During Jimmy Butler’s 15-year NBA career, he’s played for five different teams. But it appears he’s found his home.
According to ESPN NBA insider Anthony Slater, Butler said he wants to retire with the Warriors.
Jimmy Butler said he wants to end his career with the Warriors. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“End is a bad word, but this is where I want to be done,” Butler told Slater. “Retire here. This organization is top-tier. It’s the best. Keep it a buck. It’s the best. You’re playing with one of the greatest players ever. I’m grateful to be able to witness this. I want to be able to do my part, get this organization back on top where we belong.”
Butler has only appeared in 68 games for Golden State after his 2025-26 season was cut short due to a torn ACL injury he suffered in January.
When Butler arrived, he sparked a 23-8 run that propelled the Warriors to the playoffs, where they stunned the Rockets in the first round.
That playoff run was derailed when Steph Curry was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Butler and Curry have only appeared in 60 games together since his arrival.
“It just sucks because we ain’t never really been healthy together,” Butler told Slater. “Part of winning is being healthy. You ain’t seen us healthy at the end in the playoffs when it matters. Let’s be healthy and then all of that [doubting] can be heard.”
Butler wants to see what the Warriors can do when everyone is healthy. Jaime Schultz/Shutterstock
As Butler is preparing to come back from his injury and resume playing alongside Curry and Draymond Green, he told Slater his rehab process has been great. Butler is six weeks away from running full speed but is fully capable of jumping and dunking off his left leg.
We're just a little more than 48 hours before the official start of NBA free agency (although let's be honest, teams have got a lot of their roster-building work done already, including things yet to officially happen). The rumors are flying fast. Here are some of the latest around the NBA.
Seven teams interested in Jaylen Brown
At least seven teams have stepped up with interest in trading for Brown — the Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks and LA Clippers — reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. He also confirms previous reporting that Houston is not in the mix.
Portland comes up a lot in rumors, but they will not put All-Star Deni Avdija in a trade (which also was true around the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors), and to this point have not been willing to put Toumani Camara or Donovan Clingan in the deal, but it likely would take one or both (and more) to get the deal done, Scotto reports. He adds Portland wants to put Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson in the deal.
He also says that talks with the Hornets have cooled and the Clippers were always a long shot.
Raptors talking with Clippers about Leonard
It's been difficult to tell exactly how serious the Clippers are about trading Kawhi Leonard, if at all. Reportedly, owner Steve Ballmer doesn't want to trade him, but if contract extension talks stall out — as they are rumored to be doing — then a trade may be in play.
The Raptors have had "real trade conversations" with the Clippers in the past couple of days, reports NBA insider Jake Fischer. Toronto would like to make the heart of this deal Brandon Ingram for Leonard, but the Clippers are reportedly more interested in RJ Barrett and others. It's all something to watch.
Jokic, Nuggets delay extension talks
Nikola Jokic is extension-eligible this summer. However, just like last summer, the two sides have decided to postpone those talks, reports Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
That does not mean Jokic is considering leaving Denver, he has "reiterated a desire to stay long-term in Denver in recent talks," reports Scotto at Hoopshype. This echoes what Jokic himself made clear at the end of the season.
Both Jokic and Denver realize they have a lot of work to do on the roster to compete with Oklahoma City, San Antonio and the other teams at the top of the West. One priority is re-signing Peyton Watson. Also, a number of Nuggets have been mentioned as possibly being traded, including Christian Braun, Jonas Valančiūnas, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Cam Johnson. We could see Denver take a big swing for a player like Jaylen Brown. Whatever it is, Jokic will be a part of it and the sides will figure out the money later.
Mitchell Robinson talks free agency
Increasingly, it feels like Mitchell Robinson will be the odd man out in New York. There is just no way to bring back the entire roster and meet owner James Dolan's line in the sand of not crossing into the second apron (Robinson alone likely makes enough to put the team over at this point).
Robinson talked about the possibility of returning to New York as a free agent during an interview with WGNO (via New York Basketball):
WGNO "Free agency…Do you hope to be back with the Knicks…maybe build a dynasty in New York?"
Mitchell Robinson "We can see what happens. It would be great, try to do it, to run it back again, try to go back to back…defending champs, so we'll…that's…very a possibility" pic.twitter.com/AMiPn26k8F
Nobody doubts Robinson wants to return to the Knicks, but a guy who should get a raise off the nearly $13 million he made last season would have to take a steep pay cut to stick around, or the team would have to change its course and go above the second apron.
Lakers interested in Cam Johnson, others
It's no secret the Lakers are looking to upgrade on the wing with two-way players that fit better around Luka Doncic.
That has them considering Denver's Cam Johnson (who reportedly is available via trade) and Cleveland free agent Dean Wade, reports Scotto of HoopsHype.
Johnson would be a one-year tryout for the Lakers, he is on an expiring $23.1 million deal. Johnson is exactly who the Lakers need on paper, but he hasn't always lived up to expectations. He averaged 12.2 points per game in Denver but shot 43% from beyond the arc.
There are several other teams checking in on Johnson's availability, including the Celtics, Heat, Clippers and Magic, Scotto reports. Wade is a high-level defender but is not a positive player on offense.
Other trade, free agency rumors
• Cleveland open to trading Strus, Schroeder. The Cavaliers were already over the second apron of the luxury tax, and now they are trying to negotiate a new long-term deal with James Harden and keep Dean Wade in-house. That could mean trading one or both of Max Strus and Dennis Schroder, reports Scotto of Hoopshype. Strus is set to make $16.7 million next season, and he played in just 12 games last season due to a bone fracture and foot surgery. That said, during the postseason, he showed his two-way wing potential and his value.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles away from Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat during a 117-108 Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are a ton of things that get discussed and considered for every team during the offseason.
Teams have to consider best- and worst-case scenarios and have a multitude of pathways towards a successful offseason. It’s why Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka is constantly talking about optionality during press conferences, even if fans roll their eyes when he does.
Before Herro joined Milwaukee in the Antetokounmpo trade and the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a four-year, $185 million max deal with Austin Reaves, the Lakers had trade discussions surrounding Herro and Kel’el Ware, which would’ve involved multiple first-round draft picks, league sources told HoopsHype.
Clearly, the best-case scenario was keeping Reaves, and the Lakers pulled it off. Still, it’s good to know they had backup plans just in case.
In another timeline, Herro is paired with Luka Dončić, and the Lakers are hoping that’s enough to win them some games. While it’s unknown if Herro will remain with the Bucks or if this is just a quick stop before another move, it’s unlikely he’ll be a player of interest for the purple and gold.
Kel’el Ware, on the other hand, has remained in Lakers rumors. The team is reportedly still interested, but the Bucks aren’t expected to trade him. From the Lakers’ perspective, acquiring Ware would make sense. He’s a young player with room to grow. He averaged 11.1 points while knocking down 39.5% of his threes this past season.
His scoring ability and 3-point shooting would serve the Lakers well, especially if Luke Kennard leaves in free agency.
Still, it takes two to make a deal, and unless the Bucks change their minds, it won’t happen.
It’s fun to hear about the what-ifs in the basketball world, and even better when they aren’t as good as what actually happened.
While Herro would’ve been fun, the Lakers are better off with Reaves, and they were able to step into their ideal situation with him as their franchise star.
Still, staying ready is the name of the game, and the Lakers need all types of backup plans this summer with the fate of so many of their players being up in the air.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 14: Guard Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles into the defense of forward Cameron Johnson #23 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the draft in the rearview mirror, the weekend has signaled the change in focus to free agency. Officially, things get underway on Tuesday. Unofficially, the rumors are coming in hot and fast.
With a slew of rumors coming in quick and fast, here’s a roundup of a handful of them from Sunday.
Helping Nuggets with Cam Johnson trade?
The Lakers’ cap space can become really an asset for the Lakers to help teams get out of cap hell, but how much appetite would they have if the team they help is a Western Conference foe?
On Sunday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Lakers are among the teams interested in Cam Johnson, the Nuggets sharpshooter expected to be moved this offseason.
Meanwhile, as the Nuggets navigate getting below the second apron, sharpshooting forward Cam Johnson has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Orlando Magic, league sources told HoopsHype. The 30-year-old forward shot career-highs from the field (.480) and beyond the arc (.430), and is on an expiring $23.06 million contract for the upcoming season.
Denver is attempting to shed salary to keep Peyton Watson — more on him later — and Johnson’s large salary is perhaps the easiest to trade as an expiring contract. However, that’s a lot of money for the Lakers to take onto the books, even if they have cap space.
Would they prefer to take on Johnson’s salary, or simply go after Watson?
Chasing Peyton Watson
The Lakers and Watson have been linked for some time. As one of the top wings on the market, albeit as a restricted free agent, it makes sense why the Lakers would go after him.
The same most certainly goes for Denver and Peyton Watson. The Nuggets have been signaling for months that they plan to match any offer sheet for Watson … to the point that sources say it would take an offer sheet in the $30 million range in order for Denver to balk at re-signing him.
The Lakers and Bulls are two teams that have been mentioned as potential Watson suitors going back to February’s trade deadline.
The Lakers have the potential to create that much cap space, but are they willing to assign that much space to an offer sheet for multiple days?
Watson fills a need and is a young player. There are lots of pros for signing him. But to lure away a free agent from their incumbent team, they’ll have to overpay. Is Watson worth overpaying for?
Role player free agents
Not every free agent the Lakers are linked with is a standout player. LA has done well in recent years to hit on the role players or undervalued free agents on the market.
This season, they have been linked to a pair of players via Scotto’s aforementioned piece, first being Dean Wade from the Cavs.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade is expected to have various suitors in free agency, including the Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, and Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told HoopsHype.
Last season in Cleveland, Wade averaged 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He shot 43.9% from the field and 36.2% from the 3-point line.
Along those same lines, the Lakers have also reportedly expressed interest in Jock Landale as well.
Jock Landale has become an intriguing stretch-five heading into free agency, shooting 38.8 percent from 3-point range over the past two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks.
Landale, 30, is expected to have a strong market, including interest from the Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told HoopsHype. Expect the Australian center to command offers north of the bi-annual exception in free agency.
Landale averaged 10.6 points across 27 games, to go along with the 38.8% 3-point shooting mentioned by Scotto. He also grabbed 5.7 rebounds per game.
Neither would be a big addition to the roster, but both could have potential roles with the team.
When Jazz rookie Darryn Peterson recently met with the Utah media, he wasn’t shy to admit who his idol is.
Peterson, who starred for the University of Kansas, was asked about how his defensive skill set will follow his offensive skills. He said he wasn’t too worried about it and said he hopes to be like his idol, Kobe Bryant.
“I’m a Kobe guy; he played both sides of the ball,” Peterson said. “That’s my idol. So I’m trying to lock down on defense.”
"I'm a Kobe guy, so he played both sides of the ball. That's my idol, so I'm trying to lock down on defense."
Kobe Bryant played “both sides of the ball,” Peterson said. Anthony J. Causi
Peterson was selected second overall in the 2026 NBA Draft after playing one season at Kansas, where he averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists over 24 games.
“I would like to say I can be a lockdown defender. Obviously, I haven’t guarded the best in the world yet, but I’m willing to take this challenge. [A] 6-10 wingspan, that can help me a bit,” Peterson said. “Just my effort. I might not be the fastest guy, or quickest guy, but my effort, I will be able to take out some of that.”
Peterson’s stats aren’t comparable to Bryant’s, of course, because Peterson only played one season of college basketball. Bryant had a 20-year Hall of Fame career.
However, similarities exist. Peterson averaged 3.5 defensive rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. In his career, Bryant averaged 4.1 defensive rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
Jazz guard Darryn Peterson calls Kobe Bryant his idol. NBAE via Getty Images
Peterson, a 6-5 guard who weighs 205 pounds, and Bryant had similar measurables. Bryant was 6-6 and weighed 212.
Bryant had what he called “Mamba Mentality,” meaning he didn’t care who he went up against; in his eyes, he felt like he was the best player on the court. Peterson tries to emulate that, too.
During his NBA career, Bryant was a five-time champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP and league MVP in 2008. He led the league in scoring in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
The comment was reported (but not endorsed) by ESPN front office Insider and former Nets assistant general manager Bobby Marks.
“There’s mixed feelings about him when you talk to teams,” Marks said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “The analytics of Jaylen Brown is not good … I had one, not an executive, but an analytics guy say, ‘Yeah, we view him as the seventh-best player on a team.’ I was like, ‘Holy crap.’”
Jaylen Brown continues to be in trade rumors following a career season. Boston Globe via Getty Images
Brown, justifiably so, did not take kindly to the comment.
“Analytics nowadays used to discredit and control narratives – Roll the ball out none of these guys better than me on both ends who does he work for,” he said, which began a series of tweets.
“Nobody has won more combined regular season and playoff games since I entered the league 10 years ago,” Brown continued.
Since Brown was selected No. 3 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, which even then surprised some observers, Brown has 523 regular season and playoff wins combined among the games he has played.
Brown added, “Analytics have / are ruining the game we playing AI hoops.”
Marks replied to Brown’s initial tweet, saying, “But what wasn’t posted was the 2m of saying I’m not an analytics person but an eye test guy. That I would want Jaylen Brown on my team. That you impact winning (191-80 in the last 4 years), is a top-10 player and would help any team looking to win a championship. That part of course didn’t make it. But that’s the media in 2026.”
Brown quipped, “State Your Source,” in a quote tweet, referencing a shirt he wore during the 2024 Celtics parade, commemorating the team’s first title since 2008.
This exchange also follows a back-and-forth from earlier in the week in which Brown referred to ESPN as “unethical” while singling out Stephen A Smith, in particular, which obviously got a reply from the opinionated long-time First Take host.
Analytics nowadays used to discredit and control narratives – Roll the ball out none of these guys better than me on both ends who does he work for https://t.co/ql3skXAutM
Brown continues to surface in trade rumors this offseason and was the Celtics’ leading trade chip in their failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, which saw the former two-time MVP dealt to the Miami Heat on June 22.
Boston’s asking price for the 2024 Finals MVP is reportedly very high, while Brown is coming off his best individual season, which was mostly without Jayson Tatum, who missed significant time due to Achilles surgery.
Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game last season, all career-highs, while earning his fifth overall and fourth straight All-Star nod.
Brown also finished sixth in MVP voting last year and earned his second All-NBA nod, taking home Second Team honors, all while leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed.
Brown also has a looming contract question. The two-way wing is set to make north of $57 million and $61 million over the next two seasons, while raking in just under $65 million in 2028-29.
He is eligible for a two-year extension worth $142 million on top of that.
Boston was upset by the Philadelphia 76ers in last year’s playoffs, where the Celtics squandered a 3-1 first-round lead, and Tatum was forced to miss Game 7 at home due to injury.
Despite finishing with the most wins they had in a decade, the Charlotte Hornets wanted to move on from the LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges era. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns wanted wing depth and had their eye on Charlotte's Miles Bridges for a couple of years.
• Phoenix receives: Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick (the worst of Utah's, Minnesota's and Cleveland's), and a 2027 second-round pick • Charlotte receives: Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick.
This trade is not a shock, the Suns' interest in Bridges — a Michigan State alum, as is owner Mat Ishbia's penchant — is well known, and he should be an upgrade on the wing. Bridges is set to make $22.8 million in this, the final year of his current contract, but he is extension eligible and that deal likely follows, according to reporting out of Phoenix. The Suns are also looking to add a backup two guard to replace Allen.
This trade also saves the Suns about $6.2 million in salary, which could translate into $30 million in luxury tax penalty savings (and it's possible they could reduce that bill further).
It also means no player selected in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft is still with their original team (Bridges was the final one).
This is a great trade for the Hornets. They already have Brandon Miller at the three, now they add depth behind him and Kon Knueppel, and they get a very valuable unprotected 2033 pick. Allen averaged 16.5 points a game shooting 34.9% from 3-point range in Phoenix, while O'Neal averaged 9.8 points and 4.8 rebounds a game, and was a plus defender on the perimeter, primarily as a starter in Phoenix. It's worth noting that Charlotte had been open to getting out of the Bridges business for some time.
Also, do not be surprised if this trade is ultimately added to the Ball-to-Timberwolves trade. Minnesota has a hole at the three and could want O'Neal or Josh Green (part of the LaMelo trade) to join them as part of an expanded trade.
It's an interesting move for Phoenix, which just got more athletic on the wing but at the cost of a couple of its best shooters. There is a logical fit on the court, Phoenix could use what Bridges brings in athleticism, but it also puts a lot on the re-signed Collin Gillespi and Jordan Goodwin next season.
The Bridges trade will also lead to pushback from some fans on another front: Bridges was arrested, charged, and ultimately pled no contest in a domestic violence case. The arrest was four years ago for assaulting Mychelle Johnson in front of their two children (she posted the hospital report and brutal details on social media). While some charges were ultimately dropped, he pled no contest to a felony domestic violence charge and was given three years probation. Some in the Phoenix fan base will question whether owner Mat Ishbia is trying to raise the Suns’ culture if this is who the team trades for.
Feb 28, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen (7) drives for the basket against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Apparently, the Charlotte Hornets are not done wheeling and dealing yet: after sending LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves a few days ago, Charlotte now swaps Mikal Bridges to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neal.
Charlotte gives up a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-rounder, while Phoenix gives Charlotte a 2033 first-round pick.
Charlotte now has three Duke guards: Allen, Kon Knueppel, and Sion James.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 14: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, ladies and gentlemen, the Suns made their first move outside of re-signing their key free agents, trading for Miles Bridges to address a need. Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale were shipped out in the deal.
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/vjcR7AdwSD
In this deal, the Suns also sent out their 2033 unprotected first-round pick, which just became trade-eligible this offseason. In return, they pick up a 2029 first that was originally sent via Phoenix for Mark Williams last year and a 2027 second that is either Boston’s or Orlando’s, balancing the cost of the move.
They traded their 2033 first for a pick they originally traded to Charlotte just last year to get Mark Williams….
The plan for Phoenix in this is to save money by trading both Allen and O’Neale’s deals while bringing in a power forward to fill a position of need and streamline the roster.
Suns go from about $5M under their second-apron hard cap to $11.3M under their second-apron hard cap by swapping Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale for Miles Bridges.
This is factoring in estimates for Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin and Mark Williams.
The Suns have also been linked to Bridges in the past, suggesting they still have interest. With Charlotte trading LaMelo Ball earlier this week, they are looking to shake things up, and Bridges was one of the other dominoes to fall.
The Suns nearly traded for Miles Bridges two seasons ago, before the 2024 trade deadline, when Bridges was on a one-year qualifying offer with Charlotte. Phoenix has coveted the Michigan State product for some time.
For the Suns, this will bring in someone with an expiring contract, allowing them to test out how Bridges fits in the system and evaluate whether he is a long-term fit. If he does not re-sign, they can then have some freed-up cap space to make more moves next offseason.
The discourse surrounding this trade will resonate with some of the off-court antics Bridges has had in the past. This has led many to oppose the trade, while still understanding it from a business perspective. Only time will tell if Bridges can work on his past off the court, and if he can do so while producing on the court, the Suns could very well benefit.
One thing is clear, though: trading Allen and O’Neale shows they believe in the young guys they have. Players like Rasheer Fleming, Koa Peat, and Ryan Dunn are expected to see increased run time with both veterans being shipped out, and that supports how the team looks to build for the future. With this move, the Suns also free up a roster spot, allowing them to look in free agency to make an addition on the edges.
It is sad to see both Allen and O’Neale go, as they truly gave it their all in Phoenix. They had delivered great moments to the fans and made memories we won’t forget. That being said, the NBA is a business, and sometimes that can be cold, especially in a moment like this. Best of luck to them both in Charlotte, and I cannot wait to see how they help out the Hornets.
The Suns are sending Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick to the Hornets for Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and 2027 second-round pick, the Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin has confirmed.
Bridges has spent the first eight seasons of his NBA career with Charlotte. He averaged 17.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season.
Allen, also an eight-year NBA veteran, has spent the last three seasons in Phoenix. He led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage in his first year with the Suns. This past season, he averaged a career-high 16.5 poitns per game.
O'Neale, a nine-year vet, scored a career-best 9.8 points per game last season with the Suns.
Hargitay, best known for her work in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” is acting in solo show “Every Brilliant Thing” through July 5.
Brunson and his wife, Ali Marks, attended the performance at Hudson Theatre, and the Knicks star reportedly got a standing ovation during one point in the show.
According to People, there is a part of the production in which Hargitay’s character looks through a box of items.
Jalen Brunson supported Mariska Hargitay at her new Broadway show “Every Brilliant Thing” on June 26, 2026. Bruce Glikas/WireImageJalen Brunson (l.) and wife Ali (second from r.) pose for a photo with Mariska Hargitay (second from l.) and her husband Peter Hermann (r.) on June 26, 2026. Bruce Glikas/WireImage
On Friday, that box included a Brunson Knicks jersey, leading the crowd to go wild for the point guard.
Brunson, who has spoken about his big “SVU” fandom, has developed a close friendship with Hargitay and visited her backstage after the show alongside Marks. Hargitay’s husband, Peter Hermann, was also present for the meet-up.
“It was so sweet,” a source told People. “He was congratulating her and telling her how much he loved the show. She was so thrilled he was there. You could see how much admiration they have for one another.”
Jalen (r.) and Rick Brunson (l.) celebrate with Mariska Hargitay (c.) on a float during the Knicks’ championship parade on June 18, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostHargitay, seen next to Taylor Swift, was an ever-present during the Knicks playoff run IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
While the Knicks’ Celebrity Row is always filled with A-listers, none of them seem to hold a candle to Hargitay when it comes to Brunson.
He previously admitted that he looks for her during every home game.
“Love her to death [and] she knows it,” he said on “The Richard Jefferson Show.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last summer, the Lakers’ acquisition of Marcus Smart wasn’t initially considered a home-run deal.
However, the Lakers believed he’d bounce back and be a winning player again in their environment. They were right.
Now, that deal he signed with the Lakers seems like a bargain, and Smart might think so as well.
In a recent report on The Stein Line, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer explained which team is likely to consider picking up Smart if he opts out of his deal.
The Rockets do, however, loom as a possible free agent destination for another one of Udoka’s former players in Boston: Marcus Smart.
League sources say that Smart, who is expected to draw interest from Houston and possibly other teams in free agency, is very much giving consideration to declining his $5.4 million player option for next season with the Lakers before Monday’s deadline to do so and then proceed to the open market.
This is a tough situation for the Lakers. Losing Smart to the Rockets, the team they eliminated from the playoffs, would be awful. From the Rockets’ perspective, they’d love Smart. They clearly lack dependable guard play, and Smart would enter right away and be one of their best backcourt players.
This move would make Houston better and LA worse, and replacing what Smart did at $5.1 million last year is next to impossible.
He played in 62 games for the Lakers last year. It was the most he’s played since the 2021-22 season when he was the Defensive Player of the Year. He also started in 51 games, making him one of the most important players on the roster.
It’s important to note that this report doesn’t say he will leave, just that he’s considering it. The Lakers reportedly want Smart back, and that could still happen whether he opts in or out.
Still, it’s not an ideal scenario for the Lakers, and they’ll have to see how it plays out. Hopefully, Smart stays one way or another. He was arguably LA’s third-best player last year, and losing him wouldn’t make the Lakers a better team.
Khalid Robinson couldn’t leave basketball. But he never knew coaching would be in his future.
When Robinson stepped foot on Fordham’s campus, his plan already was known. Robinson, a Political Science major, had his sights set on law school until he began studying for the LSATs.
“I just realized this is not what I’m passionate about,” Robinson said to NBC Sports Bay Area. “And I said, ‘What in life am I passionate about?’ It’s basketball. That’s kind of where and when I decided to make the shift to try and get into coaching.”
Robinson walked onto Fordham’s basketball team as a sophomore after taking one year off as a player. The New York native describes his old playing style as a “do-it-all, high energy player.” Willing to make the right play, do the dirty work, crash the glass and be a fierce defender, Robinson played 40 games in four years at Fordham and started six of them.
He scored a total of 13 points in his college career, yet earned the respect of teammates and coaches so much that Robinson was named a team captain in each of his last two seasons. Even then, all the traits of what it takes to be a great coach were clear.
Now as he enters his 11th season with the Warriors, Robinson is about to step into a new role as the team’s NBA Summer League head coach. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr met with Robinson after the season ended and told him the news, and that he thought manning the sidelines throughout summer league would be a great opportunity for Robinson’s personal and professional career development as the next challenge.
Naming Robinson as the Warriors’ summer league head coach falls in line with how Golden State has gone about business in getting coaches to the next step. Like the Warriors’ last three summer league head coaches, Jacob Rubin, Anthony Vereen and Lainn Wilson, Robinson has gone from being a video intern a decade ago, to one season as assistant video coordinator, six seasons as special assistant to the head coach and was promoted to assistant coach going into the 2024-25 NBA season.
As Robinson, 35, prepares for his first chance to be a head coach, he has picked the brains of Rubin, Vereen and Wilson about their experiences, including what they would have done differently after going through the process, along with communicating with Kerr about what he wants to get done in the summer to help get ready for next season. The best advice he has received is probably the most obvious.
“Keep it simple,” Robinson says. “It’s a new group that for the most part hasn’t played with each other, so simpler is better. Simple allows the guys to play harder with more focus. You just want the guys to be organized. If they’re organized, they can play harder and be more effective.”
All eyes will be on Warriors first-round 2026 NBA Draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg, who does plan on playing in summer league. Lendeborg went through an ankle sprain and left knee bone bruise during Michigan’s title run but says he’s fully healthy now after taking four weeks to heal.
Lendeborg is a seasoned 23-year-old who will turn 24 on Sept. 30. The challenges the Warriors are placing on him this summer aren’t so much about numbers. They aren’t interested in him taking a certain number of shots or scoring a certain number of points. The goal in getting him up to speed to play significant minutes early on is becoming a Warrior in every way possible.
“First, it’s just adapting to the concepts that we’re trying to teach this summer and the things we’re trying to get better at,” Robinson said. “And I think it’s also just challenging him to be an all-around great defender on the ball and off the ball. He has great instincts and great feel. … Offensively, just being who he is – getting to the rim, being aggressive taking and making open threes and using his playmaking.
“Yaxel has a lot of facets to his game that can help us, and we’re going to challenge him to bring that every day in practices and games, and to do it with consistency.”
Robinson wants his team to be a connected group that has great communication. He wants them to be very physical defensively to take away easy buckets and play fast in transition. What he really wants is for them to build an identity that represents the Warriors’ culture.
Summer league records aren’t indicative of a team’s success in the NBA season. Development is the main priority. Wins and losses can get thrown to the side, for the most part. Winning also can’t become an afterthought.
“It’s a mix of both,” Robinson says. “We want to develop our guys and help them get ready for preseason and next season, but we want to win. We want to establish this culture. We’re about winning here, and when these guys come in, we want them to know what we’re about. We’re going into this thing like we want to win. We want to develop and get these guys better on individual skills and team concepts.
“But we want to win games. Building these habits of consistent competition and playing to our identity is part of it.”
Does that sound like somebody who could have said goodbye to basketball when his playing days ended? That alternate reality still pops into Robinson’s head without a second of regret. Robinson isn’t someone who would thrive sitting at a desk all day. He needed to be around players and coaches. He needed the Warriors, like they’ve needed him more every year.
“Ron Adams always talks about coaches being teachers in a way,” Robison remembered. “It allows you to help teach people, and you learn from them in the process, you learn from players in the process. I ended up in the right place.”
Robinson’s head-coaching debut begins Friday night at Chase Center as the Warriors take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the California Classic.
In the blink of an eye, the Boston Celtics went from rumored “front runners” in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes to the unknown aftermath of tossing franchise star Jaylen Brown into the spotlight of trade rumors.
Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens was willing to part ways with Brown alongside two future first-round picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, before the Miami Heat swooped in and landed the Greek Freak instead. Since then, Stevens expressed his empathy for Brown during his NBA Draft press conference on Tuesday, acknowledging the national attention the 2024 NBA Finals MVP has drawn in recent weeks.
It’s become a situation the organization itself created. Stevens did his due diligence as the front office’s head honcho by peeking into the cost of bringing Giannis to Boston. That’s fine. The issue is that the Celtics got so deep into the negotiations that they put themselves in a must-win race against Miami. Taking the possible ramifications into consideration should’ve been enough to ensure Antetokounmpo would become a Celtic this offseason.
Yet, while Giannis gets settled in South Beach with Pat Riley and Bam Adebayo, Stevens and the Celtics can only watch as Brown deals with the spotlight that remains on him. The optics of another Boston pursuit with a superstar, in which Brown is the centerpiece of a Celtics offer, don’t bode well for the franchise from an outside perspective.
Last season, Brown did his job — really, really well actually. Even without the assistance of Jayson Tatum for the first 62 games of the season, Brown turned doubt into fuel in two ways: first, by becoming a league MVP finalist and then by turning the unproven Celtics into a 56-win contender. Brown made the ultimate best of Boston’s yard sale last offseason, all without any complaints. He took the likes of Hugo González, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh all under his wing and filled the entire locker room with confidence after their 0-3 start.
BOSTON, MA – MAY 2: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Brown led the Celtics to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, turning a roster viewed as a team built to tank into the NBA’s third-best.
At every turn imaginable, whatever the Celtics have needed from Brown, he’s delivered. From coming off the bench as a lottery selection his rookie year, to playing selfless basketball with Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday in exchange for a championship. Brown has always been a team player, despite his vented frustrations throughout the years.
Therefore, it’s time the Celtics do the same in the aftermath of their failed run at acquiring Giannis.
Brown hasn’t escaped the rumor mill. Each day, another report surfaces with all signs pointing toward the Celtics still fielding offers. According to HoopHype’s Michael Scotto, the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Clippers are among those interested in Brown. The New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic, too, had expressed previous interest but are no longer viewed as teams “in the mix.”
Stevens was already weighing enough risk in pursuing Giannis — like durability and committing to Boston — and that was for a two-time MVP. But of the six teams reportedly linked to Brown, including the three no longer viewed as suitors, none bring anything to the table like the Milwaukee Bucks did with Giannis. So realistically, any Brown swap would be a downgrade from what the Celtics could’ve had with Giannis, making the best route simple: clean up whatever feelings may or may not exist with Brown and stand pat.
Trading Brown for a Giannis-like haul headlined by future first-round picks doesn’t help the Celtics get the most out of Tatum’s prime or extend their title window. For the Bucks, it made sense. For the Celtics, it’s a head-scratcher. Boston and Milwaukee are, by no measure, in the same position this offseason. Therefore, the Celtics should operate accordingly.
If Brown is undervalued by the trade market, then there’s no point in parting ways for the sake of avoiding a difficult conversation. Brown has been a member of the Celtics and an invested fixture in Boston’s community for the past decade. Stevens coached him as a rookie and has been by Brown’s side every step of the way throughout his career. This isn’t a Kyrie Irving situation, as there’s a relationship worth going the extra mile to salvage.
Brown and Tatum — at the very least — keep the Celtics competitive when together. That’s the baseline. Depth and playstyle are adjustments that can be made without splitting the two up, so what’s the case for doing so? Unless Brown forces the situation similar to Antetokounmpo’s with Milwaukee, the Celtics are better off staying neutral and signing Brown to the two-year, $142 million extension he’s eligible to ink in July.
It’s up to Stevens to make sure that by the time the Celtics suit up and open the season in October, they do so better than they did last season. For the time being, nothing suggests that trading Brown leads the team to that destination.
BOSTON - 1987: Alvan Adams #33 of the Phoenix Suns lookst to make a move against Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1987 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome back to our series connecting the Phoenix Suns and the FIFA World Cup. Last time, we explored the franchise’s origins: from its first steps to its first moments of glory, and the players who laid the foundations of one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises. Today, we’re traveling back once again to dive into a pivotal decade in Suns history: The 1980s.
1982: A Franchise Stuck in Limbo
In 1982, the Suns were coming off a stretch where they had flirted with greatness without ever truly establishing themselves among the league’s elite. Their 46-36 record reflected a solid, competitive team that simply couldn’t take the next step. Phoenix was good — sometimes very good — but rarely spectacular. It was the story of the franchise at the time: three consecutive trips to the Conference Semifinals ended in three straight eliminations, despite posting the two best regular-season records in franchise history (55 and 57 wins).
On the floor, the team still revolved around its star duo: Dennis Johnson and Alvan Adams. Johnson remained Phoenix’s go-to scorer, an elegant, smooth offensive weapon capable of catching fire at any moment. Adams, meanwhile, continued to redefine the center position with his intelligence and creativity, orchestrating the offense from the high post. Averaging 4.5 assists per game as a center was almost unheard of at the time.
The Suns reached the playoffs once again but were swept out of the Conference Semifinals by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and the Lakers. Another frustrating ending, perfectly symbolizing a team trapped in basketball’s gray area: too good to collapse, not quite good enough to contend, yet consistently among the league’s strongest regular-season teams.
Meanwhile, the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain marked a turning point in football history. It was the first tournament to feature 24 teams, the first to introduce a second group stage, and one of the most emotionally memorable World Cups ever.
It featured Zico, Falcão, and Sócrates’ legendary Brazil side — widely regarded as one of the greatest teams never to win the World Cup. It also showcased Paolo Rossi’s Italy, which went from struggling in the group stage to lifting the trophy after an incredible run.
And then there was France – West Germany in Seville: a heartbreaking semifinal that became one of football’s greatest classics. France would have to wait two more years before winning its first major international trophy at Euro 1984.
The tournament was also remembered for one of football’s biggest scandals: West Germany vs. Austria. With the result benefiting both teams, they effectively eliminated Algeria despite Algeria’s remarkable campaign. The infamous “Disgrace of Gijón” remains one of the darkest moments in World Cup history.
1986: Rock Bottom
By 1986, the Suns were living through one of their darkest chapters in franchise history.
The decline had been gradual. Key veterans had left over the previous years (Robinson, Johnson), while Alvan Adams was no longer the player he once was. Head coach John MacLeod appeared to be losing control of the locker room, and Phoenix’s record kept getting worse season after season. After nearly a decade of consistent success, the Suns would miss the playoffs for three straight seasons.
Their 32-50 record summed up a miserable campaign that was plagued by injuries, internal tension, and a year later, the franchise would be shaken by a major scandal involving players connected to illegal drugs and sports gambling. It became one of the controversies that damaged the NBA’s reputation during the decade.
On the court, Walter Davis remained the face of the franchise, but he was largely on his own. Larry Nance was the other bright spot: an explosive power forward, elite defender, and one of the league’s most spectacular finishers above the rim. Around them, however, the roster lacked depth, stability, talent, and direction.
The Suns predictably missed the playoffs and entered a forced rebuilding phase. The organization needed to rebuild not only its roster, but also its identity and public image. Funny how, regardless of the era, history always seems to repeat itself in one way or another…
Meanwhile, the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico belonged to one man: Diego Maradona.
His tournament was nothing short of legendary. The Goal of the Century. The Hand of God. Complete domination from start to finish. Argentina captured its second World Cup title behind a player who transcended football itself to become one of the greatest sporting icons of all time.
A legendary World Cup. Maradona’s World Cup.
1990: The Rebirth Begins
1990 marked a turning point for the Suns. After years of struggling, Phoenix was finally back. Their 54-28 record reflected a team that had undergone a complete transformation over the previous two seasons — ambitious, exciting, and ready to become one of the Western Conference’s top contenders throughout the decade.
The reason? A brilliantly executed rebuild, a front office making all the right moves, and above all, the arrival of head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, who completely changed the franchise’s trajectory.
On the court, Phoenix featured one of the league’s deepest and most balanced rosters with their backcourt, wing, and paint talent.
Kevin Johnson led the backcourt alongside the reliable Jeff Hornacek, while Dan Majerle provided a major spark off the bench. Johnson earned an All-Star selection, All-NBA Second Team honors, and posted the best playmaking season of his career: 11.4 assists per game, a 3.16 assist-to-turnover ratio, a 44% assist percentage, and just a 15.6% turnover rate. He also delivered several unforgettable performances, including games with over 20 assists, multiple 40-point outings, and two triple-doubles.
Off the bench, Eddie Johnson finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting after averaging 17 points and four rebounds per game, bringing instant scoring and physicality on the wing.
Then there was Tom Chambers, Phoenix’s undisputed star, entering the new decade. He averaged 27 points and seven rebounds per game, finished in the Top 10 of MVP voting, earned another All-Star selection, and was on the All-NBA Second Team. His explosiveness, elite finishing ability, and devastating transition game made him one of the league’s most dangerous forwards.
Meanwhile, the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy became one of the most defensive tournaments in football history. Only 115 goals in 52 matches, a cautious style of play that would force FIFA to change certain rules, including banning goalkeepers from picking up a deliberate back-pass from a teammate with their hands, in order to make the game more attacking.
Goals were scarce, tension was everywhere, but the tournament had a unique charm: unforgettable Italian atmospheres, iconic jerseys, and some of the game’s biggest stars.
Matthäus, Vollër and Kohler led West Germany to its third World Cup title, while a battered Diego Maradona somehow carried Argentina all the way back to the final.
A gritty, contrasting World Cup that helped shape modern football.
The decades keep passing, and yet the story often feels familiar. Phoenix is still a young franchise by NBA standards, but it continues to make a strong impression. The championship still isn’t there, but the level certainly is. The cycles come and go, and each rebuild is carefully managed, allowing the team to remain competitive year after year. The future looks bright…or does it? We’ll find out in Episode 3
