta, but I’m taking Chris Boucher.

I like the fact he’s an eight-year veteran and has been on a couple championship teams. As the question mentions, someone has to play the 1,500 minutes and I think Joe Mazzulla leans on Boucher the most.

Max Lederman, Content Producer

Neemias Queta has the institutional knowledge that comes from already playing two seasons under Joe Mazzulla and is coming off a breakout EuroBasket performance for Portugal.

The center job is Neemy’s to lose.

Kevin Miller, VP, Content

Neemias Queta coming off a strong EuroBasket run will be the first choice. The Celtics could use his offensive rebounding and overall activity for some needed second-chance points.

That being said, I could see several minutes of small-ball five lineups.

Adam Hart, EP, Content Strategy

Chris Boucher emerges as a true threat alongside Derrick White and Jaylen Brown. People will be very excited for him to play with Jayson Tatum, Ray. People will most definitely be excited.

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Warriors star Steph Curry reveals motivation behind his new ‘Shot Ready' book

Warriors star Steph Curry reveals motivation behind his new ‘Shot Ready' book originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry is doing some reflecting as he heads into his 17th NBA season.

The Golden State Warriors star released a new book, titled “Shot Ready,” on Tuesday. The book features more than 100 photographs from his basketball journey as he dives into his philosophy for success.

Curry said he got the idea for the book when he was looking through old pictures with a couple of photographers. While he said it was great to relive some of the biggest moments throughout his career, it also inspired him to share his championship mindset.

“When I looked through, there were so many memories, lessons, philosophies, things that have helped me get through,” Curry said Wednesday during a “TODAY” interview with Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin. “Not only to inspire myself to keep going, because I still have a lot more to accomplish on the court, but to kind of go through and highlight some of the things that I’ve learned.”

Curry’s “shot ready” mindset is clear on the court, as his 4,058 career 3-pointers are far and away the most in NBA history. Beyond basketball, he believes it’s an attitude that extends to all walks of life.

“Only worrying about the process and not the result is what being ‘shot ready’ is,” Curry said. “You know, 10 fingers, 10 toes to the basket, but that’s a philosophy that’s not just basketball.”

Curry didn’t secure his four NBA championships, two NBA MVPs, 11 All-Star selections and a place on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team alone. The father of four credits his wife, Ayesha, and the rest of his family for believing in him when others overlooked him.

“You’ve got to have people around you that see the best in you, as well, and I’ve had those people in my life, and that’s something I get to share throughout the book,” Curry said.

Steph and Ayesha are keeping themselves plenty busy while raising their children. On top of Steph’s “TODAY” interview, Ayesha co-hosted with Jenna Bush Hager on “Jenna & Friends.”

Still, the couple puts family first while excelling in their respective fields.

“It’s a tough balancing act,” Curry said. “I don’t even know if ‘balance’ is a real, accomplishable thing, but we’re excited. We’re in love. We’re enjoying it.”

When asked about what he plans to do when he finally retires, Curry promised he won’t leave the game. Whether it’s coaching or another role, he says he will find a place in basketball after he is done playing.

“I see what these coaches go through in the league, so I understand how hard the job is,” Curry said. “For me though, it’s about figuring a way to have an influence in the game, to give back to it the way that so many people have poured into me. Whether that’s a skill development thing, a consultant thing, I don’t know what it is, but I know I’m going to be a part of the game where anybody can reach out to me.”

Before Curry jumps into his future plans, he still has scores to settle on the court. The future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer is gearing up to enter his 17th NBA season, and he will tip it off when the Warriors visit LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers in the return of NBA on NBC on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

“Year 17 sounds insane,” Curry said. “I’m hyped for it.”

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Steph Curry dives into his new book and his ‘Shot Ready' mindset

Steph Curry dives into his new book and his ‘Shot Ready' mindset originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry is doing some reflecting as he heads into his 17th NBA season.

The Golden State Warriors star released a new book, titled “Shot Ready,” on Tuesday. The book features more than 100 photographs from his basketball journey as he dives into his philosophy for success.

Curry said he got the idea for the book when he was looking through old pictures with a couple of photographers. While he said it was great to relive some of the biggest moments throughout his career, it also inspired him to share his championship mindset.

“When I looked through, there were so many memories, lessons, philosophies, things that have helped me get through,” Curry said Wednesday during a “TODAY” interview with Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin. “Not only to inspire myself to keep going, because I still have a lot more to accomplish on the court, but to kind of go through and highlight some of the things that I’ve learned.”

Curry’s “shot ready” mindset is clear on the court, as his 4,058 career 3-pointers are far and away the most in NBA history. Beyond basketball, he believes it’s an attitude that extends to all walks of life.

“Only worrying about the process and not the result is what being ‘shot ready’ is,” he said. “You know, 10 fingers, 10 toes to the basket, but that’s a philosophy that’s not just basketball.”

Curry didn’t get his four NBA championships, two NBA MVPs, 11 All-Star selections and place on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team alone. The father of four credits his wife, Ayesha, and the rest of his family for believing in him when others overlooked him.

“You’ve got to have people around you that see the best in you, as well, and I’ve had those people in my life, and that’s something I get to share throughout the book,” he said.

Steph and Ayesha are keeping plenty busy while raising their children. On top of Steph’s “TODAY” interview, Ayesha got to co-host with Jenna Bush Hager on “Jenna & Friends.”

Still, the couple is able to put family first while excelling in their respective fields.

“It’s a tough balancing act,” he said. “I don’t even know if ‘balance’ is a real, accomplishable thing, but we’re excited. We’re in love. We’re enjoying it.”

When asked about what he plans to do when he finally retires, Curry promised he won’t leave the game. Whether it’s coaching or another role, he says he will find a place in basketball after he is done playing.

“I see what these coaches go through in the league, so I understand how hard the job is. For me though, it’s about figuring a way to have an influence in the game, to give back to it the way that so many people have poured into me. Whether that’s a skill development thing, a consultant thing, I don’t know what it is, but I know I’m going to be a part of the game where anybody can reach out to me.”

Before Curry jumps into his future plans, he still has scores to settle on the court. The future Basketball Hall of Famer is gearing up to enter his 17th season, and he will kick it off when the Warriors visit LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers in the return of NBA on NBC on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

“Year 17 sounds insane,” he said. “I’m hyped for it.”

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Watch Sengun put up a triple-double for Turkiye, Antetokounmpo score 29 for Greece in EuroBasket wins

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a force at EuroBasket, the second leading scorer in the tournament and a guy who has now carried Greece to the semifinals.

But Alperen Sengun may be playing better.

Turkiye has looked as good as any team in the tournament and is undefeated at EuroBasket, 7-0, winning games by an average of 18.6 points, including a five-point win against Nikola Jokic and tournament favorite Serbia. Former NBA players Shane Larkin (13 points, five assists) and Cedi Osman (10 points, five rebounds) also contributed to the win, ending Poland's Cinderella run.

Next up for Turkiye is trying to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece. That's something Lithuania could not do on Tuesday.

When Antetokounmpo is hitting his midrange jumpers like that, there is no stopping him. He finished with 29 points while shooting 9-of-14 inside the arc. Vassilis Toliopoulos of Panathinaikos added 17 for the Greek team.

Jonas Valanciunas had 24 points and 15 boards for Lithuania in the loss.

Turkiye and Greece will meet on Friday with a trip to the EuroBasket Finals on the line.

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Why Warriors star Draymond Green doesn't mind hate he gets from other NBA fans

Why Warriors star Draymond Green doesn't mind hate he gets from other NBA fans originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green never has shied away from the villain’s role.

The Warriors forward joined streamer Kai Cenat on Tuesday, and he gave a very Green-esque response when asked how he deals with the hate he receives.

“I’d rather be hated,” Green said. “If you’re not going to love me, I’d rather be hated. You know why? Because at least you have an opinion about me. If I just sit in the middle, I don’t move the needle either way. So… with me, you either love me or you hate me. If you hate me, like, that’s your business because you really don’t know me.

“So, if you’re going to spend your time, waste your time, the energy that it takes to hate a human being, or anything. The energy that it takes you to spend. If you’re going to hate me and you don’t know me, then your life’s what?”

The four-time All-Star is commonly voted among the most disliked players in the NBA, but it’s incredibly evident that it doesn’t bother the 35-year-old.

“Why would I care that she hates me or he hates me,” Green said. “That s–t ain’t going to pay a bill, it ain’t going to take away from a bill. … People also hate those that win because most people lose.”

The four-time NBA champion certainly has done a lot of that during his 13-year career, and that alone could be reason enough for people to dislike Green.

With that said, it’s pretty clear that Green is unfazed.

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Josh Giddey re-signs with Chicago Bulls for reported four years, $100 million

Compromise — a lost art in these times — has secured Josh Giddey's spot with the Chicago Bulls for the next four years.

Chicago and Giddey have agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract, his agent Daniel Moldovan of Lighthouse Sports Management told Shams Charania of ESPN, who broke the story. The Bulls soon confirmed it.

Giddey showed what he can mean to this franchise with the numbers he put up last season after the All-Star break: 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists a game for a Bulls team that went 17-10 in that stretch. Last season in Chicago, he had 30 double-doubles and seven triple-doubles.

Negotiations dragged out all summer because Giddey — based on his play the final stretch of last season — wanted to be paid in the Tyler Herro, Derrick White range of $30 million a year. That was not happening, and the last offer reported to be on the table was four years, $88 million ($22 million a season).

However, Chicago hurt its leverage because a year ago when it gave the unproven Patrick Williams a five-year, $90 million contract purely based on his potential. Giddey, despite his flaws (notably his lack of defense), is a proven commodity who can score and run an offense. What is that worth?

Chicago and Giddey met somewhere in the middle with a nine-figure contract that works for both sides. Giddey gets paid, but at that price Chicago can trade him if they decide to pivot.

If Giddey plays this coming season like he ended the last one, he could make his first All-Star team next February.

Giddey, the 22-year-old Australian, is expected to start at the point with Coby White at the two (and serving as a secondary shot creator). Combine them with second-year and improving player Matas Buzelis, just-drafted Noa Essengue from France, and the potential of Williams, and the Bulls may be starting to build something. It's been tough to see the big-picture vision in Chicago for a while — and that fog still hangs in the air — but locking up Giddey gives them a potential direction. This is a good deal for both sides.

Giddey inking his contract leaves two unrestricted free agents hanging out there, Jonathan Kuminga with the Warriors and Quentin Grimes of the Philadelphia 76ers. Both of those scenarios feel more like they could end in the player accepting the qualifying offer — as Cam Thomas did with the Nets — rather than the sides compromising on a deal.

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Warriors star Draymond Green reveals toughest defensive assignment of NBA career

Warriors star Draymond Green reveals toughest defensive assignment of NBA career originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s no secret Warriors forward Draymond Green takes pride in his defense.

The nine-time All-Defensive player and 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year has owned his reputation as one of the best on the floor at covering all five positions during his historic NBA career.

On Thursday, Green joined streamer Kai Cenat and spoke about what players have been the toughest to guard over the course of his career.

“The hardest player I had to guard in my career is KD,” Green said, speaking of Kevin Durant. “KD in OKC. After that, I figured him out, right. Slim can’t score on me no more – nah, he going to score on everybody, but I got better and learned more about his game. But, in OKC and just coming into the league and figuring — oh my God. No chance.”

Durant, who’s eighth all-time in NBA scoring with 30,571 points, hasn’t been figured out by anyone, so it’s no surprise Green gave him his flowers.

The topic then shifted to who currently gives the 35-year-old forward fits.

“The hardest now is Joker,” Green said of Nikola Jokic. “I play with Steph so I don’t have that headache. Joker — Luka [Doncic] will always be one of the toughest covers, but that ain’t my matchup. Of my matchups, the hardest to guard right now is Joker.”

The four-time NBA All-Star didn’t stop there, however. While he didn’t name another player, he did mention one anonymous big man in the Western Conference.

“There’s one that’s really tough. … I’m not saying it,” Green told Cenat, who pushed for him to say the name. “I don’t want to give him that edge. He probably don’t believe he has that edge, so I can’t give him that edge.”

We might never know who the mystery player is, but they must be a good enough talent if they’re able to get Green to almost mention them.

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Josh Giddey, Cam Thomas conclusions won't impact Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga saga

Josh Giddey, Cam Thomas conclusions won't impact Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga saga originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After collectively whistling into the wind for more than two months, the four most notable restricted free agents in the NBA are starting to splinter. Two have taken themselves off a market offering nothing, and neither was Jonathan Kuminga.

The stalemate between Kuminga and the Warriors remains precisely that, but they are steadily creeping toward resolution if only because every minute brings them closer to an Oct. 1 deadline.

The initial reaction to Cam Thomas returning to the Brooklyn Nets and Josh Giddey re-signing with the Chicago Bulls is to ponder whether that impacts the Warriors and Kuminga. The answer is, um, complicated.

Let’s begin with Thomas, who last week swallowed hard and accepted Brooklyn’s $5.99 million qualifying offer. With no market for his services, he reportedly had three options, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. One, stay with the rebuilding Nets for one year at $9.5 million plus incentives that could bring him to about $20 million. Two, re-sign for two years at $30 million, with a team option in Year 2. Three, sign the one-year qualifying offer, the only option that gives him a right to veto any trade and puts him on the market next summer, when the market projects to be more lucrative.

The market for Kuminga was slightly warmer, but not enough to force a move by the Warriors. He entered September facing two options. One, accept Golden State’s qualifying offer of $7.99 million. Two, sign a two-year contract at $45 million, with a team option in Year 2. He has shown no interest in that.

Kuminga has shown more interest in the qualifying offer – which gives him trade veto power and puts him on the market next summer – than the two-year deal preferred by Golden State that pays more but diminishes his leverage.

A third option could be looming, but the Warriors’ payroll has much less latitude than that of the Nets.

The Giddey contract, re-signing with rebuilding Chicago for four years at a reported $100 million, was almost a formality. The Bulls sweetened their initial offer (four years, $88 million), and Giddey’s representatives compromised on their pursuit of something in the $110-120 million range.

One clear and significant distinction between Kuminga-Warriors and Giddey-Bulls is that only the latter involves parties with mutual desire. Giddey and the Bulls envision a future together. Kuminga and the Warriors do not share the same dream.

Another difference is that the Bulls, mediocre in the inferior Eastern Conference, are building for years ahead. Giddey has been a starter since his rookie season with Oklahoma City and was a 30-minutes-a-night starter in his first season in Chicago. He is part of a core they hope can thrive in two or three years.

The Warriors, by contrast, are operating with urgency. With a veteran core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green – average age 36.5 years – they’re not looking beyond the next two seasons.

It’s conceivable, even likely, Kuminga stays with the Warriors – just as it seems likely that Quentin Grimes, the fourth RFA, stays with the Philadelphia 76ers. The difference there is, again, there is mutual interest between both parties, according to league sources. Philly reportedly is seeking to shed salary elsewhere to re-sign Grimes.

Aside from RFA status, Kuminga does not share a lot of parallels with Thomas, Giddy or Grimes. The Warriors will not offer JK the kind of contract the Bulls gave Giddey, and they have no plan to dump salary to retain Kuminga, as is the goal of the 76ers.

Kuminga signing the qualifying offer remains the anticipated outcome. The deadline to do so is Oct. 1. Meanwhile, Al Horford and the rest of the veterans in Golden State’s waiting room are quietly pleading for clarity.

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Philadelphia reportedly considering trading Drummond, Oubre to open up cap space for Grimes

Quentin Grimes thrived in Philadelphia after being traded there from Dallas at last February's deadline. In 28 games for the 76ers he averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists a game. Suddenly it was easy to picture him in a rotation with Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and just-drafted VJ Edgecombe to be the future in Philly (whatever happens with Joel Embiid and Paul George).

Except, the 76ers have to pay the restricted free agent Grimes, and reportedly the team wants at least a three-year deal. He reportedly wants a contract averaging $20 million or more a season, and he has the option of taking the $8.7 million qualifying offer, playing out this season and becoming a free agent.

Philly wants to pay him (maybe not $20 million a season based on just 28 games), but even giving him a contract around the mid-level exception (starting at $14.1 million next season) could send them deep into the tax aprons. So to create cap space, the 76ers are considering salary dump trades of Andre Drummond (set to make $5 million) and/or Kelly Oubre ($8.4 million), Jake Fischer said during a Bleacher Report live stream.

"There has been buzz all summer long about the Sixers looking to potentially move one of, if not both, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre. If they are able to find a deal for one of those two guys as we get closer to camp that would open up some more wiggle room for Philadelphia to be able to pay Grimes a little bit more than what he's looking at right now and what that qualifying offer would be."

Things are not exactly clear-cut and straightforward for the 76ers.

Both Drummond and Oubre are expected to have larger, more important roles next season if Embiid or George are injured at any point — and both are already heading into training camp limited and likely to miss some time. Then there is the guard spot: Philly already has Maxey at the point backed up by Kyle Lowry, with McCain and Edgecombe playing the two and maybe the three. While Grimes could start and would certainly play in that guard/wing rotation, he's not going to have the touches and green light he did late last season on a broken-down and demoralized 76ers team playing out the clock. Grimes' numbers and minutes are not going to be the same. While he is unquestionably a quality player and a good fit, how much do they want to pay him?

The 76ers don't want Grimes to just take the qualifying offer, they would like to lock him down with a longer deal and have him as part of the future. While Grimes may want a bigger payday, the reality is he's made $11.1 million total across four NBA seasons and if Philly came to him with something like three years, $45 million, that much money would be tough to turn down. However, with a good number on the qualifying offer ($8.7 million), Grimes may still choose to bet on himself, given that around half a dozen teams or more are expected to have cap space next summer.

There is room for a compromise and a Grimes deal to get done with the 76ers, but it may involve a salary dump trade first.

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Knicks push back on report they made offer to Ben Simmons; eyeing Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon

The New York Knicks have a couple of roster spots to fill before the season starts and they are going to bring in a reserve guard for one of them.

A report surfaced that the Knicks offered that guard spot to Ben Simmons, but he turned it down — the Knicks have pushed back on the idea that there was any offer. It's not a coincidence that trusted Knicks reporters Ian Begley of SNY.TV and Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News both posted on X that the Knicks never made an offer to Simmons. Both said the conversations happened with Simmons' agent (who is no longer representing Simmons), but there was no formal offer.

Begley added that New York is eyeing Landry Shamet or Malcolm Brogdon for that role.

This story can get bogged down in semantics. The Knicks almost certainly never made a formal offer to Simmons, however, they could have informally told Simmons' representative exactly what they might or even planned to offer, so that if/when the offer was made it was more of a formality. However it went down, Simmons and the Knicks were not on the same page.

Both Shamet, who played in 50 games for the Knicks last season, and Brogdon are likely better fits for the Knicks because they are better shooters (Shamet shot 39.7% from beyond the arc for New York last season, and Brogdon is a career 38.8% on 3-pointers). Shamet averaged 5.7 points per game for the Knicks last season, while Brogdon averaged 12.7 points and 4.1 assists with the Wizards.

What also doesn't change is that whoever the Knicks bring in, all they can offer are veteran minimum contracts, and that deal may not be fully guaranteed.

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Ramp to Camp: Which two-way player will help Celtics the most?

Ramp to Camp: Which two-way player will help Celtics the most? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics completely overhauled their two-way trio this offseason. So which one of the three new faces is most likely to make a tangible impact with the parent club during the 2025-26 season?

That’s the question we put to our panel for Part 7 of our Ramp to Camp series after the Celtics brought in the rookie troika of Amari Williams, Max Shulga, and RJ Luis Jr. (undrafted) to fill the team’s three two-way slots.

Williams (46th pick) and Shulga (57th) were draft-night additions, while Luis Jr. was acquired from Utah in a trade that sent out Georges Niang (and also forced the team to cut bait with Miles Norris, one of last season’s two-way pickups). 

The 6-foot-11 Williams feels like the obvious answer here. The Celtics have multiple holes to fill up front and must utilize every bit of size they have. The player who might see the biggest spike in minutes on the parent roster is Neemias Queta, a former two-way signing who took advantage of call-ups early in his Boston tenure before before signed to the main roster. 

Williams showed some obvious talents at Summer League, including excellent passing skills on the offensive end and shot-blocking prowess on the defensive side. His ability to improve as a finisher might determine just how much time he ultimately carves out in Boston.

The pathway to playing time for Shulga and Luis Jr. seems a bit more complicated. While both have intriguing elements to their game, the reality is that Boston remains well-stocked at the guard spot, while there’s a glut of young wings vying for time at perimeter spots. 

Still, given all the roster changes, it feels like there is far more opportunity than usual for two-way players. This year’s batch of two-way players can confidently come to camp knowing that they have just as much of a chance of making an impression as some of the other newcomers joining the parent roster.

It’s up to the two-way gang to make the most of that time. The Celtics haven’t been bashful in turning over two-way spots. After drafting Gonzaga forward Anton Watson 54th overall in 2024, the Celtics waived him in March. They picked up Norris, only to waive him in the aftermath of the Luis Jr. acquisition.

Queta and Sam Hauser, who both should play big roles for the Celtics this season, are proof that there is a pathway to a much bigger role after starting on two-way deals with Boston.

So who does our panel like to make an impact from the two-way slot this year?

Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor

Amari Williams.

The Celtics desperately need big-man help, and Williams at least should get an opportunity to prove he’s a valuable depth option. He’s an excellent passer for his size, which could pique Joe Mazzulla’s interest early in the season.

Michael Hurley, Web Producer

You’ve come to the right place. Nobody has studied the careers of Max Shulga, RJ Luis Jr., or Amari Williams more than I have. Did you know Amari Williams is British? That’s pretty cool.

I’ll answer with Max Shulga, because anyone who hits 3s has the chance to catch Joe Mazzulla’s eye.

Sean McGuire, Web Producer

Amari Williams.

I think the path to minutes is easier for Williams given Boston’s uncertain frontcourt. The Celtics have bodies competing for those minutes, of course, but there’s no surefire starter at this point. Could Williams make a case for time with a strong camp and preseason?

On the other hand, rookie guard Max Shulga and rookie wing RJ Luis Jr. are further down the depth chart at their respective positions.

Josh Canu, Media Editor

Amari Williams.

The biggest area of concern for the Celtics this season is their frontcourt, so Williams should get his opportunities. I liked what I saw at Kentucky and think his game can translate to the NBA.

It might not happen right away, but I think by the end of the season, he’ll be a player we can pencil in for a permanent role going forward.

Max Lederman, Content Producer

Amari Williams plays a position of need and is a sneaky good passer for a big. He also has the most upside of any of the bigs on the roster, so the C’s should prioritize his development.

Kevin Miller, VP, Content

In the short run, I could potentially see Max Shulga earning a shot with his ability to play point guard and his shooting ability.

Adam Hart, EP, Content Strategy

I feel like it has to be Amari Williams simply because the Celtics are thin up front. Luis Jr. interests me, though.

Jim Aberdale, Supervising Producer, Celtics

My first instinct is to respond “none of the above” but after pounding a gallon of Green Kool Aid, I’ll go Amari Williams.

Here we have a 7-footer who was the best passing big in college basketball last year. Mike Zarren says he has “incredible vision.” I’m envisioning no-look Bill Walton passes circa 1986. Let’s go.