Category: Basketball

LeBron James gave the Knicks their flowers on Thursday and pinpointed the changes that helped them win the NBA Finals.

James said that last year, the Knicks ran a lot of Jalen Brunson-centric offense, but an adjustment by first-year coach Mike Brown changed everything.

“I think they diversified their offensive portfolio. It was a lot of Jalen Brunson picks and rolls last year, and it allowed the defense to kind of key in on him,” James began during a live recording of his “Mind the Game” podcast at Fanatics Fest.

“I think what Mike Brown brought in was the little pinch post to get the ball to Karl-Anthony Towns in the pinch post area, or at the top of the key, and let him be in the hub. And yes, at the end of the day, it would still get to Jalen Brunson, but it didn’t allow you to just sit on one action.”

That change came after the Knicks fell into a 2-1 hole in their opening-round series against the Hawks. The Knicks went on to win the final three against Atlanta, sweep the 76ers and Cavaliers to reach the NBA Finals before slaying the Spurs in five games to win the franchise’s first championship since 1973.

Brunson was surely the Knicks’ best player last season, leading the team through a long regular season in which they mostly stayed healthy, unlike in years past.

“We know the glue guys like [Jose] Alvarado, Josh Hart, and Mikail Bridges, but obviously the unsung hero of the whole finals run was OG Anunoby,” James said.

Anunoby had the NBA Finals-changing play when he tipped home the game-winner in the final seconds of Game 4 after the Knicks rallied from 29 points down.

The Knicks put together an incredible run to the NBA Finals, and James points out that they had the best point differential in NBA Playoff history, at 14.9 points per game.

James is still trying to figure out which team he is going to play for during the upcoming season as he hopes to compete for a title in his age-42 season.

His agent, Rich Paul, had previously said that if the Knicks hadn’t won the title, James wouldn’t be looking at a board of teams to play for.

“He’d be going to the Knicks,” Paul said on his “Game Over” podcast earlier this month.

With the Knicks appearing uninterested in a James-Knicks union, the team has done a good job of bringing the band back together, having lost only backup center Mitchell Robinson to the rival Celtics thus far in free agency.

The Los Angeles Lakers might be on the verge of losing LeBron James, but it’s okay, because they might have found another old man hooper in Summer League and it’s breaking everyone’s brain.

Don’t worry, because I can tell you exactly who this is. The mystery old man suiting up for the Lakers is 30-year-old Jon Elmore, who played for Marshall until 2019 and has been a basketball nomad since leaving college. The journeyman has played in Italy, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Turkey and Canasa — as well as bouncing between three different G-League teams.

Now he’s getting a run with the Lakers and got people’s attention on Thursday night by scoring 11 points and registering five assists, while shooting a tidy 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. The jokes might be flowing freely, but Elmore had major game at Marshall where he averaged over 20 points-per-game, was three-time All Conference USA, and won the C-USA Tournament MVP in 2018.

Now he’s just out here on one of the brightest stages rubbing his bald head and living his best life. You gotta love the guy. If you have jokes, don’t feel bad — we do as well. Please share them over here.

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There are six games on the NBA Summer League slate this evening, with the likes of the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks all in action. 

My predictions for tonight's schedule include the Mavericks, Trail Blazers, and Cavaliers all grabbing wins.

Check out my NBA Summer League picks for Friday, July 17. 

NBA Summer League predictions for July 17

Pick
Mavericks moneyline	-175
Blazers moneyline	+109
Cavaliers moneyline	-154
💰 All three parlayed	+472

Today's Summer League picks

Mavericks moneyline (-175 at Kalshi)

The New York Knicks may be the defending NBA champions, but their Summer League roster doesn't have much talent. New York has gone just 1-3 in Vegas, scoring only 69.3 PPG while allowing an average of 80.8.

The Dallas Mavericks are riding a two-game winning streak, grabbing a 97-87 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. First-round pick Sergio De Larrea dished out 14 assists, and the Mavs drained 13 threes.

Six different players finished in double figures in points. Dallas is starting to find a rhythm offensively, and the Knicks have shown little ability to truly compete in Summer League.

Blazers moneyline (+109 at Kalshi)

After starting off Summer League with two losses, the Portland Trail Blazers have responded with back-to-back wins. They've been one of the best offensive teams in Vegas, averaging 100.8 points per game.

Portland's entire starting five finished in double figures in their last victory over the Denver Nuggets, and another two bench players also had 15+ points.

The Utah Jazz are coming off a steep loss to the San Antonio Spurs where they allowed 94 points. The Blazers have great depth, and they will overwhelm Utah tonight.

Cavaliers moneyline (-154 at Kalshi)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have won back-to-back contests after losing their first two games of Summer League. Second-round pick Meleek Thomas has been balling out for Cleveland, averaging 28.3 PPG in just 30.1 minutes per contest across three appearances. That leads the tournament. 

He'll spearhead the Cavs' offense tonight against a Chicago Bulls team that has been very poor defensively. They're allowing 92.3 PPG, and have gone 1-3 so far in Vegas.

Malaki Branham has been a perfect co-star alongside Thomas in Summer League as well, averaging 15.8 points. Cleveland will take this one. 

Friday’s NBA Summer League parlay

Mavericks moneyline

Blazers moneyline

Cavaliers moneyline

+472 at Kalshi

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Six former Arizona Wildcats players competed at NBA Summer League, which wraps up this weekend in Las Vegas. As was to be expected, Arizona’s two first round picks in this year’s NBA Draft made the greatest first impression.

Arizona’s Brayden Burries and Koa Peat had two of the better Summer League runs of this year’s draft class.

Burries, the No. 10 overall pick to the Milwaukee Bucks, averaged 22.9 points over three games. He shot 50% from the field, including 8-18 (44.4%) from three-point range. Burries had 12 assists to just one turnover and also came up with seven steals.

His player efficiency rating was highest among all newcomers at 32.8. If not for an elite rookie class, Burries would be getting even more recognition heading into the rest of the NBA offseason. Even so, Burries made a positive impression on the Bucks, who are in need of a new face of the franchise following the departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It’s only Summer League, but Burries showed he could be that guy one day.

Meanwhile, Peat put to rest some concerns about his shooting ability by averaging 16.8 points on 51% from the field across four games. Peat, the No. 30 overall pick to the Phoenix Suns, played arguably his best game in a win over Burries’ Bucks, scoring 19 points to go with six rebounds and two steals.

Perhaps the most impressive part about Peat’s Summer League performance was his consistency. He scored double digits in each game he played and never shot below 46%.

While Burries and Peat will leave Las Vegas feeling good about their situations heading into the rest of summer, Jaden Bradley may feel like he left something to prove.

The No. 50 overall pick to the Toronto Raptors, Bradley has averaged 6 points, 2.8 assists and 3.3 turnovers through four games. Bradley could play one more game in Toronto’s consolation matchup Saturday vs. Denver.

Bradley is shooting just 29.6% from the floor and has yet to make a 3-pointer. He just hasn’t looked comfortable.

Tobe Awaka, who signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls as an undrafted free agent, put together his best performance on Wednesday with a 14-point, 10-rebound double double. Awaka also had three blocks and three steals in the game.

Through four games, Awaka is averaging 7 points on 75% shooting to go with 3.8 rebounds.

The last member of the 2025-26 Arizona squad to compete in Las Vegas is Anthony Dell’Orso, who is on a Summer League deal with the Sacramento Kings.

ADO shot 3-3 from the field on Tuesday, including a three-pointer. The 11 minutes played were his most in a Summer League game.

Dell’Orso will have one more opportunity when the Kings play New Orleans on Friday afternoon.

San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant made a short appearance at Summer League, playing in two games. After a tough opener, Bryant bounced back with a 19-point outing versus the New York Knicks. He made 7 of 10 field goal attempts including a pair of three-pointers.

Bryant is entering a big sophomore year after averaging 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds as a rookie.

Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies have shown they are a force to be reckoned with in NBA Summer League play, but what they did to Atlanta on Thursday night was exceptional.

Memphis went up 21-0 and outscored Atlanta 32-2 in the first quarter. They went on to win 96-64.

Yes, it’s summer league, but these are all talented players. The Showtime Lakers held the Kings to 4 points in the first quarter in a 1987 game, but other than that, we’ve never heard of such a thing in professional basketball.

For his part, Boozer had an exceptional game, with 24 points, shooting 10-13/1-1. He also had 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal in 29 minutes.

The one part of his game that we think he could improve, offensively anyway, is turnovers, and he had 4 here. Part of that though is because he is willing to take chances, and in winning time, he becomes more conservative.

Former UNC star Henri Veesaar started for the Hawks, and scored 5 points in 20 minutes.

Former Virginia and Louisville guard Isaac McKneely also started, scoring 2 points in 9 minutes.

• Grizzlies’ Cameron Boozer: Strikes for 24 points
• Cameron Boozer Highlights vs. Atlanta Hawks
• Cameron Boozer finishes rout with game-high 24
• Cameron Boozer & Caleb Wilson have put more pressure on Darryn Peterson
• Cameron Boozer lobs it up to Cedric Coward
• Grizzlies’ Cameron Boozer Reveals Story Behind His NBA Jersey Number
• Cameron Boozer gets a TOUGH and-1

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It’s rumor season.

The dog days of summer. Always liked that expression. Life is probably pretty good as a dog.

The word takes a different meaning when it comes to the Houston Rockets. You’re not in the rotation if you don’t “have that dog in you”. Dogs are anthropomorphized as both lazy and hardworking. English is funny? Dogs are funny?

Basketball. It’s rumor season. Yet, Houston Rockets rumors are few and far between. At this juncture, it seems clear that we’re “running it back”. Marcus Smart is the blockbuster acquisition. Bogdan Bogdanovic is a reasonable flyer.

Earlier in the summer (before the dog days?), there were rumors. Both Fred VanVleet and Kevin Durant were the main subjects.

Would Rafael Stone really have the audacity to move either?

Rockets must keep an open mind

Frankly, I think there are several worlds in which trading Durant is beneficial.

The only suitor who seems marginally serious is the Pistons. The deal would presumably be Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert, Ron Holland, and a first-rounder.

There’s an awkwardness here. Holland is a recent lottery pick, and he has the prerequisite Ime Udoka Canis lupus familiaris (dog) qualities. He’s the centerpiece of this deal in theory, but he’s probably the least useful piece from the Rockets’ perspective. He’s a defense-first wing who can’t shoot:

So Udoka will probably start him at the two and call it a day.

Jokes aside (and let me be clear that, contrary to the entire comments section, I like our identity and Udoka while recognizing his flaws), Robinson would be a great addition to this roster. The first-round pick is necessary for the Rockets to get fair value. Yet, I’m advocating for this deal for a broader reason:

The Rockets can’t be afraid to reset.

The Rockets can afford a step back

There was a comment during Rafael Stone’s end-of-season presser where he alluded to “a strategic step back”.

Stone, of course, is beholden to the stakeholders. Owners do not like temporary regression. Ime Udoka signed up for a gradual but steady progression to championship viability.

Yet, linear upward progression cannot be this organization’s impetus. If the right superstar trade presents itself, yes, you take the deal. Anthony Edwards. Jayson Tatum (however unlikely).

Not Jaylen Brown (thankfully) or an aging Kawhi “Aspiration” Leonard. Being hasty to stimulate the rate of improvement would be a potential disaster.

Losing five extra games in service of the future would be perfectly fine.

That could mean trading Durant. It could even mean trading one of the “young core” for assets if fit issues result in another first-round exit next year. Whatever it means, winning 45 games in 2027-28 shouldn’t be viewed as an unacceptable outcome if the team has more future picks, and more potential via their 2027 draft selections.

Got to close this one by return. Something about dogs, or summer, or rumors. Or maybe not. We don’t have to progress linearly to our objective:

As long as we get where we’re going.

NBA Summer League is never going to make or break the career of an incoming rookie. A year ago, Cooper Flagg shot 5-of-21 from the floor in his Las Vegas debut, and failed to make my annual list of the most impressive rookies in summer league. It’s important to tell yourself not to overreact to everything you see.

The good news for this year’s rookie class is that most of the top picks absolutely delivered on the hype. AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson each had flashes of brilliance that showed why the 2026 draft class was so highly regarded. Read my story on six rookies who looked underwhelming in summer league this year, but remember there’s plenty of time for them to turn things around. Jalen Brunson wasn’t very good in summer league, either.

Check out my list of the young veterans already proving to be too good for summer league this year. Now, let’s rank the most impressive rookies in Las Vegas. Apologies to Koa Peat, Labaron Philon, Cam Carr, Chris Cenac, Mikel Brown Jr., Henri Veesar, and Jack Kayil, who were all really good in their own right, but these 11 players stuck out.

11. Hannes Steinbach, F, Charlotte Hornets

Steinbach finally moved into the Hornets’ starting lineup for their fourth summer league game, and immediately showed all the things that made him special. He’s such an effective finisher (67.9% true shooting) in part because he catches everything thrown his way, and can often play through contact on his way to the basket. Steinbach’s elite hands also make him the best rebounder in this draft class, and at this point it’s possible he could be one of the best offensive rebounders in the league as a rookie after posting a comical 18.15% o-board rate in Las Vegas. His defense and three-point shooting remain a work in progress, but Steinbach is great at what he’s good at, and that should give him a foundation for success as he continues to work on his skill set over the years.

10. Bruce Thornton, G, Houston Rockets

Summer league was never going to be a big challenge for an elite college veteran like Thornton, and indeed he looked comfortable and confident from the moment he hit the floor in Vegas. Thornton has a big body for a shorter point guard, and he throws around his weight to open up offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates. He’s become a really good high-volume three-point shooter over the years, and in summer league he made 43 percent from deep on seven attempts per game. He also posted a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is par for the course after a college career where he rarely coughed it up. There will be questions about his defense when it’s time for the real season, but Thornton has so much command over the offense and his own scoring ability that he feels like an obvious bet to be the next second-round draft hit.

9. Morez Johnson, F, Dallas Mavericks

Johnson is an absolute hoss as a 250+ pound forward with a 7’3.5 wingspan, and he’s a truly ridiculous athlete for someone with that size. The Mavs’ No. 9 overall pick hit the ground running in Vegas by doing what he does best: finishing efficiently inside, cleaning the defensive glass, and showing a rare combination of quickness and power on defense to give him premium matchup versatility. Johnson still scored a lot of his points on dump-offs and putbacks in Las Vegas, but there were also flashes of freight train drives to the hoop and short mid-range shotmaking that weren’t as prevalent on the college tape. His 69.1% true shooting in two games is about as good as it gets. Johnson’s simple-yet-effective offense set is complemented by a more wide-ranging defensive skill set, where he can protect the rim on the backline or switch onto quicker wings or guards and stick with them for a few seconds on the perimeter. He’s going to be an enforcer next to Cooper Flagg in Dallas from day one, and if his handle and shooting keeps developing, he has the potential to be a lot more than that.

8. Allen Graves, F, Toronto Raptors

Anyone who thought the sixth man from Santa Clara whose draft candidacy was spawned by some young online nerds was going to crash and fail in the league sure looks like they’re going to be proven wrong. Graves did his thing with disruptive defense, impressive rebounding, and a sweet three-point stroke. It seems like Graves couldn’t show the full extent of his offensive game in college, because in Las Vegas he was handling the ball on drives and initiating the pick-and-roll with a level of effectiveness that wasn’t on the Santa Clara tape. Meanwhile, Graves continues to be a monster at forcing takeaways with great hands and an elite nose for the ball. His defense is so aggressive that it’s almost easy to overlook that he shoots such an easy ball from three-point range, knocking down 44% from deep in 16 attempts. I’m already worried I had Graves too low on my board at No. 19, which is exactly where the Raptors picked him. He looks like a steal. Toronto should be feeling really good about this one so far.

7. Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Golden State Warriors

Lendeborg should have been really good in summer league considering he’s already almost 24 years old, an age when most players have graduated out of this setting. Still, it was encouraging to see the former Michigan star dominate in all the ways we’ve come to expect, showing bully-ball drives, sharp connective passing, stout defense, and a sweet three-point stroke. The shooting is the headliner from Lendeborg’s five games in summer league: he hit 56.5% of his threes on the way to immaculate 68% true shooting. He also bumped Cameron Boozer to hell on one drive to the rim, and showed his ability to play through contact on both ends. I like his defensive rebounding and his ball movement, but there were some instances where his lack of agility in the middle of the floor hurt his two-point scoring efficiency. I had Yaxel at No. 5 on my board entering the draft, and he seems like he’s going to be a perfect fit in Golden State, especially if the threes keep dropping. .

6. Darryn Peterson, G, Utah Jazz

Peterson gets off his shot so easily. The No. 2 overall pick glides into stepback jumpers, turns the corner on drives to the rim, and sprints off screens to knock down threes so effortlessly that he just looks like an NBA All-Star. Peterson had some spectacular moments with a driving poster dunk against the Clippers, and some flashes of the defensive playmaking that separates him from other elite offensive guards, but he also still has some fat to trim in his game. Peterson made some puzzling decisions with the ball whether he was settling for floaters or giving it away to the defense. He doesn’t really look like a true point guard (he finished with 26 assists to 24 turnovers through five summer league games), but that should be no big deal for a Jazz team that already has Keyonte George in the backcourt. His skill set still needs some fine-tuning, but Peterson’s talent jumps off the screen, and best of all, he wasn’t slowed down by any of the weird cramping issues that plagued him in college. He’s going to be a highly productive rookie, and a major contributor to what should be a pretty good Utah team this season.

5. Meleek Thomas, G, Cleveland Cavaliers

The long history of John Calipari guards being better in the NBA than in college might have another addition with Meleek Thomas. Thomas had a solid freshman year at Arkansas, but still slipped to the No. 34 overall pick because of concerns about his frame and defensive projection. The sell was always his bucket-getting, and he basically looked unstoppable in his three games in Las Vegas. Thomas scored 85 points in 90 minutes on excellent 65.7% true shooting through three games in summer league, slicing and dicing through opposing defenses at will and splashing shots all over the court. He hit 45.8% of his threes, all of his free throws, and had no problem breaking free from the ball pressure that frustrated other guards. Thomas avoided tunnel vision despite the incredible scoring numbers, and did a good job finding teammates while avoiding mistakes with 13 assists to five turnovers. With elite quickness, a money jumper, and a pretty good feel for the game, Thomas already looks like a second round steal, and someone who should make Cavs fans very excited for his future.

4. AJ Dybantsa, F, Washington Wizards

Dybantsa’s elite slashing and tough shot-making were fully on display in his two-game run in Las Vegas. The No. 1 overall pick is an absolute giant for a wing, but unlike most players his size, he already has the ball on a string. Dybantsa can turn the corner on most defenders, but when he’s shut off, he has plenty of counters to continue probing the defense until he can break free. Dybantsa’s mid-range heavy shot-selection is already drawing some consternation, but it’s hard to get too upset when he still posted blistering 63.8% true shooting despite shooting 1-of-11 from three-point range. That’s just what Dybantsa provides, relentless attacking that will keep hammering holes in the defense until he finally makes a crack. With the caveat that it’s only summer league, Dybantsa’s defense also looked much better than it did at BYU with a 26.6% defensive rebound rate, 5% steal rate, and 5.4% block rate. He’s going to need to be able to play off the ball a little bit more next to Trae Young during the regular season, but for now Dybantsa showed the special skills that made him the first pick in a loaded draft.

3. Caleb Wilson, F, Chicago Bulls

Caleb Wilson answered his biggest question on his very first shot in Las Vegas. Wilson took a pitch from teammate Noa Essengue, drew a switch from the defense, and took one dribble before splashing a three-pointer from the top of the key. Wilson didn’t shoot much in college, which makes sense for a player who used his best-in-class explosiveness to crush 67 dunks in just 24 games. The tape was filled with tough shot-making from mid-range, but those jump shots rarely extended behind the arc. In his summer league debut, Wilson drained seven three-pointers — the same number he made all season at North Carolina. Wilson had five months off since suffering a season-ending broken thumb in his right hand, and he clearly made the most of his time by reportedly getting up 2,000 threes per day. It takes most top prospects years to address the biggest holes in their scouting report, if they ever do it at all. Wilson already proved he’s going to shoot threes as a rookie, and that’s a great sign for his long-term development as a shooter. Read my feature on Wilson’s quest for greatness here.

A study by Owen Phillips showed that three-point rate (percentage of field goal attempts from three) is the “stickiest” stat of summer league — the one that carries over the best to the regular season. Well, Wilson moved his three-point rate from 9.1% at UNC to 47.1% for the Summer Bulls. It feels like a thrilling development for Wilson because so many other aspects of his game are already so strong. Wilson’s defensive playmaking is outstanding, and he amassed an 8.5% block rate in Vegas with a number of impressive stuffs, including a chasedown block for the ages. He hit the offensive glass at a higher rate than Cam Boozer (9.1% offensive rebound rate), and finished well when he was set up by his teammates. His poster thrunk against the Jazz was one of the most athletic plays you will ever see. There were still two big negatives for Wilson: his terrible free throw stroke (6-of-18 from the line) and his bad turnover habit, with his giveaways (21) easily outpacing his assists (7). The assist-to-turnover ratio was a positive on his college stat sheet, but that was mostly on stationary reads, and not live dribbles. Wilson was already a great prospect, but after watching him in Las Vegas, it seems possible he’s leveling up at a terrifying rate.

2. Cameron Boozer, F, Memphis Grizzlies

Cameron Boozer’s game has always been defined by steady production that won’t knock your socks off until his team wins and he finishes with monstrous box score numbers. Boozer did it again in this setting despite being one of the youngest players at summer league in his last few days as an 18-year-old. His scoring efficiency was remarkable by shooting 53.7% on two-pointers, 45% on three-pointers, and 80% on free throws for 65.8% true shooting. He continued to clean the defensive glass (18.7% defensive rebound rate), and he looked pretty quick laterally on that end even if he’s not offering much rim protection. Boozer looked a bit thinner in Vegas compared to the bulkier frame he carried at Duke, and it feels like he’s still learning how to use it. He’s not the most nimble player in the middle of the floor, but it doesn’t really matter because his passing vision is excellent and he almost always makes the right decision on time. Boozer’s top-4 contemporaries had flashier highlights, but his team impact was as great as any player in Vegas. I had Boozer as the top player in the 2026 draft in his own tier, and I think summer league only strengthened that argument.

1. Brayden Burries, G, Milwaukee Bucks

Burries’ upside was up for debate as he entered the 2026 NBA Draft, but he looked like an elite connective piece on both ends of the floor during his run in Las Vegas. He shot the hell out of the ball by hitting 44% of his threes, he hit the glass hard and forced takeaways on defense, and made smart decisions every time the ball touched his hands. Burries’ floor spacing and quick trigger from three helps fill in the gaps in the halfcourt in any lineup, but he also showed an ability to use his scoring to find open passing windows to teammates (12 assists) while suppressing turnovers (only one in three games in Vegas). Burries would be a valuable player even if he was just average defensively, but he looks better than that. His 4.2% steal rate and 3.7% block rate in Vegas are excellent numbers for a guard, and the fact that he’s such a good transition player once he yanks the ball away only makes him more effective. I only had Burries at No. 16 on my final board, so he exceeded my expectations more than any player in Las Vegas. The Bucks don’t have to try to shoehorn him into being a lead creator with Ryan Rollins and Tyler Herro on the roster; instead, he can be the ultimate backcourt sidekick who allows everyone else to be the best version of themselves while maximizing his own efficiency.

Make a short list of what matters for success in the NBA. Go on, do it. What did you muster? Chances are, you came up with some combination of shot creation, shooting, size, versatility, and defence. What if I told you that point guard Kasparas Jakučionis, acquired as part of the trade that sent Giannis to the Miami Heat, has them all?

Rise and fall

Born in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital and largest city, Jakučionis made his professional debut for FC Barcelona as a 17-year-old, where he played until he moved to Illinois to play under coach Brad Underwood. It wouldn’t last long. Jakučionis excelled as a freshman, putting up 15.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 4.7 APG in 31.8 MPG across 33 contests, earning a place on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and receiving second-team All-Big Ten honours.

In March Madness, Jakučionis posted a near triple-double in the Fighting Illini’s first-round defeat of the 11th-seeded Xavier Musketeers, going for 16 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists (albeit on 3/11 shooting and with six turnovers). However, in their second round 84-75 loss to the third-seeded Kentucky Wildcats, Jakučionis struggled, posting six more turnovers to go along with 13 points (5/13 FGA), five rebounds, and two assists.

Still, Jakučionis’ prospects were high—The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie had him seventh in his pre-draft rankings, ESPN’s Jonathon Givony ranked him 10th, and No Ceilings placed him 10th—and so he entered the 2025 NBA draft full of hope, only to slide all the way down to the Miami Heat with the 20th overall selection.

Not so raw rookie

Jakučionis’ rookie season was delayed before it even started. A lingering groin injury kept him out of early-season action and then he had to bide his time and earn the trust of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra before seeing meaningful minutes. It took until Game 27 for that to happen, and even then Jakučionis logged less than eight minutes of playing time, hitting his only shot attempt—a three-pointer—and adding an assist (and a turnover) in a 106-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The very next night, however, he would start, logging 38 minutes in a 129-116 loss to the Boston Celtics. Despite the loss, Jakučionis broke out: 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists, knocking down 5/8 shots from deep. It would prove a harbinger of things to come.

Jakučionis played in 50 of the Heat’s final 54 games, finishing the season with averages of 6.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 2.6 APG in 17.8 MPG, shooting .429/.423/.879. Shooting splits aside, the numbers don’t jump off the page—that will happen when you’re largely relegated to an off-ball spacer and have the third-lowest usage on the entire roster—but Jakučionis certainly had his moments. In February, he dropped a career-high nine assists in a blowout win against the Chicago Bulls. A week later, he had back-to-back 20-point outings, shooting a blistering 12/16 from three. He also finished the campaign with the fourth-best net plus/minus for Heat players who played regular minutes. So, while Jakučionis might’ve slipped in the draft and gone under the radar in his rookie season, there was certainly something there. Thankfully for Bucks fans, Jon Horst noticed.

Point of the future

While a Giannis trade might have lingered for years, the Miami Heat iteration of the saga certainly went back and forth for months. And with good reason. One, you don’t trade your franchise’s best-ever player without exhausting every possible avenue. Two, you don’t pull the trigger until you get your guy. For Horst and the Bucks, this was Jakučionis, whom the Heat reportedly withheld until the final moments.

Positionally, make no mistake, Jakučionis is a point guard. Despite his low usage and role as an off-ball spacer with the Heat, Jakučionis is at his best with the ball in his hands. According to Cleaning the Glass (CTG), his 1.21 assist to usage ratio (measuring how often players get an assist given how much they had the ball) places him on the 85th percentile—tying Kevin Porter Jr. (1.21) and ranking better than the Bucks’ other primary creators last year, Ryan Rollins (1.00) and Giannis (0.93). More specifically, he’s dynamic in the pick and roll, able to hit rollers with either hand, and uses his height—he’s a legitimate 6’5”—to see over smaller defenders and create passing angles that others can’t.

However, like any great passer, Jakučionis can be overly ambitious at times, leading to inconsistent results and the accumulation of turnovers. This has quickly become apparent in Summer League play, where he’s struggled under ball pressure. It also reared its head in the two most recent games of Lithuania’s FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers, where he got off to a blazing start, dishing out eight assists to just two turnovers against Great Britain, but then struggled against Italy, coughing up six turnovers while being limited to just one assist.

Of course, as his rookie season proved, Jakučionis’ impact isn’t limited to his passing. In a league that puts a premium on spacing, Jakučionis’ value as a shooter cannot be overstated. Last year, his 60.5% effective field goal percentage placed him in the 96th percentile for combo guards (per CTG), higher than all-timers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (59.7%) and Stephen Curry (58.6%). Truthfully, this percentage is likely inflated due to his off-ball role with the Heat, where he was assisted on 78% of all of his made shots and threes made up 60% of his shot diet. He also has some work to do at the rim (57%, 31st percentile) and in the mid-range (29%, 6th percentile), but with only 47 and 24 shots from these locations it would be unwise to put too much stock in the numbers. In all, Jakučionis’ ability to play off the ball is a testament to his offensive versatility, making him even more valuable as a potential long-term piece next to Ryan Rollins and Brayden Burries, who can both similarly create and space. He’s also a knockdown free throw shooter, hitting 85% of his free throws at Illinois and 88% of them for the Heat, so he’s a guy you trust with the ball in his hands late in games.

On the other side of the ball, Jakučionis has ideal size for a modern backcourt player. At 6’5” and 200 lbs, he has the length and bulk to switch defensively and can also help out on the boards, where his 7.6% total rebounding percentage is similar to Milwaukee’s strong rebounding guards in Porter (8.9%) and Rollins (8.0%). Last season, he was particularly handy as an offensive rebounder, with an offensive rebounding percentage of 4.7%, better than Bucks bigs Kyle Kuzma (3.6%), Pete Nance (4.2%), and Myles Turner (4.5%), per Basketball-Reference. This isn’t new, either, with NBADraft.net’s Isaiah Maldonado stating that Jakučionis “makes good use of his frame to snag boards and extend plays” in his pre-draft scouting report.   

All things considered, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Horst was adamant about receiving Jakučionis as part of the Giannis trade. With premier playmaking, elite shooting, positional versatility and size, and the ability to help out on defence, Jakučionis is an ideal prospect for a rebuilding Milwaukee Bucks team looking to find its identity. And if he puts it all together, he just might be the Bucks’ long-term answer at the point.

Now it’s time to get to work.

Fluke Deez.

Preparation finally synced up with opportunity for Dillon Brooks in his 9th season in the NBA, as he shot his way to the brink of an All-Star bid, but the naysayers in the Suns content sphere are tugging on his jersey, trying to pull the Villain back down to earth. They want to give away his shots to Miles Bridges and relegate his shine to the corner three, but nobody puts Dillon in the corner.

For the duration of his career, prior to his arrival in Phoenix, the turnaround jumper has been violently shaking the bars of its cage screaming to be unleashed, and now that it’s out in the world along with the rest of Dillon’s bag, good luck getting it back in the cage

Last season Dillon averaged a career high 20.2 points a game on 17.1 shots and finished second on the team behind Booker in both points and attempts. His 17.1 shots were the most field goals he’s ever attempted in a season, and considerably more than the 13.0 FGAs he’s averaged over his career. Comparing the stats from his career year to his career averages, that’s the biggest difference that stands out. Opportunity.

Dillon took more two-point attempts than he has in any season since he was at the height of his powers in Memphis, navigating in the space made by Booker’s gravity to convert on 49.2% of his 10.5 attempts. This ties a career high he had set in his first year under Ime Udoka in Houston. He paired that with 6.6 three-point attempts a game, a new feature of his game he picked up his last season in Memphis and carried over to Houston. Last year for the Suns, Dillon shot 34.4% from three, which is a little down from his career average of 35.3% and significantly down from his career high his last season on the Rockets of 39.5%.

None of the numbers in Dillon’s career year are significant outliers compared to his past performances except for the number of attempts. So why is there a widely held assumption that Dillon Brooks needs to take the back seat when Miles Bridges arrives? Last year was Robin to Booker’s Batman, and this season the talking heads think he’s not even going to be Alfred? Is he going to be some kinda prop on the three-point line and defensive agitator? Whatever the Suns’ intentions for Dillon Brooks next year, I don’t see that happening. Not after he’s gotten a taste. Not in his age 30 season. How many more opportunities like he had last season will he get? He’s not going to let any more slip by. Nor should he.

In the course of getting swept by the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs, the Suns found some things out about themselves and about Dillon Brooks. The Thunder forced the ball out of Devin Booker’s hands and into the hands of Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. Dillon took 21.3 shots per game during the series in which the Thunder dogwalked the Suns 4 straight games. Dillon responded by putting up 26 points a game, improving on his regular season field goal percentage and falling just a few percentage points under his regular season three-point average on a whopping 8.0 attempts. Dillon had two 30-point games that series, and finished game four with an efficient 23 pts on 10-of-19 shooting in what ended up being the Suns’ best showing.

Jalen Green finished the Oklahoma series averaging 20.6 points a game on 38.6% shooting and shot 20.9% from three.

Miles Bridges has never played in a playoff game.

Dillon Brooks doesn’t need to prove he can Robin for Book. Jalen Green does. Miles Bridges does. I expect the Suns to Robin by committee depending on which way the ball flows. I also expect Brooks to continue to see open space operating underneath Booker’s shadow. I fail to see the reasoning in removing shots from Dillon Brooks to give to other similarly flawed players. The Suns’ efficiency will need to improve from Booker down the roster. Dillon Brooks seems to have already gotten a jump on it, playing for Team Canada.

In Team Canada’s game against Puerto Rico, Dillon went 7-of-12 from the field for 15 points. Against the Jamaican team, he went 8-of-12 for 22 points. Those are the kind of nights I’m sure the Suns would love to see from Dillon Brooks next season, but he can give them more.

Dillon stepped up in big moments throughout the season. In the play-in loss that would have spared the Suns having to play the Thunder, Brooks went 6-of-10, 2-of-4 from three, for 20 points in a game where the ball went to Jalen to the tune of 35 points on 29 shots. Booker and the bench fell short that night, but Dillon did everything the Suns needed him to do. As he had done all season.

Dillon’s 2025-26 was no fluke. He’s not going to take a back seat to anybody on the offense, and as far as I’m concerned, he’s entitled to the shotgun seat to open this upcoming year. Nobody has ever gotten ahead by doubting Dillon Brooks.

He gave you fair warning: beware.

The wait continues as the sports world anxiously awaits the next move for LeBron James.

James decided to not return to the Los Angeles Lakers and added his name in the free agency pool, which started a carousel of pitches from around the NBA trying to persuade James to join their organization.

A decision is expected to come, but it's not clear when. James said months ago that his decision would likely come in late-July to early-August. While we sit around in the middle of July, the countdown continues.

James reportedly has all the information he needs from teams and is now weighing his options, according to USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes.

Multiple reports have listed the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors as the finalists in the James sweepstakes. Each team has its own storyline if James were to commit, even for a season.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the storylines he'd be most interested in include James going back home to Cleveland or joining Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. But his main focus was James actually making a decision so the league can plan next season's schedule.

"Where LeBron plays will affect the schedule. So I would like him to make his announcement already, so we can finish the schedule," Silver said. "I need him to make a decision."

Well, Mr. Commissioner, you're going to be waiting on that decision just like the rest of us. According to James' timeline, the pick won't be revealed for another week or two. In the meantime, here's what we're hearing on James' latest iteration of "The Decision":

Corliss Williamson has been impressive during his time as head coach of the Spurs Summer League squad. He’s shown how he works with players as well as his ability to develop young talent. It’s a reminder that Summer League isn’t just about the players. The officiating staff are looking for positions in the upcoming year. The announcers are hoping to get noticed for job offers. And the Summer League head coaches are being watched for available coaches spots. 

Going back as far as 2013 and 2014, assistant coach Ime Udoka was at the helm of Summer League. He was with the Spurs from 2012-2019. He then spent a year in Philadelphia as an assistant coach and another in Brooklyn before landing his first NBA head coaching position in Boston in 2021. In his forst year, he coached the Celtics into the NBA Finals. He’s currently the head coach of the Houston Rockets.

Back in 2015, Becky Hammon coached the Spurs to a Summer League championship. She returned in 2016 and 2019. During her time with the Spurs, she showcased her leadership, earned herself the head coaching spot for the Las Vegas Aces, and now has lead the Aces to three WNBA Championships over the last four seasons.

In 2017 and 2018, Will Hardy coaches the Spurs for Summer League. He was with the franchise from 2015-2021 before following Ime Oduka to Boston as an assistant. The following season, Hardy became the head coach of the Utah Jazz, a role he has had for four seasons, helping the Jazz rebuild after shedding stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.

In 2021 and 2022, the Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson was given the reigns for Summer League. In 2024-25, he filled in for Gregg Popovich as the Spurs head coach. He was officially named the Spurs head coach in 2025, the first new coach since 1996. In his first full season as head coach, Johnson led the Silver & Black to the NBA Finals.

While Summer League has become the place to be to witness all of the NBA’s incoming talent and the starts of tomorrow, Spurs coaches capitalize on the opportunity to show they are ready to coach at the next level.

If Corliss Williamson makes the most of this summer, he could find himself fielding offers in the future.

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In the 1980’s and into the 1990’s, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers defined and completely revived the NBA.

The primary stars of that rivalry, of course, were Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, but both teams were full of great players. L.A. had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and others, while Boston also featured Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. All of these players are in the Hall of Fame.

But there were more great players on those teams, including Michael Cooper for L.A., and the late Dennis Johnson for Boston.

In this video, Dee Brown, who joined the Celtics in 1990, talks about his teammate, Dennis Johnson, and tells Cooper something he never would have imagined.

Johnson, he explains, counted opponents dribbles, and watched how they dribbled when they were relaxed and under stress. Basically, he was applying his own form of analytics to opposing ball handlers.

Cooper marvels at this, and says that it explains why Johnson – who Bird called his favorite teammate ever – was constantly getting steals in the fourth quarter.

It’s a level of basketball intellect that, until Brown revealed it, no one knew about Johnson.

Cooper, still amazed, says that even at 70, he’s still learning things about the game that surprise him.

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Jahmir Young is making his case for a roster spot for the Miami Heat this summer.

Surrounded by teammates wearing jerseys numbered in the 60s and 70s, Young has taken the NBA Summer League by storm. His latest outing saw him drop 30 points and 12 rebounds in the Heat’s 99-90 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Young shot 12-of-24 from the field and 5-of-13 from 3-point range while also contributing three assists, two steals and a block across 33 minutes.

However, his seven turnovers in the game also led his team, something that could hold Young back from getting on the court alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and crew come October.

Young and the Heat finished 1-3 in the Summer League, placing 22nd in the standings. They are set to next play either on Sunday or Monday, depending on the results of other games.

In other news

Maryland women’s basketball alum Chloe Bibby scored a career high 14 points in the WNBA.

We are less than a month away from college sports being officially back.

Former Kentucky Basketball standouts Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo have found themselves in the headlines for an unexpected reason after reports surfaced of a physical altercation between the two former Miami Heat teammates in Las Vegas.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the incident occurred on July 10 after Adebayo confronted Herro over comments made on social media following Herro’s offseason trade to the Milwaukee Bucks in the blockbuster deal that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami. The confrontation escalated, with reports stating Adebayo struck Herro before others stepped in to prevent the situation from worsening.

Days later, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that Herro is ready to leave the incident behind.

“Honestly, I’m just trying to move past all of it,” Herro told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. “I’m focused on Milwaukee and building something special.”

Herro also expressed excitement about returning to his hometown team.

“I’m ready to come home and not prove everyone wrong,” Herro said. “But just be able to represent the city and the state because I wanted to do that coming out of school as well.”

The situation is disappointing for Kentucky fans, as both players remain among the program’s most recognizable NBA alumni. Adebayo starred on Kentucky’s 2016-17 Elite Eight team alongside De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk before becoming a multi-time NBA All-Star. Herro helped lead Kentucky to the Elite Eight in 2018-19, the Wildcats’ most recent appearance that deep into the NCAA Tournament.

While emotions boiled over following their split in Miami, Herro’s latest comments suggest he’s eager to turn the page. Kentucky fans will now hope both former Wildcats can move beyond the incident and continue thriving in their NBA careers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will wrap up what has been a successful Summer League on Friday when they take on the Chicago Bulls for their fifth and final game.

You want to see your recent draft picks flash in Summer League. Meleek Thomas has certainly done that. He proved that he can be an efficient, high-volume scorer in this environment. What that means in the grand scheme of things is anyone’s guess. Summer League success doesn’t always translate to the NBA, but it’s a good starting point as we inch closer to training camp in the fall.

Thomas didn’t play in the last game and presumably won’t be playing this one either. The main selling points to this contest will be the battle for a two-way spot. Even though all three spots are currently filled by Tristan Enaruna, Riley Minix, and Ernest Udeh Jr., two-way deals don’t count against the cap, so players can be cut at any time.

Enaruna has missed the majority of Summer League due to an illness.

Minix has struggled mightily to find his shot. He’s averaged 8.3 points on .308/.005/.667 shooting splits in four games.

Udeh has shown to be a good rim protector and rebounder, but the lack of scoring has been concerning. He’s averaging just 4.5 points per game on 40% shooting.

The latter two’s struggles have opened the door for someone else to lay claim to that role.

It’s worth mentioning here that Malaki Branham, who’s had an impressive showing this summer, isn’t eligible for a two-way spot because he has four years of NBA service time.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls

Where: Thomas & Mack Center – Las Vegas, NV

When: Fri., July 17 at 7 PM

TV: ESPN

Point spread: Cavs -1.5

Cavs notable players: Meleek Thomas, Ernest Udeh Jr., Riley Minix, Tristan Enaruna, Malaki Branham

Bulls notable players: Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Noa Essengue, Jaylin Sellers, Tobe Awaka