On 92.3 The Fan’s Baskin and Phelps show, Cleveland radio host Andy Baskin revealed what a source shared about James’ free agency decision.
LeBron James made an appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York. Ryan Rolo/Shutterstock
“Here’s what I was told yesterday about the whole LeBron situation. Last week, LeBron’s crew was probably ready to make an announcement, especially because they were in New York,” Baskin said. “The world had their eyes on New York because of the World Cup as well.
“They were probably comfortable making an announcement as early as last week. And then, people were telling them what to do. There’s a little bit of irritation… Irritated was the word I was told, by the commissioner pushing them…so they decided to hold back.”
"Here's what I was told yesterday by a reliable source. Last week, LeBron's crew was probably ready to make an announcement. 'Irritated' was the word I was told, by the commissioner pushing them…so they decided to hold back."
The 41-year-old quickly became the top free agent of the summer, and while he informed the Lakers of his departure in June, nobody truly knows where James will land.
That has not stopped continuous speculation about LeBron this summer, but only his camp appears to know the answer to the league’s biggest question heading into the 2026-27 season.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver publicly commented on the LeBron James free agency saga. NBAE via Getty Images
The supposed final four suitors for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer appear to be the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 20: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates with David Jones Garcia #25 of the San Antonio Spurs after they defeated the Atlanta Hawks at Frost Bank Center on November 20, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spurs are keeping around a familiar face. David Jones Garcia has re-signed with the franchise on a new two-way deal, the team announced.
Jones Garcia earned a spot on the roster on a two-way contract last offseason thanks to his fantastic showing in the California Classic and Summer League. The Dominican scorer had already proved his skills in the G League before signing with San Antonio but looked ready to take his game to the next level, showing intensity on defense and the ability to create for others in a pinch on a terrific run both in San Francisco and Las Vegas.
In his one year with the Spurs, he only suited up for 11 games with the big team but averaged 26 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the G League with the Austin affiliate between the tip-off tournament and the regular season. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a major ankle injury that required surgery. Now the 24-year-old guard will have another opportunity to try to make it to the NBA.
The Spurs have a lot of guard depth on their roster, so it won’t be easy for DJG to get minutes with the big club, but having someone who can create as well as he does is fantastic injury insurance. The 6’4” scorer can also play on the wing in a pinch thanks to his rebounding ability. He’ll likely spend most of his time in Austin, where the front office will surely monitor his progression.
The Spurs had all three two-way spots filled, as last year’s holdover Emanuel Miller was joined in the platoon by 2026 second-round draft selections Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Maliq Brown. There have been no official reports as to who has been waived to make room for Jones Garcia, but Miller seems the most likely candidate. San Antonio still has an open spot for a standard deal.
LeBron James is entering his 24th season in the NBA [Getty Images]
Miami Heat mistakenly posted a link on YouTube to LeBron James' 'introductory press conference' despite the NBA great not yet deciding where he will play next season.
The link to the live stream - scheduled for 27 July - was uploaded to the Heat's channel on Tuesday before being deleted.
A Heat spokesperson told Reuters the video was posted in error by staff who were preparing for the possibility of James joining the side.
BBC Sport has contacted Miami Heat for comment.
James, 41, announced he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers in June after eight years, in which he led them to the 2020 NBA title - his fourth overall.
He previously played for Miami between 2010 and 2014.
James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds last season with the Lakers.
The 22-time All-Star is the NBA's all-time leader in games (1,622) and points (43,440).
A return to Florida for James would form a formidable starting five for the Heat alongside fellow new signing and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and centre Bam Adebayo.
Given the Heat traded key members of their squad away to land Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, a player of James' calibre would add further scoring power and experience with the Miami team focused on a quick rebuild towards a title push.
But earlier this week, James' agent Rich Paul said he is "not going to be rushed" into making a decision.
"It's his choice to make and when he makes the choice, he'll make it," Paul said on the Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul podcast.
“Those things don’t just happen under Pat Riley’s watch,” Perkins said. “… This means that Miami is really in the hunt. They’re in the thick of this. LeBron James could possibly end up back in South Beach.”
LeBron James playing against the Knicks on Feb. 1, 2026. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
Perkins went on to say that this was the “first real big clue” of the offseason from an organization that James has interest in.
On Wednesday morning, the Miami Herald reported that the deleted video, scheduled to air on Monday, July 27th, was accidentally uploaded by the Heat’s social media department as they were preparing for the possibility of James rejoining the team.
From 2010-2014, James was the face of the Miami franchise and led them to two NBA championships, where he was crowned Finals MVP and League MVP in 2012 and 2013.
After an NBA Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, James departed from the team and signed with his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Heat president of basketball operations Pat Riley admitted that he was disappointed with James’ decision to leave, as he believed the team was on the verge of becoming a dynasty. Riley said he still enjoys seeing James around, which has sparked rumors of him rejoining the team.
The Miami Heat’s official YouTube channel had LeBron’s introductory press conference scheduled for July 27
It’s been three weeks since James informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he would not be returning next season, and the pressure of choosing his next team has been starting to build up.
LeBron James speaks onstage during the mind the game panel at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 16, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images for Fanatics
On Monday night, James’ agent and long-time friend Rich Paul said that James will be taking his time to make a decision, as the four-time MVP still doesn’t know where he wants to go.
LeBron James is 41 years old, will be 42 by the end of the 2026-27 NBA season, and yet his free agency still has NBA fans everywhere on the edge of their seats. Rumors have swirled, podcasts have had whole episodes dedicated to trying to figure out where The King will opt to play next season.
On Tuesday night, if even for a moment, fans believed he'd made a decision. Fans discovered that the Miami Heat had scheduled a video to be published on YouTube titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference." Everyone around social media was flabbergasted at how sudden James' decision seemingly was. Turns out, it was an accident.
The Miami Heat accidentally posted, then deleted, a scheduled YouTube livestream titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference” for July 27.
A team spokesperson told @ShamsCharania the link was mistakenly published while preparing for a possible James signing.…
According to a spokesperson from the Heat, the video was accidentally posted while the social media team was preparing for a possible James signing.
Of course, the Heat are still in the running for James, but they haven't signed him just yet. Clearly though, people in the building must feel at least somewhat confident that a deal could be reached soon, right? Why prep anything if you didn't feel it was possible?
But are the Heat even the favorites to land James? After James spent four years in South Beach, winning two championships along the way, would he really opt to return after the team just traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Here are the latest odds on which teams have the best shot at signing LeBron James. All odds via BetMGM.
Which teams have the best odds of signing LeBron James?
According to BetMGM, the Golden State Warriors have the best odds of signing James, currently sitting at -250, with the Cleveland Cavaliers in second-place at +300.
The Miami Heat are third at +800, and the Spurs round out the top-four at +1600.
However, as time has progressed, those teams have seemingly fallen away from their pursuit of James. There is still obviously a chance that one of these teams winds up with James as well, but they all seem like longshots at this point.
The Winnipeg Jets keep the heat up on Miami’s Lebron James slip up.
With Lebron free agency rumors still circling, the Heat accidentally uploaded a page titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference” to their YouTube.
The post was scheduled for July 27 and was quickly taken down, but NBA fans pounced on the blunder and it was soon viral.
The Winnipeg Jets poked fun at the Miami Heat accidental YouTube post on X. @NHLJets/YouTube
The Heat have since said the upload was a mistake, and they were only preparing for a potential reunion with James, but it nonetheless changed the odds of his landing spot.
The Jets responded to the debacle with an X post that read “The Winnipeg Jets’s official YouTube channel has LeBron’s introductory press conference scheduled for July 27.”
The caption was accompanied with a link to a real scheduled live stream from the Jets main YouTube account titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference.”
The thumbnail included a photoshop of James in a Jets jersey as well as an all caps note in the middle of the screen that read “DON’T UPLOAD THIS YET!”
The Jets also tagged NBACentel, an infamous NBA news parody account known for jokingly breaking fake news.
The Winnipeg Jets’s official YouTube channel has LeBron’s introductory press conference scheduled for July 27
The post is on par with the Jets social media which is known for being unserious. Recently they have made posts about a spineless raccoon, the New York Jets new uniforms, and meatballs.
As for if James will join the heat, that is still to be seen.
However, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins said on “Get Up” that the Heat’s YouTube leak is “something.”
LeBron James wearing a striped hat and sunglasses at Fanatics Fest. Ryan Rolo/Shutterstock
“This wasn’t leaked by accident, those things don’t happen under Pat Riley’s watch,” Perkins said. “This means that Miami is really in the hunt. LeBron could possibly end up back in South Beach.
“All of us across the world have become investigators. But this is the first real big clue that we’ve been able to see from an organization that LeBron James has interest in.”
NFL reporter Adam Schefter also said on Monday he thinks there is a real chance James ends up back in South Beach.
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” he said on an appearance on Philadelphia sports radio station, 97.5 The Fanatic, citing a text with a Miami source.
While the NBA world impatiently waits — and a lot of free agent action is held up — until LeBron James announces his decision on his next team, rumors are still flying around. Here is some of the latest free agency chatter around the Association.
Mario Hezonja drawing interest
The last time we saw Mario Hezonja in the NBA was with Portland during the bubble, a season where he came off the bench and averaged 4.8 points per game. Since then, the former No. 5 pick has played and starred for European powerhouse Real Madrid, but now there is buzz about an NBA return at age 11. Marc Stein of The Stein Line has been in front of this story.
Latest on former No. 5 overall pick Mario Hezonja per league sources:
Hezonja indeed expected to rejoin the NBA for the first time since 2019-20.
Multiple NBA teams have shown interest in the Real Madrid forward.
If he's willing to come back for the veteran minimum, a number of teams might have interest in the 6'8" forward who can handle the ball and has to be respected from beyond the arc. He could be a bench role player in the right setting.
The Heat, Celtics, and Clippers are taking a look, Fischer reports. Beal played six games for the Clippers last season before surgery to repair a fractured hip ended his campaign. He declined a $5.6 million player option with the Clippers to become a free agent, but Fischer said a reunion is still possible. Expect Beal talks to pick up once LeBron makes his call.
Jonathan Kuminga latest
The market and money that Jonathan Kuminga thought was out there for him — and that Atlanta hoped it could sign-and-trade him into — does not seem to be available. But Kuminga is holding out hope.
For example, if LeBron does not choose to return to Cleveland, Kuminga's camp is hopeful the Cavaliers would jump in the mix for the wing, setting up a sign-and-trade with Atlanta for more than the $15 million mid-level exception, Jake Fischer reports. (Kuminga reportedly started the offseason hoping for a new deal with an average salary of around $25 million a season, then that fell to $20 million in some more recent reports, and now this.) Cleveland seems a long shot here as the Cavaliers are bumping up against the second apron and it would take some other moves to get Kuminga there. Plus, LeBron would likely make the minimum if headed there, but if the Hawks strike out they would be eager to pay Kuminga more?
Other teams known to be interested include the Lakers, Clippers, and Bucks. It has been reported in multiple places that the Lakers and Hawks are nowhere close to a sign-and-trade (the Lakers wanted to do it for Jared Vanderbilt, but he's got two years left on his deal and the Hawks don't want that $13.3 million for 2027-28 on the books), and that Kuminga and the Los Angeles front office were not on the same page with regard to his salary next season. His coming to the Lakers seems unlikely at this point.
Other free agent news
• Anthony Davis and the Wizards will start talking contract extension when he becomes eligible on Aug. 6, reports Michael Scotto at Hoopshype. That will be something worth watching, the Hawks already overpaid Trae Young on a four-year deal, they have AJ Dybantsa coming in as the new cornerstone player and face of the franchise, so where does the 33-year-old Davis slot into all this? Do the Wizards want to make sure this contract is tradable, because there is some interest around the league (to this point the Wizards have shot all such talk down)?
• Golden State could target stretch bigs Kelly Olynyk or Georges Niang, especially if they land LeBron James, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
• Along those same lines, if LeBron does choose Miami, don't be surprised if Kevin Love follows him to South Beach.
• Denver has shot down trade calls for Cam Johnson, reports Scotto of Hoopshype. Which is a little odd considering the Nuggets are trying to trim salary (they have yet to re-sign restricted free agent Peyton Watson), but Scotto reports they liked how he finished last season and think he is poised for a better, healthier season coming up.
• Bennedict Mathurin is one of the people hung up by the dragged-out investigation into Kawhi Leonard, Aspiration and the Clippers. Los Angeles wants to re-sign the restricted free agent, but isn't able to do much of anything until the decision and potential punishments from the alleged salary cap circumvention are finalized.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: Winner Cooper Flagg poses for a photo after Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Grudge Match with Jeremiyah Love at Fanatics Fest at Javits Center on July 17, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Manny Carabel/Getty Images for Activision/Call of Duty) | Getty Images for Activision/Call
One year after selecting Cooper Flagg with the number one overall pick, the Dallas Mavericks are still trying to find a forward that will fit alongside him.
Having a strong pair on the wing is important for roster construction in today’s NBA. The Mavs will need to toy with all of the new pieces that have been brought to the puzzle.
“The three most notable additions here all fall into that big wing category: Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick, Santi Aldama in a trade with Memphis and Zaccharie Risacher in a trade with Atlanta. Is the fit here optimal? Probably not. Cooper Flagg should probably be a long-term power forward. That’s the easiest way to surround him with shooting and maximize his defensive strengths, but on this roster, he’s probably exclusively a small forward,“ CBS Sports contributor Sam Quinn wrote.
“But he’s 19. The Mavericks have time to figure out what does and doesn’t work beside him, so taking swings at forward is a reasonable starting point.”
The Mavs know their timeline towards contention is still a few years away. Taking flyers on as many players as possible is an ideal path for the team to take at this time.
The team needs to find as many low-risk, high-reward moves that will put them in position to get closer to building the right squad around Flagg for years to come. This could mean moving on from Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving in trades later this offseason or by the February trade deadline, but we’ll see what Masai Ujiri has up his sleeve.
Mavs Moneyball community, how do you feel about the team’s offseason decisions? Let us know in the comments section below.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: The sneakers worn by Jalen Slawson #18 of the Indiana Pacers during the game against the Toronto Raptors during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 13, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 19: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs is surrounded by teammates after he scored the game-winning basket against the Phoenix Suns at Frost Bank Center on March 19, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Victor Wembanyama has returned to the States after vacationing in France since the NBA Finals ended, and it has been an eventful week for him. He was spotted at the FIFA World Cup Final and naturally went viral, both due to his height and taking advantage of it to shield the sun in a manner no one else in his seated position ever could. (I’m sure it would have been an even better experience for him had France made it out of the semi-finals.)
Travis Scott, Carlos Alcaraz, & Victor Wembanyama linked up at the FIFA World Cup Final 🏆 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/c1l8udTZoj
Another big event for him this week was he received the honor of being on the cover of the NBA 2k27 Standard edition, which will be released on September 4. He is joined by Caitlan Clark and Derrick Rose, who will be on the Deluxe and Ultimate edition covers, respectively.
While Wemby is the first Spur to make the cover of the Standard edition, other Spurs who have made covers in the past include Tony Parker on the NBA 2K17 French edition, Pau Gasol on the same Spanish edition, and Tim Duncan on the NBA 2K17 LIMITED edition.
If we want to get really technical, Dylan Harper and Devin Vassell can also make the same claim thanks to cameo appearances, since Wemby’s image comes from his celebration of hitting a game winner against the Phoenix Suns late in the regular season — the shot that clinched the Spurs’ first playoff berth in 7 years — and those two were captured. According to the Spurs themselves, this is the first time teammates have been on the cover.
The first cover in 2K’s 25-year history to have teammates included 🤝
Finally, Wemby recently spoke to Jason Jones of The Athletic, and he explained his decision to waive the supermax escalator, which will keep his extension worth the max of 5 years, $252 million without the possibility of it rising to a supermax worth $303 million, saving the Spurs $50 million in cap space over the next five years (beginning next summer). The odds of it escalating would have been very likely considering all it would have taken was he win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, or make an All-NBA Team — all of which he very well may enter the season as the odds on favorite for.
“We have a good team, we had a very good playoff run, and we had a very good regular season. But what’s even better and greater is our potential. The reality of today’s NBA is that often, the potential of teams is not fulfilled because of money. I just want to make sure it’s never our case.”
While many keep referring to Jalen Brunson as someone who took a similar discount, it’s been going on a lot longer than that in San Antonio, as Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker were all known for taking discounts to keep the team together for the sake of winning over money.
It has been an eventful week in the U.S for Wemby, but soon he will be back overseas to suit up for the French National Team for two FIBA World Cup Qualifers against Slovenia and Sweden on August 27 and 30, respectively. It’s pretty rare for players to play at that level of international play right after making the NBA Finals, but clearly Wemby is ready to get going again. After being robbed of being able to play much basketball and develop last summer while he recovered from deep vein thrombosis, you can’t blame him for wanting to make up for lost time this summer.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 10: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter at State Farm Arena on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Paras Griffin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The weeks-long race for LeBron James is turning into a marathon. One that would have disastrous results if the Cavs came out of the other end empty-handed. A contingency plan is needed. That’s why the Cavs have continued to keep tabs on another small forward who could help bolster their depth on the wing.
“While LeBron James remains atop their wish list, the Cavaliers have continued to keep tabs on Kuminga consistently,” said Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Kuminga is an unrestricted free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $23 million team option. The Hawks are reportedly interested in keeping Kuminga in a one-plus-one deal. However, they’ve shown interest in potential sign-and-trade scenarios with teams including the Cavaliers.
Other teams reportedly interested in Kuminga are the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks.
The Cavs, being one of the most financially restricted teams in the NBA, would likely make a consolidatory move to free up space for Kuminga. That means salary dumping Dennis Schroder or Max Strus, two players whom they have explored options for this summer.
“Amid Cleveland’s pursuit of both players [James and Kuminga], Max Strus and Dennis Schroder have come up as potential trade candidates,” said Scotto.
Cleveland has reportedly garnered attention from the Charlotte Hornets, who have their eyes on Schroder as a backup point guard.
“The Charlotte Hornets have been linked with interest in Schroder, league sources told HoopsHype. It’s worth noting that Hornets executive Jeff Peterson is said to still be a fan of Schroder dating back to their time together in Atlanta,” said Scotto.
Whether the Cavs end up with their crown jewel or a consolation prize — moving one of Schroder or Strus is likely required. Doing so would open up the financial flexibility they desperately need to improve the roster. Big or small, it’s the first stepping stone to any upgrades.
Kuminga is 23 years old and can patch up some of Cleveland’s holes on the wing. He’s an athletic forward who, at times, has shown microwave scoring ability as a punishing slasher. Kuminga also has raw defensive potential that has yet to be fully realized.
Then, there’s the finished product that is LeBron James. Cavs fans are familiar with what James brings to the table. Even the 41-year-old version of him would provide sweeping improvements to everyone on the roster. This is the type of player that undoubtedly raises your ceiling. It’s who the Cavs are primarily hoping for.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: Arthur Kaluma #47 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a basket in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center on July 06, 2026 in San Francisco, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an undefeated start to the Las Vegas Summer League, the Lakers’ run ended in the semifinals at the hands of the Warriors. Though there will be no hardware this year, or even any NBA All-Summer League recognition, the results were an unquestionable success for the franchise.
LA’s most recent draft picks, Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero, were the star headliners for a fun and feisty athletic roster, but the player leading the team in scoring was surprise standout in Arthur Kaluma. He showed a versatile offensive game and an interesting athletic profile, a seemingly perfect match for the roster direction the Lakers headed towards.
The 24-year-old out of Texas played a year on the Lakers’ G League affiliate last season where he averaged 13.8 points and shot 37% from three. At 6’7” with a 7’1” wingspan, he has strong measurables for a prototypical modern forward.
As with any wings surrounding Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, it all begins with their ability to shoot in head coach JJ Redick’s offense. Kaluma led the Lakers in both 3-pointers made and percentage in Vegas, hitting a blistering 50% of his outside attempts. He hit seven more threes in Vegas than the next closest player.
The stationary catch and shoot was there as he operated as an effective spacer for ball handlers in the half-court, or caught and fired in transition, showing off his consistent form in the clip below.
His versatility was highlighted by head coach Ty Abbott, who used him as an off-ball mover, as shown in the clip below. He comes to set the on-ball screen, then immediately receives a flare screen. A shot fake jab flows into a difficult break rhythm 3-pointer.
In addition, Kaluma showed a fluid handle when teams overplayed him as a shooter. In the clip below, he receives a flare screen with his defender in a lock-and-trail position. After faking his defender, he catches on a curl, drives, and finds his teammate for a lob at the basket.
On lower volume, Kaluma also ran some actions as the main ball handler. Skilled enough to attack off the dribble and creatively finish at the basket, he comes off the inverted screen and gets downhill. A long euro step through the lane leads to the reverse layup on the other end.
In addition to being red hot from three, Kaluma shot an efficient 15-20 (75%) on his two-point attempts in Vegas. The offensive package is clearly there, and it will only be more empowered next to high-level playmakers, which was the lone blind spot on the Lakers’ summer roster.
Where he and the other end-of-the-roster players will earn their minutes is on the defensive end. Summer League isn’t exactly the situation for perfect defensive evaluation, but there’s a definite toolbox to work with.
Kaluma defended multiple positions, at times getting beat off the dribble while other times showcasing his quick feet to stay with his matchup. He transitioned from end to end quickly, and a chase-down block shown below exhibited his athleticism.
In his five breakout games in Vegas, Kaluma averaged 18.6 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 50% on his 3-pointers. His stellar performance was promptly rewarded with a two-way roster spot.
LA has clearly gone with a youth movement over the summer with their additions. With reports of talks on a Jonathan Kuminga signing stalling, there are minutes to possibly be had. If Kaluma proves the Summer League shooting to be real, his athletic profile gives a real pathway to potential minutes next season.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 15: Jalen Brunson accepts the Best Championship Performance award onstage during the 2026 ESPY Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P) | Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P
Even before winning last season’s NBA title, the New York Knicks long ago established themselves as one of the Association’s flagship franchises. Knickerbockers have been All-Stars going back to 1951, when Vince Boryla, Harry Gallatin and Dick McGuire were all selected. 15 different Knicks have been named to All-NBA teams, beginning way back in 1947-48 with Carl Braun making Second Team. No Knicks made it the season before, the Year One of American professional men’s hoops. In that first season, a Bones McKinney made BAA First Team, and is in rare company as a two-time All-NBAer who shot below 30% from the field for his career.
There’ve been Olympians, starting with Jerry Lucas in 1960 and including Bill Bradley, Charles Smith, Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony. Stephon Marbury was there when the Dream Team suffered the worse loss in U.S. men’s hoops history against a certain magical island from the Caribbean.
New York has won 60-plus games twice and lost 60-plus twice (interestingly, in 80 seasons they’ve only finished .500 once), made the playoffs 47 times, been coached by a Dick, a Red and a Herb, and run by a Gordon, a Glenn and Steve Mills. Twice. They’ve played 6,269 games. They went 24 years without a title, then three, then 53. Knicks fans have seen it all. Except one thing: the best player alive wearing blue and orange.
Willis Reed is the only Knick ever to win regular-season MVP. I’ve always argued Ewing was better than people think, even compared to contemporaries of his held in higher esteem. I wrote a very wordy slider piece for FanSided early in my career ranking the ‘92 Dream Teamers and had the audacity to rank Ewing fourth, behind the three you can guess and David Robinson. Reader, Ewing was better than the Admiral. But that’s another argument for another day.
The Knicks winning the title this year cast a lot of my prior facts and feelings in new light. The ‘90s Knicks, for example, are already mutating a bit in terms of their meaning to me, because for most of my life they represented an apex. But now that I’ve seen the mountaintop, the surrounding landscape hits different.
The best player on Earth today is Jalen Brunson. Full stop. Don’t believe me? Let’s go for a ride among the other leading candidates and see how and why JB is the GOAT.
STEPH CURRY
Not gonna lie: being the only NBA player ever with your own exhibit in the Hall of Famewhile you’re still active is a pretty sick flex. Steph isn’t merely a first-ballot HOFer; his ballots should arrive in the mail with his name already circled. And for most of the time his career has overlapped with Brunson’s, Curry’s been ahead of him and virtually everyone else.
But I’m writing this in 2026, not 2020. Golden State hasn’t won 50 games since Kemba Walker was a Knick. That’s not Curry’s fault, but he’s missed 85 games in that span. They’ve won as many playoff series since (2) as years they’ve missed the playoffs. He’s nearly a decade older than Brunson, yet in all that time only won two championships as his team’s best player. Brunson’s already halfway there, nipping on his heels with one.
LEBRON JAMES
LeBron is fortysomething; on any title contender he would be — at best — their third-best player, maybe fourth. Brunson, still twentysomething, is the most valuable player on the defending champions, something James hasn’t been since 2020. Plus James has grown more and more annoying as a public figure over time, while Brunson is easier to love than puppies. Also, James is built like a Sherman tank while Brunson is closer to a fire hydrant. Clearly the Knick star is doing far more with less. And we aren’t constantly bombarded with who-gives-a-**** updates from Brunson’s agent. Advantage JB.
CADE CUNNINGHAM
Call back when he gets a legit second banana and beats a two-way team in the playoffs.
LUKA DONČIĆ
I love Luka. A few years ago, he was the one player in the league I’d have moved heaven and earth and whatever else it took to bring him to the Knicks. But he hasn’t played for a team that’s won a playoff round since he was still a Dallas Maverick. And he was traded for garbage. So he’s clearly got some work to do. Also, I bet you he misses having Brunson alongside him. You think at any point last year Brunson thought “Wish Luka were here?” Fat chance.
NIKOLA JOKIĆ
Back in 2020, Jokić averaged 9.7 rebounds per game. Had he added another three tenths, he’d currently be on nine consecutive seasons averaging a double-double; last year was his second straight averaging a triple-double. Russell Westbrook did the latter three years in a row and four outta five, but doing so while shooting below 45% from the field and 30% from deep dings a little of that luster. By contrast, 2020 is the last time Jokić shot below 57% from the field, while his 36% career mark from deep is more accurate than any single season of Westbrook’s.
It isn’t Jokić‘s fault that he plays for such cheapskate owners in Denver. It also isn’t his fault that he’s about a foot taller than Brunson. If he were a foot shorter, you think he’d be nearly as good? HA! Now, take Brunson’s postgame and footwork and added 11 inches to his height, and whaddya got? An even GOATier GOAT.
SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER
SGA couldn’t handle the same Spurs team Brunson put in a blender during the Finals. And for all the deserved heat Wembanyama took for his “ethical basketball” tripe before assaulting multiple playoff opponents, the truth is the biggest difference between the Thunder and the Knicks (besides Jalen Williams being injured and OG Anunoby not) is that Gilgeous-Alexander used his skills to try and draw fouls, while Brunson used his to try and make shots.
Or maybe the biggest difference was SGA shooting 29% from deep while Brunson canned 39%. I dunno. All I know is the Thunder are always at the top of power rankings, they have the deepest roster in human history and 39,737 draft picks this decade, and even with homecourt advantage they couldn’t beat the same team the Knicks beat without it. So how good could SGA be, really?
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 06: Bradley Beal #0 of the LA Clippers reacts to a three-point shot during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 06, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the offseason’s dry period, where the lasting impressions of Summer League hoops have come and gone, left in the rearview by LeBron’s final “decision” and a rumor mill that at this stage in the summer, feels more like bored gossip than true reporting.
But we recently did get a Celtics-related nugget from reporter Jake Fischer, who took to a Bleacher Report live stream to talk about potential happenings around the league, including that of 33-year-old free agent Bradley Beal.
“I was told today that Bradley Beal’s decision is not exactly being held up by LeBron, but is being impacted by it,” Fischer said. “I do think there’s some Miami interest there, and I would not rule out Boston for Beal because of the connection with Jayson Tatum.”
Okay so, obviously that’s still just a speculative guess based around Beal’s long-standing relationship with Jayson Tatum. Probably not something to put all that much stock in, but we’re already here, so let’s talk about it.
Around this time last offseason, it was rumors of Ben Simmons interest that got us talking in the dead heat of the summer, even if they ultimately came from an unreliable/fraudulent Twitter source in which nothing came out of it.
In a nutshell, this is the same conversation. A former All-Star with the baggage of being glued to one of the worst contracts in the league and consistently marred by injuries is now available for the low, low price of a bag of chips and a ham sandwich (also known as the veteran minimum).
The logic is the same as the Simmons discourse last year. You take all that baggage into account, but at the end of the day, a vet minimum contract makes those concerns significantly less grave. Player perception is important, and Beal, like Simmons, has terrible perception among the fan community, further dug in by an immediate season-ending injury 6 games into the 2025-26 season.
What’s also worth mentioning is that, as it currently stands, singing Beal would put Boston back over the dreaded tax line they’ve worked so hard to avoid. However, another move can be made to get back under the tax, so that’s not as dire as it sounds.
Never know how much pull Tatum could have for his long-time friend, but Bradley Beal's 1yr vet minimum is $2.4M, which even at its discounted rate would push C's over the tax line. Is he a slam dunk to play on this roster? Major crunch at wing spots already. Don't see him coming.
But what do you get from Beal in his current state? A left hip fracture took him out six games into his season with the Clippers, and he played 53 contests in each of the prior two seasons, but he hasn’t played 60 or more since 2020-21.
Last year doesn’t give us much to work with in terms of on-court contributions, so let’s move to the previous season, where the Suns got Beal for 53 regular season games and four in the first round of the playoffs.
Despite sharing his high shot volume with two other All-Stars, he was exactly what we’ve come to expect over his 14-year career.
It was the lowest shot volume of his NBA career outside of his rookie season, but he was efficient in those opportunities (50/39/80 splits). He was also a fine playmaker (3.7 assists to 2 turnovers) and a negative defender (his -1.0 Defensive Box Plus-Minus is right on par with his -0.9 DBPM career average).
He’s still an impressively skillful shot creator that can work well on and off the ball, but what he offers outside of that is mostly a bare cupboard. And I say this as someone who has had to watch a lot of Beal basketball over the years, both because the Wizards are my local market team and because I interned for a media company that had me run Beal’s website for a year (they made me refer to him as “Brad” or “BB” a lot in those posts, I never got used to that).
The biggest thing I’m considering is what Beal would look like on the floor next to someone like Tatum, a star that can completely dictate the game and draws significant defensive attention into his orbit.
Beal has always been a strong off-ball shooter. He’s good on pindowns and flare screens as an off-the-catch threat, and he wraps around handoffs with the intent to attack, showing consistent touch on pull-ups in the mid-range.
In his final season in Phoenix, he maintained positive scoring efficiency across the three levels of the halfcourt. He was a 74% rim finisher (85th percentile according to Basketball Index), a 46% shooter on mid-range pullups (77th percentile), and a 39% shooter on threes (37% above the break, 41% on catch-and-shoots, and 41% from the corners). Even as his stock as a star has plummeted, Beal is still, at the end of the day, a more than capable bucket-getter.
I feel confident that Beal would be a plus offensive presence, but I’m also confident that you’d actively have to hide him defensively. No available name on the market is perfect at this point, but if you can’t hold up on the defensive end when there are other wings and backcourt options on the roster that have proven to be capable on that side of the floor, do we think Joe Mazzulla would trust that the good on offense outweighs the bad on defense?
Whether you fall on the side of “why not, sure” or “God no,” I think what we can all agree on is there are no handcuffs in this scenario. Beal on a veteran minimum is possibly the easiest thing to move off of. A signing today does not mean a roster spot past the trade deadline. If you’re bringing Beal onboard to provide a bench scoring boost and it doesn’t work out, chances are you won’t have to deal with it for too much longer. And if it does work out? That’s a professional scorer on a good short-term contract.
We shouldn’t pretend that Bradley Beal in 2026 moves the needle significantly in either direction, but the Celtics could use more scoring punch off the bench and they could afford to add another cheap backcourt option.
If I’m being honest, it feels unlikely that this move will happen, especially if it ends up as a decision between Boston or Miami.
Miami provides a more guaranteed opportunity for high volume and is kind of desperate for proven scorers to round out its roster. Boston is not in a desperate place. Signing Beal would be a small-scale luxury move with low risk/high reward potential.
In Boston, he wouldn’t be brought in under the expectation of being a 20-point scorer. He’s more likely to be asked to be a 20-minute player (he played exactly 20.2 minutes per game in his brief Clippers stint).
I enjoy narratives of character redemption or shifting perceptions. Beal would have that opportunity to change the tune around the back-half of his career with a good season in Boston, and I can support that.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a free throw during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup on November 14, 2025 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
One thing is clear: no player has left a greater imprint on modern basketball than Stephen Curry.
The Golden State Warriors superstar revolutionized the NBA with his unprecedented three-point shooting, becoming the league’s all-time leader in three-pointers made while leading the Warriors to four NBA championships and earning two MVP awards.
While Curry continues to add to his resume through 17 NBA seasons, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is already honoring his impact with a historic first. On Tuesday, the Hall announced “Stephen Curry: Beyond the Arc,” a new exhibit that marks the first time in its 75-year history that an active NBA player has received a dedicated immersive experience.
He inspired a generation to dream bigger and shoot farther. Now, for the first time in its nearly 75-year history, the Hall of Fame will feature a dedicated experience honoring an active NBA player.
According to the Hall of Fame, the exhibit follows Curry’s journey from an undersized prospect to one of the greatest players in NBA history, celebrating not only his accomplishments on the court but also the impact he’s had on the game and beyond. For Curry, the recognition is a humbling honor, and he’s grateful to the Hall of Fame for telling his story while he’s still playing.
“Being part of the Basketball Hall of Fame in this way is hard to put into words,” said Stephen Curry. “When I think about my journey, I think about the people who believed in me, the work that happened when nobody was watching and the moments that shaped me on and off the court. To have that story told while I’m still playing is something I don’t take lightly. My hope is that fans walk through this experience and feel the joy, the purpose and the gratitude that basketball has given me, and maybe see a little bit of their own journey in it too.”
It’s a fitting tribute for a player who forever changed the way basketball is played. And with Curry still going strong at 38 years old, there’s every reason to believe his story is far from over.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Wednesday, July 22nd:
“We are thrilled to partner with Stephen and the Thirty Ink team to bring this unprecedented exhibit to life,” said John Doleva, President & CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “Stephen has not only redefined how the game of basketball is played, but he has also set a blueprint for what it means to be an exemplary role model. We appreciate his personal involvement in helping bring his story forward to ‘The Vault’ while he is still actively building his legacy. This is truly a historic moment for us and for basketball fans worldwide.”
“I keep hearing that my hips are stiff, so I got to figure out how to loosen up my hips,” Lendeborg said after the Warriors’ championship win. “A lot of what I’ve been hearing too is like a point-of-attack defender. … So I want to try to work on those two things, just the little things to fix that up.”
The one question Lendeborg has asked Steph Curry about is how he got his stamina up to becoming the most conditioned player in NBA history. Lendeborg has acknowledged he needs to get his conditioning to a better point after taking time off his feet from playing through two different leg injuries in Michigan’s national title run.
The Miami Heat posted a link to a scheduled live stream titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference” followed by the date July 27 to its YouTube channel in what a team spokesperson said was a mistake.
The spokesperson told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday that the club’s social media department was preparing for the possibility of James’ signing and mistakenly posted the link to the team’s YouTube page. The post was later deleted.
Lendeborg beat out a talented field of Summer Leaguers that included No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer and No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson, both of whom made the All-Summer League first team. Boozer averaged 18.5 points, eight rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals, while finishing second in points and third in rebounds. He’d likely have been Summer League MVP had the Grizzlies managed to close out the Warriors, but the Dubs’ Yaxel-driven rally — he scored seven straight points to take the lead — relegated the Duke forward to the lesser honor. Boozer was quite good, but the elite defense from Lendeborg and his team’s success seemed to be the tiebreaker.
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
Andy Baskin on the latest with what he was told… pic.twitter.com/xEC5rcIVhr
