Caitlin Clark is the first WNBA player to be featured on a global NBA 2K cover.
NBA 2K27 announced today that Clark, Victor Wembanyama abd Derrick Rose will be featured on covers of the editions, which will be will released Sept. 4. Clark will be on the deluxe cover.
She’s obsessed with the work
Caitlin Clark is your NBA 2K27 Deluxe Edition Cover Athlete
"Being on the cover of NBA 2K27 is special because this game reaches fans all over the world,” Clark said. “To be the first WNBA player on her own global cover means women's basketball gets to show up on that stage too, and I am proud to be part of that."
Clark joins a handful of WNBA legends who have made NBA 2K cover appearances, including Candance Parker (2022), Diana Taurasi (2023), Sue Bird (2023), Sabrina Ionescu (2024), A'ja Wilson (2025) and Angel Reese (2026).
Caitlin Clark is officially an NBA 2K27 cover athlete.
On Wednesday, NBA 2K announced the specially selected cover athletes for NBA 2K27. NBA star Victor Wembanyama will be on the cover of the Standard Edition, and Chicago Bulls legend Derrick Rose will be on the limited-time Ultra Edition. Clark, who is set to grace the cover of the Deluxe Edition, is the first WNBA player featured on her own global NBA 2K premium cover.
"Being on the cover of NBA 2K27 is special because this game reaches fans all over the world,” said Clark via release. “To be the first WNBA player on her own global cover means women's basketball gets to show up on that stage too, and I am proud to be part of that."
She’s obsessed with the work 💭🏀
Caitlin Clark is your NBA 2K27 Deluxe Edition Cover Athlete
Clark, who is currently in her third season, is averaging a career-high 20.7 points per game and 42.8% shooting from the field. She's also averaging 7.8 assists per matchup, which is second in the WNBA. The Indiana Fever star will appear in her third All-Star Game this weekend and earned the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
NBA 2K27 is expected to be available on September 4, 2026. Early access begins August 28 for anyone who purchases the Deluxe Edition or the Ultra Edition.
Kalshi users have traded more than $197 million trying to predict where free-agent superstar LeBron James will land - and that number is only climbing.
Key Takeaways
The Warriors are now a long shot after surging to a 46% chance when free agency began.
Reports suggest James still has not made his decision.
The Heat accidentally scheduled a press conference for James on their YouTube channel, leading to a big probability swing.
Kalshi’s market data on Tuesday showed the Cleveland Cavaliers were a 38% favorite to attract James for a third stint in his hometown. That was slightly ahead of the Miami Heat (36%), whom James opted for when he left Cleveland for the first time in 2010 and with whom he eventually won two championships.
The market shifted dramatically when online sleuths noticed the Heat had an introductory press conference for James scheduled for July 27 on their YouTube channel. Miami subsequently surged to a 49% probability, while the Cavs plummeted to 28%.
The Miami Heat’s YouTube channel scheduled a “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference” on July 27th 👀‼️
The video was immediately unlisted and set to private.
Did the Heat’s social media team just spoil LeBron’s decision? 💀
Further down the board, the Golden State Warriors, once a dominant favorite, have dropped to a 13% chance. The decline was influenced by the Washington Wizards' reported refusal to trade Anthony Davis, a move that reportedly would have helped entice James to Golden State. Draymond Green's possible departure has also hurt the Warriors' chances.
The Philadelphia 76ers are the fourth and final realistic option for James, according to prediction markets. Their 9% chance suggests hope is still alive, although they are much less likely to land “The King” than the Cavaliers and the Heat.
Markets fluctuate amid James wait
The negotiating period of NBA free agency began at 6 p.m. ET on June 30. Players were allowed to sign contracts as of 12:01 p.m. on July 6, which was more than two weeks ago at the time of writing.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league wouldn’t begin its schedule-making process until it knows where James will be playing his basketball next season.
“We have to finish up the schedule and where LeBron plays affects the schedule ... opening week, Christmas,” he said, per CNBC. “So I need him to make a decision.”
Prediction market sites have experienced significant movement over the past month. After James' departure from the Los Angeles Lakers was confirmed, the Cavaliers had as high as a 61% chance of signing him on July 10. They dropped to as low as 26% in the time since and are now only just above that mark following the Heat’s YouTube debacle.
The Heat were at 15% when free agency began and are sitting at their all-time high in probability.
The Warriors were up at 46% when free agency began but haven't kept momentum. Kalshi users did not elevate the 76ers above 18% since free agency began.
Finals probabilities for LeBron’s possible suitors
Summer League is already over, but NBA Finals prediction markets could still undergo sizable changes, depending on where James signs.
Kalshi's NBA Finals market gives the Heat an 8% probability of winning the upcoming championship, tied for third with the defending champion New York Knicks. The 76ers are sixth (6%), the Cavaliers are seventh (5%), and the Warriors are tied with five other teams for eighth (4%).
The game's Ultra Edition cover will feature former NBA player Derrick Rose, and the Deluxe Edition will have Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark gracing the cover. The three cover athletes have each been the No. 1 overall pick in their drafts and went on to win the Rookie of the Year award in their respective leagues.
Wembanyama is coming off a season in which he averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game.
He was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-NBA selection, helping the Spurs reach the NBA Finals, which they lost in five games to the New York Knicks.
We are not alone 👽
Victor Wembanyama has landed as your NBA 2K27 Standard Edition Cover Athlete
"When you're truly obsessed with basketball, the game doesn't stop when you leave the arena. NBA 2K is the court that never locks up, it's always open whether you're in Paris or San Antonio. It's how you study the game, sharpen your IQ, and live basketball 24/7," Wembanyama said in a statement. "To be the face of a game that fuels that hunger for hoops and whose covers immortalize the all-time greats, that’s a dream come true for me."
NBA 2K27 will launch on Sept. 4, 2026, on PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch. The standard edition of the game will cost $69.99; the Deluxe Edition will be $99.99, and for the Ultra Edition, consumers will have to fork over $149.99, with limited availability through Sept. 6.
Did someone with the Miami Heat leak LeBron James' decision before he did? The Heat deny it, but in a vacuum of information about where LeBron will play next season and when it will be announced, it took on a life of its own.
Someone with the Heat posted a link to a YouTube stream titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference | July 27, 2026" and that quickly took off on social media.
The Miami Heat’s official YouTube channel had LeBron’s introductory press conference scheduled for July 27
The Heat instantly denied it, telling the Miami Herald and ESPN’s Shams Charania that this was simply Miami's social media team preparing for the possibility of LeBron choosing the Heat and they accidentally put the link live for a minute. The Heat deny it has any meaning.
LeBron James going to Miami, joining forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, has reportedly been one of the frontrunner options for the 41-year-old four-time champion and four-time MVP. Cleveland, Philadelphia and Golden State also have been frontrunners at various points, and Minnesota is still in the mix according to reports.
But nobody really knows. LeBron and his agent Rich Paul have kept a tight circle — anyone saying they have a "source" who knows when the announcement is coming or where he is going is just going for clicks. Everyone around the league has guesses — people NBC Sports has spoken to expect Cleveland — but nobody really knows, and if LeBron wants to be somewhere that can compete to win the East Miami is a good bet and a good basketball fit for him.
For 15 games last season, Dylan Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud were part of the group that gave Kings fans something to smile and cheer for with their unique postgame celebrations.
There aren’t many positives that come with a 22-win season, but “The Beam Boys” did their due diligence after the 15 wins at Golden 1 Center. The then-rookie trio of Cardwell, Raynaud and Nique Clifford, and veteran forward Precious Achiuwa, assembled at the center of the G1C court after each home win, sunglasses on and energy up.
It became a wholesome tradition during a season that probably didn’t deserve one.
But The Beam Boys want to be more than a feel-good ritual. They want to impact winning and lead the charge of the cultural makeover in Sacramento.
Cardwell and Raynaud believe that starts with them in Year 2. They want it to.
“I think just the way our team is going right now, we had three young guys last year, we have three more young guys this year, that’s almost half of the team already,” Raynaud told NBC Sports California. “So, if the young guys who, ‘quote, unquote,’ will be the future of the team later on don’t try to buy in and don’t try to set their own culture, we can’t go far. We have a guy that’s been to multiple Final Fours, one championship in college. He knows what it takes to win. And clearly, if you don’t have a self-starter culture, there is no way for you to get it going. Your coaches can only do so much. Your GM can only do so much. We work as a group, and at the end of the day, it’s our responsibility to get it going on the floor, get it going at practice.
“So we just have to be able to set the tone, set that culture, and that is for us, and also for the organization as a whole. The Kings welcomed us with open arms, the city welcomed us with open arms, and that’s also our way to give back.”
After a strong rookie campaign, Raynaud has been viewed as a steal in the 2025 NBA Draft after Scott Perry and Co. snagged him in the second round at No. 42 overall.
With All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis dealing with various injuries last season, Raynaud played 74 games and started 56 for Sacramento. The 7-foot-1 French center averaged 12.5 points on 57.1-percent shooting, with 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 26.5 minutes.
While Raynaud has been a success story thus far, his team’s 60 losses in his first taste of NBA action weren’t.
But exit interviews with coach Doug Christie, Perry and B.J. Armstrong hope to spark the beginning of the change. The messaging from the Kings’ brass to Raynaud and Cardwell? Be more vocal.
They have taken that to heart, and they aren’t waiting for the 2026-27 season to start to implement their increased leadership roles. It started with NBA summer league. Dinners. Escape rooms. All the crucial off-the-court, team chemistry stuff. But, perhaps more importantly specific to this team, accountability — on the court — has been massive.
DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook were the vocal veterans last season. With DeRozan gone and Westbrook’s future unknown, who is going to step up and fill that void?
“Why not you, Max and Nique?” Cardwell told NBC Sports California as he recalled what Perry told him at his exit interview. But Cardwell’s initial reservation was that they were only entering their second year in the league.
“So what?” Perry responded.
That is all Cardwell and Raynaud needed to hear.
Three months later in Las Vegas, after a blowout Summer League loss to the Brooklyn Nets, an unrecognizable Cardwell called his team “soft” and said they got “punked” while speaking to reporters. The guy known for his high vibes and positive energy looked and spoke like his team just lost Game 7 of a playoff series. But no, it was summer league.
“We’re trying to build something for next year,” Cardwell said after that game.
Yes, it was a summer league game. But that didn’t matter to Cardwell and Raynaud. They are trying to build good habits and maintain them in all games, regardless of severity. California Classic. Summer League. Preseason. It doesn’t matter.
They want to win.
And they want to win in Sacramento. It means more to them.
“That’s what Scott Perry brought us to do,” Cardwell told NBC Sports California. “It’s very rare that a GM in his first year has that many draft picks and brings that many guys in. And his first choices were Nique, Max, and I. We don’t take that very lightly. We know that with us three, that he was trying to build the foundation of what he wants to do, and so we kind of feel like it is our duty, not just to Scott Perry and B.J. Armstrong, but also to the city of Sacramento. Like, hey, like this is this franchise’s next phase of what we’re trying to do, and winning in Sacramento means a lot because obviously you hear about the 16-year drought. Everyone talks about the Beam Team in 2022, 2023, but it’s like, what can we do? What can our group do to help maintain a level of success, playoff success, hopefully Finals success in Sacramento?
“Sacramento is a great city. They’re a very loyal fan base, but we want to contribute to winning. We want to win here, and I don’t want to go anywhere else. It just goes back to we were Scott Perry and B.J. Armstrong’s first choice, and we don’t take that very lightly.”
It is easier for the guys to buy in and play for someone who’s been there and who gets it.
Christie, although inexperienced as an NBA head coach, was a part of some of the most successful and fun Kings teams in Sacramento.
When you walk into his office, you can’t miss the 2001 “The Greatest Show on Court” Sports Illustrated cover. It was the last time consistent success was showcased in Sacramento. The Kings have made one playoff appearance in 20 years. But walking into Christie’s office and looking at that magazine feature is motivation.
“Doug Christie was one of the guys that led these 2000 teams to one of their best runs in the playoffs for the past couple years, and on a personal level, whenever I get to meet in his office at the facilities, there is this one big poster of Sports Illustrated, which is the starting five, and I don’t know, it just inspires me to see guys that have done it in the past,” Raynaud told NBC Sports California. “There has been a drop ever since; I think it would be awesome for us to be able to bring it back a whole generation later. As competitors and as basketball lovers, that’s our duty. So that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Now it’s time to execute the leadership across a full 82-game season. Raynaud and Cardwell have accepted the challenge to lead a rebuilding team.
It won’t happen overnight. It likely won’t happen next season.
But building a sustainable winner is the goal. And The Beam Boys are eager to lead the way.
Mike Gansey hasn’t even been running the Sixers for two months. Yet his first impression could not have been better as the offseason rolls on and we approach a bit of a dead time on the NBA calendar. Of course, we’re all waiting for the big shoe to drop as LeBron James remains an unrestricted free agent. The fact that the Sixers are even one of the reported finalists should speak volumes to Gansey’s ability to clean up what many would have called a salary cap mess upon his arrival.
Gansey’s three primary additions so far were Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons and Labaron Philion. You could lump Dean Wade in there too if you’re optimistic about Wade’s fit in Philadelphia. Gansey’s been busy, but he’s not just making moves to make moves. He’s doing things that should give Sixers fans an optimistic outlook both in the short-term and the long-term.
It goes without saying that adding Brown is an upgrade to Philadelphia’s current starting lineup. The move also makes the franchise’s long-term outlook much brighter with Brown, 30 when the season starts, replacing 36-year-old Paul George. It was always going to be a hard task for Gansey to unload the final two years of George’s contract, but to do so in a trade that brought back Brown should have Sixers fans feeling confident that Gansey can navigate less chummy salary cap waters in the future.
Then there’s the addition of Simons. At 27 years old, Simons signed a two-year deal with the Sixers worth just over $12 million. Simons should take the minutes vacated by the departure of Quentin Grimes and statistically looks like a better player than Grimes was. Gansey was able to cheaply add Simons to the roster in what could be a nice upgrade on the margins. Even if Simons doesn’t play in Philadelphia beyond the duration of this two-year contract, if he’s successful as a Sixer, fans should feel good about Gansey’s ability to make similar cost-effective upgrades to the bench in the future.
Drafting Philon showed another reason for optimism for Sixers fans concerning Gansey’s leadership in the front office. For as easy as it is to look at the current roster heading into a draft and deciding which prospects are the best fits for said roster, we all know that drafting the best player available is a better strategy for long-term sustainability.
Gansey could have prioritized a front court player who would have had a faster pathway to lots of playing time. He could have avoided a guard and dodged the criticism that comes with taking a guard with the top draft asset that came back in the Jared McCain trade. But Gansey must have seen a potential with Philon and the team’s starting guards Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. He also likely viewed Philon as a player that could make a bigger long-term impact than some of the bigs that he would have selected and that’s what the draft is all about.
While you might not be as bullish on the acquisition of Wade, Gansey had a relationship with Wade from their time together in Cleveland that had to have helped in bringing the veteran forward to Philadelphia. Relationships, no matter how small, are always going to be a part of running a front office and Gansey has already displayed a good ability to maintain previous relationships.
These are all positive signs for the franchise moving forward. A lot of them probably factored into the Sixers getting a seat at the table when it comes to the LeBron James sweepstakes. If they’re in the conversation for LeBron, regardless of how old he is, that’s a sign that the guy in charge of the front office is doing a good job.
We have our cover athletes for NBA 2K27, and once again the three-tier system of NBA star, WNBA star, and recent Hall of Fame inductee is reigning supreme. 2K Sports gave SB Nation an early look at the covers, before releasing them to the world on Wednesday and here’s a full look at both the different designs, as well as what the different versions of the game entail.
Victor Wembanyama (Standard Edition — $69.99)
Base game, launching September 5, 2026
Caitlin Clark (Deluxe Edition — $99.99)
100,000 VC MyCAREER content (25x 6 Types of Skill Boosts, 25x 3 Types of Gatorade Boosts, Victor Wembanyama Jersey, Caitlin Clark Jersey, and a 2HR 2XP Coin.
MyTEAM content (Full ’27: Series 1Team Selection, Triple Threat Park Free Agent Pack, 5x ’27: Series 1 Packs, and a 2HR2XP Coin.
Includes Early Access starting on August 28, 2026, up to one week before worldwide release.
Derrick Rose (Ultra Edition — $149.99)
Includes everything in the Deluxe Edition, plus an additional 35,000 VC.
Season 1 ProPass, and the Summer Season Pass Pro Pass Bundle (Seasons 7–9 Pro Pass, releasing in Summer 2027)
Roses Oversize Hoodie in MyCAREER
Premium SKUMyTEAM Player Cards, which includes a guaranteed 98 OVR card (December 2026) and a guaranteed Invincible card (May 2027).
The decision to make Wemby, Clark, and Rose the cover athletes was explained by 2K
“Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose each come from different worlds, but they share the same obsession that has altered the trajectory of the game,” said Zak Armitage, SVP & GM of NBA 2K. “Wembanyama has broken the mold for what a big man can be and keeps breaking it. Clark is pulling up from the logo, not just redefining what range looks like, but thewomen’s game entirely. And Rose changed what it meant to be a point guard – explosive, physical, unstoppable – and when faced with setbacks, his hunger for the game is what brought him back. None of them have an off switch, and that same relentless drive is what defines NBA 2K27”
The first gameplay trailer for NBA 2K27 will release on July 28.
The couple announced on Instagram that they are now "courthouse official," having exchanged vows at an Indianapolis courthouse surrounded by close friends and family. The couple has shared plans to celebrate with a larger wedding ceremony on Aug. 1.
The couple’s love story started in college in 2019, with Haliburton on the Iowa State basketball team and Jones on the Iowa State cheerleading team. After seven years together, Haliburton proposed on July 28, 2025, at the Hilton Coliseum.
Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 NBA season after suffering a torn Achilles during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. He has spent the past year focused on rehabilitation and has since returned to training with no limitations and is expected to return to the court at the start of the 2026-27 season.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: Bruce Thornton #2 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the Semifinals on July 18, 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
Editor’s Note: Welcome back to our old friend, Lachard!
The Houston Rockets Summer League saw their season come to an end Saturday with a 97-86 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the semifinals. The Rockets made the semifinals after finishing 3-1 in the quarterfinals because of point differential, the second tiebreaker.
Players like Quadir Copeland, Tristen Newton, and the Rockets’ second-round pick Bruce Thornton led the way through the first four games on their way to Saturday’s win-or-go-home game.
The Rockets Summer League team, for the first time in several seasons, didn’t have any players expected to be in the regular rotation to start the season. In past years, the Rockets have had multiple first-round picks, from Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun in 2021 to Reed Sheppard most recently.
That wasn’t the case this season, as Thornton was the Rockets’ only draft pick and was selected in the second round. The Rockets are expected to again compete for a top-four seed this coming season and will be welcoming back Fred VanVleet, who missed all of last season.
They also signed veterans Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic, so there isn’t a lot of room for a second-round guard in the rotation, at least to start the season. The question is, where does that leave Thornton for the upcoming season?
How the G League Will Help Bruce Thornton Develop His Game
Now that the draft and Summer League are over, Thornton moves on to the next step of his career. Unlike the Rockets’ last several draft picks, Thornton has an uphill battle to get into the regular rotation to start the season.
As mentioned before, the Rockets are expecting to be fully healthy to start the season and have brought in two players who are expected to be part of the rotation throughout the season. Thornton could ride the end of the bench, which isn’t a bad idea for a rookie, but he is more than likely going to start the season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ G League affiliate, once it kicks off.
Current Rocket players like Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson have spent time in the G League. Thompson spent time with the Vipers his rookie season as he recovered from an early-season injury, and Sheppard played a few games with the Vipers to help him adjust to the NBA after struggling to start his first season.
For Thornton, it will be an opportunity to get regular playing time, as he would be the main focus for the Vipers, unlike with the Rockets. That means 30-plus minutes a game, 15-20 shots, and running the offense. All valuable experience for any rookie, especially a second-round selection who otherwise wouldn’t get time with the big squad.
Also helps that the Rockets have one of the best G League teams in the NBA and run the exact offense and defense they use throughout the season. Thornton showed flashes of a player who could be solid in the NBA, and even though he may not start the season with the Rockets, he could play his way into a more prominent spot later in the season as injuries and inconsistent play become factors.
Jan 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) attempts a shot as Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) guards in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Editor’s note: You may have already spotted this week’s Bucks Reacts question in The Feed—that’s by design, giving more Bucks fans a chance to have their voices heard. These survey articles will continue to provide context behind each question before following up with the results later in the week.
Just over a week ago, reports emerged linking the Bucks to Denver Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson. With Watson remaining unsigned, a potential move to Milwaukee is still very much a possibility.
Pursuing Watson is a no-brainer. A 6’8” wing known for his defensive chops, who’s also blossoming into an offensive force, Watson is undoubtedly a hot commodity that any team would be thrilled to have. After all, the NBA Finals have just reminded us how valuable rangy wings are—and you already know my stance on the value of forwards.
But pursuing Watson and getting him are two very different things; you don’t get a player like him without giving up something of value, no matter how much cap hell the Nuggets may be in. It’s the reason the Nuggets are reportedly looking for a Walker Kessler-like return in any sign-and-trade.
That said, the Bucks do have the capital needed to get a deal done. For one, they have the $25.5m trade exception created in the Giannis trade, a figure likely around what Watson would command. They also have draft picks to offer—though they should be cautious in parting with these. But the Nuggets, like the Bucks were with Giannis, are a win now team, and might be more inclined to facilitate a Watson to Milwaukee move if they received an established young player on a team-friendly contract who would fit in seamlessly with their existing core.
So, we put it to you, our Brew Hoop community: Considering the Bucks’ depth at guard, would you be willing to give up Ryan Rollins to acquire Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade? Vote below and, as always, share your rationale in the comments.
Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week, the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — gives their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
This week there was one basic question, “What is your evaluation of __’s performance in Summer League?” which was asked about 4 players, Maluach, Fleming, Peat, and Brea.
Q1: Khaman Maluach
GuarGuar: I was absolutely blown away by the performance Khaman put on this summer. He was absolutely a dominant force on both ends and he’s given me so much hope for this upcoming season. His defense and rebounding were elite, and his offensive game looked way more polished. The 3 point shot looked very legit. He shot a small sample size obviously but the form looked very solid and promising. He looked too good for summer league and that’s exactly what you want to see from ur raw potential project player. He gets an A++ from me.
zenzino: No notes. Mostly, this year’s Summer League was sunshine and rainbows for me. Mostly.
Was Khaman perfect? Nope. Is he ready to challenge for the starting position? Also nope. Did he show some real progress? Absolutely! I think we all loved what we saw from Man Man. His performance in Summer League showed he is ready for significant regular minutes in the center rotation. Who knows, he might get some starts in the second half of the season. Especially if there are injuries.
Ok, I lied. I have some notes. Offense and rebounding looked great. He was aggressive and confident, taking it to the basket. He also hit some nice 3s when they needed them. On defense, his footwork is looking better, but he still needs to improve. He also got lost and found himself out of position at times. That’s something that will get better with more playing time.
While some might say his performance in Summer League confirmed that he should have played more last season, I firmly believe it was strong evidence that the coaches’ player development is working.
I especially liked game 4 against the Pistons, when Man Man got off to a slow start in the first half and then recovered in the second to finish with 23 points and 15 rebounds. That showed maturity and grit.
Speaking of maturity, if you caught the post-game interviews, Man Man shone there, too. He embodies a part of the Suns culture that I think we all want to see. In addition to a future Suns star, we might just have the future leader on the court and in the locker room.
Ashton: I just wanted to get a couple of things out of the way first. I have AZ Family Channel and Prime, and still managed to miss most of the full games. So, I am probably not the most qualified person to answer these questions. There was a phrase used to fire back at gamers who complained, and it was “Get Gud”. I will be rating these players on their grades in “Gud” and “Get Gud” but without the stats, I will leave that to my peers.
Rating: Really Gud. Okay, I did not include “Really Gud” as a category, but can anyone really argue this one? He became an All-Summer League Second-teamer. A week ago, Inside the Suns had a question about the center position minutes, and I rated “Man-Man” last. I have previously stated that I would never call KM “Man-Man,” but I retract, as he deserves it. Hey Oso! 7’2” objects in the mirror are closer than they appear for your minutes.
OldAz: KM looked dominant and engaged on both ends of the floor. He certainly looks like he has put on some muscle and is comfortable using it, and appears very confident with his three-point shot. My only question about his summer league performance is the level of competition, because bigs who are only 1-2 years out of college ball often have a lot of development to do. However, KM is also very young, so he is certainly in a great place. My concern is just about readiness to show many of those same skills against true NBA centers. If he is, then the Suns will come out looking like the winners of the KD trade, and I don’t think it will be particularly close in the end.
Rod: Khaman was the most impressive of all the Suns’ SL players. He led the team in scoring and a points/rebounds double-double in each game isn’t an easy feat, even in Summer League. Add in 3.3 stocks per game and 40% shooting from three, and I’d say that Jordan Ott is going to have a hard time keeping him on the bench this season. I’d be surprised if he’s not given at least some minutes playing with either Williams or Ighodaro in a big frontcourt lineup at times. He’s still young, so I wouldn’t want to put too much pressure on him too early, but I don’t think Ott needs to be too cautious with him either.
Q2: Rasheer Fleming
GuarGuar: Fleming’s play style is better suited when he’s surrounded by stars. He’s a 3 and D guy and not as much a shot creator so he wasn’t going to “dominate” Summer League unless his play style completely changed. He had a rough game 1 but after that he was very solid and the 3pt shot looks a lot smoother and quicker. We know his defense is elite so don’t gotta worry about that. Overall give him a B+ for SL.
zenzino: I’m going to start by saying I am not worried about Sheer at all. Not even a little bit. He didn’t have the show-out Summer League that Man Man did, and that’s ok. He did have a breakout offensive game (3, I think). Defensively, he quietly showed he is going to be the type of player who can guard 1-5. His weight gain was also obvious, just by looking at him, and also by the way he wasn’t getting moved around in the paint like last season.
I would be shocked if he’s not part of the regular rotation as a backup to Miles Bridges. The only caveat to that is the next guy, right on his heels. Iron sharpens iron.
Ashton: Rating: Gud. The question posed by a recent John Voita article was whether Sheer could be the next 3-and-D wing for the future. I think he has a good shot at it. Yes, good defense is not normally recognized by the casual audience, especially those who weren’t watching SL games… oh wait, I have turned into that casual fan? I am also encouraged by his three-point shooting.
OldAz: I thought Fleming looked good, especially when doing the things the big club will want him to do this coming season. He looked good shooting from the corner and played good defense. His stat lines in the summer league obviously suffered from the guard play, as the Suns have not had NBA-level play (even grading on an SL curve) for a long time. Again, Fleming looks bigger and stronger, but that might also be due to comparisons with summer league competition.
Rod: Rasheer started out a bit slow offensively but seemed solid defensively and ultimately hit 42.1% of his threes. I’m not sure SL was the best environment for Fleming to thrive, as both the offensive and defensive schemes are very simple in those games and without much structure, more akin to pickup games than a real NBA game. Also, with CJ Huntley sidelined with a hamstring injury, Fleming was occasionally pressed into service at center, which I don’t believe was inside his comfort zone.
Overall, what I saw at SL tells me that Fleming is ready for some steady rotation minutes in 2026-27. I believe he could be effective at either the 3 or 4 spots as a 3&D player.
Q3: Koa Peat
GuarGuar: I was really impressed with how polished Koa looked from game 1. He seemed like he was almost always in control and showed a really nice finishing ability throughout the week. The 3 point shot is a massive issue but if he somehow figured that out this dude can be special. He does literally everything else good on the court, including playmaking which impressed me a lot. I think this was a great pick by the Suns and am excited to see him progress. A for Koa.
zenzino: BG did it again. Turned a “nothing to see here” draft for the Suns into an exciting first round draft day (for Suns fans) that ESPN totally botched (shocking). I don’t watch college ball so I don’t judge drafts on draft day. I just knew that Peat was someone the Suns wanted and then got him. And I’m really glad they did.
My Summer League overreaction is that the Suns need to think long and hard about that Miles Bridges extension. They might have drafted the power forwards they needed last year and this year.
I heard ‘poor man’s Aaron Gordon’ comparisons and thought, “meh”. Then someone said Grandma (IYKYK). YAS! Larry Johnson! I see it.
I’m glad he changed his shot for the combine. And I’m glad he changed it back for Summer League. It looked fine to me. Small sample size, I know. His NBA-ready body showed through his post moves, dunks, and rebounds. He ran the floor really well and was solid on defense. I think he showed out like a lottery player.
He’s not ready for primetime, yet. But I also don’t think he’s a big project.
19 years old. 4 High School State Championships. 4 Team USA FIBA Gold Medals. Final Four his freshman year. Pro Bowl older brother. This guy knows what it takes to win. I couldn’t be more excited for his future with the Suns.
Ashton: Rating: Really Gud. Okay, Okay. Just Kidding! That was my Arizona bias coming through, so I will just rate it as “Gud”. Still, I really enjoyed the Bucks game when Peat and former teammate, Brayden Burries were going at it. It seemed like Burries was blowing by everyone on the Suns squad, but he was blowing by everyone to his SL MVP. I would say that all of the front-court defenses will need to learn to contain smaller, quicker guards, and Peat had to do it against Burries for a year.
Koa is who I thought was coming out of college. He is going to the hoop, not shooting mid-range shots or threes. He plays decent defense and can lob or pass the ball out. And if he gets some minutes under Ott’s system (get it to the paint, please), there is real potential for defensive mismatches from the opposing team, as he can stop them from spacing the floor if he gets the rock and they collapse on him. All eyes are on Miles Bridges this season, but Koa has serious potential to be a fan-favorite off the bench.
Final note. I thought there was good synergy between Koa and KM. I wonder if they ever talk smack about the Arizona/ Duke game in the 2024 Sweet 16?
OldAz: Really impressed with his basketball IQ in knowing where to be, when to cut, and how to attack. Certainly showed a lot of tools he can build on, but I still expect the Suns to bring him along slowly like they did with RF and KM last season.
Rod: I was impressed by his aggressiveness and his ability to get to the basket. He seemed very confident in himself, which also seemed to be well placed. One thing I really liked about his drives to the basket was that, while he didn’t try to avoid contact, he also didn’t seem to initiate contact to draw fouls. He was going in to score first and, if he got fouled on the way there, so be it, but he wasn’t hunting fouls at the expense of getting off a good shot.
Q4 : Koby Brea
GuarGuar: Koby had one great game but outside of that he was pretty horrendous and the most disappointing of all our main prospects by far. His shot wasn’t falling most of the summer but my biggest issue is he showed nothing positive he can contribute in other areas. He was a turnover machine and not great at defense either. I give Koby a D for the week.
zenzino: Now we get to the ‘mostly’. Summer League exposed Koby. The lack of ball movement really hurt him as his strength is catch-and-shoot 3s. Game 3 had better ball movement, and he had a really good game.
He needs to get better at creating space, on-ball and off-ball. When he had the ball, he was struggling to get to a spot and get an even semi-open shot. When he didn’t have the ball, he’d get open enough to get a pass, but by the time the ball reached him, the defender had closed out. This was due more to not creating enough space than to smothering defense.
I heard early on he was patterning his game around Booker. I don’t see it. I think he should be more like Steph, particularly in the way Steph never stops moving when he doesn’t have the ball to create open shots for himself.
In game 3, we saw what Koby could do when he was getting open catch-and-shoot looks.
Summer League is a different animal. Offensively speaking, bigger guys and players that can get put-backs and create their own shots show out better, as Man Man and Peat did. Players like Sheer and Koby, who rely on kick-outs and teammates setting them up, don’t look as good in this format.
I think what happens in the next 2-and-a-half months of workouts and practices will have more to do with rotations and playing time than Summer League did.
Meanwhile, we had a fun interlude of Suns basketball to try to hold us over until the preseason begins. And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Ashton: Rating: Get Gud. I was all aboard last season’s SL hype train that Brea could be the future Suns sharp shooter. A decent G League stint did not deter me. But wow! He basically turned in one good game out of five. How were those Las Vegas clubs, Brea? This is not inspiring confidence for a team that needs more sharp shooters of the bench. In fact, if a two-way spot needs to open up, Brea would probably be the one targeted.
All in all, I came away from Summer League feeling “Gud” about our future prospects. Rod’s new format blew me for a loop, and had I known, I would have made a more concerted effort to watch and research.
OldAz: Has he been released yet? I 5ink he had one good shooting game in there, but for someone who was billed as a shooting specialist, he has vastly underdelivered, and I believe will be released at some point when the Suns need a player in his 2-way spot. Up till now, he seems to just be occupying that roster spot and needs to show something soon in training camp and G-League opportunities.
Rod: To put it mildly, Brea was pretty unimpressive in the SL games. Three-point shooting was supposed to be his one true NBA-ready skill, but he wound up hitting only 28.6% from three. Brian Gregory must still have hope in Brea turning it all around, but I’m thinking that Brea’s two-way roster spot might be better used on another player. I don’t know who that might be, but I’m sure Gregory keeps an updated list of prospects in his pocket and quite likely already has a replacement in mind to go after if/when he feels the need to do so.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Suns Trivia/History
On July 20, 2007, on the same day that Tim Donaghy was officially investigated by the FBI, the Phoenix Suns traded Kurt Thomas plus two firsts in 2008 (Serge Ibaka) and 2010 (Quincy Pondexter) to the Seattle SuperSonics. The Suns gained… luxury tax relief.
On July 24, 1996, the Suns officially signed their 1st-round pick (15th), Steve Nash, to a 3-year deal worth $992,300 per season. When asked what kind of player he expected to be, Nash joked, “Probably a little bit like Michael Jordan at first.”
On July 26, 2010, the Suns waived Taylor Griffin (the older brother of Blake Griffin), whom they had drafted with the 48th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Taylor turned out not to be anywhere near the player his soon-to-be NBA All-Star younger brother would become, and played in only 8 games for the Suns (averaging only 4 minutes per game) throughout the season. He would not play in the NBA again, although he was briefly picked up by the Charlotte Bobcats for 9 days in December before being waived yet again without seeing any court time there. Taylor did actually make the Suns’ highlight reel once, though…
On July 27, 2013, the Suns traded Luis Scola to the Indiana Pacers for Gerald Green, Miles Plumlee, and a 2014 1st round draft pick (Bogdan Bogdanović was later selected). Green and Plumlee played integral parts in the Suns’ short-lived turnaround in 2013-14 when they went 48-34. They improved by 23 wins over the previous season (25-57) and just barely missed the playoffs in an extremely tough Western Conference. That 23-win turnaround is tied with the 1969-70 Suns for the 4th largest in team history. The 1st is 33 wins by the 1004-05 Suns, 2nd is 27 wins by the 1988-89 Suns, and 3rd is 26 wins by the 1999-00 Suns.
Important Future Dates
Late September (dates TBD) – NBA Training Camps open Oct. 10 – Suns vs. Spurs (preseason) 7:00 PM Oct. 14 – Suns at Spurs (preseason) 5:00 PM Dec. 15 – Most players signed to new contracts can be traded Jan. 5 – 10-day contracts may now be signed Jan. 10 – All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season Jan. 15 – All players signed to new contracts can be traded Feb. 19-21 – NBA All-Star 2027
It's been 23 days and counting. And the NBA is still for LeBron James to make his decision.
His agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, has put out messages to teams suggesting they not wait for James and that they should fill their remaining roster spots.
Those messages came after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his desire for James to decide so schedule makers can determine the 2026-27 regular season, including important dates such as opening night and Christmas Day.
The idea is that James would be playing on those days, hence Silver's desire to know which team he'll choose. But James won't be rushed, according to Paul.
USA TODAY Sports is tracking what's happening behind-the-scenes for LeBron James' next major basketball decision. Here's the latest news, updates and rumors on Wednesday, July 22:
Could LeBron really wait until August?
08:21 AM ET, July 22 2026, Marcus D. Smith
Remember back in May when LeBron James said his decision might not come until late-July, early-August? Well, we're slowly entering that territory. The timeframe James, himself, provided us is creeping up.
ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel made a good point about a potential James announcement in August. He noted that Anthony Davis becomes extension eligible on Aug. 6.
Siegel said it's "just something to keep in mind" in case LeBron James hasn't made his announcement yet."
This is important because if the decision hasn't come before Davis's extension eligibility then there would be reason to believe that Davis could force his way out of Washington and to Golden State in a potential trade that could ultimately attract James to the Bay Area.
The longer this goes on, the closer it gets to when Anthony Davis becomes extension eligible on August 6.
Just something to keep in mind if he still hasn't decided by the start of August. https://t.co/n05bJc2LQK
The organization's social media department leaked a live stream video titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" dated for July 27, 2026.
In the video description it mentioned it was a introductory press conference welcoming back James. The live stream was quickly made private.
Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang, who covers the Heat, reported the Heat's social media department mistakenly made the stream public, but maintained they are only prepping the video if James chooses Miami.
"It was a mistake by the Heat's social media department while preparing for the possibility of LeBron picking the Heat. But there is no validity to it right now," Chiang said on X.
An explanation on the "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" video that has taken over X ...
It was a mistake by the Heat's social media department while preparing for the possibility of LeBron picking the Heat. But there is no validity to it right now.
The wait for LeBron James’ NBA free-agency decision continues as there have been no indications of exactly where the 41-year-old superstar will take his talents.
James’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, however, has stressed that this decision will not be rushed and that the four-time NBA MVP will make his choice whenever he is ready.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons made an appearance on Paul and co-host Max Kellerman’s “Game Over” podcast and attempted to convince James’ agent why the Warriors would be the ideal team to sign with.
“Why wouldn’t LeBron go to Golden State? Honestly, that’s what everyone wants. Literally, if you did a poll, 97 percent [of people would agree],” Simmons said.
Paul responded by reiterating that people should be patient and James should be able to take his time with such a massive decision.
“In the event that was to take place, the only thing missing is Michael Jackson’s glove in terms of how big of a rockstar. It’s not my choice. I don’t have a choice. I don’t have a choice in this. Let the man have his choice,” Paul replied to Simmons.
With the pairing of James and Warriors superstar Steph Curry being a dream scenario, Paul did acknowledge the potential results of the two future Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductees teaming up in Golden State.
“When you talk about growing the game globally, in the event something like that takes place where you get two mega-superstars on one team, that team has to go to any country that you’re trying to grow awareness of the game,” Paul added.
Rich Paul on LeBron teaming up with Steph Curry:
“When you talk about growing the game globally, in the event something like that takes place where you get two Mega superstars on one team, that team has to go to any country that you’re trying to grow awareness of the game.… https://t.co/mzdawp0UWkpic.twitter.com/Ra5xofPplo
James previously has played with Curry and for Warriors coach Steve Kerr during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, and is close friends with veteran Draymond Green, so he has familiarity with some of Golden State’s personnel.
The Warriors are staying in the running as one of the reported suitors for the 22-time NBA All-Star selection, but it remains to be seen if James actually decides to join forces with Curry and Co.
LeBron James, left, and Stephen Curry after a game at Chase Center in April. James is currently considering joining Curry and the Warriors next season. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
Take all the time you want, LeBron. It’s your life.
Yes, it’s annoying to have to hear about it every day, but it’s your decision when to tell us where you’re going to play your 24th season of pro ball.
So, go ahead, keep NBA schedule-makers on pins and needles. Savor having workers at my local Trader Joe’s discussing your future on a Monday in the middle of July. Enjoy your twilight limelight.
But don’t tell us, on podcasts and in public appearances, that the factors you’re prioritizing are A) whether a team is built to win now; B) the proximity to your home in L.A.; and C) not money, but overall happiness — and then signal it might be the Golden State Warriors.
The Cleveland Cavaliers? They check all the boxes. That’s “home” for real. And the Cavs are ready to win with a veteran difference-maker such as LeBron. Absolutely, it would be a happily-ever-after conclusion to the LeBron epic.
The Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers? Nowhere close to home, but they check a box too: They’re both set up to win — and in the Eastern Conference, where they won’t have to go through the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder to reach an NBA Finals.
That would be a … choice. But let no one act like this would be LeBron leaving the Lakers for a more competitive situation. It wouldn’t be LeBron landing in a more desirable locale.
Line up Cleveland, Philadelphia, Miami and Golden State and it’s like seeing three diamonds and a square on “Sesame Street.” A 3-year-old could tell that one of those is not like the others. But that’s the third-most likely destination, as of Tuesday morning, according to the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Sure, once upon a time, a starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis would have beaten almost anybody. But even those guys — besides 30-year-old Porzingis, they’re all in their late-30s or early 40s, with a ton of NBA mileage — aren’t beating Father Time.
Remember when the Lakers put together a roster awash in washed-up stars in 2021, and how disastrous that was? Turns out pairing Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, DeAndre Jordan and, yes, Russell Westbrook was a recipe for a truly awful 33-win team.
And the Warriors? They couldn’t get out of the play-in tournament last season, when Curry played only 43 games and Butler played only 38. Also, remember, for the first time in LeBron’s career, the now 41-year-old wasn’t available to start the season. He missed the first 14 games with sciatica.
Maybe Golden State could conjure up some magic in a playoff series — but over an 82-game regular-season marathon? No way, LBJ.
Former Lakers star LeBron James (23) and former Warriors forward Draymond Green, who opted out of his contract this summer, could team up with Golden State. Or maybe not. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
It could be that winning isn’t everything for LeBron. The man’s legacy is locked. He’s won four NBA titles, three Olympic gold medals, 1,229 NBA games and counting. And he’s winning this summer’s engagement game too.
Perhaps it’s come to a point that he just wants to play with his friends, and after earning $53 million with the Lakers last season, he’s willing to sign a deal with Golden State for between $3.9 and $6 million — which is what the Warriors could pay him, according to ESPN cap expert Bobby Marks — to do that.
That’s lovely, but it doesn’t change the fact that LeBron wouldn’t be happy losing.
And losing when he’s the addition to Steph’s team — and make no mistake, the Warriors are Steph’s team — really wouldn’t be fun.
The superstar wars that will be fought between both players’ infamously, uh, passionate fandoms wouldn’t be fun.
The daily drumbeat of criticism from talking heads who tuned into all of those televised games — not fun.
But the commute! It’s only 380 miles or so from Brentwood to Chase Center, and that’s much closer than Cleveland or Philly or Miami.
That makes sense — if you forget there are two NBA teams in the very city where LeBron’s family lives. And on paper, they’re both better than the Warriors. And his son plays for one of them!
But one of those teams is the Clippers and the other has moved on from LeBron.
Oh, the irony.
The Lakers, if they weren’t the ex-team, would check all the boxes. They’re going to be competitive. They’re a group LeBron enjoyed playing with. They are home. And LeBron would check a pretty big box for them too, if money really isn’t a deciding factor.
But the Lakers have replaced LeBron with Walker Kessler, the 24-year-old defensive center who is the perfect complement to Luka Doncic. They’ve put in place the pillars for their future, though they do still happen to have a LeBron-sized hole at forward that isn’t going to be filled by LeBron.
And that’s OK. The next chapter will start eventually, and likely it will be set in a location where LeBron can compete and have a good time, and that he and his family can feel good about.
