SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: William Hickey #66 and Cameron Carr #43 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a basket in the second 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
The Lakers will begin the second leg of their Summer League stint in Las Vegas against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. This will be the first game of a back-to-back as they take on the Dallas Mavericks the following day.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When: 7 p.m. PT, July 10
Where: Thomas & Mack Center
Watch: Prime Video
The Lakers will be challenged right away in their first game in Las Vegas against the Thunder. Assuming both teams field their complete rosters, Los Angeles will see OKC’s top pick, Aday Mara, as well as Bennett Stirtz, who was taken at No. 16 in this year’s NBA Draft.
While the Thunder remain stacked with talent, the Lakers have quality players as well. Lakers rookie Cameron Carr played very well at the California Classic. This is Carr’s time to shine, and if he plays well in Las Vegas, the entire NBA world will be discussing him this weekend.
LA will also feature other young players, such as Adou Thiero. He didn’t play in Summer League last year since he was recovering from knee surgery, but now he’s healthy and available.
He had an up-and-down California Classic, showing signs of brilliance but also some questionable performances.
Both Carr and Thiero left the California Classic with minor injuries. Thiero was dealing with a wrist injury, and Carr had problems with his toe, but Lakers coach Ty Abbott said both will be ready to go on Friday.
Cameron Carr said he is over the toe issue that limited him in the 3rd Cali Classic game. “It just looked a little weird.” Lakers coach Ty Abbott said that Carr and Adou Thiero (wrist) will play in Vegas Friday, but it hasn’t been determined how much they’ll play in LV overall. pic.twitter.com/bBM9uIjAK2
Beyond this duo, Lakers fans should be keeping an eye on how the two-way players Chris Mañon, AK Okereke and Peter Suder do.
In a competition like this, it’s not at the level of a typical NBA game. But it is a good test for young players.
Ideally, they all play well, no one gets hurt and the Lakers like what they see from their young core. The Thunder should provide a good test for them on Friday night. Here’s hoping they ace it in Las Vegas.
Jun 2, 2026; San Antonio, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara (51) practices during media day for the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
The brief hiatus from basketball has ended, and it is time to put on your best basketball-watching attire and enjoy some Knicks Summer League play in Las Vegas.
After the wild ride that was the 2026 NBA Playoffs and the ultimate high of the Knicks bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to New York, it is important to reset the evaluators and remember what mid-July basketball means. These games are not about raw shooting percentages or final scores. Sloppy play and chaos become the norm when a roster is put together in a week. Instead, the focus should steer towards processing speed, offensive set execution, and general defensive awareness.
By leading the Knicks to a championship, Mike Brown has solidified his status as a top NBA coach. Earning a spot on Brown’s rotation involves defensive discipline, aggressive closeouts, and making intelligent extra passes.
Here is what to watch for as the Knicks take on their cross-town rivals.
With New York’s veteran core taking the summer to bask in championship glory, Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara should see massive usage. For the summer, this team is theirs. The goal here is clear. The coaching staff needs to see Dadiet’s ability to create his own separation and effectively initiate offense against set defenses. For Diawara, the focus is defense. Coaches will want to see if he can consistently disrupt passing lanes and quickly switch onto smaller guards.
Friday’s game also marks our first look at second-round selections, Jack Kayil and Tyler Nickel. Kayil’s addition to the roster is a last-minute surprise, as many of us expected him to remain overseas. For Kayil, the intrigue lives in his physical and intellectual approach to the guard position. Keep an eye on how he uses his solid frame to handle pick-and-roll coverages. Possessing advanced playmaking instincts, the real test will be whether he can find consistency with his outside shot. The key aspects of Nickel’s game to keep an eye on are his off-ball movement, floor spacing, and defensive mechanics. His success shooting the basketball is well documented, but how is he with the other pieces that make a complete player?
Of course, one cannot ignore Tyler Kolek’s absence from the roster. This is a major statement by New York’s front office and coaching staff. Keeping Kolek away from the often-disorganized Summer League play suggests that the staff views him as a finished enough product to enjoy a little more vacation time.
The Nets are bringing a “loaded” young group to Vegas. They are set to feature the 2025 draft selections heavily: Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf. The tactical challenge New York will face immediately is Egor Demin. Demonstrating a bounty of aggressiveness, Demin showcased his ability to attack the paint during the California Classic. If this continues, the Knicks’ interior defensive rotations will be tested right from the beginning. New York will face a different test on the perimeter. Brooklyn’s #6 overall pick, Mikel Brown Jr., should be the focal point of most of the Nets’ offensive sets. Brown should put the Knicks’ perimeter defenders to work early. The wings need to stay glued to him while also collapsing effectively when Demin drives into the paint. If New York can force Brooklyn’s role players to beat them, they are doing their jobs correctly.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 6: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz reacts after getting hit in the jaw against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of a 2026 NBA Salt Lake City Summer League game at the Jon M Huntsman Center on July 6, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s on nights like these that I’m reminded of the ravine that divides the NBA from all other levels of basketball. This Summer League tilt was sloppy on both sides, and not many fringe players earned an NBA contract tonight, by the looks of it.
This matchup has always been about the number-one pick AJ Dybantsa and the number-two pick Darryn Peterson. Rivals since high school, these two are in an eternal struggle for the designation of being “number-one”. They wanted to be the best in their high school class. They wanted to be the first off the board in the NBA Draft. Rest assured, these two will be battling for Rookie of the Year honors by the season’s end.
Both stars were fully aware of the magnitude of this game, and both wanted to be the first to strike in the Thomas and Mack Center.
Dybantsa took his first touch all the way to the basket and forced up an off-kilter shot that missed everything.
Peterson took the ball the other way and forced up a top-of-the-key three-pointer that missed badly.
Dybantsa quickly picked up the slack, flipping an under-and-around lay-in and following that up with a good leading bounce pass through traffic to find a cutting teammate.
From there, the 1-2 combo settled in and let the game flow around them.
For the first time in a Utah Jazz uniform, Darryn Peterson walked among mortal men as a commoner. He had a very slow start in his Las Vegas debut, opening the night 0-for-3 from the floor and even whiffing on his first all-or-nothing foul shot. His steps were hurried, and he stood unstable before his first trip to the bench. Not quite so infallible outside of the mountain air in Salt Lake City.
AJ claimed the first quarter, dicing up the defense with fadeaways, dribble chains, and this vicious, inhumane slam that will dominate your social media feed for the next day or so.
Washington set the tone for some — should we say physical — defense out on the perimeter, and the officials gave the Wizards liberty to reside in Peterson’s chest for the majority of the game. The number-two pick couldn’t get himself into a rhythm as he’d step out of bounds, dribble off his foot, and sputter under the heat of the Wizards’ aggressive double-team scheme.
They were incredibly handsy from end to end, frustrating Jazz ball handlers as the whistles piled up at the other end.
AJ Dybantsa lives at the foul stripe — that’s his superpower — and he has since his days at BYU, where he led the nation in foul shots taken per game. Perfectly within his idiom, Dybantsa was 6-of-7 from the foul stripe — keeping in mind the experimental do-or-die free throw rule. Considering how much more physical the Wizards played at the defensive end, it’s a mystery how the Wizards managed to reside in the comfort of the bonus for the entire first half.
Neither player was efficient from the floor, but Dybantsa won the first half of this marquee matchup.
Dybantsa finished the first half with 19 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
Peterson lagged behind with 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting and a pair of dimes.
The lead shrank to single digits, and what appeared to be a blowout in the first half — Washington led by as much as 20 — rapidly drew tighter in the second half. It had become a two-possession game before the clock hit 0:00 in the third quarter.
Both stars lived up to the bill in this one, clearly displaying their individual talents despite their efficiency not leaping off the box score.
Peterson’s tendency to cough up possession has to get straightened out. He’ll be a target for his whole career, so learning to handle and exploit on-ball pressure will be critical to maximize his effectiveness and keep his teammates involved.
Cody Williams stole the show a bit for the Jazz, despite a rocky opening to the night. Though he struggled to stop Dybantsa on the defensive end, he notched 16 points on great efficiency (6-11, 2-3 3PT) plus 5 rebounds. He’s not a ball-handler, despite the Jazz’s wishes, but thrived on a newly added stepback mid-range jumper tonight.
Dybantsa had a strong night, finishing with 27 points on 7-for-18 shooting, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.
The Wizards ultimately won this game behind the strength of their NBA guys, Tre Johnson and Will Reily, who combined for 41 to pair with Dybantsa’s 27. They also strongly benefited from Jamir Watkins, Darryn Peterson’s assignment fouling a grand total of 9 times (not a typo).
Peterson likewise fouled 9 times in this one, an ugly blemish on what was an unsteady night for the rookie. He finished with 24 points on 6-18 shooting and 2-7 from three-point land (thanks to a bank-shot heave at the final horn). Dybantsa will be crowned the winner of this head-to-head with Peterson thanks to better highlights and the team win, but neither player dominated, despite what X will likely tell you.
Washington defeats Utah with a final score of 92-88.
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards looks to pass the ball as Cody Williams #5 of the Utah Jazz plays defense during the game during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 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 Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
AJ Dybantsa made his Wizards debut as Washington defeated the Utah Jazz 92-88 to open 2026 Las Vegas Summer League play.
The Wizards’ starting lineup — Will Riley, Tre Johnson, Dybantsa, Jamir Watkins and Felix Okpara — was comprised of all five of their selections from the previous two NBA Drafts.
Riley opened the game at point guard, while Dybantsa played on the wing and Okpara manned the paint.
Johnson scored from all three levels for a quick nine points on 3-3 FG. He ended the half with 18 points on 7-11 FG and finished the game with 26 points.
Dybantsa’s first points came off a contested reverse layup. A minute later, he got to his spot and drilled an and-1 mid-range jumper. Then came the boom.
Washington’s No. 1 pick got into the lane and posterized a Jazz defender, flexing as the crowd inside Thomas & Mack Center rose to its feet.
Dybantsa flashed his elite first step and relentless rim pressure while drawing contact at will. He ended the first half with 17 points on 4-12 FG.
Watkins assumed the Darryn Peterson assignment and defended him well. The second-year wing, who recently signed a two-way contract, held Peterson to just 6-for-18 FG, 2-for-7 3PT and eight turnovers. He committed 9 fouls (the Summer League foul limit is 10), but overall, his defense made Peterson work for every point.
Dybantsa shook off a quiet start to the third quarter with a pair of impressive finishes, the first a one-legged mid-range jumper as the shot clock expired. The next was an acrobatic, English-filled layup that came off a tough drive.
The BYU product missed all five of his 3-point field goals. And despite creating impressive separation on a few turnaround jumpers, he left most of those short as well.
But as far as Summer League debuts go, it appears Dybantsa’s couldn’t have gone much better. He finished with 27 points — tied for the most by a No. 1 pick in their Las Vegas Summer League debut — seven rebounds and two steals on 7-for-18 FG.
Dybantsa exited the game with one minute remaining with what he called “leg soreness,” but he said on the ESPN broadcast he is okay.
NBA Summer League’s new rule limits free-throw attempts to just one shot, no matter the type of shooting foul or bonus situation. Dybantsa shot 7-for-8 from the line, but if standard rules applied, he would’ve attempted a whopping 15 free throws.
Will Riley used a mean spin move and an and-1 finish to propel the Wizards to a narrow victory. He finished with 17 points on 5-for-12 FG.
On Thursday night, the Knicks guard took to X to reply to the Celtics announcing Robinson as a key big man on their team, writing to Boston, “Yo admin delete this.”
Hart and Robinson played four years together in New York after the Knicks acquired Hart in a trade with the Trail Blazers in 2023.
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (left) and guard Josh Hart celebrate during a 2026 NBA Finals win. Jason Szenes for The New York Post
Robinson and his former teammates have been interacting with each other through social media quite a lot since the center signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal with Boston.
Robinson, who spent eight years with the Knicks, even said he didn’t want to leave New York when chatting online with NBA Finals hero OG Anunoby.
“I tried brother, I didn’t want this to happen,” Robinson replied to an Anunoby comment about his exit on Instagram.
“Hopefully the truth comes out at some point. I’m going to miss you big dawg!”
Robinson’s murky Knicks future was a big talking point immediately after the championship run, especially after owner James Dolan made it clear he had a reluctance to go into the second apron of the salary cap.
“There’s certain things in the NBA that you’d have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron,” Dolan said in an appearance on WFAN’s “The Carton Show” last month before Robinson signed with the Celtics.
“I’ll write as big of a check as possible, but I can’t write a check that goes into the second apron.”
The second apron is set around $222 million this season, with restrictions and other punishments imposed on teams that go over that.
Mitchell Robinson celebrates during the Knicks championship parade. Getty Images
Robinson was drafted by the Knicks in 2018, averaging 7.5 points, eight rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.7 assists per game in his eight seasons.
During the Knicks NBA Finals run, he averaged 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.3 assists per game.
The Knicks have brought back Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, Mohamed Diawara and Clarkson this offseason and replaced Robinson with veteran Andre Drummond. The deals cost the Knicks $17.5 million against the cap.
There was a level of interest in Dybantsa’s debut, especially playing against the Utah Jazz and the No. 2 overall pick, Darryn Peterson.
Dybantsa had a highlight dunk while going on to score 19 points and four rebounds in the first half. Peterson added 11 points and two assists in the half.
Philadelphia is putting all hands on deck to get LeBron James to the City of Brotherly Love.
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley made his pitch for James, who is currently a free agent, to join the 76ers next season.
“If you want to go out with a bang, I feel like a great spot would be in Philly and bring a championship to Philadelphia,” Barkley told reporters on Thursday. “You’ll be remembered forever.”
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs drills during minicamp. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Barkley also said Philadelphia is one of the best sports towns in the world, and has praised the city’s fans since joining the Eagles in 2024.
“They’re crazy, but in a different way,” Barkley said. “When you’re on the Giants’ side, oh these motherf—ers are insane. On this side, you see they just love it.”
Barkley has been a superstar since touching down in Philadelphia, putting up 3,145 rushing yards, 30 rushing touchdowns in his two years with the Eagles, earning his first All-Pro honors for his 2024 season.
The ex-Giant is one of many prominent figures across sports and entertainment trying to get James to play in their city for what could be his final season in the NBA.
LeBron James has officially announced that he is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons with the franchise. Best Image / BACKGRID
James, 41, is testing free agency after spending eight seasons with the Lakers.
He reportedly is open to numerous teams, with the Cavaliers, Heat, and 76ers being seen as the favorites, according to ESPN’s Shams Chariana.
James is entering his 24th season after being selected No. 1 by the Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 05: Pete Nance #35 of the Milwaukee Bucks walks to the bench during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Fiserv Forum on April 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, the Bucks surprise us once again by re-signing Pete Nance to a new deal after they waived him just a week ago. Per Jake Fischer and Eric Nehm, the contract is for two years with a team option on the second year; it is also non-guaranteed, giving the team extra flexibility if they want to move off it early.
This brings the roster back to 16 players. It was down to 15 after the deal that sent Taurean Prince and Gary Harris to Detroit in exchange for Caris LeVert (and picks), but it is now a player over the limit. This either means that 1) there could be more fireworks to come in this crazy Bucks offseason, or 2) there will be some fierce training camp battles.
As for Nance, it’s good to have him back. Not only is he a good player, but he’s also a great person to have around the locker room to be a “veteran” for the younger guys (or even just guys who are up and down from the Herd to the Bucks, like he was). A solid shooter and fast decision-maker, Nance can play a role and help this team win games this season.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: Morez Johnson Jr. #14 of the Dallas Mavericks grabs a rebound against Lajae Jones #25 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2026 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Golden State Warriors in their first game of NBA Summer League, 101-90. LJ Crier scored 25 for the Warriors and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg scored 21 to go along with 10 rebounds and six assists. Rookie Morez Johnson Jr. led Dallas with 27 in defeat.
The opening minutes of the game featured both teams feeling one another out; the Warriors took an early lead by attacking the rim and glass. Tobi Lawal spent early minutes on Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, playing solid defense against the bigger player. Sergio De Larrea scored his first points via a free throw only to exit the contest for Vsevolod Ishchenko after an off-ball collision with a Warrior. Following a timeout, the Warriors pushed past Dallas and threatened to take a double-digit lead. A Morez Johnson looseball putback followed by a dunk through a dish from De Larrea closed the lead to two. Dallas trailed 24-20 after one quarter of basketball.
The Warriors opened up the second quarter with a 9-0 run featuring consistent rim pressure. Dallas called a timeout after pushing the lead up to 16 just over three minutes into the frame. Johnson kept the Mavericks in it, and a flashy Nembhard lay-up cut the lead to 10 around the three-minute mark. The Warriors closed the half hard, lighting the Mavericks up from three while Dallas could not hit a shot. Johnson was a consistent bright spot, scoring 14 points in a variety of ways while also grabbing six boards. The Mavericks shot just 3 of 19 from three in the half to the Warriors six of nine. Dallas trailed 59-39 at the half.
The second half didnt get better for Dallas, at least not in the short term. The Warriors continued to hit shots from outside and Dallas wasn’t able to make much of a dent in the scoreboard. Poor shooting plagued Dallas in the third as well, and the Mavericks entered the final frame down 79-66.
De Larrea opened the fourth for the Mavericks with some fireworks, dishing a nice ally-oop to Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu. Feisty playmaking from Ishchenko in the quarter kept the game exciting, but the Mavericks simply could not finish good looks. Following a timeout at the 5:30 mark, Johnson finished a drive and got the foul and free throw, which cut the lead to 10 for the first time since the second quarter. Dallas followed that up with a John Poulakidas three and Johnson dunk to cut it down to five. The Maverick run continued with an Ishchenko basket. LJ Cryer hit back-to-back buckets to give the Warriors breathing room with under three minutes to go. The Mavericks were not able to get over the hump. Dallas fell to the Warriors 101-90 in their opening game of Summer League.
‘We have Rez and they don’t.’
If you had concerns about the Dallas Mavericks selecting Morez Johnson Jr. with the ninth overall selection in June’s NBA Draft, perhaps a 27-point, eight-rebound, three-assist, three-steal, and two-block performance will settle your nerves some. Do I have any idea what kind of player Johnson will be at the NBA after just one game? I do not. But what I do know is this is an NBA player who will find ways to contribute.
Dallas played a pretty bad basketball game; it’s to be expected for guys who’ve never played before (the Warriors are coming off of games together in the California Classic). Johnson had the type of game where he slowly and steadily made an impact. A loose ball putback here, a big rebound in traffic there. All of a sudden, he had 27 points on 17 shots. You feel his presence defensively; he’s a big, big person on the court that’s not easily moved.
So I recommend enjoying this workmanlike performance from a very solid player.
Dallas isn’t going to win much if they can’t shoot the ball
This sounds familiar doesn’t it. Dallas took 38 threes as a team, the Warriors just 20. The Warriors hit 10 (50%, for those of you who are bad at math). The Mavericks hit just nine attempts (24%). That is very bad. In top level analysis, I am here to inform you that you must hit shots in order to win basketball games.
A mixed outing for Sergio De Larrea
Let’s start with the good. De Larrea finished his first summer league game with nine points, six rebounds and five assists. He only committed one turnover, was a willing passer with his eyes often up near the rim looking for his teammates to finish plays.
But we must also discuss the bad. He was three of 14 from the floor, including just one of nine from beyond the arc. His handle, particularly in the first half, was incredibly loose. De Larrea was often too upright, his dribble nearly out of control at times.
Now, he’s allowed to have a poor shooting performance, and if you watched this game, his second half was much more confident than the first. But he got to the rim often enough and heard ghosts, stuttering at times, instead of just going up with confidence. He’s also another tall, rangy guy who looks taller to me than the listed height.
There’s some THERE, there, if you get me. Let’s see what he does next.
We see you, Vsevolod Ishchenko
I had no idea what to expect from our new Russian friend. Guys, he looks 16 years old in the face and I am learning just now that he’s 21. But if you want to see a guy who’s not afraid of the moment, Ishchenko is your guy. His box score contributions were meek, just seven points and three rebounds. But I saw a guy with a tight handle and really good vision. Once his teammates actually passed him the ball in the fourth quarter, we got to see some wizardry in potential dimes, very few of which were actually finished with a made basket. That’s okay though, this is a learning situation and today I learned Dallas drafted guys who have some ability. Let’s see what they do against the Lakers.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 8: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of a handful of teams trying to convince LeBron James to sign with them in free agency via voice note messages that may or may not actually get to LeBron himself. As of now, they appear to be the favorites to secure his services. That noise is only going to grow louder as Bill Simmons outright said LeBron returning to the Cavs was “done.”
Simmons mentioned on the most recent episode of the Bill Simmons Podcast that the Golden State Warriors were just used as leverage. This led him to say that LeBron is going back to Cleveland, and that the “Cleveland thing is done.”
“And now it’s pretty clear they (Golden State) were being used as leverage as LeBron goes back to Cleveland… the Cleveland thing is done,” – Bill Simmons on LeBron’s free agency sweepstakes 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/Z9OBX8ADUB
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the new City Edition shirt can be found HERE.
How much you want to read into this is entirely up to you.
Simmons says this in a somewhat flipant way, an hour into a two-hour podcast. If he were going to break news this big, it’d make a lot more sense to lead off his show with this or put it up on the website he owns. That could easily lead you to believe this is just speculation based on all the other reporting and noise around a return to Cleveland.
On the other hand, Simmons is extremely plugged in. He’s been in NBA circles for decades and knows what he’s talking about. Additionally, he also has a direct connection with Rich Paul.
The Ringer — Simmons’s website — hosts Paul’s podcast Game Over. If there is someone who you’d think would be in the loop on this, it’d be Simmons.
Again, how much stock you put into this is up to you. What we can definitively say right now is that it seems like LeBron is coming back to Cleveland for a farewell tour. We’ll find out whether that materializes soon enough.
On Wednesday, the Nuggets waived Valanciunas despite his fully guaranteed $10 million salary for the 2026-27 season, according to multiple reports.
Denver still owes him $2 million following the move, but will save cap space after signing Marvin Bagley III to a veteran minimum, keeping them under the second luxury tax apron.
Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Toronto Raptors rebounds a ball as Ed Davis #17 of the Brooklyn Nets tries to strip the ball away during the third quarter in an NBA basketball game. Paul J. Bereswill
Valanciunas considered leaving for the EuroLeague last summer after being traded to the Nuggets, but ended up staying in the NBA and averaged 8.7 points with 5.1 rebounds in 65 games played.
The 34-year-old shot 58.2 percent from the field while filling in the Nuggets’ backup center role playing 13 minutes a night.
According to ESPN’s Shams Chariana, Valanciunas will garner interest from multiple clubs, including the Knicks.
Valanciunas is on the Knicks’ radar and they view him as a potential third option behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, SNY’s Ian Begley reported.
He also has experience working with Leon Rose, as the Knicks president was his agent before taking the front-office job.
A move to Europe is possible once again this summer with Lithuanian club Zalgiris Kaunas interested, according to BasketNews.
2026 New York Knicks NBA Championship City Hall Ceremony with Presentation of Keys to the City. Kristin Callahan/Shutterstock
Valanciunas would be brought in to help the Knicks replace Mitchell Robinson, who signed a three-year, $47.4 million contract with the Celtics after spending his entire career in the orange and blue.
The seven-footer averaged 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game during New York’s championship run this season.
The Knicks signed Drummond, another potential replacement for Robinson, to a one-year, $3.9 million deal on Saturday.
He appeared in 63 games with the 76ers last season, recording 6.4 points and 8.4 rebounds through 19.5 minutes.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz smiles during the game against the Sacramento Kings on July 15, 2024 at The Pavilion 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Well, the Lakers certainly took advantage of the optionality that they had prepared for this summer.
None of the Lakers starters who helped LA jump out to a 3-0 lead against the Rockets in the playoffs are returning. In their place comes an infusion of new talent.
Naturally, that makes his play very compelling, crucial to LA’s success and an exciting player to watch.
The Lakers’ first game of the upcoming year will be highly anticipated, mainly because Kessler will be making his Lakers debut.
Mamu, Grimes and Sexton will all also be important to the Lakers, but none are considered franchise players or All-Stars, so the general hype is far lower.
Another player whose hype seems to be down is LeBron James.
As part of our national survey, we asked NBA fans if they wanted LeBron on their favorite team. The majority said thanks, but no thanks.
A ton comes with LeBron being on a team. Yes, he is a tremendous talent, and plenty of winning will occur.
However, both his stans and his haters can be exhausting to hear from every day. And his agent, Rich Paul, speaking to anyone who will listen on his podcast doesn’t exactly make things any better.
Also, at LeBron’s age, the end of his career is nearing.
While he still has plenty to give to the game, it’s not surprising that fans of other teams would rather not bet on him winning another title. Maybe it’s best just to let someone else deal with the LeBron media circus and all that comes with it.
That’s no longer the Lakers’ problem, but they are hoping Kessler is the solution and the missing piece the franchise needs to be champions again.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: AJ Dybansta #4 of the Washington Wizards poses for a portrait on June 26, 2026 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Washington,DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards play the Utah Jazz in the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas at 9 p.m. ET tonight. Watch it on ESPN or Monumenal Sports Network. Kevin has the preview (yes, he previews games too!) here.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Labaron Philon #00 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2026 at Cox Pavilion 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
The Sixers won their opening game of the 2026 Summer League campaign in Las Vegas by a score of 101-93 over the Detroit Pistons. More importantly, a few young players really shined for Philadelphia in the seasonal debut.
This was the first of four scheduled Summer League contests for the Sixers, with a fifth yet to be scheduled (determined by standings). It was our first glimpse at a post-college Labaron Philon, selected No. 22 overall in the recent NBA Draft. And the recent draftee got right to work, sinking the first bucket of the evening for the Sixers on a step-back triple. He showed off impressive handles and a silky smooth shot on more than one occasion in this one.
Some other names that you may not be familiar with (I wasn’t) but looked damn good in this one were Isaac Johnson with 20 points off the bench as well as Dante Maddox Jr., who led the Sixers with 21 points on 7-for-13 field goal and 4-for-6 three-point shooting.
Johni Broome filled the stat sheet with 19 points and 13 rebounds (eight offensive) as well as two assists, one steal and two blocks. Though, admittedly, I have some reservations about how many of those numbers would truly transfer to NBA-level play in his current form.
First Quarter
Well, how do you do, Labaron Philon? The No. 22 overall pick got right to work, scoring the Sixers’ first 2026 Summer League points on a step-back triple. He sank a second triple just moments later.
Johni Broome in on the action early as well with a three-pointer on a kick-out from Philon. This could truly be the make-or-break year for Broome’s NBA career, after an extremely lackluster rookie season that ended in injury.
Dante Maddox Jr.! I’ll be honest, I didn’t know anything about him before this game started, but he caught eyes early sinking back-to-back triples. He ended up with 10 points on 4-for-6 field goal, 2-for-3 field goal shooting in the opening frame, utilizing both a long-range shot and a couple middies.
Broome may have a few points here in the first, but he still is concerningly slow. He was never exactly known for his athleticism, but it’s noticeably lacking to a big degree, even at the Summer League level.
Second Quarter
Okay then, Isaac Johnson. The big man had himself a quarter for the Sixers, with 14 points on 4-for-4 field goal, 3-for-3 three-point shooting in just over six minutes on the floor.
I probably sound like I am just hating for no reason, and I’d love for him to prove me wrong, but Broome simply does not look like an NBA athlete. And yes, I’m 100% talking the eye test here. His stats at halftime looked pretty damn good, and he was able to put in a few good buckets here and there, but the fact of the matter is he really cannot keep up physically with anyone on the floor. He is getting rebounds and sinking close buckets, but he would not be getting either of those at the actual NBA level with his pace and movement.
Philon continues to impress throughout his first half of Summer League play, hitting this perfect pocket pass to Broome towards the end of the second quarter. And some kudos for Broome here too, with what is probably one of the most athletic moves we’ve seen him make on the slam.
The Sixers led by 10 going into the break after sinking 10 triples in the first half.
Third Quarter
Amani Lyles making the most of his minutes off the bench for the Sixers with a running dunk and a triple.
Maddox continued to look red hot from long range, sinking another pair of triples within minutes of each other in the third frame. Again, I honestly knew almost nothing about this guy to begin today, but he’s certainly earning some attention in this opening game. He led the floor after three with 19 points.
It was a quiet third frame for Philon, who as unable to score and shot 0-for-3 in the frame. Through three, his ability and game sense are more than clear, but the main complaints one could have about the young guard are shooting efficiency and his size. He simply isn’t big enough to finish through some contact at this level just yet, and this is just Summer League. Fortunately, he has some time to put some weight and bulk on before the regular season.
Fourth Quarter
I’ve been tough on Broome watching this one, as I have some serious doubts about how much of his stats from this one would truly transfer to NBA-level play, but I gotta give it to him — this was a great move and finish at the rim from him.
I've been tough on him so far this evening but this is a really nice move and finish from Broome pic.twitter.com/qEC72aVvuL
Isaac Johnson is another name I didn’t know much about before this game started… and now I think he’s making a genuine run for a two-way contract with the Sixers. He sank his fourth triple of the game in the fourth to notch 20 points in 16 minutes on the floor. Apparently his nickname is Big Fish, too. Just a fun fact.
It was a quieter second half for Philon with some rocky shooting, but he made sure to end things on a high note with this triple to help the Sixers to a 101-93 victory.
Philon shows off the handles one more time to close out this first Summer League contest pic.twitter.com/kAYQk3NRzY
The Los Angeles Lakers have settled in for the upcoming NBA Summer League series in Las Vegas.
The Lakers have set up a new custom-designed practice court in a ballroom and were seen by reporters practicing on it Thursday, July 9.
The Lakers’ practice setup at a resort ballroom in Vegas. The team is testing out a new court design for the summer session. pic.twitter.com/DUcrjiYDZo
The Lakers had played on a custom court during the NBA Cup, but it was met with some negative feedback from players. Lakers star Luka Doncic in particular had an issue with the court, slipping on it during the team's 135-118 victory over the L.A. Clippers on Nov. 25, 2025.
"It's just slippery. It's dangerous," Doncic said. "I slipped. I slipped a lot, and you could see many players slip. And that's dangerous."
The NBA provided an alternate court for each team in the league as a promotional tool for this past season's tournament games.
The Lakers’ alternate court was not used in the 129-119 home victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 29. That court was returned to the creator for repairs.
It remains to be seen if the practice court is similar to, or an upgrade of, the one used during the NBA Cup.
