Category: NBA

You can smell it; it’s so close you can nearly taste it. NBA free agency. Yes, it’s that time of year again, where teams convince themselves that their new recruits will put them over the top in the coming campaign. And despite all the lamenting that free agency is “dead,” you know you’re just as excited about it as I am (shout out to joebucks2014onward for getting the discussion started!). 

NBA free agency officially opens on June 30 at 5:00 p.m. CT and, following the annual moratorium period, players can sign new contracts starting on July 6—which also just so happens to be when the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade with the Miami Heat can officially be completed. 

Roster outlook

Currently, the Bucks project to have the following depth chart: 

C	Kel’el Ware	Myles Turner	Jericho Sims
PF	Kyle Kuzma	Pete Nance
SF	Jaime Jaquez Jr.	Nate Ament	Ousmane Dieng (RFA)	Malique Lewis
SG	Tyler Herro	Brayden Burries	AJ Green	Gary Harris
PG	Ryan Rollins	Kevin Porter Jr.	Kasparas Jakučionis

That’s 16 players already, not counting Cormac Ryan and undrafted rookie centre, Rafael Castro, who are on two-way contracts.  

Of course, with player options still on the table for Taurean Prince and Gary Trent Jr. (though he’s expected to opt out), a team option on Andre Jackson Jr., and the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade still to be finalised, the roster certainly remains in a state of flux. It likely will for an extended time too—teams can carry up to 21 players in the offseason, but have to reduce that to 15 standard contracts and up to three two-way contracts by opening night.  

Needs

As it stands, the Bucks are loaded in the backcourt—at least with potential—with too many talented players and not enough minutes to go around, so you’d have to think there’s an expansion of the Giannis trade or a separate trade coming, most likely involving Herro or Porter. There’s always the option to waive and pay out a contract if needed as well, not that that’s likely to happen with any of Milwaukee’s guard prospects.

In the frontcourt, however, the same dilemma doesn’t present itself. Milwaukee looks set at centre, with Ware and Turner likely to split minutes (if Turner isn’t also traded) and Sims providing depth. On the wing, Jaquez, Ament, and Dieng, should he be retained, seem to have the minutes covered. However, the power forward position looks more like the pantry at the end of the week—there’s some options, but they’re not quite what you feel like, and certainly not enough to nourish you moving forward.  

Having said these thing, Taylor Jenkins could opt to go with two wings and one big. Ament and Dieng certainly have the height to play the four, even if they don’t yet have the bulk. Jaquez does have the bulk and actually played an estimated 50% of his minutes at the four for the Heat last season (per Basketball Reference). Alternatively, Jenkins could opt to use any of the three centres at the power forward position, with Sims seeming the better option due to his ability to defend on the perimeter.

All things considered, though, the power forward position looms as the Bucks’ biggest area of need and something they may look to address in free agency. To do this, they have access to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (MLE), just over $15m, and the biannual exception (BAE), $5.5m—they just can’t cross the first apron if they use either. They also have a $25.5m trade exception created in the Giannis trade.    

Free agents  

A complete list of free agents can be found through the NBA’s 2026 free agent tracker. At the four, notable names include: 

• LeBron James 

• Peyton Watson 

• Kelly Oubre Jr.  

• John Collins 

• Tobias Harris 

• GG Jackson (RFA) 

• Jonathon Kuminga  

• Rui Hachimura 

• Julian Champagnie  

• Tari Eason (RFA) 

Of these, you can rule out LeBron, Watson, Harris, and Champagnie, who are likely back with their current teams or eying an alternative contender if they do move. Collins, coming off a $27m contract, is likely too expensive, as are Hachimura and Kuminga, though they could conceivably be options. Jackson is unlikely for the opposite reason—he’s on a super-friendly team option at just $2.4m (i.e., likely to be picked up). That leaves Tari Eason, a restricted free agent coming off his rookie contract. A long, defensive type with three point range, he’d seemingly fit in well with Jenkins, and he’s only just 25 years old so is on a similar timeline to many of the young Bucks. But it wouldn’t be surprising—it’s perhaps even likely—that he returns to Houston.  

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How do you see the Bucks’ free agency panning out? Should they target a power forward, or does someone else at another position tickle your fancy? Trades, signings, targets, let us know your thoughts.

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly trying to build the oldest super team in the history of the NBA. The Warriors are after both LeBron James and Anthony Davis this summer, and their grand plan is already in motion.

Draymond Green opted out of his $27.7 million player option on Monday, but he’s not going anywhere. Green will end up back in Golden State on a multi-year deal, but the opt out gives Golden State more flexibility to chase James and Davis, as ESPN insider Shams Charania reported. Here’s how it could all work out.

• The Warriors could trade Jimmy Butler and a future first-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Davis. Davis has two years, $121 million left on his contract, but his salary lines up nicely with Butler’s for the 1-for-1 swap.
• LeBron is an unrestricted free agent. The Warriors could offer him the mid-level exception of around $15 million if the team can dump Moses Moody and convince Draymond Green to take a pay cut.

Cap expert Yossi Gozlan laid it out here:

The Warriors are hoping to pair LeBron James and Anthony Davis with Stephen Curry.

It'll be difficult, but it's not impossible.

I walk @SamQuinnCBS through how they could make it happen within the first apron hard cap while retaining Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis. pic.twitter.com/VqVLHiRueR

— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) June 29, 2026

The Warriors’ plans were first reported by Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports.

Butler is recovering from a torn ACL, and is expected to be out until February or March. This would be incredible work by the Wizards to leverage Golden State for a future first-round pick for Davis, a player who doesn’t fit their timeline. If it happens, Washington’s buy-low deal for Davis at last year’s trade deadline will suddenly look brilliant.

A large part of this comes down to what LeBron wants. James has been comfortable playing for the Lakers, and could easily spend his final season with the team before riding off into the sunset. I’ve been pushing the idea of LeBron returning to Cleveland, which feels like the perfect setting for his retirement tour. I see the appeal of going to the Warriors, too. LeBron had a great experience playing with Steph Curry at the Paris Olympics, he’s spent most of his career trying to team up with other great players, and Golden State would probably give him the best chance of actually competing for a championship in his final season.

I actually think it’s going to happen. The Wizards will get a premium future draft pick for a player they don’t want, Davis will be freed from a hopeless situation in DC, and Butler eventually gets to choose his next team after getting bought out. LeBron and Steph together would be absolute cinema even at this stage of their career. If the Warriors could somehow find a way to bring back Kristaps Porzingis, I like it even more.

Green and LeBron would have to agree to pay cuts to make this happen, and that’s where things could fall apart. There’s also a chance James simply prefers to spend his final season in LA or Cleveland. It really feels like the Warriors’ plan is starting to take shape, though. I think it’s going to happen.

Would Golden State actually be a contender if they pull this off? They just seem way too old and too injury prone to make it through an 82-game regular season and then four playoff series. Doing so would require Davis to actually stay durable, which he’s never really done in his career. It would require James and Curry to avoid age-related decline or a freak injury that could end the Warriors’ chances immediately.

I’d still take the Thunder, Spurs, and Timberwolves over this Warriors team in the West, but if they could somehow make it to May healthy, you never know what could happen.

However real the Warriors’ attempts to form the NBA’s Expendables are, it is at least having the ripple effect of reigniting conversations between LeBron James and the Lakers.

As Golden State begins maneuvering to attempt to pair LeBron and Anthony Davis in San Francisco, the Lakers and LeBron are set to have a conversation.

LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers still have yet to have a conversation regarding his future but that’s expected to change in light of Golden State Warriors’ strategic maneuvering to position themselves as a landing spot, sources tell me.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 29, 2026

After it largely being an idea or theory, the Warriors saw Draymond Green opt out of his contract on Monday to help facilitate their plans. Golden State’s hope is to trade for AD using Jimmy Butler’s salary and draft picks, then lure LeBron in free agency to play with Steph, AD and Draymond.

Recently, it was reported that the discussions between the Lakers and LeBron had been minimal and that the team had not yet offered a contract. However, with the Warriors appearing to make a serious run at LeBron, it sounds like the two sides are going to touch base once more.

The Lakers are down to about the final 36 hours of their exclusive negotiating window with LeBron before other teams can, at least formally, begin holding talks with free agents. Taking advantage of those remaining hours is a wise move as it could give the team a sense of what to expect from him this summer.

It’s unlikely this discussion ends with any sort of contract, though that is possible. The Lakers still have quite a bit to do in free agency and lots of moving parts, so it’s unlikely they’ll tie up money on LeBron right now.

But, clearly, there’s something there with the Warriors that is making them change course.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Nobody asked us to care about what the Los Angeles Lakers are doing this offseason. But as a seasoned scribe here in Dub Nation, I believe in knowing your enemies. Not in a weird, paranoid way, but like in a “the Lakers were the best team in the Pacific Division last season, what are they up to now” kind of fashion.

So consider this your official Lakers draft debrief. You’re welcome!

Then they traded up for Cameron Carr out of Baylor with the 24th pick. A 6’5″ wing with a 7’0.75″ wingspan, a 42.5-inch vertical, and 37% three-point shooting in his breakout college season. Carr is the athletic, switchable, sky-above-the-rim threat that next to Luka Doncic could be a real scary proposition.

Cameron Carr at Baylor:

18.9 PPG
5.8 RPG
2.6 APG
1.3 BPG
2.3 3PG
37.4% 3PT

Going to the Lakers with the No. 24 pick.pic.twitter.com/RvBMBW65Lw

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) June 24, 2026

Cameron Carr joining Luka in LA 🤩

DeMarcus Cousins explains why this is a great pick for the Lakers

Full video: https://t.co/uDTWPUNXI0pic.twitter.com/jwlbKnVNIZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 24, 2026

Here’s what should make Dub Nation raise an eyebrow; this is apparently exactly what the Lakers were looking for. But don’t take my word for, just ask our blog buddy Silver Screen and Roll who wrote an article about Carr entitled “The Lakers drafted the exact archetype they need in Cameron Carr”:

They seem to now have a type. Similar to Adou Thiero, the 36th overall selection last year, Carr is a freakish athlete with a standout highlight reel dunk package. He showed that athletic pop off at the combine, posting a max vertical leap of 42.5”, tied for second overall. Carr measured out at 6’4.5 and 184 pounds, with a long 7’0.75” wingspan and an 8’8” standing reach. Offensively, he’s the prototypical modern NBA-level wing teams are looking for, living with baskets at the rim or behind the 3-point line with tantalizing fluidity.

He leverages his physical traits in a multitude of ways. One is as a monster finisher in transition, showcasing as one of the best vertical threat wings in the draft, a tailor-made athletic fit next to the playmaking savant Luka, who’s had success with similar players like the high flyer Derick Jones Jr.

A 6-foot-5 high flyer running the wing in transition or cutting backdoor in the dunker spot? With Luka and Austin Reaves drawing the eyes of the defense, Carr flying around and slamming thunderous dunks could be massive momentum shifts.

The Dubs missed the playoffs last year and are trying to sharpen their identity; meanwhile the Lakers went to the second round last year even with Luka and Reaves down. They beat Houston in the first round before OKC sent them home with a flurry of brooms, and now they’re coming back looking to build on those championship aspirations.

Gilbert Arenas strictly questions the logic behind the Lakers drafting Cameron Carr.

"A 6'4" lob threat doesn’t exist"

"I'm going to be your biggest fan and hater at the same time"

Gilbert Arenas isn't fully sold on the Lakers' latest draft move. While he likes Cameron Carr as… pic.twitter.com/KyKlIpIFp4

— B3nClipsHQ (@B3nClipsHQ) June 28, 2026

Now let’s be balanced about this, because Dub Nation doesn’t do blind panic. Carr fell to the 24th spot for a reason; I don’t think he’s coming in to win rookie of the year and terrorize the league immediately. The Lakers still have more King-sized roster questions to answer this summer. But the direction is set and they know who they want to be: more athletic, more dynamic, more in your face. Golden State needs to have an answer ready because the Lake Show isn’t waiting for the stumbling dynasty from the Bay to figure it out.

Keep your friends close, Dub Nation. Keep your Pacific Division rivals in your group chat, your timeline, and your scouting report. They’re absolutely coming for this division and Golden State will be right in their way.

The Brooklyn Nets are bringing back both Day’Ron Sharpe and Josh Minott on two-year deals, according to reports Monday morning by Shams Charania and Mike Scotto. The team also exercised its team option on Malachi Smith, but the deal was totally non-guaranteed.

Sharpe will sign a two-year, $20 million deal, apparently without options, while Minott will sign a two-year, $9 million deal with the second year a team option. The two, aged 24 and 23, respectively, are seen as building blocks in the Nets continuing rebuild. At the moment, Sharpe, who is one of the league leaders in rebound percentage, seems likely to replace the departed Nic Claxton as the Nets starting center while Minott will join the rotation upfront.

Scotto was first with the Sharpe signing, while Shams had Minott first…

Breaking: The Brooklyn Nets plan to sign Day’Ron Sharpe to a two-year deal worth roughly $20 million, sources told @hoopshype. Sharpe has impressed Brooklyn and is expected to have a bigger role this season. Agents Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry of @AMRAgency finalized the deal. pic.twitter.com/YzOx3ROeYU

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 29, 2026

Brooklyn Nets forward Josh Minott intends to sign a new two-year, $9 million to return to the franchise, with a team option in second season, sources tell ESPN. The Nets declined Minott’s team option to clear the way for a new contract. pic.twitter.com/9HlXrdo91Z

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2026

The Nets had a deadline of Monday to exercise team options on both — Sharpe for $6.3 million and Minott for $2.6 million — but chose instead to sign the two players to multi-year deals with significant raises. Sharpe was drafted by the Nets in 2021 while Minott was acquired from the Celtics in a salary dump at the trade deadline last February in return for $110,000 in cash considerations, the minimum permitted under the CBA.

The actual signings won’t come until after July 6.

There had been some speculation that the two, along with Ziaire Williams and Malachi Smith, would have their team options declined so that Sean Marks & co. could have more salary cap space to pursue other, bigger free agents starting Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. ET. Instead, the Nets took care of their own first while still retaining significant space. Williams had his team option, also for $6.3 million, declined and his future with the organization remains murky. The Nets could sign him later in free agency, but Dan Woike of The Athletic reported Sunday night that is hometown team, the L.A. Lakers may have interest.

Later, Scotto also reported that Smith, 26, will have his team option of $2.1 million exercised, all of which is non-guaranteed…

The Brooklyn Nets will exercise the $2.15 million team option on Malachi Smith, which is fully non-guaranteed for the 2026-27 season, league sources told @hoopshype. Smith averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game for Brooklyn last season.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 29, 2026

As Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron tweeted not long after the Shams and Scotto reports, the Nets are likely to use the MLE or cap space to sign Minott, rather than Bird Rights. He also put the Nets workable cap space at about $36 million, the third highest in the NBA this summer. (The Nets also have $3.9 million available from last season that could be used by Tuesday.)

Brooklyn Nets salary cap situation after re-signing Day'Ron Sharpe and Josh Minott.

Minott doesn't have enough Non Bird rights to get two years, $9 million, so his contract goes into cap space or room mid-level exception.

Nets project with $36 million in cap space left. https://t.co/FqVNJ6zn2zpic.twitter.com/69qLDmDaKZ

— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) June 29, 2026

Others, including Bobby Marks put the number somewhat higher…

With Nic Claxton still on the books (trade does not become finalized until 7/6), Brooklyn projects to have up to $45M in cap space.

Enough room to dive into the restricted FA pool of players.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 29, 2026

In either event, the Nets should be a big player in free agency.

The Nets are introducing their three rookies — Mikel Brown Jr., Joshua Jefferson and Tyler Bilodeau — this afternoon at a media availability in Brooklyn. Sean Marks is likely to get questions on the signings as well.

• Nets bring back Day’Ron Sharpe, Josh Minott on multi-year deals after impressive seasons – Erik Slater – Clutch Points

Draymond Green is suddenly an unrestricted free agent, and it could lead to LeBron James joining the Golden State Warriors.

The 36-year-old forward opted out of the final year of his contract with Golden State, according to ESPN, and declined a player option worth nearly $27.7 million for the 2026-27 season. It means Green is free to sign with another NBA team when free agency begins with the league's legal negotiating period on Tuesday, June 30.

Green's decision, however, is seen as a positive development for the Warriors' offseason plans. The team is reportedly seeking James and his former Lakers' teammate, Anthony Davis of the Washington Wizards, and would use the contract for injured forward Jimmy Butler and the $15 million midlevel exception to pull it off.

NBA FREE AGENCY LIVE UPDATES: Latest rumors, signings, news on top players

"If Draymond Green opts out of that contract, I will just point out he's represented by the same agency as LeBron James – Klutch Sports," NBA reporter Brian Windhorst said on ESPN's "Get Up" on Monday, June 29. "... If Draymond opts out of that contract, it opens the window for the Warriors to maneuver and offer a free agent. Maybe it's LeBron, maybe it's someone else."

The anticipation is that Golden State and Green will begin negotiating terms for a new contract extension based on how the team's pursuit of James goes. Though Green and James had a memorable encounter during the 2016 NBA Finals, in which a flagrant foul by Green led to a one-game suspension, the two have since developed a friendship off the court and share the same representation.

Green will be entering his 15th NBA season in 2026-27 and averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebound and 5.5 assists per game for the Warriors this past season. The team failed to make it out of the Western Conference play-in tournament this past season, with injuries to Butler and Stephen Curry contributing to the struggles.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr and Curry are returning and the franchise selected Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft last week. Who else joins them in the Bay Area next season is suddenly a topic of great intrigue for the entire league.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Draymond Green's contract opt-out opens LeBron James path for Warriors

Ahead of free agency beginning on Tuesday, the Raptors’ centre has elected to test the market after turning down his 2.8 million dollar option, as per Shams Charania. Mamukelashvili was a core part of Toronto’s frontcourt in the 2025-26 season, where the big man posted averages of 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 stocks, playing 80 games and earning Sixth Man of the Year votes.

The forward is entering his sixth season in the NBA, and could be a hot commodity for those looking to add a floor spacing backup big to their roster. With Toronto in active talks to acquire Kawhi Leonard, keeping Mamu could be a priority to ensure roster cohesion if the Clippers demand Collin Murray-Boyles as part of such a trade. As the Raptors have also been linked to Myles Turner, what exactly the Raptors will offer to keep Mamu is potentially dependent on other desired acquisitions in free agency.

Mamukelashvili is only 26 years old, and fits the timeline centred around Scottie Barnes’ development well. As an experienced journeyman, Mamu has found a high level of success in Toronto, and is a very important player in their roster considering the current state of their big man rotation. I am of the opinion that Mamu is very much worth bringing back, with a bump in pay to acknowledge the quality of his contribution, but that financial flexibility must be taken into consideration when attempting to put together a team that can go even deeper into the playoffs. As well, he is undersized for a centre, and for a team that is built around a point guard in a power forward’s body, the reality of the Raptors’ need to get bigger should also be taken into consideration.

The Lakers have a new hurdle in their pursuit of a starting center for next year’s team.

Last year’s starter, Deandre Ayton, has reportedly picked up his player option, as first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton is opting into his $8.1 million player option for the 2026-27 season, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/YCEkd3wgmj

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2026

This move is far from a shock. It was reported earlier that Ayton was expected to pick up his player option. Now the Lakers have the option to keep Ayton or move him to bring in another player.

As a starter last year, he had his fair share of ups and downs. In many clutch-time games, he was benched for Jaxson Hayes. However, the good moments certainly outweighed the bad.

He averaged 12.5 points and 8 rebounds and started in all 72 games he played. One of his best performances in the regular season came in a win over the Spurs. In that contest, Ayton had 22 points, 10 rebounds and outplayed Victor Wembanyama.

In the opening round of the playoffs, Ayton delivered. He shut down Alperen Şengün and helped the Lakers eliminate the Rockets despite playing the entire series without Luka Dončić.

His play declined in the second round against the Thunder. Ayton averaged just 7.3 points and his minutes dipped to 24.6 per game.

Considering how openly the Lakers have been looking for a top center, it seems unlikely that Ayton will remain around. Perhaps he could be a backup option on the team, but he almost certainly won’t be the starter next season and, given his contract, wouldn’t be too hard to move in a trade.

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

The Knicks have already paraded through the Canyon of Heroes following their NBA title win, but now the streets of Manhattan will get even more Knicks flavor.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Department of transportation have announced that temporary street signs will be going up in Manhattan on Monday to honor each member of the Knicks 2025-26 championship squad.

“This championship is bigger than basketball. It represents what our city is capable of when the odds are stacked against us. For as long as we live, every New Yorker will remember the feeling of our city coming together — not because of tragedy or adversity, but out of joy and happiness,” saidMayor Mamdani. “This championship belongs to every fan who packed our parks and plazas and every neighbor who high-fived a stranger after another impossible comeback. These street signs are a tribute to the players who delivered the championship generations of fans waited their whole lives to see and the city that stood behind them every step of the way. Long after the confetti is gone, New Yorkers will be able to walk these streets and remember the team that brought our city so much joy. Knicks in five.”

The signs, which will stay in place for four weeks, will run along Sixth and Seventh Avenues.

Here are the exact locations:

·        Sixth Avenue and West Houston Street – Jordan Clarkson No. 00
·        Sixth Avenue and Bleeker Street – Dillon Jones No. 1
·        Sixth Avenue and Minetta Lane – Miles “Deuce” McBride No. 2
·        Sixth Avenue and West 3 Street – Josh Hart No.3
·        Sixth Avenue and West 4 Street – Pacôme Dadiet No. 4
·        Sixth Avenue and Washington Place – Jose Alvarado No. 5
·        Sixth Avenue and West 8 Street – OG Anunoby No. 8
·        Sixth Avenue and West 9 Street – Kevin McCullar Jr. No. 9
·        Seventh Avenue South and West 11 Street – Jalen BrunsonNo. 11
·        Seventh Avenue and West 13 Street – Tyler KolekNo. 13
·        Seventh Avenue and West 20 Street – Jeremy SochanNo. 20
·        Seventh Avenue and West 23 Street – Mitchell RobinsonNo. 23
·        Seventh Avenue and West 25 Street – Mikal Bridges No. 25
·        Seventh Avenue and West 32 Street – Karl-Anthony Towns No.32
·        Sixth Avenue and West 44 Street – Landry Shamet No. 44
·        Seventh Avenue and West 50 Street – Trey Jemison III No. 50
·        Seventh Avenue and West 51 Street – Mohamed Diawara No. 51
·        Seventh Avenue and West 55 Street – Ariel Hukporti No.55

The Nets are retaining two key players after initially declining their club options, bringing back center Day'Ron Sharpe and forward Josh Minott on new deals, per multiple reports.

Sharpe's deal will be for two years and $20 million, while Minott will sign a two-year contract for $9 million, per Shams Charania of ESPN. 

Sharpe, 24, averaged a career-high 18.7 minutes per game this past season, scoring 8.7 points and grabbing 6.7 rebounds per game.

Minott, 23, also averaged a career-high in minutes during the 2025-26 campaign, playing 17.0 minutes per contest as he split the year between the Celtics and Nets.

After being acquired by Brooklyn in February, Minott averaged 10.8 points per game. 

Malik Beasley’s NBA career is over.

Nine-year NBA veteran Malik Beasley has been indicted on federal charges for gambling related to a sports betting scheme, such as point shaving and prop bets, his attorney Steve Haney tells ESPN. The government is coordinating a voluntary surrender of Beasley this week.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2026

The one-time Detroit Piston set a franchise-record 319 made threes in the 2024-2025 season and was looking at a large payday. He ranks seventh in most threes made in any season in NBA history. Detroit apparently rescinded an offer of three years and $42 million once they were notified of an investigation.

Beasley, along with NBA veteran Ed Davis, were teammates during their time together on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Davis allegedly collaborated with Beasley four separate times while Malik was with the Milwaukee Bucks. Beasley apparently lost millions of dollars while gambling and Davis loaned him money, and this betting scheme was a way for Beasley to work off his debts.

It’s a terribly sad situation all around, but any hopes of Beasley returning to Detroit can finally be put to rest. For comparison, Jontay Porter, former NBA player who pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy to commit wire fraud, is expected to face three-to-four years in prison with a maximum sentence of 20 years. I would imagine Beasley is looking at a similar sentence, if not harsher.

Go Stones.

In the latest chapter of the Kawhi Leonard trade saga, the Clippers’ forward has supposedly knocked the San Antonio Spurs out of the equation, and as per Shams Charania, the only contender for a non Los Angeles trade would be the Toronto Raptors.

Previously, Jake Fischer had reported that this was a two-horse race between the Spurs and the Raptors if a trade were to occur, but now, it looks like Kawhi’s preferences have changed circumstances. Charania clarified that the Clippers had, at this point, not offered Kawhi a “long term extension”, which the Raptors have indicated interest in doing. This would make all the difference in trade talks, as the forward, with one year left on his contract, would likely be a part of a sign and trade with the Raptors.

The situation is developing quickly, as over the weekend, an initial round of negotiations occurred between the Raptors and the Clippers as the two teams attempted to work out a mutually beneficial agreement. Charania noted that the Clippers are attempting to inject more youth into their team, part of what prompts this potential departure from the Leonard era in Los Angeles. The Clippers’ bevy of big names have departed over recent years, with Russell Westbrook, Paul George, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac all being traded by, or independently departing from, the Clippers, leaving Leonard as the final star left from before the 2025-26 season.

While the Raptors have indicated an interest in forming a trade package around Ingram, the Clippers’ are apparently interested in a much more valuable piece to the Raptors. Tomer Azarly for ClutchPoints reported that the Clippers would instead be interested in Collin Murray-Boyles in a trade with Toronto, seeking not only the All-Rookie talent, but potentially draft capital as part of compensation for parting with the two-time Finals MVP.

With the Clippers seemingly less than enthused at the prospect of trading for Brandon Ingram, it remains to be seen what a potential trade package for Leonard would look like, which would allow both parties to be satisfied. The Raptors giving up Murray-Boyles would be a blow to their roster construction, with Jakob Poeltl’s injury history and the team’s general lack of frontcourt depth. The Raptors have not offered the sophomore up, but it remains to be seen what players and picks could be bundled together in an enticing trade package.