Category: Basketball

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Sacramento Kings were one of the biggest winners of the 2026 NBA Draft after drafting a Grade A group featuring Darius Acuff Jr., Emanuel Sharp and Alex Karaban.

Kings general manager Scott Perry introduced the 2026 draft class to Sacramento for the first time Monday as they got a taste of what it'll be like inside the Golden 1 Center.

It was a warm welcome for the players who were accompanied by family and supported by team members in attendance, including head coach Doug Christie and teammates Keegan Murray and Dylan Cardwell. It was all fun, but there was one point to drive home from the introduction: a new era is coming.

"As we approached this year's draft we had a clear vision of what we wanted to add to this organization," Perry said during his opening statement at the Kings' rookie introduction. "We prioritized talent, basketball IQ, competitiveness, character and the potential to make a long-term impact. Those are the traits that we believe are essential to building a long-term sustainable, winning organization. Equally important, we wanted to get players who we knew and believed fit our culture that we're establishing here in Sacramento. Darius, Alex and Emanuel all represent those values, and we're excited to welcome them to the Kings."

And each of those guys are excited to be in Sacramento. Of course, they get to see their NBA dreams fulfilled. But they understand and are bought into Perry's vision for winning basketball in Sacramento.

That's the focus going into the summer.

"Number one, winning. For sure, just trying to win every game. I think that's all of our goals," Acuff told USA TODAY Sports. "Just building that connection with them during this that we have in the summer."

It starts with the California Classic beginning July 4 through 6. Acuff told USA TODAY Sports that Kings fans deserve a winning culture and that's his goal.

"More than anything, I'm looking forward to playing in front of them," Acuff said. "It's a great atmosphere. The arena is amazing. Just like I said, playing in front of them, that's going to be the best part. You know, just winning for them. They deserve winning. These are great fans. They support. You can feel that energy and I'm looking to bring the same, for sure."

Acuff, 19, was a freshman standout at Arkansas under Hall of Fame head coach John Calipari. He averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 assists on 48.4% field goal shooting, including 44% on 3-point shots. He got buckets in styles, too. Inside, mid-range, from deep.

There's a shift in Kings basketball on the horizon.

Acuff, a Detroit native, told USA TODAY Sports that he planned to bring three attributes to Sacramento with him: swagger, winning and a new culture.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Darius Acuff Jr. brings swagger, winning, culture to Sacramento Kings

The Denver Nuggets have entered the LeBron James sweepstakes, and while they may not be the obvious favorite, they might be one of the most fascinating fits on the board.

According to The Denver Post, the Nuggets have reached out to James to express interest in bringing the 21-time All-NBA forward to Denver as he moves on from the Los Angeles Lakers. James is leaving Los Angeles after eight seasons, one championship, the NBA scoring record and another strong individual year at age 41.

Now, the question is where he wants to finish.

Golden State, Cleveland, Miami and Minnesota have all been linked to James.

Rich Paul has made it clear this will not be a normal free agency decision, either. On a recent appearance, Paul said he has spoken with “about 12-14 teams,” which means nearly half the league has at least checked in on the idea of adding LeBron.

Paul also explained that James is not simply chasing the biggest contract.

“I think it’s more so having the ability to compete for the possibility to compete for winning a championship,” Paul said. “I think you can say being competitive. I think you can say having guys who understand how to play at a high level.”

That is where Denver becomes interesting.

The Nuggets cannot offer James the kind of money some other teams might without major roster gymnastics. Luckily, Paul also said maximizing money won’t be the deciding factor. If James is truly open to taking less for the right basketball situation, Denver has a real pitch: Nikola Jokic.

The basketball case is pretty easy to understand.

---

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

James and Jokic would give Denver two elite passers who know how to make the game easier for everyone around them. Jokic would still be the center of the offense, but James could take pressure off him as another creator, especially in late-clock situations, transition chances and playoff matchups where Denver needs a different look.

The fit would not be seamless automatically. Denver’s offense runs through Jokic, and changing that would present many dubious realities. James would have to be comfortable picking his spots, playing off the ball more often and acting as a secondary playmaker instead of controlling every possession.

At this stage, that might be a reasonable role and would in a sense mimic his role with the Lakers last season. James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists last season. But on a Nuggets team with Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon already in place, the appeal would be less about LeBron carrying the offense and more about giving Denver another high-level option in high leverage situations.

There is also history here. Nuggets president Josh Kroenke tried to recruit James in 2018 by sending him a throwback Denver jersey. James later called Kroenke a “very dear friend” and said the two had spent time together away from basketball.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has also called Denver a possible “outlier team” for James, especially if he is willing to take some kind of exception to play with Jokic.

Then there is, perhaps, the most important free agency factor of all: golf.

Paul joked that James would be fine as long as there is “indoor and outdoor golf.” Denver, somehow, checks that box.

Winter golf in Colorado is strange, weather-dependent and occasionally interrupted by snow, frost delays and frozen fairways that play like concrete. But between sunny winter days, year-round courses and indoor simulator spots around the city, LeBron’s golf requirement can technically survive the Rockies.

The Nuggets are still a long shot.

But they are not a joke.

If James wants a comfortable landing spot, title contenstion, and a chance to play beside Jokic, the Nuggets have a pitch worth listening to.

And apparently, they already have the communication lines open.

LeBron James won’t return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2026-27 season, but the cameras will still be on him.

On Tuesday, James notified the Lakers he is leaving the franchise after eight seasons under the bright lights of Hollywood. As he enters the next (and perhaps final) chapter of his career, James is reportedly in talks to document the entire upcoming NBA season through a documentary or episodic series.

NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor was first to report the news.

LeBron James is in talks to document the entire upcoming season through a documentary or episodic series, per @KevinOConnorpic.twitter.com/OFFNZBrWLE

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 1, 2026

James is in the midst of searching for what could be the final team of his storied NBA career. Rich Paul, his agent, revealed the 41-year-old is searching for happiness — not money — at this stage. James is reportedly willing to join a contender on a league minimum contract.

The Lakers have also moved on from their recent divorce from James as the team’s free agent signings were headlined by Jazz center Walker Kessler. While general manager Rob Pelinka has been aggressive this offseason, it’s unclear whether the Lakers have done enough to emerge as legitimate contenders during the 2026-27 season.

James could have ended his career with the Lakers but ultimately chose to leave the organization in a league-altering move. Now, the two parties will make do without the other.

The Lakers have kicked off a new era in Tinseltown with Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Kessler at the helm.

As for James, he’s clearly searching for a farewell title and the team that can give him his best chance at leaving the league as a champion.

Regardless of where James lands, NBA fans will surely be interested in watching a documented version of what could be the superstar’s final season.

---

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

It's not hard to rattle off good reasons for Sixers' staggering Jaylen Brown trade  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

No typos here: The Sixers have traded for Jaylen Brown.

There’s a boatload of details to sift through, but the simple fact is staggering. Almost exactly two months after the Sixers stormed back for a seven-game first-round playoff series win over the Celtics, Brown’s on the other side of the rivalry. The Sixers are shipping Paul George, two first-round draft picks and two second-rounders up to Boston.

Beyond the allure of adding another star, is the move backed by sound logic?

It’s not hard to rattle off good reasons. Availability is a solid place to start. The Sixers’ peculiar brand of horrendous injury luck could always strike, but Brown appears to have a high chance of playing many games. He’ll turn 30 years old in October, logged 71 games last season, and averaged 67.4 over the past five years. The 36-year-old George had a variety of physical issues pop up over his two years as a Sixer and made candid comments about lingering injuries and lost explosiveness.

It’s so easy to picture how Brown could thrive for a Sixers team that vaults up to true contention status. He’s full of deep postseason experience and has an NBA Finals MVP on his résumé. Brown is comfortable taking the sort of self-created, tightly guarded jumpers that often decide playoff games. Defensively, Brown’s presence should expand Sixers head coach Nick Nurse’s options. Look at the list of players he’s defended and you’ll see guards, forwards and the occasional center. 

As far as on-court fit, it’s fair to note Brown’s flaws and raise questions. Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are unique co-stars and everything won’t click from the jump.

Brown was fifth in the NBA last year in isolation possessions per game and averaged a career-high 28.7 points largely because the Celtics needed him to be their offensive hub with Jayson Tatum sidelined for most of the season by a ruptured Achilles tendon. He hasn’t historically been a great three-point shooter (34.7 percent last season, 35.8 percent for his career) or a brilliant passer. The Sixers will have to be smart about how they structure their offense and rotations. For instance, Brown and Joel Embiid both enjoy operating in the mid-range. Embiid ranked first in the NBA in shot attempts per game between 15 and 19 feet and Brown was right behind him.

Zooming out, the sheer boldness of Mike Gansey’s very first trade with the Sixers is worth highlighting. He was honest a mere three weeks ago about still wrapping his head around the tricky matters ahead as the organization’s president of basketball operations. With 20-year-old VJ Edgecombe, 25-year-old Maxey, 32-year-old Embiid and post-prime George on the roster, Gansey was asked about the Sixers’ timeline. 

“My world’s spinning right now,” he said at his introductory press conference. “I just want to get to (the players) and see what they’re feeling, too. Get Coach’s input, get their input, and see if we can get this thing together. But I don’t just look at it as two timelines. They’re our four guys. They’re under contract. We’ve got to do our best to get them to their best selves. Every night at 7 o’clock, we’ve got to get them to their best to help us win.”

Gansey landed on an emphatic answer.

The Sixers see special two-way potential in Edgecombe and don’t view Maxey as a finished product. Rookie guard Labaron Philon Jr. is in the mix now, too.

By parting with picks and taking on Brown’s hefty salary, Gansey chucked his chips into the present. The Sixers have even “expressed interest in acquiring” LeBron James, The Athletic’s Tony Jones reported Wednesday night. 

We’ll see how that plays out. Regardless, the Sixers will bank on a bright future via internal growth and try to win the Eastern Conference next season. If Embiid’s injury troubles subside — an enormous if — the idea doesn’t sound foolish at all. 

“I’m as confident as I’ve ever been,” Embiid said at his exit interview in May. “Obviously, (the knee) was the biggest concern and I’m not thinking about it. As long as we keep doing what we’ve been doing, I won’t have to think about it anymore. I’m looking at next year, obviously being more available, and being more available might mean being a high seed as a team. The personal goals don’t matter. 

“I know that if I’m available and I play as much as possible, everything else is going to follow. … I’ve accomplished everything else. I’m in a good mental place. It sucks losing, but I just know that moving forward, I’ll be better for my team.”

Jaylen Brown’s now on that team.

It will sink in for everyone eventually. 

LeBron James is unlike any other player in the NBA.

Similarly, the act and process of signing James is unlike anything in the NBA.

So as he’s set to swap uniforms for the first time since 2018, expect his free agency to be a unique process.

For one, James’ stature in the league is unprecedented, at least in the modern NBA. He’s the type of player who — thanks to his tenure and track record of excellence — is able to dictate the terms of essentially every facet of his employment. From nutrition and rest to coaching and personnel matters, James has earned the ability to curate his experience for what will presumably be the final stop of his record-shattering career.

Above all else, expect fit to be the deciding factor.

Here’s a look at four landing spots for LeBron James, ranked by best fit.

More: What's next for Bronny James now that LeBron James is leaving Lakers?

4. Denver Nuggets

On one hand, the playoffs revealed just how badly the Nuggets need another play-maker and shot creator. On the other, the postseason also showed how old and slow the Nuggets suddenly looked. James would certainly solve the first issue, but at 42 next December, it’s undeniable that James has lost a step.

He nonetheless remains a player who would fit alongside Nikola Jokić — an excellent passer in his own right — and Jamal Murray. Still, James does not appear to have any tangible link to the Denver community and it’s unclear if he has much of a personal relationship with either of Denver’s stars.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

This may be the most seamless fit on a personal level. Akron has always been home for the James family. He already had two separate stints with the Cavaliers and James’ ties to the area cannot be replicated. In a basketball sense, however, it appears to be a bit of an awkward fit.

Cleveland already has Donovan Mitchell and James Harden on the roster. Both are ball-dominant guards who thrive most when they’re the ones initiating the attack. James is built in the same mold. In fact, the more awkward moments with the Lakers this past season were when James was forced to defer substantially to Luka Dončić. This pairing would seemingly require James to sacrifice some key parts of his game. But it would be a storybook ending if James can elevate the Cavs, who were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, to another title.

2. Golden State Warriors

This is all about James and his respect and admiration for Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. A long-time friend of both, James would provide a much-needed, play-making outlet to ease pressure off of Curry. One of the hardest-working players in the NBA, Curry is constantly on the move when off the ball in an attempt to create space. Yet, Golden State’s offense the past couple of seasons has lacked a true ball-handling point guard, so those duties have also often fallen to Curry.

James would instantly become a facilitating play-maker who would get even more out of Curry. The issue, however, would be that the Warriors would be pinning their hopes to aging stars. If Kristaps Porziņģis continues to have health issues, availability could be a problem for the Warriors.

1. Miami Heat

James played arguably the best basketball of his career when he was in Miami from 2010-14. Coach Erik Spoelstra and the same crew in the front office, led by Pat Riley, remain. And while there was some tension between James and Heat executives late in his time with the Heat, all sides have seemingly reconciled and are on good terms. In February 2026, when the Lakers unveiled a statue of Riley, James met Riley pre-game and the two embraced.

James, who has been a fixture on Team USA, bonded with Spoelstra, who had been an assistant coach for the team, and Heat captain Bam Adebayo. The Heat, as currently constructed, lack a true play-making ball handler. And James, in the twilight of his career, has become more of a ball-dominant distributor than a pure scoring threat. Taking that a step further, Spoelstra has embraced quick, up-tempo play; Miami ranked first in the NBA in pace (104.22). And alongside new acquisition Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat would then hold the two top fastbreak threats in the NBA, as James led all players with 5.7 fastbreak points per game and Antetokounmpo tied for second (5.5).

Then there’s this: during a 2024 Instagram Live chat, a fan asked James if he missed Miami. Before he could respond, James’ wife, Savannah James, off camera, responded “Yes.” Then, when LeBron asked to clarify the question, Savannah James said, “I miss the city.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James post-Lakers landing spots: Ranking destinations by fit

Jaylen Brown hasn’t requested a trade from the Boston Celtics, but the team is still “strongly shopping” him right now, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. The Celtics offered Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier this offseason, but they ultimately accepted a better package from the Miami Heat. Many have wondered if the Celtics would try to mend fences with Brown to bring him back for next season, but the organization is reportedly going the other way and offering him up to the highest bidder.

The NBA has already seen a ton of big moves in the early stages of the offseason, with LaMelo Ball going to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kawhi Leonard getting traded to the Toronto Raptors, and LeBron James pushing his way out of the Los Angeles Lakers. It sure seems like Brown will be the next star to move.

The Celtics made a solid move by signing Mitchell Robinson to a three-year deal earlier in the day. As Charania reported Robinson’s signing on ESPN, he also broke down the Brown negotiations. The Celtics are reportedly seeking a package of players and picks, and have asked for as many as four future first-round picks in some discussions. Charania reports that Boston is talking to 8-10 teams right now. Watch the full clip here:

Reporting for NBA Today on championship center Mitchell Robinson leaving the Knicks to join Boston — and the bigger domino facing the Celtics: pic.twitter.com/QpT59VvaSn

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026

I came up with Jaylen Brown fake trades last week. The best package feels like it could come from the Portland Trail Blazers or Houston Rockets. The Rockets could offer Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. if they want. The Blazers could potentially build a package around Donovan Clingan and Jrue Holiday. I listed the Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards as potential sleeper teams. Will a dark horse candidate emerge to trade for Brown?

The most surprising thing is that the Celtics are shopping Brown hard even though he hasn’t asked for a trade. Brown’s contract is the biggest hurdle for Boston or another suitor right now. He has three years and over $180 million left on his deal.

Where will Jaylen Brown land? Are the Celtics crazy for trying to trade him?

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Mychal Thompson, a member of two of the Los Angeles Lakers' championship teams from the Showtime era, sounds mystified by a simmering debate, in the wake of LeBron James' decision to leave the Lakers.

Does LeBron James deserve a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, home of the Lakers?

“A statue? He deserves three statues, buddy,’’ Thompson told USA TODAY Sports. “Miami, Cleveland and L.A. That's how great he is.

"He's arguably the greatest player to ever play, along with Kareem and Michael Jordan. …He's delivered championships in three different places that he's played in. He deserves it. ...No doubt about it.’’

In addition to leading the Lakers to the title in 2020, James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first title in franchise history and won two titles with the Miami Heat.

Thompson won championship rings with the Lakers in 1987 and 1988. He played alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two Laker legends who have bronze statues in Star Plaza.

Thompson, a radio color commentator for the Lakers, knows there’s a faction of fans who oppose James’ getting a statue.

“I just think that people are being narrow-minded and basically don't understand the game,’’ Thompson said. “That's what I think of when I hear people say he doesn't deserve a statue in front of Crypto.com. 'He isn't a Laker legend' (say the critics).

“Obviously, I don't think anybody will match Kareem and Magic and Kobe, those three and Jerry West. But LeBron is every bit as much as a legend as everybody else. A Laker legend.”

LeBron leaves: LeBron James returns for record 24th NBA season, leaves Lakers in stunning move

How LeBron James stacks up against statue honorees

Comparing Lakers who have been honored by statues helps establish the informal criteria.

Those greats didn’t just win titles; they played critical roles in leading the Lakers.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had six NBA championship rings, six NBA MVPs and two NBA Finals MVPs.

Magic Johnson had five NBA championships, three NBA MVPs and three NBA Finals MVPs.

Kobe Bryant had five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs and one NBA MVP.

Shaquille O’Neal had three NBA championships with the Lakers (and one with the Miami Heat), three NBA Finals MVPs with the Lakers.

James had one NBA championship with the Lakers and was voted NBA Finals MVP after Los Angeles beat the Heat four games to two.

Jerry West had only one as a player but six as the Lakers general manager.

Elgin Baylor did not win an NBA title during his 14-year NBA career, which he spent exclusively with the Lakers.

The non-players honored by statues are Pat Riley, who was the Lakers’ head coach during the Showtime era and helped guide the Lakers to four titles, and Chick Hearn, the late play-by-play announcer.

LeBron James impact beyond titles

James arrived with the task of restoring excellence to the foundering dynasty. The Lakers had failed to reach the playoffs for five straight seasons, and they missed them again during James’ first year with the team.

But over the next seven years, the Lakers made the playoffs six times and won the league title 2020 during the pandemic-shortened season. Los Angeles reached the Western Conference Finals once more during LeBron’s eight-year tenure.

While with the Lakers, James also surpassed Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and in 2024 he and his son Bronny became the first father and son to take the court together.

Those were memorable moments. Whether they’ll impact James’ chances to getting a statue with the Lakers remains to be seen.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Does LeBron deserve a Lakers statue? This former champion thinks so

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed Meleek Thomas to a four-year, $9.3 million deal. Thomas was selected 34th overall by the Cavs last week in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Meleek Thomas will wear No. 15 for the #Cavaliers. Number last worn by JT Thor in 2025. #NBApic.twitter.com/A1OrtuMMlj

— Etienne Catalan (@EtienneCatalan) July 1, 2026

Thomas played 37 games with Arkansas last year as a freshman. He averaged 15.7 points and 3.8 rebounds as a 6’3” sharpshooting combo-guard. The Cavs are excited to add an efficient shot-maker like Thomas to their roster.

“We were excited that he was available in the second round,” said POBO Koby Altman after selecting Thomas. “Usually, a guy of that caliber of scorer, that level of shot maker, his profile, you get a lot earlier.”

The first three years of the deal, worth $6.4 million, are guaranteed to Thomas.

Thomas shot above 40% from deep as a freshman. His marksmanship is one of the main reasons Cleveland targeted him in the draft despite him being a guard. The Cavs are loaded in the backcourt, but Thomas was too skilled for them to pass on.

Thomas doesn’t view the guards in front of him as obstacles, however. He plans on learning everything he can from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.

“There’s a lot of great guards on the team ahead of me already, so just learning, pick their brain on what they did when they were rookies,” said Thomas. “Ultimately, all the knowledge that I gain from James, Donovan, any of the guards… me gaining knowledge from the ones that have been here, that’s gonna help me.”

The Cavs aren’t in a position to give Thomas many reps during his rookie season. This is a team that is ready to compete for a title and potentially even welcome home LeBron James (again). That means patience will be key in developing the 19-year-old rookie.

Adding to his 190-pound frame is one of his main goals.

“The Cavs have a great strength program going on, so my physicality… and just some of the high-level things that I might not know that rookies get adjusted to,” said Thomas on his focus for development.

Thomas shows promise as a three-point shooter who took steps forward as a defender last year. Those are two skills that every NBA team can use more of.

When the Golden State Warriors signed Kristaps Porzingis to a two-year, $40M deal, it looked like it might be an overpay. Now that the contract details are out, it’s looking like the Dubs got a steal with their sharpshooting Latvian big man.

Pair of relevant notes on Kristaps Porzingis' new contract, per sources.

1. Only $3 million is guaranteed for the second season.

2. He's immediately trade eligible because of the structure of the two-year, $40 million extension (no more than 5% raise between yrs 1 and 2).

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 1, 2026

Porzingis has struggled with a mysterious health problem the last two seasons, which has been identified as Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS. The condition can cause a rapid spike in heart rate when Porzingis sits up or stands, leading to lightheadedness or fatigue. It’s a big reason why Porzingis played only 42 games in 2024-25 and just 32 games last season, where he also struggled with Achilles tendonitis.

However, he’s still a proverbial “unicorn” when he’s on the court. He’s 7-foot-2 and a career 36.4 percent three-point shooter, while blocking 1.8 shots per game. Porzingis didn’t get much court time alongside Steph Curry, but there’s reason to believe his presence could greatly open up the Warriors offense with the scoring threat he provides.

Is it a risk? Yes, but far less than what was originally suspected. If Porzingis can play like he did before his struggle with POTS, $20M is a bargain for him. If he can’t stay on the court, the Warriors have only a minimal, $3M commitment for the 2027-28 season. And by signing Porzingis to his deal before July 1, the Warriors have gained valuable flexibility.

Since Porzingis technically signed an extension, not a new contract, he’s not subject to the normal waiting period to be eligible for trades. In general, teams can’t trade newly-signed free agents until at least Dec. 15. Structuring Porzingis’ deal as an extension, and giving him a pay cut, means his contract becomes immediately movable.

That could be crucial if the team’s longshot pursuit of Anthony Davis and LeBron James gains momentum. A short $20M contract is great for matching salaries, especially with the small buyout. Whether it’s this summer, the trade deadline, or even next June, this contract is a great trade chip.

Warriors vice president Rick “Macklin’s Dad” Celebrini has done well in getting Warriors players back on the court, so there’s reason to be optimistic about what he can do with Porzingis. If Celebrini could work his magic, the Porzingis deal would go from “value contract” to “outright steal.”

Since the Lakers acquired Luka Dončić, they’ve been trying to find an elite center to pair with him.

They tried to bring in Mark Williams, but the trade was rescinded. They brought in Deandre Ayton last season, but that didn’t work either.

Nothing has been quite good enough, and with Luka reportedly wanting this position addressed, it was a top priority this summer. The Lakers have accomplished their goal by reportedly trading for Walker Kessler.

According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the Lakers feel this is the big of the future.

The cost was steep but the Lakers feel like Walker Kessler is the “perfect” center for a team built around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, per a source, and they’ve paid significantly for that fit.

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 1, 2026

Kessler was one of the most coveted restricted free agents this season. The reasons why are obvious.

He is an elite defensive big and a walking double-double, which is why the Jazz certainly didn’t trade him for nothing. The Lakers had to give up their 2031 and 2033 first round picks, along with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. Add in that this is a four-year, $130 million deal, and it’s clear that this is an all-in move by the Lakers front office.

However, given LeBron James’s departure, the price is perfectly fine if it secures the center position for the future and keeps Luka and Austin Reaves happy. Kessler is an elite rim protector who will clean up a lot of LA’s defensive mistakes. During his four seasons with the Jazz, he averaged 2.4 blocks per game.

Last year, the Lakers had a defensive rating of 115.5, which was 20th in the NBA. That will likely improve with Kessler on the floor.

Offensively, Kessler is a consistent scorer and will be a good pick-and-roll partner for Reaves and Dončić. Kessler’s scoring has increased each year, and now with two elite guards feeding him the ball, it’s almost guaranteed this will be a career year scoring-wise for him.

So yes, the price was steep, and the consequences if it doesn’t work will be as well. But this is exactly the kind of move that can place the Lakers near the top of the Western Conference.

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

It was Bruce Lee who said, “Be water, my friend”.

Water is shapeless. Formless. Water will take the shape of whatever it’s in.

Water is weak, right?

Marcus Aurelius said that one should “Be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands unmoved, and the rage of the sea falls still around it.” Should an NBA team want to be the rock, or the waves crashing over it?

The Houston Rockets’ brain trust has shown signs of being each. Rafael Stone has some H20 in his approach. Perhaps he should lend his surname to Ime Udoka, who is rock solid in his principles. At times, it’s felt like Udoka’s rigidity has overridden Stone’s flexibility. The Rockets have been seemingly exclusively interested in signing “Udoka guys”.

Not anymore.

If you expected Marcus Smart to be the Rockets’ first signing of the summer, you weren’t alone. He is officially a Rocket now, but he wasn’t first in line. That would be Bogdan Bogdanovic. He is decidedly not a Udoka guy:

But he’s exactly what the Rockets need.

Rockets sign elite movement shooter

The last two seasons have not been kind to Bogdanovic. Last season, he managed just 23 appearances. The year before, he played 54 games, but scored just 10.3 points per game while shooting a solid-but-unexceptional 36.3% from long-range.

If you want a best-case scenario, look to 2023-24. In 79 games, Bogdanovic averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 37.4% from deep. The year before that, he hit 40.6% of his triples.

Bogdanovic can hit movement threes, come off screens, and shoot off the dribble. He isn’t strictly a shooting specialist, either. Bogdanovic can handle the ball and set up teammates. He can do just about anything you like:

Besides rebound or defend, that is.

It’s not that Udoka would insist on rebounders at every position, but the idea that the Rockets would ever sign a subpar defender under his watch was unthinkable before now. This could represent an organizational shift:

Hopefully.

Rockets badly need spacing

The details surrounding the Bogdanovic signing haven’t emerged as of this writing, but it’s a one-year deal, so we can safely assume it’s a minimum.

Quick: Find a list of players with Bogdanovic’s offensive skillset who are also strong defenders. Sort them by salary. You’re going to find that these are $25 million-a-year players at a minimum.

Yet, the Rockets need shooting. They also need additional ball-handling. They do not have $25 million to spare.

Simply put, they need non-Udoka guys.

They got one. The extent of Bogdanovic’s role remains to be seen. Udoka may not trust him defensively.

Still, he is a Houston Rocket. That’s the point here. The Rockets made a signing that was contrary to Udoka’s principles. They were able to address roster needs in the process.

They were water.

It’s day two of LeBron James being the hottest free agent on the market. While no one knows his next move just yet, our latest update might tilt the scales in favor of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that money isn’t the driving factor behind LeBron’s next destination — and that the King is even willing to accept the veteran minimum if it means competing for a championship.

LeBron James is willing to accept a minimum contract to play for a contender, per @ShamsCharania

He doesn't intend to make a "financially-driven decision" pic.twitter.com/KgKoTJukke

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 1, 2026

Naturally, this opens the door to all 29 teams. Everyone has enough cap space to offer LeBron the minimum. But only one team has roots as deep as Cleveland. And money was one of the only obstacles they had to clear.

The Cavs were never going to be able to offer James a large chunk of cash to return. Any homecoming would be contingent on James wanting to be back in Cleveland. That’s because the Cavs flat-out don’t have any money to offer.

From that perspective, the Cavs were starting this race with a heavy disadvantage. Other teams, including the Golden State Warriors, would be able to give James a contract that they couldn’t match. Now it looks like that might not matter.

Cleveland had the highest payroll in NBA history last season. They were far above the Second Apron and have been working to get below it this summer. They’ve already lost Dean Wade and Keon Ellis to free agency, while James Harden has opted out of his contract to help restructure a more team-friendly deal.

All of this can work towards keeping money available for James. But if this report is true, money might not be that important.

Of course, James won’t complain if the Cavs can offer him more. Though it sounds like that won’t be a deal-breaker. James wants happiness and an opportunity to win another title. In my opinion, Cleveland can offer both.

The Cavs made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. And while they were thumped in four games by the eventual champions — the one thing that’s been missing this entire time is a wing. Now? They might have the quintessential wing on their roster. James can complete the puzzle and make his hometown team a championship contender again. Money won’t get in the way of that.

With the acquisition of Miles Bridges, the Phoenix Suns opened one roster spot. After sending both Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale to Charlotte, the organization needed to replace the shooting it lost. That became the priority, and the Suns addressed it by signing veteran sniper Luke Kennard to a two-year, $13 million contract with a player option for the second season.

On paper, it appears to be exactly what Phoenix needed. But how much does it ultimately improve the roster? Does Kennard adequately replace the shooting the Suns lost? And how should this signing be viewed in the context of the entire Miles Bridges transaction?

So what grade do the Suns deserve for adding Luke Kennard? Let’s talk it out.

Player Grade: B

Luke Kennard isn’t going to wow you with a complete basketball skill set. He’s a sharpshooter. That’s what he does, and that’s why he’s here. He’s not going to grab a bunch of rebounds, he’s an average playmaker, and he’s a below-average defender. When you look at his overall report card from Basketball Index, the holes in his game are easy to spot.

But when you’re truly elite at one skill, and it’s the exact skill your team needs, you begin to understand why his overall grade comes in at a B. The Suns aren’t asking him to rebound. They aren’t asking him to be a stopper defensively. They’ll surround him with players on the second unit who can help cover those deficiencies while allowing him to operate where he’s most comfortable.

There will absolutely be nights when he frustrates you. He’ll miss a defensive assignment. He won’t have the lateral quickness to keep someone in front of him, and opposing guards will get downhill. The hope is that Phoenix’s interior defense is improved enough to compensate for those shortcomings. That’s why fit matters when evaluating Kennard. I can easily see him playing 20 minutes a night and knocking down 3 to 4 three pointers. That kind of production would be incredibly valuable for the second unit.

He’s your stand in the corner and let it fly guy. And over the course of his career, he’s proven to be one of the best in the league at doing exactly that.

Acquisition Grade: A+

When you looked at the list of available free agents whose primary skill was shooting, I thought Kennard would simply be out of Phoenix’s price range. The Suns ended up using their full mid-level exception to sign him, but it’s not like they were the only team interested. He had other options, and some of those teams are viewed as much stronger championship contenders. He also could have stayed with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that clearly valued what he brought during its postseason run.

The fact that the Suns were able to bring him to Phoenix despite those alternatives continues to reinforce something we’ve seen throughout this offseason. Phoenix is still a desirable destination. It’s still a place that attracts free agents.

Knowing Kennard and Grayson Allen were teammates at Duke, I’m sure the two had conversations about what it was like to play in Phoenix. While Grayson’s first couple of seasons were spent in a locker room dealing with plenty of turmoil, the organization looks much different today. You can see the direction the franchise is headed. You can see the way it’s operating. And that’s something players want to be a part of. Clearly, Kennard does.

Overall Grade: A-

This was a great acquisition for Phoenix. It’s refreshing not to spend free agency digging through the veteran minimum market, hoping one of those signings can outperform expectations. Instead, the Suns identified a player who fills a clear need and used one of the few meaningful tools at their disposal to acquire him.

Kennard is going to be part of the rotation. He’s going to play meaningful minutes, and he’ll provide much-needed offense for the second unit through efficient three-point shooting. That’s exactly what this roster lacked after the Miles Bridges trade, and it’s exactly what the Suns addressed.

It’s an impressive signing, and about as close to a best-case scenario as Phoenix could have hoped for. Once again, it showcases the Suns’ ability to operate effectively on the margins, maximizing the limited flexibility they have while continuing to add quality talent to the roster.

And there goes the other unrestricted free agent.

ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that Kelly Oubre Jr. will be signing a two-year, $17 million dollar deal with the Pacers, ending his tenure in Philadelphia after three seasons.

Free agent forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has agreed to a two-year, nearly $17 million deal to sign with the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/qzUyLGX7DP

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026

Given their financial restraints, it always felt likely the Sixers could only retain one of Oubre or Quentin Grimes. That only got trickier when Grimes scored a contract that will pay him $15 million per year from the Lakers.

Oubre though went for a much more reasonable number, one the Sixers could have spent while staying under the first apron.

The Pacers were one of several teams that reportedly met with Oubre according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports. According to Iko, Oubre also met with the Sixers, Lakers, and Trail Blazers.

In his three years in Philadelphia, Oubre started 150 games, averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game on 45.7%/32%/75.4% shooting splits. In the 2025-26 campaign, he posted the highest three-point percentage of his career at 36% on 4.8 attempts per game.

Oubre was a productive wing in his time here, especially when his shot was falling. He was put through the Sixers injury ringer more than most role players. He missed 32 games this past season with various ligament injuries in his elbow and knee. He got off to a torrid start his first season as a Sixer, averaging 16 points per game in his first eight games before being struck by a car while riding a bicycle.

In the two seasons the Sixers made the playoffs with Oubre, he’d been given some of the toughest defensive assignments ranging from Jalen Brunson to Jaylen Brown.

After being selected 25th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2026 draft, it wasn’t yet known whether or not the 20-year-old rookie was going to continue to play for his Spanish club, Valencia, with whom he just won the Spanish ACB League championship, or head for the States and an NBA contract.

On Wednesday, Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz said, “We are still working through all of that with Sergio,” when asked if he would be with the Mavs this summer. Now, it looks like we have our answer.

A report from the Spanish-language site Encestando.es has said de Larrea is, in fact, bound for Dallas, where he intends to sign a four-year contract. In fact, Valencia has apparently already signed a replacement player for de Larrea’s roster spot, so it seems highly likely de Larrea will be spending the season with the Mavericks.

Now, Marc Stein confirms that de Larrea is indeed expected to play for Dallas, at least for the Summer League. The plans for de Larrea beyond that, though, are still up in the air.

Mavericks first-round pick Sergio De Larrea, I’m told, is now indeed expected to play in summer league next week … while the broader topic of plans for next season continue to be worked through.

We discuss next on @DLLS_Mavs! https://t.co/Gsk4bRHvxY

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2026

Initially, de Larrea was selected by the New York Knicks before being traded to Dallas. Had he stayed with New York, the impression was that he would be a “draft and stash” candidate, staying in Spain to continue to develop. It’s something New York has leaned on more heavily recently, and seemed especially interested in now, as it would mean a one-year reprieve from having to pay his salary while they’re trying to keep their NBA Championship team core intact this offseason.

The situation is much different for the Mavs, a team in the midst of developing Cooper Flagg, and that is in desperate need of minutes at the guard position, the return of Kyrie Irving notwithstanding.

Whether de Larrea will be a part of Dallas’ Summer League team, having just finished his Championship run with Valencia, is unclear, as are the plans for fellow international rookie Vsevolod Ishchenko, but Dallas seems like a team that is interested in bringing over their prospects sooner rather than later.