James and ESPN are reportedly nearing an agreement on a documentary series that would follow his time with the Philadelphia 76ers while revisiting the defining moments of his career, according to The Athletic.
Negotiations are said to be at the “one-yard line,” although financial terms and a potential release date remain unknown. ESPN and a representative for James declined to comment on the report.
LeBron James and ESPN are reportedly close to a ‘Last Dance’-style documentary chronicling his final NBA chapter with the 76ers. NBAE via Getty Images
Should the deal be finalized, cameras would follow James throughout his first season in Philadelphia, where he will begin a record-extending 24th NBA campaign. The series would also pull from an extensive archive of footage collected since James emerged as a national phenomenon at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
That could provide viewers with previously unseen material from a career that has stretched across Cleveland, Miami, Los Angeles and now Philadelphia.
The obvious comparison is Michael Jordan’s “The Last Dance,” the 10-part ESPN documentary centered on the Chicago Bulls’ 1997-98 championship season. Cameras received extraordinary access to Jordan and the Bulls during their final title run, although the series was not released until 2020.
A James project would only intensify the debate that has followed both superstars for years. Jordan’s documentary revisited the end of a dynasty. James’ version could capture the conclusion of the other career most commonly mentioned in basketball’s greatest-player conversation.
Michael Jordan and Ron Harper are all smiles as a playoff game in 1998 winds down. Phil Velasquez/TNS via ZUMA Wire / Shutterstock
The biggest unanswered question is whether this is actually James’ final season.
The 41-year-old called joining Philadelphia his “last decision,” but he signed a two-year contract and reportedly holds a player option after the 2026-27 campaign. His agent, Rich Paul, has also left open the possibility that James could play beyond the next two seasons.
That uncertainty could affect when the series reaches television. A documentary chronicling James’ arrival in Philadelphia would already carry enormous interest, but its impact would be greater if the footage ultimately captured his final games.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against the Cleveland Cavaliers Getty Images
James chose the 76ers after ending an eight-season run with the Lakers, whom he helped lead to the 2020 championship. He now joins a star-heavy Philadelphia roster featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired Jaylen Brown.
The move was made with a fifth championship in mind. If the 76ers can deliver one while cameras document the season, James could produce the Hollywood ending Jordan enjoyed with Chicago.
Unlike “The Last Dance,” however, nobody yet knows when James will take his final bow.
Good morning New York! So you broke a championship curse that spanned five decades. Fifty-three years since the last banner went up, and now there’s a new one. Welcome to the club nobody tells you the rules of until you’re already a member. You are the curse breaker, the uplifter of community, the beacon of hope. You’re also the biggest target alive.
Welcome to being the 2015 Warriors after the parade.
Minnesota traded Towns cause he was "washed"…
Dallas refused to pay Brunson cause "he's not that good"…
Nets traded Bridges cause he "has no future"…
Raptors got rid of OG to "save on the cap"
Blazers got rid of Josh Hart cause he's "too emotional"…
I say that with love, because as an Oakland kid who watched his longsuffering franchise FINALLY make good, I lived it. That team walked into the next season with the same core, the same coach, the same swagger, and it still didn’t repeat. Golden State went 73 wins deep the year after and still watched someone else hoist the trophy. Talent wasn’t the problem and neither was continuity wasn’t the problem. The problem is that winning a title doesn’t freeze the league in place around you. Rather, it wakes the whole league up. Every single franchise has to look at itself and say “whoa if that box of misfit toys can win, why can’t we?”. And right now, the whole league is very much awake.
I distinctly recall the Warriors having to battle a myriad of “lucky” allegations that drove the team into a psychopathic competitive zone. The Knicks are gonna have to find some of that juice to make the new climb.
Let’s start with what New York already knows is coming. Mitchell Robinson is gone to the rival Celtics. Miami paired Giannis Antetokounmpo with Bam Adebayo. Philadelphia is running out Jaylen Brown next to LeBron James. Both the Celtics and 76ers are in their division! And every night, the Knicks are gonna get everyone’s best punch. Every opponent will be hyped to face the champs and embarrass them.
Teams that “concern” me as a Knicks fan
1.) Pacers- teams having another teams number(any sport) is real and I don’t like that…Haliburton is a problem
2.) Celtics- their floor is like 48 wins and Jayson Tatum is a problem adding Mitch is a problem
I know the counterargument, because it’s the same one Warriors fans told themselves in 2015. Continuity is an edge. The Knicks added Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges and needed real time to figure out how those pieces fit, and now they get to run it back with that learning already paid for while half the league starts from zero. That’s real.
But then there’s the part nobody wants to say out loud, the championship hangover. It’s not a myth. Winning a championship changes what every day feels like, and the teams that repeat are the ones who fight that change instead of pretending it isn’t happening. Jalen Brunson, Mike Brown, OG Anunoby, they’ve got the reputation for grinding through adversity. But adversity from an opponent and adversity that comes with finally getting everything you wanted are two very different monsters, and only one of them shows up on tape.
Here’s what should actually worry Knicks fans more than any of that. This team has made a habit of getting knocked down before it gets back up. Down 2-9 to start the year. Down 2-1 to Atlanta. Down 22 to Cleveland in the fourth quarter. Down 29 to San Antonio at the half. Every single time, they answered, and that resilience is real and it’s earned. But resilience like that usually gets built by being an underdog, by being counted out, by having something to prove. Nobody counts out the defending champs. The Knicks are about to spend an entire season being the hunted instead of the hunter for the first time in this era, and we genuinely don’t know yet if that changes how they play when adversity hits, because they’ve never had to find out.
So no, I’m not telling you it’s impossible. Nobody’s won back to back since 2018, and someone has to be first again eventually. But history is cruel because winning it once and winning it twice require two completely different versions of hunger, and only one team in the last decade has figured out how to hold both at the same time.
Do you know who that team was? Here’s a hint: they ran LeBron out of Cleveland.
Even while new allegations swirl around it, nearly everyone in league circles — and particularly the LA Clippers and Toronto Raptors — want the alleged salary cap circumvention case about Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers to wrap up fast. However, if Leonard or the Clippers decide to fight any potential punishments, this saga likely would drag out into the season and maybe into 2027, according to a new report.
That's because the NBA's collective bargaining agreement says any cap-circumvention case — and potential punishments out of it — must go before a neutral arbitrator and, potentially, an appeals process. While NBA Commissioner Adam Silver can suggest punishments, the arbitrator would determine if the case has been made and if those punishments are appropriate to the offense.
Those appeals could drag out the process, reports Baxter Holmes of ESPN, who discussed a timeline that could run into next year.
Sources close to the National Basketball Players Association with knowledge of the investigation said the union wouldn't hesitate to take the matter to arbitration if the NBA sought penalties without sufficient evidence proving the claim that the Clippers have denied since the league's inquiry began nearly 10 months ago.
On July 9, NBPA executive director David Kelly told reporters in Las Vegas that he didn't believe there was a "there, there" regarding whether the Clippers compensated Leonard through a $28 million endorsement deal that he signed in 2022 with the now-bankrupt green banking company Aspiration, which also had a 23-year, $300 million endorsement deal with the Clippers.
There are a lot of competing interests here. If the investigation finds sufficient proof that the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer intended to circumvent the cap, Silver would have to come down hard on the team and its owner — but Ballmer has repeatedly professed his innocence and, by nature, is a fighter. He might not let this go. Then there is the players' union, and potentially Leonard himself, appealing things depending upon the punishment.
The best-case scenario for the league might be a "plea bargain" deal where the Clippers and league agree to whatever potential punishments would be handed down. Whether that kind of agreement could be reached is another question.
The Clippers and Toronto Raptors agreed to a trade that would send Leonard back to Toronto — where he won a title in 2019 — for a package centered around Brandon Ingram. However, that trade is on hold because the Raptors, understandably, don't want to trade for Leonard with the threat of a potential suspension hanging over him.
In Las Vegas for Summer League, Silver said that the entire case "needs to be wrapped up before the beginning of next season," but even when he said it that timeline raised eyebrows around the league. Now that timeline seems optimistic at best, which leads to questions about the future of the Leonard trade to Toronto.
Leonard’s secret soccer team
One of the reasons Silver's timeline seemed optimistic were reports that the investigation had widened beyond just the Aspiration endorsement — and may include a Rhode Island soccer team.
Leonard and his associates became involved around the same time that [Rhode Island FC founder Brett] Johnson was struggling to secure enough private financing to move ahead with construction of Rhode Island FC's new 10,000-seat stadium in Pawtucket, which cost more than $130 million to build. The previously undisclosed role of Leonard underscores how little has been known about who was backing the stadium deal, even with tens of millions in taxpayer funds on the line. Rhode Island FC has never publicly disclosed the identities of its full ownership group.
Leonard's quiet involvement here raises questions on a couple of fronts. One is simply publicity — when star athletes in other sports invest in the USL, the league and teams publicize it, as happened with Russell Westbrook, for example. It also happened when former Celtics big man Daniel Theis joined Rhode Island's ownership group three years ago.
Potentially more interesting was something else reported by Torre: During 2019, when "uncle" Dennis reportedly was making extravagant and improper demands from teams recruiting a free agent Leonard — such as giving him a home, access to a private plane and, most concerningly, a no-show endorsement deal — one of them was to make him part owner of a professional sports team.
That is not proof that Leonard's investment in the team isn't legitimate or doesn't come from his own pocket, it just is another question. RIFC founder Johnson said this to WPRI about Leonard and associates' investment.
"They're particularly interested in real estate, finding ways to invest in housing, particularly in low-income areas," Johnson said.
The building of the stadium was supposed to come with other developments, such as a hotel and about 400 housing units. That housing has yet to be built, despite having received local approvals and some tax deals. The company has applied for more taxpayer subsidies.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Keon Ellis #14, Michael Porter Jr. #17, Terance Mann #14 and Noah Clowney #21 of the Brooklyn Nets attend the game between the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 10, 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
The Draft is over. The Summer League is over and it would appear that free agency, if not over, is basically done as well. Now comes the long Summer. From the end of Summer League on July 19 till the first preseason game on October 6, it will be all highlights and speculation along with Moe Wagner’s expected signing. Maybe there’ll be a surprise or two, but for the most part it’s about expectations.
—July 30 – August 4: Day’Ron Sharpe and Kenyon Martin tour China with stops in Shanghai and Huangzhou.
—August 2: 3:00 p.m. ET. WNBA trade deadline.
—August 5: Last day for teams to issue required tenders to unsigned second-round picks. Not applicable to the Nets. Tyler Bilodeau signed a two-way deal shortly after the Draft.
—August 31 – September 16: FIBA World Cup break for WNBA players, coaches.
—September 24: Last day of WNBA regular season.
—September 27: WNBA Playoffs begin.
—September 28: Brooklyn Nets Media Day at HSS Training Center.
—September 29: Nets Training Camp opens at HSS Training Center.
—October 1: Terance Mann eligible for three-year, $72.6 million extension starting in 2027-28. Again, highly unlikely.
—October 6: Brooklyn Nets open preseason vs. Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte. 7:00 p.m. ET.
—October 8: Brooklyn Nets host the Philadelphia 76ers and perhaps LeBron James at Barclays Center. 7:30 p.m. ET.
—October 12: Brooklyn Nets travel to Washington, D.C. to face the Washington Wizards at the Capital Center, 7:00 p.m. ET.
—October 14: Nets play fourth and final preseason game vs. Heat at Kaseya Center, Miami. 7:30 p.m. ET.
—October 19: Roster cut down day. Teams must get down to 15 standard deals and three two-ways.
—October 20: Opening Night, 2026-27 NBA season. Limited number of games.
—October 21: Likely opening night for Brooklyn Nets
—October 30: Emirates NBA Cup 2026 | Group Play tips off on Prime Video. Brooklyn Nets will play in East Group A alongside the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Milwaukee Bucks.
—October 31: Nets must extend each of the Flatbush 5 for a third season.
—November 13: Opening Night, Long Island Nets’ 2026-27 G League season.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 16: 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. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics) | Getty Images for Fanatics
It’s not even been a week since we found out LeBron James is now a Philadelphia 76er, and the impact of his arrival is already starting to go beyond what he’ll be doing on the basketball court — just as you’d expect. There’s also how he plans to tell the story of the final stage of his career, and it sounds like he has something very exciting lined up.
The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand has reported that LeBron and ESPN are closing in on an agreement for a behind-the-scenes documentary in a similar style to Michael Jordan’s 2020 ‘The Last Dance’ series, which was co-produced by ESPN and Netflix.
Marchand confirmed that the talks to finalize the deal are close, and initial plans for filming during his time with the Sixers:
One of the sources described the talks as being at the “1-yard line,” with the expectation that James, 41, will have a camera crew documenting his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, who James signed with this month. The 76ers are expected to be the final home of his legendary career.
The documentary is expected to also use footage from earlier in James’ career, as NBA crews have filmed him since he was a rookie, including some never-before-seen footage.
As of now, there’s reportedly no set date of when the documentary would be completed and aired.
Maverick Carter has weighed in on the documentary to say they “are not doing anything like” ‘The Last Dance’. So even though we may see a documentary similar in style, with cameras following LeBron in Philly, his camp at least don’t want to give the impression this is definitively his last season.
We are NOT doing anything like the “last dance” LeBron doesn’t even know when his last season is
If you’ve somehow never seen it, ‘The Last Dance’ told the story of Jordan’s career with a main focus on the Bulls’ 1997-98 season as they made their run to secure a second three-peat. There were quality interviews and unseen footage galore, with excellent editing and production throughout. Hopefully we’ll be getting more of the same from this new story of LeBron’s career and his shot at a title with the Sixers.
Of course, Jordan’s documentary had the advantage of uncovering more details and stories from a time when the constant coverage of social media and smart phones didn’t exist. More happened out of the public eye. It also released during the COVID pandemic, at a time when we were all at home desperate for new entertainment, which probably added a heightened level of excitement when each new episode dropped.
If this LeBron documentary goes ahead and is anywhere near as good as ‘The Last Dance’, though, it promises to be a brilliant series.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 16: 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. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics) | Getty Images for Fanatics
Give LeBron James credit: He wasn’t bluffing.
During an episode of his Mind the Game podcast in late May, he said: “I think at some point in June, late June, as July rolls around, free agency starts to get going and as July rolls around and maybe into August, we’ll start to kind of get a feel of what my future may look like.”
James didn’t decide to sign a two-year, veteran-minimum contract with the Sixers until July 24. The Lakers had long moved on by then, as expected.
Shortly before free agency began, LeBron informed the Lakers that they could “move on without him because he will play elsewhere.” They proceeded to splurge on Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton within the first 24 hours of free agency.
Now that most of the free-agency dust has settled — Jonathan Kuminga notwithstanding — it’s hard not to circle back to one question: If LeBron was willing to play on a minimum contract, why didn’t he just re-sign with the Lakers? He wouldn’t have to uproot his family and he’d get to finish out his career alongside Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Kessler.
His decision to join with the Sixers instead is fairly telling.
The Thunder and Spurs loom large
In his announcement, James said he still wanted to “compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.” He added that he believed he could help make the Sixers “a championship team.”
It’s fair to wonder how all five of LeBron, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid will fit together, although it’s not hard to see the upside if everything breaks right for them. Having that many star teammates will reduce the burden on each of them during the regular season, which should help keep them fresher for the playoffs.
“A source familiar with James’ thinking” told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that his choice “hinged on the pursuit of the fifth championship. After weighing his options, he landed on Philadelphia as the best situation for that.”
Left unsaid: He chose the Sixers over the Lakers in that regard.
While the Lakers now have one too many players signed to standard contracts after adding Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Kevon Looney to minimum deals, one would think the Lakers gladly would have sacrificed any of them to re-sign LeBron on a min. Perhaps California’s state income tax worked against the Lakers when the salaries being offered were otherwise the same, but it doesn’t seem as though LeBron even entertained re-signing with them. Why is that?
The presence of the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the West had to play a factor.
After this offseason, one could make the case that the East is deeper than the West, particularly assuming that the Kawhi Leonard trade eventually goes through. However, the West has the top two title favorites by far.
Could LeBron and the new-look Lakers have been in the race for a top-four seed in the West? They’d have to beat at least two of the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves for it, but that wouldn’t have been impossible. Potentially having to topple both the Thunder and Spurs in the playoffs, though? Just to get to the NBA Finals?
Again, it’s not like LeBron and the Sixers will have a cakewalk in the East. The reigning champion New York Knicks reside in the same division as the Sixers, as do the 2024 champion Boston Celtics (albeit sans Brown, the Finals MVP that year). The Miami Heat added Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. The Indiana Pacers are getting back a healthy Tyrese Haliburton. The Toronto Raptors are (theoretically) reuniting with Leonard. The Sixers’ 25-year conference finals drought isn’t guaranteed to end.
But they don’t have to worry about the Thunder or Spurs until the NBA Finals, and they wouldn’t have to beat both of them in the playoffs. That’s a huge selling point for any team in the East right now.
One other factor might have helped drive LeBron out of L.A. as well, though.
The fan factor
LeBron has played for three teams in his NBA career thus far, and he’s won at least one championship with each of them. But no matter what he did in L.A., he would never replace Kobe Bryant in the minds of Lakers fans.
The Sixers have had plenty of all-time greats over the years, including Wilt Chamberlain, Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson. But they don’t have a Kobe-esque shadow looming over them.
“One of the things that was compelling about the Sixers was how passionate the fanbase is and how long it’s been since they’ve won a championship,” the source said.
The Sixers’ proximity to championship contention was undoubtedly their main selling point. LeBron didn’t leave the Lakers because of Kobe stans. But that sentiment popping up a few different times is telling, particularly since McMenamin reported a few months ago that LeBron felt the Lakers took him for granted at times.
LeBron’s beef is likely more with President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka than Lakers fans. But the lack of appreciation that he felt in LA compared to how Philadelphia has already received him might only further justify his decision to leave.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 13: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at 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 2026 NBAE(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s been a controversy-free offseason for the Spurs so far (at least outside the broadcast booth), but if there was anything that raised a few eyebrows, it was the unverified rumor that guard Dylan Harper was unhappy in a bench role during his rookie season and would demand a starting role going forward. Despite the rumor coming from a parody X account and Ron Harper, Sr. pointing out that it was fake, it never completely went away, leading to speculation over if the Spurs either needed to start looking at the trade market for De’Aaron Fox or consider a three-guard starting line-up, featuring those two alongside Stephon Castle.
However, Dylan has now spoken up himself in an interview with DJ Siddiqi of RG.org. When asked about his goals for next season, he noted that his only goal (besides individual improvement) is the same as the entire team’s: to learn from what went wrong in the Finals and make up for it next year. When specifically asked to confirm if that that means he’s fine in any role — starter or bench — he reassured that he’s just grateful to be playing and the logistics don’t matter. (In other words, yes, he’s fine with a bench role.)
Q: Your second season’s coming up here. There are high expectations. Do you have any concrete objectives in your mind? Whether that’s statistical, whether that’s on the court as far as where you want to improve?
Harper: Nah, man. I feel like the biggest thing for me in every year is really just getting better every day, learning from the people around me and learning from my own experiences and just trying not to make the same mistakes over and over again. But for me, it’s not really just anything personal. I feel like we all have that one team goal that we felt like that we should have had last year. I feel like that’s really the only thing on that. That’s the only thing that’s on everyone’s mind.
Q: So simply put, it’s team-based over any sort of individual objectives. That’s what’s on your mind.
Harper: Yes, sir.
Q: And it doesn’t matter to you, you were coming off the bench your first season, your rookie season. It doesn’t matter to you whether you’re a starter or whether you’re a bench player, right?
Harper: No, I feel like regardless, I’m in the NBA. There’s only like 450 people in the NBA, and I get a chance to go on the court and play with the best of the best. I feel like those kinds of things and those logistics at the end of the day, in the big scheme of things, it’s not going to affect me and how I approach every day.
Speaking of the Finals, he discussed what the team learned from the experience (the answer is pretty obvious) and how he feels about the team going forward.
Q: What was the biggest thing that you learned from that experience? Obviously, you guys led for a great duration of that series. You came up a little short, but what can you take from that series moving forward?
Harper: I think the biggest thing is probably closing out games, and I think just knowing exactly what we’re gonna do in certain times, I think the biggest thing for us is we got a year under our belt. I think this year for us, the first year we’re all together as a team, and I feel like the sky’s the limit for us.
Finally, he discussed what it’s like playing with Wemby, his leadership style, and what it meant seeing him take a discount for the team.
Q: I want to talk to you about Wemby. Obviously, a heck of a player, man. It shows how much he cares about the team that he took less money than the max on his extension. Talk about what that means, and talk about what type of player and leader he is behind the scenes — maybe that fans don’t know about.
Harper: I feel like for a 22-year-old, he’s probably one of the best leaders I’ve been around, just the way he carries himself, his maturity, from top to bottom, whether it’s basketball treatment, in the weight room, personal life. I feel like he’s kind of structured his life in a way that has worked for him, and I think he’s the most genuine person ever. When that came out, I feel like yes, it was a surprise to everyone. But I mean, that’s just the type of person he is.
There were other topics of discussion in the interview, so be sure to check out the entire thing, but it’s good to know that the Spurs may not be facing as many line-up decisions as some wanted to believe heading into next season. Harper’s time as a starter will surely come, but it’s reassuring to know he is ready and willing to take on whatever role as asked of him for the betterment of the team, and in an unselfish and professional manner, like any true Spur would.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Tobi Lawal #33, Morez Johnson Jr. #14, and Sergio De Larrea #55 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 15, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus 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 Sydney Bezelik/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA Offseason isn’t over but this week we decided to grade what the Dallas Mavericks have done so far.
Michael: I’m giving the team an A-. That may be hard for some to fathom when a team like the 76ers landed Jaylen Brown and LeBron James (what could their grade possibly be if ours is an A-?) – but I think a grade like this has to be measured on an appropriate scale and realistic expectations.
This offseason, the Mavericks have hired President Masai Ujiri, a front office professional calling the shots, the likes of which Dallas has not had in many, many years. They hired a proper GM in Mike Schmitz to pair with Ujiri to properly rebuild around Cooper Flagg. They hired a head coach that virtually everyone thought was untouchable and who ought to be perfect for a young, budding core. Then they constructed that young core, getting a player like Santi Aldama through clever use of a trade exception which they kept intact by clever use of signing-and-trading Khris Middleton. They moved up in the draft to get a promising guard in Sergio De Larrea, after using their higher pick to land Morez Johnson. They made a couple other slick moves in the second round for even more youth, and traded for a former #1 overall pick. All of this was done with a dearth of draft capital and an inherited pile of bad will. It was also done while keeping all of the obvious tradable player assets.
Will every one of these moves pan out to greatness? Probably not. But rebuilding a youthful, athletic, affordable roster while maintaining what precious few assets they had was nothing short of a masterclass of how to make something out of virtually nothing. For where the Mavs were three months ago, this was an excellent outcome.
David: I would say they have operated around a B. As of writing, their roster makes no sense, but they have made moves for good players. Morez Johnson was certainly a surprising draft pick, but maybe he is far past what any one of us mortals saw. He has the body to work perfectly next to Cooper Flagg. Masai Ujiri’s lust for big wings has been evident, but I am not too concerned about their success on the court this season. As of now, they have made mostly the “right” moves and have set themselves up for more to come. It hasn’t been a home run, but they’re definitely on base and in scoring position.
Ben: I give them a B+. The new front office is having to clean up one of the worst messes in NBA history due to one of the worst trades in NBA history. This was always going to be a long-haul project and they’re operating that way so far. They’ve added a bunch of interesting players who could work out, who might not, but they’re taking some chances. If they’re able to move some of the vets before the season starts, I’d even get close to an A-.
Matt: A very solid B+. The new regime has done the impossible and made Dallas an interesting team to watch again. There are several storylines going into this season with the potential to develop into something genuinely beneficial to the team’s longterm outlook. They’ve gotten creative in how to put new talent around Cooper Flagg with guys who are on his timeline, and are taking many, many bites at the apples in hopes that one of their developmental players pans out. It’s a roster-building exercise in the law of large numbers. The only thing they haven’t done is re-stock the barren shelves with some draft picks, but there’s still time and guys like Gafford, Washington and Marshall should be of interest to SOME team with an aim to contend this season – even if it’s not a huge haul.
Jack: I would give the Mavericks a B- for the offseason they have had so far. I honestly like all the additions they have made, starting with drafting Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio De Larrea, to acquiring high-upside young talent for relatively cheap value. They have also done an amazing job of adding shooting to the roster, which will certainly help Cooper Flagg’s development. The way they have attacked the margins is very exciting, as with a lack of draft assets they will have to find unique ways to acquire talent. What holds back my grade is the dramatic roster imbalance that still plagues the team. They have too many forwards and not enough ball-handlers, simply not having the minutes to give. This holds back the opportunity for a player like Zaccharie Risacher, who needs time on the court to hopefully develop his skills. The lack of creation also lessens the impact of the new shooting, as most of these new players need their shots created for them. If the Mavericks can trade P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford for good value, then my grade would jump into the A’s, but since no trade is seemingly on the horizon, I’m settling on a B- for now.
Tyler: I’m going to give them an old school, college-level incomplete grade for the offseason. I can’t grade the work they’ve done through today because, well, this can’t be all the work they’re doing. The moves themselves are fine: I was indifferent at best on the Morez Johnson pick, but I do like Sergio De Larrea. I also think they’ve done decent work with the Sasser and Aldama acquisitions. I have questions about the Risacher addition, but it’s a fine “shot in the dark” as long as they don’t commit long-term money there until they see proof of the vision they surely imagine. But the roster is still incredibly unbalanced, and they don’t have much in the way of future assets they’ve gotten. Until the dust settles, it’s probably best to settle with an incomplete. I can’t imagine this is the roster they roll into the season with.
Bryan: Easy A- with potential for an A+ pending a frontcourt trade or two for reasonable value. The top 8 of the draft lottery fell exactly as we hoped that it wouldn’t, but M&M still left the draft with a great coaching hire, two players that figure to factor in the rotation battle this season, and two big upside swings in the 2nd round. On top of that, we’ve acquired a ton of shooting, length, and athleticism that lends itself to insulating Kyrie, Flagg, Sasser, Sergio, and another shot creator to be named later defensively. We did all this at the paltry cost of portions of our exceptions (trade exception and Mid-level) and three 2nd rounders. We’ve barely touched the few assets we have and remade the team completely from last season. This offseason has been a measured rundown of the checklist for a proper rebuild and a welcome, if foreign, sight for Mavs fans’ eyes.
Joe: The Dallas Mavericks deserve a C+ for their offseason so far. Given the difficult roster and asset situation Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz inherited, Dallas did a respectable job adding useful players on manageable contracts without sacrificing anything essential to Cooper Flagg’s future.Moves for Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser, Morez Johnson Jr. and Zaccharie Risacher were all defensible individually. Dallas added shooting, size, youth and upside while preserving several movable contracts. Even the Risacher gamble came at a relatively low price. The Mavericks did not panic, overpay for a short-term solution or surrender another major first-round asset. That is what keeps the grade from falling lower.
The problem is that Dallas chose to work around the margins instead of truly reforming the roster. The Mavericks still have too many overlapping forwards, not enough reliable ball-handling and several veterans who do not clearly fit Flagg’s timeline. Other young teams have been more aggressive in defining their direction, whether by collecting draft assets, clearing veterans or building a cleaner developmental roster. The individual moves mostly make sense, but they do not yet form a coherent plan. The “plus” comes from hiring Dusty May, one of basketball’s biggest rising coaching names. Pairing him with Ujiri and Schmitz gives the Mavericks a leadership structure worth believing in. Dallas improved its flexibility and talent base. It still has not made the larger, uncomfortable decisions required to properly build around Flagg. For now, that makes this a C+.
Isaac: i’m willing to give Masai and crew an A for this offseason. While not all needs were met, it’s a good step in the right direction and the offseason’s not over yet. They’ve made serviceable trades and taken shots on young guys that could help the team without committing long-term money to them.
It’s hard for fans, myself included, to handle the whiplash of being in the Finals just two years to being where we are now, but it’s the reality we live in. Offseasons for teams like the Mavericks aren’t about contending this season or next; they’re about taking chances to build a core around their young star. I think they’ve done a great job at that this offseason, and I’m fascinated by what they can get for the players on our team that have value (PJ, Gafford, Klay).
Matt M.: B-. This roster configuration may not make a ton of sense, but it doesn’t have to this season. It’s maddening that some of the vets who are still here are still here. But I have at least some level of middling trust in the long-term plan of Masai & Co. The guards on this roster don’t please me greatly but there is at least a glimmer of hope for this team putting an interesting product on the floor in 2026-27. Progress, I guess?
Kirk: A- for me. Look, I am broadly a pessimist when it comes to team sports. There’s only one champ every year, you know? So when I think about where Dallas was last February and see where they are 18 months later, this is about the best possible outcome I could have hoped for. Nico Harrison leveraged the future then traded away the centerpiece, so that Dallas has Cooper, everything else is more straightforward. Dallas made mistakes in tanking (or not tanking, really) but Morez Johnson is a nice pick. Sergio De Larrea has something! They’ve made two fun trades that could pan out well. They still have a lot of roster imbalance, but there’s hope for the future.
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Josh Okogie #20 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket during the game against the Utah Jazz on February 23, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We are officially into the doldrums of the offseason – Summer League is behind us, free agency is all but over, and we still have months until we first see our new team take the floor. It is in these doldrums that one begins to ponder the real questions of the soul: am I leading my life correctly? should I be spending all this time on basketball? is Mario Hezonja worth all the hype given to his free agency decision? And, most importantly, who will be the Jazz’s backup shooting guard?
It seems to me that there are four options for the two backup wing positions: Brice Sensabaugh, Svi Mykhailiuk, John Konchar, and the titular Josh Okogie. All four deserve to play minutes somewhere – each have started legitimate amounts of games in their careers, and two may be out of the rotation next year.
Choosing which of these four worthy candidates have my vote to earn playing time is already difficult, and is made even more difficult due to the fact that I am no expert on the newest Jazzman of the group, Josh Okogie. Sure, I have a passing knowledge of the guy – I follow the NBA, he’s made his way around the block a few times, so I generally understand his game. He defends, he’s kinda stocky, he got that one block on James Harden’s step back in his rookie year…he’s Josh Okogie! But that cursory, surface-level understanding won’t cut it if I am to make the hugely important decision of who should be Darryn Peterson’s backup (and then complain when the Jazz coaching staff makes a different choice than me). I need to become a Josh Okogie scholar.
I took this self-assigned responsibility seriously – I would not go halfway for one of the newest Jazzmen. So, to shore up the holes in my Okogie expertise, I took to NBA.com’s video database to watch every Josh Okogie field goal, assist, steal, and block from the 2025-2026 season. If Josh Okogie did just about anything with the ball last year, I watched it. I won’t pretend this was the most interesting exercise I’ve ever (for reasons that will be explained later), so instead of everyone else having to go through the same study process, I will report on what I learned, his strengths and weaknesses, and his fit on the Jazz. Hopefully, no one will have any remaining Josh Okogie questions after this article.
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: Josh Okogie #20 of the Houston Rockets shoots a three point basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Josh Okogie is a very simple offensive player, for better and for worse (at the very least, it made for a dull viewing experience). While you can rest assured that he will not hijack the offense with complicated, on-ball hijinks, sometimes the simple, barebones nature of his offensive game leaves a bit to be desired. He has figured out his role perfectly during his 8 years in the NBA, and will not dare stray from it.
The majority of Okogie’s shot attempts this past season came from behind the arc (54.8% of his attempts, to be exact), and nearly all of them looked exactly the same. He never shot from off the dribble (100% of his three pointers this past season were assisted), he rarely shot off of movement, and he mainly shot from the corners. His three point percentages have steadily ticked up over his career, peaking this season at 38.5%, but I don’t think he’s gotten more versatile with his shot; he needs to be set, and he needs to be facing minimal pressure. After having watched 161 of his three point attempts in very quick succession, I think I uncovered the reason for this – Okogie’s form simply isn’t built for anything beyond a catch-and-shoot attempt. He doesn’t get much elevation on his shot, and it isn’t particularly quick, which when combined with the fact that he’s only 6’4, creates a player who needs a separation from a defender to get his shot off cleanly. Additionally, his footwork behind the arc isn’t always the cleanest, making movement off-ball and around screens disadvantageous to his style of jump shot. He can make these shots while open (see the video below for some examples), but his 38% from three isn’t providing the same spacing that Anfernee Simon’s 38% is.
Josh Okogie made 3 of his 4 threes and finished with his 2nd highest scoring night as a Rocket yesterday:
An interesting statistical tidbit – while Okogie attempted most of three pointers from the corners (67% of his attempts came from both corners combined), they were far from his most efficient spot on the court – he drained around 30% from those zones, and 52% from the two wings. Now, I understand that, all things considered, this is a pretty small sample size to determine Okogie’s strengths and weaknesses as a shooter, but similar general trends occur throughout his past few seasons; consistently, his strongest area as a shooter is either the right or left wing, with his percentages from the corners being more pedestrian. The Jazz attempted some of the fewest corner threes per game in the NBA this past season – hopefully this can lead to Okogie’s shooting leap to continue into 2026-2027.
Inside of the three point line, Okogie, once again, is nothing to really write home about. Even though Okogie is a good athlete, he isn’t too impressive as a vertical high-flyer; this can lead to ugly misses at the rim. He missed more dunks than I would’ve expected, and I’m sure the Rockets never felt great about Okogie driving headfirst into a set rim protector. Luckily, he tended to know his role in this regard as well – he never attempted to do too much to achieve rim attempts (which is good, considering his stiff, uncreative handle), and mostly found himself shooting in that range off of quick cuts or in transition. He isn’t the most active cutter in the world, sometimes being a bit too sedimentary behind the arc, but is proficient enough when he does decide to streak to open space near the rim.
To continue the tradition of unspectacular but serviceable offensive skills, his passing is just enough to keep the offense flowing but not much more than that. There were a few really impressive interior passes sprinkled throughout the clips of his assists, but for the most part his passes were simple, connective throws to teammates finding open space around the perimeter. I only recall a few pick-and-roll passes, which were unremarkable – while I’m sure he’s capable of hitting a roll-man, I don’t think he’s capable enough for it to be an aspect of his offense a coach can reliably call upon.
However, even with all of these middle-of-the-road offensive skills, the Rockets were still better offensively with Okogie on the court. How can this be? I believe this is explained by two factors. First, Okogie demands very little on the offensive end. Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant were two Rockets players from this past season who were best operating with the ball in their hands, and Okogie’s completely unselfish offensive game could, if his shot was falling, act as an amplifier for a ball-dominant star. There’s a limit on how much good he could do offensively without a more dynamic offensive game, but a player who is perfectly content with hitting open threes and nothing else is still valuable.
The second factor, though, is a bit more interesting to me. One of Josh Okogie’s hidden superpowers is his activity on the offensive glass. In a down year, Okogie still grabbed 2.2 offensive rebounds per game per 36 minutes, and that impact was felt by his team – when he was on the court, the Rockets were nearly 2 percentage points better at snagging offensive rebounds. While watching, it almost felt like Okogie was conserving energy while stationed in the corner, with the expectation that he would exert it all the moment the ball left the shooters hands. With his linebacker frame, Okogie torpedoed towards the ball, and had a real nose for it – his anticipation for where the ball would bounce was really impressive. So, even without providing much value with the ball in his hands or even as a shooter, Okogie boosted his team’s offense by helping them win the possession battle – while he was out there, Durant and Sengun could count on more attempts because they could count on Okogie.
Synopsis: A simple offensive player who likes to station himself in the corners. Can shoot off the catch and not much else. Not strong with the ball in his hands. Great offensive rebounder for his position.
Defense
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 29: Josh Okogie #20 of the Houston Rockets plays defense during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 29, 2026 at State Farm Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
While this side of the court is his calling card, I do feel like there is less to be said regarding Okogie’s defense compared to his offense – whatever you think you know about his defense, you’re probably right.
All of his physical tools are best used on the defensive end of the court. His +8 wingspan is put to good use both on and off the ball. It allows him to guard up and down the lineup (his long arms make up for a small deficit in speed against point guards and a deficit in height against wings), and allows him to take up more space and muck things up even when he’s not guarding the point-of-attack. Additionally, Okogie offers a pretty unique combination of length and strength from the guard spot – it helps him to be able to take space AND keep it.
He’s quite adept when he gets switched down to a bigger player in the post. He’s really stocky, with a low center of gravity, and has constant energy when he’s working to deny the entry pass to his assignment down low. Combine that with killer hand-eye coordination, and you have a player who consistently got steals off errant passes to the post.
I think his best defensive skill is beating offensive players to passes. He has some great burst to quickly attack the floating ball, using his long arms and quick hands to get there first, and then uses his strength to muscle his opponent off of the path towards the loose ball so he can grab it and finish the transition opportunity. His consistently revving motor and active hands allowed him to be one of the more disruptive players in the league, deflecting more balls than any Jazzman in 2025-2026 not named John Konchar. Below is an example of this type of play against Victor Wembanyama, and there were quite a few more similar plays throughout the season.
As a defender, Okogie isn’t perfect. He isn’t the best defender against the quickest, shiftiest opposing guards – his strength and stocky frame does come at the expense of elite foot speed. Additionally, this past year was a downturn in regards to his shot-blocking. That doesn’t seem like the biggest deal when talking about a 6’4 guard, but one of his most impressive skills to me in the past was how he mirrored perimeter offensive players to such an extent that he was consistently blocking their jump-shots (the play below is my personal favorite) – hopefully he’s able to return to form as both a perimeter shot-blocker and rim presence this next season, especially considering he may be sharing substantial minutes with Kyle Filipowski at center, noted non-elite rim protector.
However, even if Okogie has his flaws as a defender, this is the side of the ball that has kept him in the league for over a decade, even during the years where he wasn’t shooting the 38.5% from behind the arc that he did in Houston. Even when his shot isn’t dropping, he provides a solid base level of value because his defense is just so high level. While he’s best guarding more traditional shooting guards, he can defend up the lineup with his stocky frame and long arms. Additionally, his motor is a skill itself – Okogie is a LOUD defender who shifts the tone of the game the moment he subs in. This is the type of stuff fan-favorites are made of, and I expect Okogie to get loud cheers in the Delta Center for these very skills.
Synopsis: This is where Okogie makes his money. Great activity, quick hands, and a special combination of length and strength. Can guard up or down the lineup, although quick point guards can best him. Hopefully his shot-blocking makes a return.
Conclusion/How It All Fits
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 12: Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, Svi Mykhailiuk, Isaiah Collier, Josh Okogie, and Mo Bamba of the Utah Jazz attend the game between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 12, 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Utah Jazz need someone like Josh Okogie, but I’m not sure if they can fit in someone like Josh Okogie. It has been no secret that the Jazz defense has been awful ever since they’ve traded away Rudy Gobert, and while the fix won’t be made in a day, picking up Okogie could spark a very necessary culture shift on the defensive end. Perhaps Ace Bailey or Darryn Peterson one day take a big defensive leap (both have the potential to do so), but until then, the team needs someone to clap their hands and slap the floor and take the most difficult matchup night after night. After my deep dive, I’m confident in saying Josh Okogie has the defensive capabilities to be that stopgap as the young guys mature.
However, while Okogie could be an answer to the Jazz’s defensive issues, he may compound some of the struggles the team projects to have on offense. I worry that the Jazz built a roster with too many strong off-ball players – Lauri Markkanen, Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey, and Jaren Jackson Jr. are all best being set up by a creator – so adding another player without strong ball handling or passing worries me. While he’s clearly the best defender out of the four options for the backup wing positions, he is just as clearly the most limited as an offensive player. Additionally, if the shot improvements aren’t maintained, he would be a third player on a hypothetical bench lineup with limited-to-no shooting gravity (him, Collier, and Filipowski or Hayes) – that may be an offensive situation that even Will Hardy can’t scheme his way out of.
At the end of the day, I doubt that Okogie intentionally signed in Utah to simply not play, so I bet he takes one of the two available slots. I also think that, even if Okogie hurts the offense, the total tonal shift he can provide on defense is probably worth it. This signing was a low-stakes swing on a player who, if the shot improvements are legitimate, may end up playing real minutes in the most important games of the year. For that alone, I think giving Okogie minutes in the regular season to build shooting flow and comprehension of Hardy’s system is the smart move. My deep dive taught me that he isn’t the best shooter, and he isn’t the best passer, and he isn’t the best dribbler, but it also taught me that Josh Okogie changes games. So, after this perhaps unnecessary exercise, I cam away with two things. First, a desire to no longer watch a compilation of wide-open threes, and second…an excitement for games to be changed in the Delta Center in 2027.
Part of the speculation about LeBron James' next team — before he ended up choosing the Philadelphia 76ers — was about which landing spot best told a story that he could put into the documentary he was having made about his next (and potentially final) season.
That documentary is happening, with LeBron and ESPN close to a deal on a serialized documentary about the season — kind of in the "Last Dance" style — reports Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
LeBron James and ESPN are closing in on an agreement for a behind-the-scenes documentary series that will be similar to Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance," according to industry sources granted anonymity as they were not authorized to talk about the deal that is not finalized.
One of the sources described the talks as being at the "1-yard line," with the expectation that James, 41, will have a camera crew documenting his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, who James signed with this month.
There is no released timeline for when this would air, although it likely would have some lag time rather than be a "Hard Knocks"- style situation where episodes are finished less than a week after being filmed. The financial terms of the deal also remain unknown.
LeBron's jump to Philadelphia — a team that also added Jalen Brown this offseason and has to be considered one of the top contenders in the East — has drawn tremendous interest from fans. As evidence, Fanatics announced that LeBron's No. 23 76ers jersey has become the best-selling jersey for any player in any sport during the first 48 hours after their announcement, beating out the record set by Shohei Ohtani when he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers.
LeBron's plans to make a documentary about his next season — his record 24th in the NBA — are well known, with his production company heading it up. The documentary makers would have special access to him and the 76ers during the season, and also would use historic footage from LeBron's well-documented career.
ESPN had great success with The Last Dance, the documentary done with and about Michael Jordan during his final season and championship with the Bulls, which dropped during the pandemic, when people were home and starved for fresh content. ESPN can only hope LeBron would draw similar ratings and interest.
According to ESPN.com, the probe could last well into 2027 if there is no agreement on what the investigation ultimately finds and whether any punishment could be forthcoming as a result.
That could be an issue for the Clippers and Leonard, as a proposed trade to the Toronto Raptors is on hold. The deal would have sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks and draft pick swaps to Los Angeles for Leonard, who won a championship with the Raptors in 2019.
“The NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi,” the Raptors said in a statement. “In light of this, we will wait until the league’s investigation is complete.”
The investigation originally centered on reporting by journalist Pablo Torre, who looked into whether a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC broke NBA rules.
Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg pleaded guilty in October 2025 to two counts of wire fraud for what the Department of Justice said was a "multi-year scheme involving fake clients, sham payments, and deceptive loan collateral that caused at least $248 million in losses to numerous victims."
Leonard is possibly involved in a new scandal after a new investigation conducted by Torre, WPRI-TV Target 12, a television station based in Providence, Rhode Island, and investigative news outlet Hunterbrook.
According to the report, Leonard, his uncle Dennis Robertson, and his former agent Mitch Frankel were minority investors in Rhode Island FC and its stadium project.
The project, located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, became Centreville Bank Stadium, a 10,500-seat facility on the Seekonk River, which received $110 million in public funds to help with construction costs. That plan included the development of new affordable housing, shops and restaurants around the stadium.
Not a single housing unit has been built so far since ground was broken in 2022 for the stadium and the other projects, although city officials said last month that they secured $30 million in investments through loans. Construction on the project is slated to start later this year and is expected to last three to four years.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers handshake after the game on February 5, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Two years ago, Joel Embiid found himself envious of Jayson Tatum.
At the time, Tatum and the Boston Celtics were fresh off winning the 2023-24 NBA championship. The Celtics took advantage of a few CBA loopholes to build an unsustainably deep team (as the past two offseasons have coldly demonstrated), and Embiid took notice.
That summer, Embiid’s trainer, Drew Hanlen, said the big fella gave him “trouble” about Tatum.
“Well, yeah, he’s got a superteam,” Hanlen said while impersonating Embiid. “If I had a superteam too, I would win too, you know?”
Embiid, who was sitting right next to him, chimed in: “I mean, I tell him the same thing. Like, if I go 5-for-20, we get blown out.”
Joel Embiid speaks on Jayson Tatum’s super team. 👀
Tatum’s former teammate, 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, is now in Philadelphia. He wasn’t the Sixers’ only blockbuster acquisition this offseason, either. The Brown trade helped convince LeBron James to finish his career in the City of Brotherly Love on a two-year, veteran-minimum contract. (It’s been nearly a week and that last sentence is still hard to comprehend.)
Between LeBron, Brown, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, the Sixers arguably have the most star-studded starting five in the NBA. However, championships aren’t won on paper. The Sixers have plenty of work to do over the next year (or two) to figure out their new hierarchy.
Embiid will be key in that.
Embiid’s role on the new-look Sixers
Due to Embiid’s lengthy injury history, the Sixers already spent the past season pivoting away from revolving around him. The arrivals of Brown and LeBron should only accelerate that.
The Sixers no longer need Embiid to average 30-plus points per game for them to have a chance most nights. If anything, they need Embiid to take a hard turn in the opposite direction. They need him to focus on more of the traditional big-man responsibilities.
Last season, Embiid averaged a career-low 7.7 rebounds per game, and the Sixers were 17th in rebounds per game and 14th in rebounding percentage. This offseason, they effectively swapped Andre Drummond, one of the generation’s best rebounders, for Ariel Hukporti, who served as the New York Knicks’ third-string center last season. They also lost Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr., who were fourth and fifth on the team in rebounds per game last year, respectively.
Adding Brown and LeBron should help make up for the departures of George and Oubre in the rebounding department, but Hukporti and Adem Bona aren’t likely to gobble up rebounds like Drummond did. The Sixers need Embiid to hone his box-out techniques and limit opposing teams’ chances of grabbing offensive rebounds.
Embiid also needs to focus more on screen-setting offensively instead of standing at the elbow and demanding the ball. During the regular season last year, Embiid was tied with Lakers center Deandre Ayton for sixth leaguewide in screen assists per game (3.7), and he was tied with Celtics center Neemias Queta for fourth in screen assists points per game (8.8). In last year’s playoffs, he was third in both screen assists (4.6) and screen assist points (10.7) per game, trailing only Oso Ighodaro and Rudy Gobert.
Given the amount of offensive talent on this Sixers roster, Embiid should make it a goal to lead the league in both categories this year. The co-stars in his supporting cast could help make that a reality, too.
Since Embiid no longer has to average 30-plus points per game every night, he can reserve more of his energy for defense, rebounding and screen-setting. He doesn’t need to command the ball on most offensive possessions anymore. LeBron and Maxey figure to be the primary conductors, while Edgecombe and Brown will chip in as well.
That isn’t to say that the Sixers should pivot away from Embiid entirely and turn him into a glorified DeAndre Jordan. It would be a waste of his talent not to take advantage of his 1-on-1 post scoring and his improved passing vision. But neither Embiid nor the rest of the team should ever feel compelled to play hero ball. They have enough talent in their starting five to routinely generate great shot attempts.
The “there’s only one ball!” concern-trolling isn’t going away, at least not until we see these new-look Sixers in action. If Embiid were younger, healthier and in the midst of his MVP prime, perhaps it would be more of a legitimate worry. But Embiid should be at a stage of his career where his individual production no longer matters to him. He’s earned generational wealth and a host of individual accolades. The one thing he still hasn’t done in the NBA is go on a deep playoff run, much less win a title.
The additions of LeBron and Brown this offseason will give Embiid his best-ever chance of doing that. There’s no guarantee of how long that lasts, though. LeBron signed a two-year deal, but he’s turning 42 in December. The Sixers are suddenly smack-dab in a win-now window that appeared all but closed a month ago.
Taking advantage of that will require major sacrifice from everyone, not just Embiid. But for Embiid—the crown jewel and last remnant of the Process—buying into a reduced role and a sharper focus on the little things could make all the difference for the new-look Sixers.
Draymond Green is no stranger to being vocal. He has no qualms with talking trash and no reservations about speaking up when he disagrees with something.
So when Green disagreed with being ranked ninth on Bleacher Report’s list of the top 50 trash-talkers in NBA history, he did exactly what he does to earn his spot on that list: “Talk that s–t.”
“This is trash talking. And this is talking that s–t. And that’s what I do. I talk that s–t,” Green said on a recent episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.” “So No. 9, I think, is a bit wild. I’ll go toe-to-toe with any of these guys when it comes to doing that.”
Draymond reacts to @BleacherReport Top 50 Trash-Talkers Ever list
"This one I will argue, I think I'm above all these guys, ah man it's defense, it's offense, it's 3-point… this is trash talking and this is talking that s**t and that's what I do, I talk that shit, so number 9… pic.twitter.com/PRHEaOouvD
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) July 27, 2026
The eight players ranked above Green, in order, are Larry Bird, Kevin Garnett, Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant, Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley and Rasheed Wallace.
“This one I will argue. I think I’m above all these guys,” Green said.
Green ultimately expressed gratitude for his inclusion in the top 10 and appreciation for the elite company he is among on the list.
“Needless to say, these are all Hall of Fame basketball players. And another top-10 list that I’m happy to be on,” Green said.
Green is the highest-ranked active player on the list, and he almost certainly will be joining seven of the eight players ranked above him in the Hall of Fame after his retirement.
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 9: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 9, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With all the moves the Atlanta Hawks have made this season, some would think that they would done trying to add players. I mean, they have over the standard amount of players on the team, which means somebody is either going to be traded or waived at some point before the start of the season. Nonetheless, the Hawks are still being mentioned in rumors as they try to acquire another player on the team.
The latest rumor came from Shams Charania, as he named the Hawks as one of three teams looking to pursue restricted free agent Peyton Watson. The Denver Nuggets have been trying to find a way to retain him, but his price tag might be too high for them, and they’re currently the only team in the second apron.
The Nuggets can still find a way to keep him and not be too deep in a financial hole, but it would either require them trading other players or him playing on his qualified offer. If neither one of those options works out, there’s a good chance that he’s on a new team next season.
That’s where the Hawks could potentially come into play.
How Peyton Watson fits with the Hawks
It makes sense why the Hawks might be interested in Watson, and he fits everything they want to do on both sides of the ball.
On offense, Watson’s 6’8 frame makes him hard to guard, especially when he’s driving to the paint, which is something he did a lot with the Nuggets. He’s pretty athletic as well, and can get shifty when he’s going up for a layup. The Nuggets didn’t need Watson to create his own shot all the time, but when he did have the ball in his hands, he knew what to do with it.
As far as off-the-ball goes, when you have a player like Nikola Jokic on the team, cutting is essential, and Watson was good at creating shots by doing so. Whether he’s on or off the ball, Watson’s strengths would fit in perfectly with what the Hawks want to do on offense, strictly because he’d thrive with the constant ball movement. Not to forget to mention, Watson shot 41.1% from the 3-point line this past season, and the Hawks are consistently getting those shots up.
On defense, Watson’s length comes into play once again, and he’s good for meeting people at the rim if he has the right angle. He’s good for using his wingspan to get steals, and once he’s in transition, it’s hard to stop him.
The Hawks already have several wings on their team, but he’d be one of the tallest next to Jalen Johnson, who is also 6’8. That would be a plus for the team, and his skill set would go well with the Hawks.
How could the Hawks acquire Peyton Watson?
The Hawks would have to acquire Watson through a sign-and-trade, and the Nuggets are rumored to want a really good high-level player and a first-round pick. The Hawks have some assets that they could offer the Nuggets, but it may get complicated when looking at both of their current situations.
The Nuggets are in the second apron, and their goal shouldn’t be to get themselves deeper in a hole. That means they may have to trade more players, or they might just have to ask for more picks.
With the Hawks having 17 players currently on the roster, they could trade players such as Buddy Hield and Corey Kispert, but those aren’t the level of players they’re looking for in return. Other than that, it’s hard to see the Hawks giving up any of their core players, especially since acquiring Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort in a trade.
In that case, the Hawks and Nuggets may have to find a third team to get into the deal, but it may be even harder to pull that off unless that team is getting something valuable in return.
Out of the current teams who have interest in Watson, the Hawks might have the hardest path, but with them actually being interested shows that they know a path in getting him without making things complicated.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 05: Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks before 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
Part I explored the rationale to start Myles Turner. Part II argued for his demotion to the bench. In each of those scenarios, Turner plays a pivotal role in Milwaukee. Of course, it may just be best to cut (ties and trade) him before the season even begins.
Cut (okay, trade): Committing to the reset
Look, this one goes against the cardinal rule I outlined in Part I. But sometimes even the most steadfast of rules needs to be broken. And in the Bucks’ case, breaking this rule would signal a whole-hearted commitment to the reset, clearing away the last real remnants of desperation that came with going “all in” with Giannis (well, besides Gary Trent Jr.).
Turner’s arrival in Milwaukee was met with skepticism from the moment news broke of his signing. Yes, there was buzz—no one foresaw Jon Horst even thinking about waiving and stretching Damian Lillard, let alone following through with it to sign the best free agent available, from the team’s biggest rival no less—but after the shockwave passed, few thought it could really help the Bucks contend. As we know, they were right. And now that Giannis has gone, moving on from Turner would give the new young Bucks a chance to start with a truly clean slate.
But would trading Turner now really be selling him for ten cents on the dollar? If you haven’t seen our numerous articles about it, recent scuttlebutt has linked the Bucks to Denver Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson. And while this is without a doubt intriguing, the Nuggets’ alleged asking price of a Walker Kessler-like deal has all but ruled that out (especially with Ryan Rollins off the table).
As a reminder, the Los Angeles Lakers gave up two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round swaps to acquire Kessler in a sign-and-trade from the Utah Jazz. Yet Kessler, a rim protecting centre who doesn’t have Turner’s floor-spacing, commanded that trade despite playing just five games this past season. And he’s never averaged more than 11.1 PPG, a number Turner has only failed to surpass once in his 11-year career—and that came as a rookie.
Slate-cleaning and underrated trade value aside, moving on from Turner might also be a wise thing to do as part of Milwaukee’s bid to build its culture. Yes, Turner may be one of the team’s elder statesmen and, yes, it’s true that the 2025-26 Bucks were a complete mess of a team. But Turner airing the team’s dirty laundry on his podcast after the season isn’t what you want from a leader either. For a reminder, here’s what Yahoo Sports’ Andy Backstrom reported about it:
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner revealed on his podcast with New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart that former Bucks head coach Doc Rivers “didn’t fine anybody ever” this past season, and that superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was the teammate who was most likely to be late for team events.
“Guys were late all the time,” Turner told Stewart on a new episode of “Game Recognize Game” that was released Thursday. “Guys were showing up to film whenever they wanted to show up. Guys were missing meetings. It was one of the craziest things I personally ever experienced.”
As Backstrom reported, Turner didn’t stop there:
“If the plane took off at 2 o’clock, we weren’t leaving till 4:30,” said Turner, who left the Pacers last offseason to sign a four-year deal worth more than $100 million with Milwaukee after it waived Damian Lillard.
Turner continued: “I’m being so serious, bro. It was crazy, dawg. Guys were an hour late to the plane. It got to the point where I knew not to show up until an hour after they said the plane was taking off. It was crazy.”
When Stewart asked Turner which teammate was most likely to be late, he didn’t have to do much thinking.
“Oh, that’s easy,” he said. “Giannis. Giannis is going to show up whenever he wants, really. I think that this kind of just came with the territory that — and once I saw it was going down, I was like, ‘Hey man, s***, more power to you. They ain’t going to fine you. S***, do what you do.’”
In reality, these are not the worst collections of comments a player could say about his team, but they’re certainly not a good look either. Especially if Turner didn’t actively try to do anything about it when it was happening. So, with the Bucks loaded with impressionable young talent, a move that ships off Turner for draft capital—and potentially a wiser presence—may be preferable.
The most obvious partner is the Toronto Raptors, who are in a position to be competitive, have a need at centre—especially one who can space the floor—and would likely give up draft picks to move Jakob Poeltl and the $104m he’s owed through the 2029-30 season. Another team that might be interested is the Los Angeles Clippers, who currently project to start 38-year-old Brook Lopez (no offense, Splash, we’ll always love ya). Heck, there are even scenarios where the Phoenix Suns, who are rightly or wrongly trying to win, and Brooklyn Nets, whose only legitimate centre is Day’Ron Sharpe, are suitors. For this thought exercise, though, it’s the notion that’s important; the team doesn’t really matter.
All options considered—start, bench, or trade—I’d like to see Turner stick around in Milwaukee, with the caveat that Kel’el Ware starts from day one. Myles, it’s time to embrace the bench and become the voice that unites and guides the Bucks back to relevancy.
There you have it, Brew Hoop community, the complete range of Myles Turner scenarios—unless this writer has missed something. If so, let me know in the comments and share your thoughts on what you think Taylor Jenkins—and/or Jon Horst—should do with last year’s prized free agency addition.
