Category: Basketball

Why Draymond Green didn't want ‘fight over' no-trade clause in Warriors contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

In June, Draymond Green opted out of his contract with the hopes that Warriors could sign a player with the “mid-level” slot (aka LeBron James), but when that fell through, the four-time NBA champion re-signed with Golden State – with one note-worthy contractual detail.

“It was reported that I did not receive a no-trade clause,” Green said on “The Draymond Green Show.” “No, I didn’t. I think it was something that we could have fought over, but it wasn’t worth fighting over. I think if the Warriors want to trade me at some point in the season, they want to trade me. I’ve never been a guy who wants to stay somewhere where I’m not wanted.”

The absence of the no-trade clause isn’t something new, as ESPN’s Anthony Slater said when Green signed his contract, stating it’s the same deal the Warriors and the four-time NBA All-Star had in place prior to him opting out.

Green’s name reportedly was floated last season when the Warriors were attempting to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but ultimately that swap never came to fruition either.

“As I’ve always spoke about, I think there is a partnership that this works for us, it works,” Green said. “If it doesn’t, it doesn’t, you know, and I never want to be that guy anyway. So, to sit and fight over a no-trade clause, I don’t think it was worth it. It’s pointless. So, that wasn’t a thing.”

Green’s one-year deal with Golden State is worth over $27 million. The forward, who turns 37 in March, then will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

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Luka Doncic‘s former fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, requested Monday that the petition for child support she filed in March in Los Angeles Superior Court be dismissed, according to court documents obtained by The Times.

“I am withdrawing my Petition for Child Support with the specific intention of resolving this matter amicably and by a mutual agreement which is in the best interests of our children,” Goltes wrote in the filing.

The Lakers superstar proposed to Goltes, a fashion and fitness model, three years ago. They met as children in their native Slovenia and started dating as teenagers in 2016. Their daughters — Gabriela, 2, and Olivia, seven months — live with Goltes in Slovenia.

Doncic has spent the offseason in Slovenia and will host a four-day minicamp for the entire Lakers team later this month in his hometown of Ljubljana, which will include workouts, golf and sightseeing ahead of training camp. The guard — who led the NBA in scoring with an average of 33.5 points a game last season — even offered to pay the team’s travel costs.

Goltes, 28, sought child support and attorney fees from Doncic, 27, following an incident that occurred shortly after Olivia was born at Kranj Maternity Hospital on Dec. 6, 2025, in Slovenia. Doncic missed games against the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics to be present at the birth.

Read more:Teen obtained UCLA jersey worn by Kareem in trade for his radio. Decades later, he's set to make a fortune

Goltes objected to Doncic’s desire to bring Gabriela back to the United States with him when he joined the Lakers in Philadelphia to play the 76ers on Dec. 7. Goltes called the police, but officers “did not detect any elements of a criminal offense or misdemeanor,” according to a report viewed by ESPN.

The couple broke off their engagement shortly thereafter. Goltes deleted photos of her and Doncic from her Instagram account and Doncic acknowledged that they had separated. He filed an injunction with a Slovenian court in February seeking immediate contact with his daughters, ESPN reported.

“I love my daughters more than anything, and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” Doncic said in March. “Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness, and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”

Doncic posted a photo on social media of Olivia wearing a pink sweater with a heart emoji covering her face. In his first game back, he inscribed a G and O with a heart on his shoes.

“I got to see my daughter again, my newborn,” he said upon his return. “Coming back, it was kind of hard to leave them behind. But it’s a job, so I got to do it.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Jaylen Brown can’t afford the time to join “Love Island USA” or “Married at First Sight” that would bring a fun storm to the sports pop culture space.

So, he is taking matters into his own hands and letting fans know he is looking for his match.

The new 76er admitted he was “touched” while attending Donovan Mitchell and Coco Jones’ wedding on an Instagram live stream on Monday, in which he also tried on his new No. 7 jersey.

“Chat, if y’all know somebody or y’all got somebody for me, y’all let me know,” Brown said, per People. “If y’all got some people in y’all mind, put em in the comments.”

“Coco and Donovan, man, they touched me. It was great to see. It was an amazing event. Two beautiful people coming together, man.”

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Brown, 29, was one of many NBA faces to attend the wedding of the Cavaliers star and Grammy-winning singer in Connecticut over the weekend.

Bam Adebayo, James Harden, Dwyane Wade, Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson were also guests — the latter of which Brown had a funny dance floor moment with at the reception.

Brunson stared down Brown, who was taking a video of the Knicks star and 2026 NBA Finals MVP, while swaying to the music on the dance floor with a sly smile on his face before calling to Hart.

The moment went viral on social media with fans saying 76ers-Knicks tension has already started this offseason.

The former Celtic and five-time All-Star’s last known girlfriend was former-WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick.

The two confirmed their relationship in Aug. 2024 when Gondrezick posted a photo dump on Instagram that featured Brown and even a photo of a piece of cake with his face on it.

The couple was also seen out together at the Celtics NBA championship parade and ESPY Awards that same year.

Brown and Gondrezick reportedly split in early 2025.

Last month, Philadelphia acquired Brown for Paul George and two first-round picks and two second-round picks.

Since joining the 76ers, LeBron James has claimed Philly as his new team after agreeing to a two-year, $8 million deal.

James and Brown, who is coming off his best season in the NBA with an average of 28.7 points per game, will link up with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and V.J. Edgecombe to try to push the 76ers towards a title.

Luka Dončić is taking charge of the Lakers this season, and that begins with him organizing the entire roster to attend a mini-camp in Slovenia.

Well, almost everyone.

While the trip has made it out of the group chat and will be happening this August, one notable player will be absent: rookie Cameron Carr. On Monday, Marc Stein reported in his newsletter, “The Stein Line,” that Carr will be missing the event due to his NBA-mandated rookie orientation.

The aforementioned Dončić has chartered a plane and is paying the full bill to fly and host every single Lakers teammate in his native Slovenia later this month. I’m told that 16 of the 17 players on the Lakers’ roster not named Dončić — from Austin Reaves to Walker Kessler to Bronny James to two-way signees Arthur Kaluma, Chris Mañon and AK Okereke –have all committed to attend.

League sources say it would have been 17 of 17 if just drafted swingman Cameron Carr wasn’t required to participate in an official NBA rookie orientation that conflicts with what Dončić is calling a “team bonding trip.”

It’s a bummer that Carr will be the only Laker to miss this event. This is the first opportunity for the entire team to be together and begin bonding.

However, he’s also a rookie, and the NBA has this orientation in place for a reason. Rashad Grove wrote a piece for BET last year about the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program, which included the Executive Vice President of Operations of the National Basketball Players Association, Morgan Cato, explaining the importance of this orientation.

Following the Summer League, the rookies will gather for part two of the program in August to expand upon everything they’ve learned during Summer League. According to Cato, the RTP is an alignment with the Player’s Association’s mission, which is “to protect and advance the rights of our players. They are the game.”

“In late August, all of the players will go a bit deeper into everything from media training and engagement to financial literacy to officiating,” Cato said. “It’s more of an intense exposure where they get to work on team building and communication,” Cato said. “By the time they’re ready for training camp, they know exactly what to expect.”

As good as it’d be for Carr to be in Slovenia with the Lakers, he can’t miss this event. Perhaps he can still remain in touch with his peers and talk with them about what’s going on during his downtime.

But it’s a bummer his first months in the NBA won’t include a trip to Europe.

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

Indiana Fever center Damiris Dantas is out for the season after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus on Monday. Dantas, who signed a two-year contract with the Fever in the offseason, has seen inconsistent minutes over the past few months but was nonetheless one of Indiana’s backup frontcourt options.

Now, Indiana will have a more short-handed frontcourt rotation.

The Fever lose one of their most veteran players in Damiris Dantas

Damiris Dantas has appeared in 12 games this season, averaging 3.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.3 assists. Her role, albeit limited, meant that Stephanie White had another backup big option at her disposal. Now, an already-limited campaign has been cut short.

Because she was already playing a more limited role than expected, the absence won’t impact Indiana’s day-to-day rotation as much.

Nonetheless, Dantas is one of the most veteran players on the roster; the 33-year-old holds career averages of 6.8 points and 3.7 rebounds across 272 career games in 12 seasons. She’s played for the Fever since 2024, but previously suited up for the Minnesota Lynx and Atlanta Dream, and was someone who Stephanie White could turn to in a pinch.

Now, with Dantas out for the season, the burden will continue to fall on Makayla Timpson, who is averaging 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.

Aliyah Boston continues to hold down the fort in the frontcourt

The good news for Indiana is that they have one of the best bigs in the league anchoring the frontcourt: Aliyah Boston, who is averaging 16.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Boston has averaged 26.8 minutes per game, and Timpson has played the majority of her backup minutes.

The Fever may look to sign an additional big to bolster the rotation in the wake of Dantas’s absence. While Myisha Hines-Allen and Monique Billings have played significant roles, Indiana may want to sign another center to a rest-of-season contract.

The Fever are 19-11 and coming off a loss to the Minnesota Lynx. Next up, they’ll face the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, August 6th.

HeraldCeltics’ Jordan Walsh dishes on chats with Paul George, new contract and LeBron-to-Philly

CelticsBlog Ron Harper Jr. talks new contract, giving Paul George his number, and more

Banner Years: 1959, the eight-peat begins in Boston

NBA draft rules would leave Dillon Mitchell’s Celtics rights uncertain

Celtics Reacts Survey: would you rather with Curry, AD, or KD

What NBA team improved the most this offseason?

CLNS Media Report: Celtics Rookie Dillon Mitchell Could Return to College Basketball

Top 3 Celtics Under Most Pressure Next Season

NESNThis Simple Mitchell Robinson Play Shows How Celtics’ New Center Breaks Teams

We Now Know How Jaylen Brown Really Feels After Shocking Celtics-76ers Trade

Mass LiveFormer Celtics guard will not get buyout despite Sixers speculation

Jaylen Brown makes bold statement after being ‘disrespected’

Celtics draft pick could return to college because of new NCAA rule

Celtics WireThe Celtics need to extend point guard Payton Pritchard

Ron Harper Jr. reveals when long-term future with Celtics felt possible

To Joe Mazzulla, narratives matter to Boston Celtics success

Celtics history: Shaq signs, Parish leaves, Archibald trade; Risen passes

Former Celtics star Jaylen Brown finds new motivation in trade to 76ers

Internet could not be more wrong about Stephen Curry, Celtics

Report: Celtics could see 2nd-round pick Dillon Mitchell return to NCAAs

The AthleticJaylen Brown on playing with LeBron James: ‘What an opportunity that is’

NBA disputes study that links Achilles injuries to increased playing time

Hardwood Houdini Despite playoff doubts, Celtics still have highest regular season floor in the East

Celtics are making a huge mistake if their starting lineup plans are true

Celtics may have given up exactly what they were searching for this summer

Jaylen Brown isn’t hiding his feelings about Celtics after Philly move

Jaylen Brown just put a 76ers jersey on for the first time and it was gross

Celtics are quite fortunate LeBron James chose 76ers over Heat

Dillon Mitchell NCAA ruling makes losing John Tonje even worse for Celtics

Dillon Mitchell’s college return isn’t a total disaster for Celtics, but it hurts

Celtics went against the grain by sticking with Joe Mazzulla

Chowder and ChampionsCeltics may surprisingly be on verge of missing out on Dillon Mitchell’s development

CLNS Media/YouTubeRon Harper Jr. TRADED Jerseys Numbers with Paul George | Celtics Camp Interview

Rookie Dillon Mitchell Could Play for St. John’s Instead of Boston | Celtics Daily

The Big LeadCeltics’ Jayson Tatum projected to get big minutes workload next season, per insider

HeavyCeltics Rookie Could Make Stunning Decision After NBA Draft

Jaylen Brown Makes Feelings Clear After Blockbuster Celtics Trade

Celtics Get Bad News on Rumored Reunion With 2024 NBA Champion

Celtics’ Jordan Walsh Breaks Silence on Jaylen Brown Trade

Celtics’ Ron Harper Jr. Makes Unexpected Move After Paul George Trade

KOAA 5/YouTubeNBA champion Derrick White, who attended UCCS, hosts basketball camp in Colorado Springs

Basketball Network “He’s basically going to have to be their Derrick White” – Bill Simmons says Jaylen Brown is the fourth-most important player on the Philadelphia 76ers

Jaylen Brown is taking this season personally: “I want to win more than I ever have, for obvious reasons”

Anfernee Simons explains why he’ll thrive in a bench role in Philly: “It’s going to be easier for me”

Fadeaway World 4 Stars The Celtics Should Target If Stephen Curry Isn’t Available In A Trade

Hoops WireNBA’s second apron is functioning like a hard cap for most teams

Athlon SportsCeltics Rookie Could Return to College Basketball Before First NBA Season

Bleacher ReportNBA Responds to Study That Relates Heavy Workloads to Achilles Injuries

1 Word to Describe Every Team’s 2026 NBA Offseason

Essentially Sports22-Year-Old Breakout Star’s Return to College Leaves NBA Team’s Final Roster Spot in Limbo

Barstool Sports Jaylen Brown Wants The Entire Sixers Team To Go Skydiving If They Win A Championship, Which Would Be The Last Game The Sixers Ever Win

Clutch Points Celtics’ Jordan Walsh opens up on missing Jaylen Brown as team plane seatmate

PFSN‘It Feel Weird’ — Jaylen Brown Gets Honest About Donning 76ers Jersey, Getting ‘Disrespected’ by Celtics

‘Not Even Close to True’ — Celtics Superfan Bill Simmons Rejects Credit for Viral Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown Narrative

Celtics RoundtableWould the Boston Celtics Lose Dillon Mitchell if He Went Back to College?

Boston Celtics Vaunted ‘Big 3’ to Reunite For Special Reason

Fan RecapCeltics Fans May Not Love Brad Stevens Next Move After Brown

The Sporting NewsJaylen Brown admits he felt disrespected by people he thought were on his side

HITC ‘I’m about to’ – Jaylen Brown explains how LeBron James’ 76ers signing will help with his hairline

SI .comBoston Celtics Roster: Contracts, Salaries, Options and Depth Chart

NBC SportsNBA pushes back on small study suggesting spike in workloads before NBA player Achilles tears

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Draymond Green, Klay Thompson respond to Kevin Durant’s viral Instagram comment comparing the new-look 76ers to the Warriors team he joined in 2016.
• Will Richard aims to be a more vocal leader entering his second season with the Warriors.
• WNBA announces the Cleveland Sirens as the league’s newest expansion team.

When LeBron James made his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, it quickly made them one of the NBA’s newest superteams. The revamped roster now features James alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown, giving Philadelphia one of the most star-studded lineups in the league.

Of course, whenever high-profile team-ups occur, fans naturally point back to when Kevin Durant “broke the NBA” by joining a Golden State Warriors team in 2016 featuring Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala all in their Warriors primes.

So, when Durant took the conversation to Instagram, his comments about James’ new-look 76ers being more talented on paper than the Warriors team he joined quickly went viral and attracted attention from both of his former Golden State teammates, Thompson and Green.

While the exchange appeared to be all in good fun, it serves as another reminder of the legacy of Golden State’s dynasty. Nearly a decade later, the Durant-era Warriors remain the benchmark for every NBA superteam, and any comparison to that historic roster is almost guaranteed to spark some debate.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, August 4th:

Warriors News:

Klay Thompson objects to being used in Kevin Durant’s Warriors-76ers comparison | The Athletic

“Ain’t close,” Durant wrote in reply to an Instagram comment comparing the talent level of the newly formed 76ers with the 2016-17 Warriors team he left Oklahoma City to join. “Joel [Embiid] MVP, recently. Jaylen Brown, recent Finals MVP, Tyrese Maxey, All-Star in the last 3 years. We all know what Bron does.

“Klay Thompson never an MVP candidate in nothing, 22 (points per game).”

It is the latest example of Durant seemingly using James’ decision to form a superteam in Philadelphia in pursuit of another championship to validate his own much-criticized move to the 73-win Warriors after Golden State eliminated his Thunder in the previous Western Conference finals.

Will Richard finds voice as leader during Warriors’ NBA Summer League title run | NBC Sports Bay Area

“This was a great opportunity for me to find my voice on the team,” Richard told reporters. “That’s not just talking and all that but leading by example. Making sure I’m coming here doing the right things and being a voice where the coaches can connect to the players.” 

Instead of going outside of himself throughout summer league, Richard expanded on his role and jumped into bigger shoes after a year of learning from all-time greats. His services will be needed even more in Year 2, and the Warriors should be able to rely on him even more with confidence in his game and his communication.

Brandin Podziemski debuts new haircut

NBA News:

Chris Bosh cautions Wemby on blood clots: ‘Take your medicine’ | ESPN

Bosh is cautioning Wembanyama not to take his health and quick return for granted. In February, Bosh had a clotting emergency that nearly killed him.

“Yeah, I had an episode in January. I almost dropped dead, pretty much, and came back to life. I’m not joking. I had another pulmonary embolism,” he told HoopsHype.com. “You just got to deal with it for the rest of your life. I thought I was past it. I am not.”

WNBA introduces new expansion team called the Cleveland Sirens

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

More of the same: Warriors agree to one-year deal with Gary Payton II

Already 33, limited, and with an extensive injury history, Payton only further solidifies Golden State’s attempt to run it back with the 37-win 2025-26 roster. A perplexing approach given the team’s struggles and age. Nevertheless, Payton is a favorite of head coach Steve Kerr and face of the franchise Steph Curry.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country.

The Lakers have fully embraced a youth movement.

They accomplished their mission of acquiring players in the same age range as Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves as Kevon Looney is the only player over 30 on the roster.

While youth is ideal, as it means players are closer to their prime and better able to withstand the grueling NBA season, it also comes with drawbacks. Plenty of Lakers are unproven, especially on the back end of the roster.

The four names that come to mind are Adou Thiero, Cameron Carr, Zaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle. The upside for LA is that all are low-risk and high-reward.

Realistically, none are currently being counted on to play major minutes, and the player with the biggest contract from this quartet is Carr, who is making $3.3 million this year. If any of them can outpace their deals, then LA could not only gain a rotation player but have one at a bargain.

So, for our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we ask, which player is most likely to outperform their contract?

As a member of Carr Island before he was even on the Lakers, I feel like he has to be the top choice. He’s a three-level scorer and displayed that throughout at Baylor, averaging 18.9 points while shooting 49.4% from the field, 37.4% from deep and 80.1% from the free throw line.

While he hasn’t played in an NBA game yet, he was elite in the Las Vegas Summer League. Carr looked too good for that level of competition, averaging 18 points per game. While Summer League isn’t the best indicator of how one will play at the next level, how he scored mattered.

Carr showed that he can handle the ball a bit and create. He scored off-ball from the wing as well, which is likely the role he’ll play with the main team. His defensive play was equally encouraging. Carr has good size and used it well, averaging 0.8 blocks per game.

While Carr has no NBA experience yet, that also makes him a huge x-factor. No one knows how good he’ll be. So far, he’s played well in the moments he’s gotten this summer and has said all the right things.

If what little we’ve seen from Carr translates well, then he can absolutely find himself having a role in the rotation as a rookie. With how difficult it is to build rosters under the apron restrictions, having players like that is huge for teams.

But Thiero, Williams and Thybulle will also get their chances to step up. So, if you think they are more likely to outperform their deals, cast your vote that way. And as always, feel free to explain your rationale in the comment section below.

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

Kings reportedly considering two veteran NBA guards to mentor Darius Acuff Jr. originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings used their No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on who they hope will be their point guard of the future in Darius Acuff Jr. The question, however, has been what kind of players Sacramento will place around the rookie.

The Kings waived 36-year-old DeMar DeRozan with one year left on his contract, which made it seem like the team was embracing the youth movement.

However, Sacramento is “weighing the prospect” of bringing back Russell Westbrook or signing Victor Oladipo as a veteran point guard to mentor Acuff, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Monday, citing a league source.

Westbrook reveled in a leadership role for the Kings during the 2025-26 NBA season. After signing a one-year contract and expected to be the team’s backup, the 37-year-old eventually turned into Sacramento’s starting point guard.

The 18-year veteran played 64 games with Sacramento (58 starts) and averaged 15.2 points on 42.7-percent shooting, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per game.

At his end-of-season press conference, Westbrook said he wouldn’t mind rejoining Sacramento if the opportunity presented itself.

As for Oladipo, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft hasn’t played a game in the pros since the 2022-23 season and hasn’t played more than 42 games in a season since 2017-18, when he was a member of the Indiana Pacers.

The 34-year-old, who played for the G League Wisconsin Herd in 2025-26, recently held a workout in Las Vegas during summer league and the Kings were present, Fischer noted.

Whether the Kings decide to bring Westbrook back or add Oladipo, it seems the team is focused on not only putting Acuff in position to lead the team, but also to receive some knowledge from veteran guards along the way.

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BOSTON — Ron Harper Jr. vividly remembers what it was like to be a little kid attending basketball camps and hoping to meet an NBA player. So, on Tuesday afternoon, when he was the guest of honor at the Junior Celtics Academy, it was a full-circle moment.

The 26-year-old Celtic guard answered a litany of questions from the kids in attendance, competed in knockout games, and partook in drills.

All of it came just a few weeks after he signed his first multi-year NBA contract, a 4-year, $14 million extension that gave him his first long-term assurance he’ll be in the league.

“It was great,” Harper Jr. said. “It just felt really rewarding — a team that I have a lot of respect for, a team that I want to play for for a long time. So, for that to be able to happen in a city like this, playing for a team like the Boston Celtics, I’m honored, and I’m ready to put the work in.”

It was a long journey to get here: Harper Jr. joined the Celtics for the 2024 and 2025 training camps, and began last year on a training camp deal with Boston. He was one of five players competing for the team’s final two-way spot, a battle he ultimately won. On the Maine Celtics, he quickly established himself as one of the G-League’s best all-around players. By February, he was spending nearly all of his time with the parent club.

A February 4th game between the Celtics and the Houston Rockets served as an inflection point in Harper’s season; he started for the first time in his career, guarded Rockets star Kevin Durant, and showed himself — and the world — he belonged. It’s a game that Joe Mazzulla has pointed to as well in that it showcased Harper’s readiness and preparation.

“The first time I really played meaningful minutes was when I started in Houston, and that kind of came to be because of the Anfernee trade, and it happened all really fast,” Harper said. “But I feel like after that game where I started and I played all those minutes, and I played well, I felt like after that point I felt like I’d be a real contributor to this team and a part of bringing this team back to the championship. So, that’s something I look forward to doing next year.”

Notably, he also got a surprise start in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers, something that meant a lot: “It shows that they believe in me at the highest level, with it all on the line.”

Still, he entered the offseason a free agent, uncertain about whether he’d get a long-term commitment from Boston.

But on June 27th, he officially agreed to a contract that served as the culmination of years of hard work.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity; that they believe in me, that they want me here long-term,” Harper said. “It’s just motivation to keep on getting better and keep proving them right. So that’s something I look forward to doing.”

It will be an uphill climb for rotation minutes in Boston

Ron Harper Jr. will be one of several Celtics wings competing for minutes next season, a list that includes Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Sam Hauser.

He emphasized that the healthy competition for on-court opportunities never gets in the way of the players’ support for one another.

“That’s the beautiful thing about being on the Celtics,” he said. “We all care about each other. We all want each other to succeed, no matter what it looks like. It’s a lot of guys competing for minutes, but also pushing each other to get better. So we’re just worried about being great teammates, pushing each other to get better, and going about it in the right way.”

Next year, Harper’s training camp experience will start a bit differently than it has the previous two Octobers. That’s because Jaylen Brown, who grew to be one of Harper’s mentors, will no longer be on the roster.

“Obviously sad to see him go — a guy that I’ve grown close to in my time at the Celtics across two training camps and a full season, a guy that I have a lot of respect for, and a guy that still trusted me when I was still on an Exhibit-10,” he said. “So I remember the message he’s sharing with me, the motivation he’s given me, and the advice he’s given me. And it sucks to see him go. This is a business more than anything, so I wish him luck in the future — except when he plays us.”

Though Brown is gone, Harper will get to team up with Paul George, a player whom he grew up watching on TV. He hasn’t yet crossed paths with George in Boston, but the two are already bound by the fact that Harper gave George jersey No. 13, which he wore last year. Harper will wear instead No. 8, and he said that the number swap benefited “both parties.”

“We don’t got to get into the exact details,” Harper Jr said with a smile. “About an hour after the trade, I got a phone call saying he wanted the number, so me and him were able to work it out. We’ll have some funny conversations about that for sure. But I’m happy that he’s able to get back to his number, get back to PG-13 for sure.”

In the meantime, the former Rutgers star is spending most of his summer at the facility, where he and many of his teammates are already preparing for the year ahead.

“Just the easiest place for me to work out, stay around the coaches,” Harper said. “I feel like they have a really good plan for me. So just sticking with what they got, they got prepared for me, just showing up every day. And I’ve been here, whether it’s been an optional week or mandatory week — I try to be in Boston the most as I possibly could.”

He knows the Celtics believe in him, and he’s working tirelessly to show the world why.

“They like my versatility on the offensive and defensive end, my ability to play on and off the ball, my ability to guard — so just looking forward to showcasing all those talents.”

Jaylen Brown talks transition to Sixers, adjustment to ‘different dimension' originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Jaylen Brown gave Sixers fans even more to celebrate in his Twitch stream on Monday evening. 

The former Celtics forward discussed his trade to Philadelphia, what he thinks of the Sixers’ roster and how he’s approaching the next chapter in his career.

What’s paramount for the 2024 Finals MVP? Winning.

“At this point in my career, I would say I want to win more than I ever have,” he said. “I’m more inspired to win than anything. I’ve been a little disrespected in this process for whatever reason.

“I want to win more than anything. So, I’m looking forward to that journey, the approach, the leadership, the sacrifice and whatever it’s going to take.”

On a team with four ball-dominant stars, there will reasonably be an adjustment period. Brown (35.1%), Embiid (33.6%), Tyrese Maxey (28.6%) and LeBron James (26.2%) were all among the top 50 players with the highest usage rates in the 2025-26 NBA regular season. 

“It’s going to take a lot of kind of feeling things out with each other, everybody getting on the same page, constant communication,” Brown said. 

He also mentioned that he’s lost roughly seven pounds this offseason in preparation for the 2026-27 season. 

“Just to be a little more fast and nimble. I’ve got to keep up with Maxey and Edgecombe and LeBron this year,” Brown said. “I feel great. I’m jumping higher and running faster.”

Playing with that group clearly excites Brown. Playing with James especially. He emphasized that he’s eager to learn from the league’s all-time scoring leader. 

“We got Bron. What an opportunity that is,” Brown said. “To have the opportunity to learn from one of if not the greatest player of all time. I get an opportunity to, on the court, off the court, learn and gather experiences that can accumulate to my own knowledge base.”

Brown referenced the story of his recent skydiving adventure in Egypt. He even revealed that he texted James, Edgecombe, Maxey and Embiid to say that, if the Sixers win the 2026-27 NBA championship, they’re all going skydiving. 

James’ response? 

“Boy, hell no.”

James wasn’t the only new teammate Brown spoke about. 

“It’s also other guys you get the opportunity to learn from. Embiid, Maxey, Edgecombe, even vets like [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope], Anfernee [Simons]. It’s a fun time.”

Simons and Brown will reunite in Philadelphia after playing together in Boston for part of the 2025-26 season. 

“When he was there, he added to winning, he played defense,” Brown said. “He did exactly what the team needed [him] to do.” 

Brown put on a Sixers jersey for the first time on the stream, sporting the team’s black Hardwood Classic Edition Uniform that throws back to Allen Iverson and the 2000-01 NBA Finals team. It’s a jersey Brown’s admired since playing against the Sixers when they wore it last year. 

He was also struck by the element of change. Brown noted that it was the first time in his 10-year career when he’s worn another team’s jersey. 

“I feel like we just jumped into an alternate timeline,” he said. “We’re in a different dimension. We’re in a parallel universe or something. Whatever universe we’re on, whatever team I’m on, my mindset is to win. So, I’m looking forward to that.” 

Brown was also surprised that Iverson was already wearing Brown’s Sixers jersey just 11 days after he was traded.

“How’d the OG get the jersey?” he asked. “I just got traded yesterday, OG already wearing the jersey.”

Brown will make his way to Philadelphia for the first time since being traded to the Sixers this week. His introductory press conference takes place Thursday at 2 p.m. ET before he’ll throw out the first pitch at the Phillies’ game against the Nationals later that evening. 

“Looking forward to that, looking forward to going to the Phillies game,” Brown said. “It’s definitely a major transition in my career, a major transition in my life.

“I’m super excited. Philadelphia, let’s get it. Throw the ball up.”

Kevin Durant’s latest attempt to praise the Philadelphia 76ers has reopened some old Golden State Warriors wounds.

Durant argued on social media that Philadelphia’s new core of LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey compares favorably with the Warriors team he joined in 2016. When a fan claimed the 76ers were not close to that historically dominant group, Durant pushed back by listing their individual accolades.

In making his case, however, Durant singled out former teammate Klay Thompson.

“Klay Thompson, never a MVP candidate in nothing, 22ppg,” Durant wrote, while contrasting Thompson’s résumé with Embiid’s MVP, Brown’s Finals MVP and Maxey’s recent All-Star selections.

Thompson, typically one of the NBA’s more laid-back personalities, took exception to being dragged into the debate. The former Warriors guard shared Durant’s comment on his Instagram Story and tagged him directly.

“Aye man u good?” Thompson wrote. “What u using my full government for??”

Draymond Green then entered the exchange with a shot referencing Durant’s history of using anonymous social-media accounts.

“Slim thought he was on his burner?” Green wrote on Threads.

The jab recalled Durant’s infamous 2017 mistake, when he defended himself in the third person from his verified account after apparently forgetting to switch profiles. It also carried added bite because of Green and Durant’s turbulent history, including their heated 2018 argument that contributed to tension during Durant’s final Warriors season.

Durant’s broader comparison is not entirely without merit. Philadelphia can field four players capable of producing at an All-Star level, including an MVP center and one of basketball’s greatest players.

The Warriors, however, had already won a championship and recorded 73 regular-season victories before Durant arrived. That group paired established chemistry with Stephen Curry’s shooting, Thompson’s two-way play and Green’s versatility before adding another MVP.

The new 76ers may possess comparable individual credentials on paper, but they have yet to play a game together. Durant’s argument will ultimately be decided on the court.

For now, it has only succeeded in uniting Thompson and Green against their former teammate.

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