Category: Basketball

Evaluating Kings rookies, second-year guys through eight NBA summer league games originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The unbeaten Kings arrived to Las Vegas after a 3-0 showing in the California Classic, then went on to win just two of their remaining five summer league games.

They started off strong in the annual NBA Summer League showcase in Sin City, with all eyes on the Darius Acuff Jr. vs. Keaton Wagler matchup Thursday at Thomas & Mack Center.

Their next matchup brought them face-to-face with the No. 1 overall pick, AJ Dybantsa, and the Washington Wizards.

Sacramento faced Brooklyn a second time this summer, and that was proof that no matchup is the same.

Finally, they took on the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets to close out their summer showdown. Or, whatever you want to call it.

Summer league is the time to figure things out and adapt to one another. The Kings took full advantage of that, but there still is plenty to figure out.

Here are three takeaways from the Kings’ performance through eight summer league games as they posted a 5-3 record:

The rookies

No matter what game it was, what day it was, what the matchup was — all eyes always were on Acuff.

The No. 7 overall pick strung together a mixed bag through five total summer league games. He was really good at the things he was projected to be really good at, mostly, and he struggled in the areas he was expected to.

Perhaps the most glaring thing was his efficiency — or inefficiency — shooting the ball. But he’s a proven three-level scorer, so that likely will come with more reps at the NBA level.

Acuff looked like a rising star at the California Classic, dropping 25 points in his Kings debut and 22 points the following game. He attempted 48 shots between the two games.

He carried over the high-level scoring in his Vegas debut, outshining the No. 5 overall pick, Keaton Wagler, in Sacramento’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. Wagler couldn’t get much going offensively through 27 minutes, finishing with seven points on 1-7 shooting and 1 of 5 from 3-point range but making three of his four free-throw attempts. He also had two rebounds, one assist and one turnover, and was a minus-23 in plus/minus rating.

Acuff’s showing was much more promising after taking 13 more shot attempts than Wagler. The No. 7 overall pick finished with 19 points on 6-of-20 shooting from the field and 3 of 9 from long range, with three rebounds, seven assists, two steals, one block and four turnovers in 28 minutes.

Overall, in five contests, Acuff averaged 20.8 points on 35-percent shooting from the field and 27.8 percent from 3-point range, with 1.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.8 turnovers.

Meanwhile, Sacramento’s other 2026 first-round draft pick, Alex Karaban, missed all of the California Classic with an ankle sprain and made his summer league debut against the Clippers. He went scoreless in 24 minutes, missing all six of his shot attempts. He scored his first points against the Wizards on Sunday, knocking down a 24-foot 3-pointer. He finished with four points against the Nets and then blossomed against the Celtics, scoring a game-high 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting and making five of his 7 3-point attempts, with eight rebounds, one steal and one turnover.

He backed that up with an efficient 14-point performance in the finale against the Hornets.

Overall, Karaban averaged 8.4 points on 38-percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from downtown, with 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 turnovers in five games.

Finally, Emanuel Sharp looked the most poised, steady, and frankly, impressive of the bunch.

He looked like a product that just came out of Coach Kelvin Sampson’s program. At his introductory press conference in Sacramento, Sharp disclosed that he believes his defense is the most underrated part of his game. A few days later, he showcased just that. Watching him play defense has got to be as much of a treat for coach Doug Christie as it is for everyone else watching. He. Is. Everywhere.

He plays more physical than his size at 6-foot-3 (and probably more physical than allowed in a real NBA game). He is smart on both ends of the floor, and he plays with passion and emotion. It’s really beautiful to watch.

Sharp, who played the most games among the rookies, averaged 15.7 points on 37-percent shooting from the field, and he didn’t hesitate to let it fly from beyond the arc with 63 3-point attempts and a 34.9 percent clip, adding three rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.6 steals in seven games.

The second-year guys

Rookies entering summer league have a very unique experience. There is a little more leeway for mistakes and adjustments. With the second-year guys, not so much.

After going through a full 82-game NBA season, a second summer league stint is intended to grow and improve where you lacked as a rookie.

Let’s start with Nique Clifford, Sacramento’s sole first-round pick in 2025. Clifford needed to improve his decisiveness and aggressiveness with the ball as he approaches Year 2. At times as a rookie, he didn’t handle ball pressure well and sometimes appeared to lack confidence against good NBA defenses.

While his confidence appeared to take a significant leap on the court, there still were several instances where he looked lost or out of place with the ball in his hands. A part of that did seem to stem from being around newer rookie teammates, but that’s no excuse.

There were definitely improvements across the board with Clifford’s game, but none that wowed the crowd. Yet. There still is time to develop those skills in Year 2.

Max Raynaud has looked like a second-round steal for Scott Perry and the Kings after a promising rookie campaign. But as always, there are things to work on.

Raynaud missed all of the California Classic as he was playing for the French national team. He returned for the second game in Vegas and picked up right where he left off. Raynaud dropped a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double in his 2026 summer league debut.

His defense and rim protection need to improve, and in a small sample size, Raynaud still isn’t where he needs to be in those departments.

Dylan Cardwell has been a gem for the Kings in every way possible. The high-vibe, good-energy big man instantly became a fan favorite as a rookie. While he’s been able to hold his own defensively, the Kings need him to produce more offensively.

Cardwell averaged 8.5 points, eight rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.8 blocks through six games.

Additionally, while the Kings certainly love and welcome his physicality, he needs to be smarter and defend without fouling. The Kings are better with him on the court, so he needs to ensure he’s available to be there.

Other notes

Turnovers were an issue for the Kings last year, and they only got worse in summer league.

Overall, Sacramento turned the ball over 118 times through eight games, including a 28-turnover game in a blowout loss to the Nets.

Acuff had a lot of those. But so did the second-year guys.

Last season, the Kings also struggled to start games off strong. That carried over in the California Classic and Summer League. Many speculated that Sacramento’s slow play last year was because of its older veterans. But a team led by 19-to 24-year-olds shouldn’t be playing this sluggishly.

There is no need to hit the panic alarms just yet, though.

Let’s check back in a few months.

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast

Evaluating Kings rookies, second-year guys through eight NBA summer league games originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The unbeaten Kings arrived in Las Vegas after a 3-0 showing in the California Classic, then went on to win just two of their remaining five summer league games.

They started strong in the annual NBA Summer League showcase in Sin City, with all eyes on the Darius Acuff Jr. vs. Keaton Wagler matchup Thursday at Thomas & Mack Center.

Their next matchup brought them face-to-face with the No. 1 overall pick, AJ Dybantsa, and the Washington Wizards.

Sacramento faced Brooklyn a second time this summer, and that was proof that no matchup is the same.

Finally, they took on the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets to close out their summer showcase. Or, whatever you want to call it.

Summer league is the time to figure things out and adapt to one another. The Kings took full advantage of that, but there still is plenty to figure out.

Here are three takeaways from the Kings’ performance through eight summer league games as they posted a 5-3 record:

The rookies

No matter what game it was, what day it was, what the matchup was — all eyes always were on Acuff.

The No. 7 overall pick strung together a mixed bag through five total summer league games. He was really good at the things he was projected to be really good at, mostly, and he struggled in the areas he was expected to.

Perhaps the most glaring thing was his efficiency — or inefficiency — shooting the ball. But he’s a proven three-level scorer, so that likely will come with more reps at the NBA level.

Acuff looked like a rising star at the California Classic, dropping 25 points in his Kings debut and 22 points the following game. He attempted 48 shots between the two games.

He carried over the high-level scoring in his Vegas debut, outshining Wagler, the No. 5 overall pick, in Sacramento’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. Wagler couldn’t get much going offensively through 27 minutes, finishing with seven points on 1-of-7 shooting and 1 of 5 from 3-point range but making three of his four free-throw attempts. He also had two rebounds, one assist and one turnover, and was a minus-23 in plus/minus rating.

Acuff’s showing was much more promising after taking 13 more shot attempts than Wagler. The No. 7 overall pick finished with 19 points on 6-of-20 shooting from the field and 3 of 9 from long range, with three rebounds, seven assists, two steals, one block and four turnovers in 28 minutes.

Overall, in five contests, Acuff averaged 20.8 points on 35-percent shooting from the field and 27.8 percent from 3-point range, with 1.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.8 turnovers.

Meanwhile, Sacramento’s other 2026 first-round draft pick, Alex Karaban, missed all of the California Classic with an ankle sprain and made his summer league debut against the Clippers. He went scoreless in 24 minutes, missing all six of his shot attempts. He scored his first points against the Wizards on Sunday, knocking down a 24-foot 3-pointer. He finished with four points against the Nets and then blossomed against the Celtics, scoring a game-high 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting and making five of his 7 3-point attempts, with eight rebounds, one steal and one turnover.

He backed that up with an efficient 14-point performance in the finale against the Hornets.

Overall, Karaban averaged 8.4 points on 38-percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from downtown, with 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 turnovers in five games.

Finally, Emanuel Sharp looked the most poised, steady, and frankly, impressive of the bunch.

He looked like a product that just came out of Coach Kelvin Sampson’s program. At his introductory press conference in Sacramento, Sharp disclosed that he believes his defense is the most underrated part of his game. A few days later, he showcased just that. Watching him play defense has got to be as much of a treat for coach Doug Christie as it is for everyone else watching. He. Is. Everywhere.

He plays more physically than his size at 6-foot-3 (and probably more physical than allowed in a real NBA game). He is smart on both ends of the floor, and he plays with passion and emotion. It’s really beautiful to watch.

Sharp, who played the most games among the rookies, averaged 15.7 points on 37-percent shooting from the field, and he didn’t hesitate to let it fly from beyond the arc with 63 3-point attempts and a 34.9 percent clip, adding three rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.6 steals in seven games.

The second-year guys

Rookies entering summer league have a very unique experience. There is a little more leeway for mistakes and adjustments. With the second-year guys, not so much.

After going through a full 82-game NBA season, a second summer league stint is intended to grow and improve where they lacked as a rookie.

Let’s start with Nique Clifford, Sacramento’s sole first-round pick in 2025. He needed to improve his decisiveness and aggressiveness with the ball as he approaches Year 2. At times, as a rookie, he didn’t handle ball pressure well and sometimes appeared to lack confidence against good NBA defenses.

While his confidence appeared to take a significant leap on the court, there still were several instances where Clifford looked lost or out of place with the ball in his hands. A part of that did seem to stem from being around newer rookie teammates, but that’s not an excuse.

There were definitely improvements across the board with Clifford’s game, but none that wowed the crowd. Yet. There still is time to develop those skills in Year 2.

Max Raynaud has looked like a second-round steal for Scott Perry and the Kings after a promising rookie campaign. But as always, there are things to work on.

Raynaud missed the entire California Classic while playing for the French national team. He returned for the second game in Vegas and picked up right where he left off. Raynaud dropped a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double in his 2026 summer league debut.

His defense and rim protection need to improve, and in a small sample size, Raynaud still isn’t where he needs to be in those departments.

Dylan Cardwell has been a gem for the Kings in every way possible. The high-vibe, good-energy big man instantly became a fan favorite as a rookie. While he’s been able to hold his own defensively, the Kings need him to produce more offensively.

Cardwell averaged 8.5 points, eight rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.8 blocks through six games.

Additionally, while the Kings certainly love and welcome his physicality, he needs to be smarter and defend without fouling. The Kings are better with him on the court, so he needs to ensure he’s available to be there.

Other notes

Turnovers were an issue for the Kings last year, and they only got worse in summer league.

Overall, Sacramento turned the ball over 118 times through eight games, including a 28-turnover performance in a blowout loss to the Nets.

Acuff had a lot of those. But so did the second-year guys.

Last season, the Kings also struggled to start games off strong. That carried over in the California Classic and NBA Summer League. Many speculated that Sacramento’s slow play last year was because of its older veterans. But a team led by 19-to 24-year-olds shouldn’t be playing this sluggishly.

There is no need to hit the panic alarms just yet, though.

Let’s check back in a few months.

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast

The LeBron James free-agent sweepstakes remains one of the country’s top sports stories.

The 41-year-old revealed a timeline for the highly touted decision, but he was brief.

“I won’t hold you guys up too much longer,” James said at Fanatics Fest in New York on Thursday.

It’s unclear how soon that will be. Quite frankly, it could mean hours, days or weeks before James makes the announcement that has kept the entire league on its toes.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver admitted the NBA hasn’t released its schedule because of the James free-agency saga.

“We have to finish up the schedule and where LeBron plays affects the schedule … It will influence how we set the schedule — opening week, Christmas. So I need him to make a decision,” Silver said.

But James has taken his time to mull over options this summer.

The four teams that have continuously been linked to James throughout the offseason are the Cavaliers, Heat, 76ers and Warriors. The latter was speculated to be out of the running until the tide seemingly turned in their favor a few days ago.

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Despite being a 23-year NBA veteran, James remains one of the NBA’s biggest stars, and Silver’s reluctance to release the schedule before knowing where he signs is proof of the hefty influence.

James is reportedly not expected to make the announcement over the weekend, which could mean that the news is set to be made as soon as next week.

The Basics

Height: 6’6
Weight: 357 pounds
College: Georgia
Experience: 6

Celeveland is a born-and-bred Georgia boy who hails from the town of Toccoa. He starred at Stephens County High School, earning a four-star rating (No. 6 offensive guard nationally) as a prospect and an invite to the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Game. Staying true to his roots, Cleveland chose to continue his atheltic career at the University of Georgia.

Despite being a high-caliber recruit, Cleveland redshirted his first season on campus which obviously speaks to the talent that was going through the UGA program at the time. During his redshirt freshman season, Cleveland played in all 15 games and earned his first career starts in which he played right guard in the final five contests of the year.

In 2018, Cleveland started the first games of the season at right guard before suffering a lower body injury. He missed six games during the year and came back to play four more but as a backup.

The following year, Cleveland started just seven of 13 games at right guard as he continued to be in and out of the starting lineup. The 2020 season finally saw Cleveland put it all together as he started all nine games in the pandemic-shortened season. He was named a Third-Team All-American by the Associated Press and a First-Team All-SEC selection by all 14 coaches in the conference.

Cleveland was a eventually selected in the third round (94th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. As a rookie, he started four games before a knee injury suffered in Week Five put him on injured/reserve until November 20th. Overall he played in 12 games, but only logged those first four games as starts.

In 2022, Cleveland played in nine games but logged just one start at right guard. The 2023 season was more of the same with just two starts while playing a role in 16 games.

Cleveland was completely out of the starting lineup in 2024 but played in all 17 games on the team’s kick protection unit. In his final year with the Ravens, he played in 10 games with no starts before being suspended on December 8th. Following his reinstatement on January 1st, Cleveland was waived by the Ravens.

Four days later, Cleveland was signed by the Chargers. He did not make an appearance with the team and was later signed to a reserve/futures contract.

The Good

Cleveland is a mammoth offensive lineman at a true 6’6 and weighing anywhere between 345-360 pounds throughout his career. He’s also strong as an ox with 30 bench press reps at the NFL Combine during his draft year.

The Bad

Despite being a former four-star recruit and third-round pick of the Ravens, Cleveland has not panned out the way many expected him to, even in that tailor-made offense for him around Lamar Jackson. He’s now on his second team of his career and so far this offseason, there haven’t been any notable reports regarding his position on the two-deeps.

2026 Outlook

Cleveland was signed late in 2025 to help provide depth through the final weeks of the regular season and into the playoffs. The Chargers signed Cleveland to a new deal that kept him with the team through the offseason, but I can’t help but see the shift to the Mike McDaniel offense as a massive red flag for his chances of making the final roster. He was a perfect fit for Greg Roman’s power run scheme, but he’s not the dynamic athlete McDaniel covets at guard in his offense. Cleveland was already going to have a tough time making the active roster with so many other bodies better-suited for running outside zone. But now as we inch closer to training camp, I can only see him competing with Trevor Penning for the very last spot (if the Chargers once again choose to keep nine on the active roster).

LeBron James, still an unrestricted free agent, has been on a media tour.

He was a prominent figure at Fanatics Fest in New York, appearing in a live taping of a podcast with Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. He was part of a CNBC panel and was named the “Athlete of the Century” at the Time100 Sports Gala.

Yet when asked about his next team, James was only coy, deflecting and dodging questions, even though he hinted that his final decision may have even already been made.

“I would like him to make his announcement already, so we can finish the schedule,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday, July 16 during the CNBC Sport x Boardroom Game Plan Summit. “Because, as you might imagine, the teams are calling us, the networks are calling us, and everybody wants to lock in the (NBA regular season) schedule.”

So, what’s the reason for the holdup?

The short answer: James is taking his time because he can. No active player in the NBA has the stature and reputation that he does, so he has earned the right to conduct business on his own terms.

If it means deliberating for weeks, then so be it. If it means indulging James, should this be what he wants, allowing him to bask in the pursuit and attention he’s drawing from other teams, then so be it. Even if that means generating more footage for a rumored documentary about his season and the end of his career, so be it.

Whether prospective teams and fan bases like it or not, these are simply the operational costs of signing a player like LeBron James.

LeBron's goal: What's most important is that I want to compete and join a franchise that's practicing championship habits daily

LeBron James has all the information he needs. He'll control the pace

Practically everything James does, at least professionally, is by design. He’s a detail-oriented athlete and businessman, and he’s image-conscious. So whenever a decision comes down – whether he or his agent Rich Paul leak it to their preferred reporter or whether James announces it himself on social media or in a first-person op-ed – it will be executed the way he wants it.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a 22-time All-Star, James will embark on his record 24^th NBA season. He has maintained that he wants to compete for championships. Earlier in the week, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told USA TODAY Sports that James has all the information he needs from prospective teams and that he would be weighing his options.

James has been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. Cleveland and Miami, on one level, appear to make the most sense, given James’ previous ties to both franchises. If I had to guess where he ends up, I think it’s one of those two.

Either way, James is certainly assessing each of those rosters and trying to ascertain where he fits best and which gives him the most likely chance to win. Presumably, this will be the final stop of James’ career, so it makes sense for him to be calculated and deliberate. That’s only magnified further if James is indeed leaning toward the 76ers, Warriors or Timberwolves, each of which would be new stops.

So my best suggestion to fans who might be tired of the speculation is to embrace patience, because at the end of the day, James is going to do things the way he wants. He has earned that right.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is LeBron James' free agency decision taking so long? Because he's earned this | Opinion

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The Memphis Grizzlies continue to mourn the loss of 29-year-old Brandon Clarke, who died on May 11.

The team's latest tribute to the late-power forward included a tribute memorial in his honor, placed in the Grizzlies locker room at FedEx Forum located in Memphis, Tennessee.

Grizzlies center Zach Edey posted a picture to his social media page on Instagram where he revealed a depiction of a memorial that reads, "Brandon Clarke 1996-2026 Forever in our hearts".

The memorial is next to enlarged poster images of Jaylen Wells and former Grizzlies point guard, Ja Morant, who was traded to the Portland Trail Blazer on June 29.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke," the Grizzlies announced in a May tweet. "Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten. We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Remembering Brandon Clarke

Clarke was the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He spent his entire career with the Grizzlies following a trade to Memphis on July 7, 2019.

Clarke was born in Vancouver and moved to the United States when he was 3. He grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where he eventually starred at Desert Vista High School.

"Sad day," Sam Duane Jr., who coached Corona del Sol to that 2015 state championship win over Desert Vista, told the Arizona Republic. "Brandon was a tremendous player, elite competitor. He played with great passion and intensity, while, at the same time, respected his opponents and the game. He was extremely hard to compete against, but easy to root for."

Clarke went on to play at San Jose State, where he earned the Mountain West Conference Sixth Man of the Year as a freshman. After playing his sophomore season in the Bay Area, he transferred to Gonzaga and spent his final two collegiate seasons with the Bulldogs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Grizzlies pay tribute to Brandon Clarke with locker room memorial

We just got our biggest clue about LeBron James’ free-agency decision. 

One person has more influence over him than anyone else. 

It’s not his close friend Draymond Green, who had his ear during recent travels. Nor Steph Curry, who made a pitch for him to join the Warriors on “Good Morning America.”

It’s not Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 31-year-old superstar who was traded to Miami last month. Nor Heat president Pat Riley, who after acquiring Antetokounmpo said, “There’s another [plane] we have to land.”

It’s not Brandon Weems, James’ childhood friend who’s now an assistant general manager for the Cavaliers. Or Tyrese Maxey, who’s leading the 76ers’ pursuit of the megastar. 

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So, who is it?

“It’s my almost 12-year-old daughter who is pulling the weight a lot,” James said during a conversation with Rich Kleiman at Fanatics Fest on Thursday. 

Yes, the fate of arguably the greatest NBA player of all time lies in the hands of a middle schooler.

James is 41 years old and has played an unprecedented 23 NBA seasons. He knows better than anyone the sacrifice greatness requires. He still shows up to practice facilities three hours early. He still arrives at arenas five hours before tipoff. 

So, when he decided to leave the Lakers after eight seasons — his longest consecutive stretch anywhere in his career — his professional and personal goals collided. 

It meant he would not only be away from his family because he wholeheartedly devotes himself to the sport, but for the first time in his career he’d likely be in a different city than them. 

Zhuri is his main concern. 

His wife, Savannah, signed up for this life. As for his sons? Bronny is almost 22 and plays for the Lakers. Bryce is 19 and plays for Arizona. 

Zhuri has lived in Los Angeles since she was a preschooler. It’s where her friends are. It’s where she’s becoming a volleyball star. Uprooting her would be extremely difficult. 

That’s why it’s hard to imagine James choosing anywhere besides Golden State to finish his career. 

He’d be a 45-minute flight from Los Angeles, which is less time than it took him to commute from his Brentwood home to the downtown arena when he played for the Lakers.

You think he’d want to go to the East Coast and be a five-hour flight from his family?

I don’t see that happening. Sorry, Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia. 

His third free-agency decision is bigger than basketball. It’s about his happiness. And that’s inextricably tied to being close to his daughter. 

On the Fourth of July, James revealed that he had a conversation with Zhuri. 

“I pulled her to the side, and I was like, ‘Baby, I don’t want you to hear from nobody else, but I won’t be playing for the Lakers next year,'” James said at Fanatics Fest. “I will be playing somewhere else. So, I won’t be home all the time. And you may not have an answer right now — you can give me an answer now, you can wait, you can write it down. Just want to know how you’re feeling about it because you mean a lot to me.”

James has always taken fatherhood very seriously. His dad was absent. He vowed to be different.

His dream was to become the first NBA player to play alongside his son. After his first season alongside Bronny in 2024-25, he was asked where that ranked among his accomplishments, including four championships and four MVP Awards. 

“Number one, for sure,” he said. “That’s easy. It’s not even close.”

As for Zhuri? 

She has him wrapped around her finger. 

He brought her on the first father-daughter trip of his career in February when the Lakers played the Warriors. They visited Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. They went out to dinner. 

She was on the court with him as he warmed up before the game. She made a trick shot behind her back from the foul line and then gave her dad a high-five. She threw him a lob. 

“It’s definitely softened me up,” James said of being a girl dad after the Lakers’ 129-101 win on Feb. 28. “So, it’s special to have her. You know, it’s a different type of love.”

A few months later, James posted on Instagram a Father’s Day card from Zhuri in which she praised him for being “steady, patient and always there when it mattered the most.” In the caption, James wrote that he “couldn’t hold” back the emotions. 

James has hinted that next season might not be his last one. Currently, his top destinations are Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Minnesota. 

But it’s hard to imagine James choosing anywhere besides the Warriors — and not because he’d play alongside the greatest shooter of all time on the league’s modern-day dynasty.

“People are like, hurry up and make a goddamn decision, Bron,” he said at Fanatics Fest. “It’s like, OK, it’s not just about the team.

“… I won’t hold you guys up too much longer,” he said. “But the family portion is huge for me.”

James wants to win his fifth ring. He wants to enjoy his teammates. He wants the end of his illustrious career to be meaningful. 

There are many considerations. 

But at the top of that list is an 11-year-old girl whom he loves more than anything. 

Traditionally, the Las Vegas Summer League serves as a location for evaluating established young talent and first-round draft picks. Entering the summer, many assumed the Knicks’ 39th-overall selection, Jack Kayil, was your typical draft-and-stash prospect. Providing more fuel to that expectation, his name was absent from the initial summer league roster. While New York navigates the financial constraints of the second apron, having Kayil spend next season developing with ALBA Berlin made some sense.

Since then, the trajectory has changed. After securing a last-minute clearance from his team in Germany, Kayil touched down in Las Vegas, joined the SummerKnicks, and demonstrated a level of play that demands a reevaluation of his developmental timeline.

Though Kayil is young, he does not fit the traditional profile of a raw prospect you typically find in the second round. Having recently captured a German Bundesliga championship, he possesses a legitimate European resume.

In Game 5 of the finals against Bayern Munich, his mental toughness was on full display. Facing a 20-point halftime deficit, Kayil conducted a historic comeback, scoring 10 points in the final six minutes of play. It might not be at NBA Finals Game 4 level, but it is still impressive. That level of composure in high-pressure situations is a necessary trait for any guard looking to make their mark in the NBA. Kayil possesses a willingness to take command of an offense when it matters most, similar to another point guard we know well.

Of course, translating European success to the NBA Summer League is never a guarantee. However, Kayil’s performance lacks the typical rookie turbulence witnessed in mid-July. Though the Knicks struggled mightily on offense in his debut against the Spurs, Kayil served as a stabilizing force. Establishing a controlled pace and showcasing impressive poise, he posted a respectable 12 points and three assists.

Elevating his game even further against Detroit, Kayil recorded 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting while connecting on three attempts behind the arc. Defensively, he successfully anchored the point-of-attack defense, registering a team-high 3 steals. Much to the enjoyment of everyone, Kayil operates with the tempo and physical maturity of a seasoned guard.

Jack Kayil today

19 points
4 assists
3 steals
6-13 FG
3-7 3P

Hooping pic.twitter.com/EVOZTcNdJZ

— Teg🚨 (@IQfor3) July 13, 2026

It is worth noting that his performance has not been without flaws. Thursday night against the Warriors provided a reality check, losing to Golden State 87-77. Kayil struggled against the opposing length and deeper roster, ending the game with just 4 points on 2-of-9 shooting. Still, he found a way to impact the game. Contributing five rebounds and four assists over 29 minutes, Kayil showed an understanding of how to affect the game when his shot is heavily contested. This quality alone fits the mold of the Knicks’ championship DNA.

Kayil’s fit with New York’s current roster is intriguing. Offensively, his ability to navigate the pick-and-roll and execute in the clutch projects well. Still, the front office must have enough confidence in his foundation to successfully run the second unit and manage drop coverage. Defensively, he brings point-of-attack intensity, which is a must under Mike Brown. To earn minutes, he must succeed in defending the perimeter and navigating screens. Kayil’s three steals against Detroit show the exact type of disruption Brown’s system demands. If his instincts translate against NBA-caliber talent, Kayil could become an effective, two-way backup point guard.

Jack Kayil. Defense and Transition. pic.twitter.com/iYQhoQ6v5d

— Thorsten Andratschke (@ThortschMann) July 17, 2026

Despite his potential NBA readiness, keeping Kayil in New York for the upcoming season comes with challenges. Of course, we cannot escape discussing the new CBA and the second apron, as they do complicate matters.

If the Knicks choose to offer Kayil a two-way contract, NBA regulations prohibit them from paying his overseas buyout. According to the rules, the buyout would have to be executed strictly between the player and ALBA Berlin. Yes, Kayil would have to independently pay for his buyout in order to accept a two-salary. Truthfully, this financial decision is unlikely.

While a two-roster spot may be available, the Knicks likely lack the cap space to offer their 20-year-old guard a standard NBA contract. That contract is the only legal way New York can cover his international buyout. Of course, this dampens things a little bit.

New York currently possesses a highly talented guard with professional championship experience whose NBA arrival may be blocked by cap constraints. Obviously, whether those constraints should be real is up for debate, but Dolan and company have made it quite clear they have no interest in entering the second apron. Unless Leon Rose successfully maneuvers the cap, or Dolan has a change of heart (unlikely), the Knicks will have to stash a player who looks NBA-ready.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is raring to go with the Heat.

The two-time MVP, acquired by Miami in a blockbuster trade last month, told ESPN that his motivation level is “at a million percent” following the deal.

“It’s a place I feel like brings pressure, and I thrive under pressure. It brings the best out of me,” he said.

“I’m excited to be coached by [Erik Spoelstra]. I’m excited to be around the city. I understand the fans are very passionate, but right now, I’m hungry to win. I want to win and I will do whatever it takes for me to win.”

Antetokounmpo was acquired by the Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, one pick swap and a second-round pick.

His former Bucks teammate, Bobby Portis, also went with him to South Beach.

Now, Antetokounmpo, 31, will look to become the latest star to bring a Larry O’Brien trophy to Miami.

“You walk through the hallways and you see the history and you see the players that have been a part of this organization and things that they’ve done,” he said. “I want to make all the moves that they’ve made worth it.”

Antetokounmpo will suit up in Miami for his 14th NBA season — and on the back of a disappointing few years in Milwaukee.

Following the team’s Finals win in 2021, the Bucks never made it past the second round of the playoffs, and they missed the postseason altogether last year with a 32-50 record.

Antetokounmpo, though, still had a strong individual season, and Portis believes his “hungry” teammate is ready to bounce back.

“Obviously last year, probably not the best year for any one of us. We didn’t make the playoffs. It was kind of injury-riddled last year,” Portis said.

“Obviously the back and forth with getting traded, not getting traded, then get shut down by the team. So I think he has a lot of fuel to the fire and I think the [Miami] fans will be in for a treat.”

The Heat missed the playoffs last year and were eliminated in the first round during the 2024-25 and 2023-24 playoffs.

However, they’re just three years removed from their trip to the Finals in 2023 — and they’ll hope to get back there with Antetokounmpo.

30.5. It’s a number Phoenix Suns fans became very familiar with throughout last season because it represented the team’s preseason over/under for wins. Sure, it was a difficult number to project. Phoenix had spent the summer reshaping its roster, trading away Kevin Durant and waiving Bradley Beal. The projection was rooted as much in uncertainty as it was in the perceived talent walking out the door.

The Suns didn’t merely clear that number. They obliterated it. Phoenix surpassed its preseason win total by 15 games, earning its 31st victory on February 3 with more than two months still remaining in the regular season. I believe Degeneration X has a phrase that could be directed towards the sportsbooks.

And now the line has been set for the 2026–27 Suns.

After an offseason in which the team exchanged Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, Amir Coffey, and Isaiah Livers for Miles Bridges, Luke Kennard, rookie Koa Peat, and Pat Spencer, the projected FanDuel win total sits at 38.5.

What’s the Suns over/under win total for the Phoenix Suns per @FDSportsbook?

38.5

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) July 17, 2026

According to the sportsbooks, the Suns are expected to finish seven wins worse than they did a season ago. You can point to several reasons. Maybe there’s a belief that the Western Conference got stronger, although I don’t necessarily agree with that. Maybe there’s a perception that the Suns got worse, and I definitely don’t agree with that.

So 38.5 becomes the new number. The new benchmark. The latest expectation for Phoenix to exceed. Because the market is saying the Suns are a sub .500 team, something only the bottom six teams in the Western Conference accomplished last season. Maybe I’m naive. I simply don’t see it.

Of course, sportsbooks aren’t trying to predict the future. They’re trying to balance action, and perception plays a role in that. Phoenix still carries the baggage of recent disappointments, while other teams are generating offseason buzz through splashier moves. That’s fine. The Suns spent last season outperforming expectations instead of chasing them. If this roster stays healthy and continues to build on the identity it established a year ago, 38.5 feels less like a ceiling and more like another number waiting to be left in the rearview mirror.

After spending two seasons as the G League head coach, the Lakers are giving Zach Guthrie quite the promotion.

As first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN on Friday morning, Guthrie will be an assistant coach under JJ Redick this season and will also serve as the head of player development.

The Los Angeles Lakers are promoting South Bay coach Zach Guthrie to a Lakers assistant coach and head of player development on JJ Redick's staff, sources tell ESPN. Guthrie guided South Bay to the G League's best record last season.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 17, 2026

Guthrie certainly has helped develop multiple players during his two seasons with the then-South Bay Lakers. The list of players who have spent time in the G League and developed is a growing one in recent years, highlighted by Bronny James, Adou Thiero and Chris Mañon. The likes of Kobe Bufkin, Drew Timme and Jordan Goodwin have also played their way into contracts after spending time in the G League.

More than just development, South Bay has had a success to match it as well. The team made the Western Conference Finals last season after finishing the regular season with a 26-10 record.

Giving him the role of head of player development makes sense and is a just reward for the work he’s done so far. With the Lakers getting much younger this season, it’s nice to see the team place emphasis on developing internally.

It will be interesting to see how the reshuffling works. Ty Abbot was previously hired as the director of player development. Previously, it was announced that Ty Abbott had been named director of player development. However, it looks like his title last season did not reflect that.

Abbot is currently coaching the Lakers’ Summer League team, which has been impressive, so it’s unlikely he’s going anywhere. Perhaps he remains an assistant coach with a focus on player development alongside Guthrie.

Coaching staffs are a place where Mark Walter can flex his financial muscle, as there are far fewer limits on how many teams can have. It’s not a bad thing to have many player development coaches.

There is also, obviously, a need for a new head coach of the G League side, which will be konwn as the Coachella Valley Lakers moving forward. Lindsey Harding is an assistant coach on Redick’s staff and has experience as a G League head coach and could potentially be an option.

It feels more likely, though, that a new person is hired rather than a reshuffling of the current coaching staff.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

For as much heat as Daryl Morey — and to some extent ownership — took for trading Jared McCain at last season’s deadline, let’s not forget that Nick Nurse played at least somewhat of a role in the departure of the team’s 2024 first-round pick. Nurse was quoted as saying McCain had gone through a “tough couple years” back in February when McCain was shipped out to Oklahoma City.

Obviously, Nurse was hinting at the meniscus injury that cut McCain’s rookie year short and the UCL tear in his thumb ahead of training camp. However, McCain was never really fully integrated into Philadelphia’s rotation upon his return from the injury in 2025-26 and was traded before the season even ended. So it stands to reason that Nurse was lukewarm at best on the idea of McCain playing anywhere from 25-35 minutes a night and the writing was on the wall for McCain’s exit out of town.

The primary draft pick Philadelphia received in the trade with Oklahoma City has now been turned into Labaron Philon Jr., a guard who’s only one inch taller than McCain. When Josh Harris and Bob Myers held a press conference announcing Morey’s dismissal, the McCain trade was at the center of a frequent line of questioning from the local media.  Nurse was retained at the end of the season and so clearly the Sixers’ brain trust had to be on the same page with incoming president Mike Gansey on how to deploy their guards moving forward.

While Philon isn’t any taller than VJ Edgecombe, and is only slightly taller than Tyrese Maxey, there has to be a plan on how to avoid a McCain 2.0 situation. But just because Philon is similar in height to McCain and the other guards that will play prominently in the Sixers’ rotation in 2026-27, doesn’t mean this is going to play out the same way McCain’s tenure as a Sixer did.

Philon has done what most teams want their first-round picks to do in Summer League. He’s gotten a lot of minutes, put up a lot of shots and flashed the skills that made him worthy of a selection in the first round. Understandably so, the Sixers have been playing through Philon when he’s been on the court. What’s been recognizable is the versatility in how Philon has been scoring.

Unlike McCain, Philon seems comfortable being able to score at all three levels, with the obvious caveat that he’s doing so in Summer League games. Nevertheless, he’s getting to the basket and finishing around the rim. He’s scoring off the dribble in the midrange area and he looks comfortable from the three-point line when he lets it fly from deep. Additionally, Philon is a much better passer entering the NBA than McCain was at this time two years ago and McCain’s passing skills haven’t improved much since he got drafted.

The bottom line here is that Philon seems like a player that’s good at a lot of different things while McCain was someone who was elite at shooting and had work to do in other areas if he was going to become a more well-rounded guard. That doesn’t mean that Philon is destined to have the better NBA career, but it does suggest that Philon would seem to be a better fit with Maxey and Edgecombe than McCain was.

If you already have two smaller guards in Maxey and Edgecombe anchoring your backcourt, how much sense does it make to play a third small guard that doesn’t handle the ball or pass well with those two? If McCain was three or four inches taller and a knockdown shooter as a small forward, he might have fit more naturally with Maxey and Edgecombe. 

Philon’s ability to run the offense if needed should give Nurse more options. You would think just about everyone in the organization would sign up for Maxey’s minutes to be reduced a bit in the regular season. Well, Philon could allow Maxey to rest a little more during certain games, but he could also more naturally be the team’s primary ball handler leaving Maxey to play off the ball and perhaps not tire out as quickly.

Additionally, if the Sixers just want to play faster this year, Philon’s a niftier guard that would have more success in transition than McCain would. In an era of positionless basketball, having three good athletes in Philon, Maxey and Edgecombe all on the floor at the same time should allow the Sixers to get out and run off missed field goals from the opponent pretty routinely.

None of this is meant to validate trading away McCain or imply that Philon is certain to be the better NBA player. There’s certainly a world in which this works out for everyone and the Sixers’ vision of a backcourt with all three of their current guards makes more sense and McCain settles into a long career with a winning franchise like the Thunder. 

We should note that McCain only started two games for the Thunder in the postseason which might indicate that on a contending team, McCain might never be more than a shooter that comes off the bench. In other words, McCain’s one elite skill might be enough for him to have a long NBA career by itself. But Philon’s wider array of skills might give him a higher ceiling and certainly fits better with the current version of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Golden State Warriors may have a better chance of landing LeBron James than previously speculated.

In recent days, the Warriors had been seen as the dark horse in the free agent frenzy, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers the remaining suitors.

Nevertheless, the latest comments from Rich Paul may have put the Warriors back at the forefront. On The Game Over podcast, Paul and Max Kellerman discussed what the league would have to do if James joined the Warriors.

“The NBA would have to give them 60 nationally televised games,” Paul said of Golden State. “I’m being sarcastic, but…at least half, if not, more.”

Rich Paul says the NBA would have to give the Warriors 40+ nationally televised games if LeBron joins Steph Curry

(h/t @CurryForGame) pic.twitter.com/i5FXcWDRGz

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 17, 2026

Warriors personnel have been vocal about James signing with the team.

Earlier this week, head coach Steve Kerr told a fan: “We got him.” The video posted to social media quickly became a viral moment as speculation swirled with Golden State’s involvement in the race for James.

Draymond Green took to social media, where he gave his personal opinion on Kerr’s comment.

“If I know Steve as well as I think I do, he was joking,” Green wrote in a post on Instagram Threads.

Steph Curry, who is at the center of the Warriors’ pitch for James, directly recruited the NBA’s all-time leading scorer during an appearance on Good Morning America.

“The Bay: We know how to win, beautiful weather, great golf. I know he’s into that,” Curry said. “We just know how to play basketball, and I think that he would enjoy just the idea of what it means to finish your career the right way.”

There’s no telling which direction the James’ sweepstakes will go, because no one truly knows aside from the 41-year-old and his camp. But the rest of the league is anxious to know where James will call home next.

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The Las Vegas Summer League has finished its “regular” season, and all that is left is the four-team playoff and a bunch of consolation games for the other 26 squads. As mentioned after the weekend, the North Carolina has quite a few players represented, so lets take a look at Tar Heels (and former Tar Heels) in the second half of their Las Vegas Summer Excursion.

Henri Veesaar, Atlanta Hawks

Veesaar started both games this week for the Hawks. In his first contest against the Celtics, Veesaar showed off, scoring 20 points while grabbing four rebounds in 23 minutes. He additionally had three assists, a steal, and a block while hitting four of his six three-point attempts.

Veesaar and the Hawks did themselves no favors in their final game against the Grizzlies. Needing a win to guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs, Atlanta promptly got outscored by Memphis 32-2 in the first quarter (that is not a typo). Veesaar was completely overshadowed by Cam Boozer, finishing with a measly five points and three rebounds in 20 minutes of the blowout loss. The Hawks will have to hope they win the tie breaker with a log jam of teams at 3-1 — including the Grizzlies that just beat them.

Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets

Powell finally came alive in his third game, not only hitting his first shot of the Las Vegas Summer League, but his first three pointer of any game this summer (Powell also played in the California Summer League). Powell finished his game against the Kings shooting six for ten (and four for seven from three) and scoring 18 points. Powell also had two steals, a block, and a rebound.

Unfortunately, the good times did not continue for Powell, who fell back to earth against the Rockets, finishing with just six points on one of six shooting. He did have three steals, but overall Powell did not have a good showing in Vegas. His team will not be one of the four in playoffs, though they will play again this weekend.

Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls

Wilson continued to show out in Las Vegas, playing in all three of the Bull’s games this week. Even though the matchups were scheduled, Sin City missed out on the chance to see Wilson vs Peterson (who sat out for rest) and Dybantsa (who was shut down before the matchup). Wilson, however, didn’t seem to care, as he posted an average of 19.7 points, eight rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 2.3 assists, and a steal across the three games. Wilson also continued to shoot well, though he did have 15 turnovers in those three games. While nothing can top that opening game against Memphis, Wilson showed everyone why he is a force to be reckoned with. The only thing left for the Bulls is a consolation game against Cleveland on Friday.

Jalen Washington, Chicago Bulls

After not playing in the team’s first three games, Washington finally saw minutes in the team’s final game against the Lakers. The former Tar Heel big man finished with two points and one rebound in four minutes of action. Washington may get another chance to impress on Friday depending on who the team decides to play in their final game against the Cavaliers.

Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks

Nance started both games for the Bucks this week. He scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds in 24 minutes in Milwaukee’s loss to the Suns. He did better in the Buck’s win over the Hornets, though, scoring 11 points and grabbing two boards. Nance also had six assists across the two games. The win against Charlotte was Milwaukee’s only win in Las Vegas, so they will not be playing in the playoff although they will play one more game this weekend.

Tyler Nickel, New York Knicks

Nickel continued to play valuable minutes for the Knicks this week, starting his second and third games of the Summer League. In his start against the Pistons, Nickel scored only nine points, but did grab six rebounds in the Knicks first win of Summer League play. In his start against the Warriors, Nickel had his worst game in Summer League play with another nine points to go with just four rebounds in yet another blowout loss for New York. The reigning NBA champs had three blowout losses and will play a consolation game against the Mavericks on Friday.   

RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs

Davis continued his strong play in the Spur’s fourth game, posting a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds in 29 minutes. Davis started his second straight game for the Spurs, and looks to have a chance to maybe even get an invite to Spurs training camp or a two-way deal. Even if it isn’t with the Spurs, Davis has shown that he can be a valuable contributor to an NBA squad this season. The Spurs are one of several teams at 3-1 who have a chance to make the four team playoff.

Seth Trimble, Washington Wizards

Trimble started both games this week for the Wizards, who as previously mentioned shut down number one overall pick AJ Dybantsa before Tuesday’s matchup. In his first start, Trimble scored 13 points while grabbing three rebounds, getting two steals, and dishing out two assists in 28 minutes.

Trimble really shone in his second start, scoring 24 points in 27 minutes while also getting three rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block. Trimble did have five turnovers over those two games, but assuming he doesn’t lay an egg in the team’s fifth contest (the Wizards also will not be in the four-team playoff), Trimble has a great chance of making the Wizards G-League squad this fall.  

Additionally, Cormac Ryan did not play in either of the Bucks two games this week for rest purposes (he did suffer an injury while in California) and it is unknown if he will play in the team’s final game.