Basketball – Page 226 – Worldwide Sports News

June 26, 2026

Cameron Carr says entering Lakers facility was a ‘moment of happiness’

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Cameron Carr is interviewed after being drafted twenty-four overall to the New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Chloe Fatouva/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

A player only gets one chance to make a first impression. On Friday afternoon, Lakers rookie Cameron Carr had that moment and soaked it all in.

The newest Laker met with the LA media and was just as excited to be a Laker as fans are about the prospect of having a young, athletic player on the roster.

“Man, walking in the building, first thing you notice is the rich tradition and the people that have been here before you,” Carr said. “It’s like a moment of happiness. As a kid, you always dreamed of walking across the stage and accomplishing everything you wanted to. It just felt good to walk in the gym and look at all the people that came before me. Now I’m in their shoes.”

It’s clear that Carr is aware of the moment and how unique it is. He is now part of this historic franchise that has been around for over seven decades and has won 17 championships, second only to their rivals, the Boston Celtics. This is the dream of hundreds of thousands of people, and Carr made it happen.

The Lakers selected Carr with the No. 24 pick in the draft, and the selection has been praised by experts. On paper, Carr is an explosive player who can apply pressure at the rim, giving the Lakers the vertical spacing they so desperately desire.

During his sole season at Baylor, Carr averaged a team-high 18.9 points per game. He shot 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from beyond the arc.

If his excitement and eagerness during his presser are an indication of what his work ethic will be at the pro level, then the Lakers might have added the newest member of their rotation.

Now that introductions have been made and he’s been seen smiling ear to ear while holding his Lakers jersey, it’s time to get to work. Carr will have his first opportunity to represent LA in a basketball game soon enough.

The NBA has released the Las Vegas Summer League schedule, so hopefully he will be participating alongside LA’s other young acquisitions, including two-way players AK Okereke and Peter Suder and the undrafted free agents the team picked up after the draft.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

June 26, 2026

Jose Alvarado declines option, stays home by signing new Knicks deal

Jose Alvarado is not going anywhere.

The homegrown guard will decline his $4.5 million player option and sign a new three-year deal worth more than $14 million to stay with the world champion New York Knicks, according to several reports on Friday, June 26. Bringing him back was a priority for the Knicks this offseason.

For a kid from Brooklyn, the choice was not just about money.

Alvarado grew up in the city and played his high school basketball at Christ the King in Queens. He went undrafted out of Georgia Tech in 2021, latched on with New Orleans on a two-way contract and turned himself into one of the league's peskiest defenders. They call him "Grand Theft Alvarado" for the way he robs ball handlers.

The Knicks traded for him at the February deadline for Dalen Terry, two second-round picks and cash. He averaged 6.6 points, 3.8 assists and 2.0 rebounds off the bench in 28 regular-season games with New York.

His fingerprints were all over the Knicks' title run. Down 81-52 in Game 4 of the Finals, Alvarado hit a layup and a 3-pointer to chip into the deficit that had looked hopeless. New York won 107-106, grabbed a 3-1 lead and closed out the San Antonio Spurs in five games for its first championship since 1973.

I’m Home 🧡💙🧡💙🧡
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) June 26, 2026

Staying probably cost him money. There were reports that he could command as much as $10 million a year on the open free agent market. He took less to come back and then posted on social media "I'm Home," with two hearts in Knicks orange and blue.

Free agency opens June 30. New York still has to sort out center Mitchell Robinson and other free agents, with owner Jim Dolan's eye on the luxury tax shaping every move.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jose Alvarado declines option, stays home by signing new Knicks deal

June 26, 2026

Jose Alvarado reportedly returning to New York Knicks on three-year, more than $14 million deal

The Queens native who grew up a Knicks fan and helped them to their first title in 53 years is coming back.

Jose Alvarado is declining his $4.5 million player option and re-signing with the Knicks on a three-year deal, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN. The contract is worth close to $15 million, reports NBA insider Chris Haynes and Steve Popper of Newsday.

Alvarado was traded from New Orleans to New York at the trade deadline, and in 28 games with the team, averaged 6.6 points, 3.8 assists, and a steal per game. Most famously during the Knicks Finals run, he went 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter of Game 4 and was a spark for the Knicks 29-point comeback win that essentially ended the series.

Jose Alvarado full highlights vs. San Antonio Spurs last night (107-106 W) - Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals

8 Points on 3/4 FG (75.0%), 2/3 from 3 (66.7%), 2 Rebounds, 3 Assists (1 TOV), 5 PF, and a +/- of +11 in 15:38 minutes off the bench.

All his main stats came in the 4th… pic.twitter.com/ocY5VKJ4i3
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) June 11, 2026

This signing leaves the Knicks still dancing with the second apron. This deal leaves the Knicks $14 million under the second luxury tax apron — a line owner James Dolan has said he does not want to cross — with five open roster spots, reports Keith Smith of Spotrac. Another estimate, via Yossi Gozlan, is that New York is an estimated $9.8 million below the second apron with three or four more spots to fill.

The expectation around the league is that they will re-sign Landry Shamet and a couple of minimum-salary players, but that would leave Mitchell Robinson as the odd man out (and he has multiple suitors willing to beat his $12.9 million salary from a season ago).

June 26, 2026

NBA insider believes Cavs and James Harden should have ‘verbal agreement’ on multiyear deal soon

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - FEBRUARY 22: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on February 22, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers are set for a busy offseason. One of the goals will be ducking below the second apron, and preferably the first as well. Look no further than the Cavs trading out of the first round into the second this past week to save money as proof of that.

One of the ways they should be able to save money next season is by negotiating a new deal with James Harden. As it stands, Harden has a player option worth $43.3 million for next season with $13.3 million guaranteed. Reporting suggests that Harden is willing to negotiate a smaller annual value in a deal for next year, in exchange for a longer deal.

NBA insider Jake Fisher wrote on Friday morning that Harden and the Cavs “should soon have a verbal agreement on a new multi-year deal” shortly. The annual value of that deal is unknown.

This makes sense for both parties.

Harden is nearing the end of his career. Securing future paydays beyond this upcoming season is more beneficial for him in the long term. From the Cavs’ perspective, they could be saving up to $10 million on next season’s cap sheet, depending on how much Harden signs for. That would allow them to get under the second apron and remake the roster.

Harden had a strong season for the Cavs after being dealt to Cleveland in February. He averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists per game on .466/.435/.840 shooting splits in 26 regular-season games. In the playoffs, Harden averaged 19.2 points and 5.5 assists on .410/.299/.831 shooting splits in 18 games.

Earlier this month, Harden was arrested outside of Houston, Texas, for unlawfully carrying weapons. He was charged with a misdemeanor.

June 26, 2026

CSR Weekend Warriors: 6/26-6/28

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

June 26, 2026

SB Nation Reacts results: Jabari Smith Jr. most likely to “step up” for Rockets

Nov 12, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) and forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) arrives at the arena before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

It hasn’t been a linear trend towards success for this Houston Rockets rebuild.

There have been peaks and valleys. At times, it has looked like the Rockets had one of the brightest futures in the NBA. There’s been plenty of gloom and doom as well. As is often the case, the truth is likely somewhere in the middle.

All of the Rockets’ young players have shown potential. The problem is that none have emerged as a true franchise player. That leaves us all waiting for one of these young Rockets to “step up”.

According to the latest polls, you think Jabari Smith Jr. is the man for the job.

Jabari Smith Jr. voted most likely to “take the next step”

I know…I know. The poll question was not “Is Jabari Smith Jr. a franchise-caliber player”? Maybe I’ve got writer’s block, maybe every NBA writer has writer’s block during the summer until their team makes a splashy acquisition.

What you actually voted for was Smith Jr. to step up ahead of Tari Eason next year. That makes sense. Eason is a couple of years older than Smith Jr., which gives Smith Jr. a longer runway for improvement. Eason has also been generally better than Smith Jr., so the latter’s bar for “stepping up” is lower.

The question is, what does stepping up look like for Smith Jr.?

Rockets’ Smith Jr. has room to grow

Resisting the urge to claim that you voted this way because I’d recently written a whole article about Smith Jr. stepping up.

Joking. I know I don’t have that influence. Again, writer’s block. Trying to be funny. Words.

To reiterate: There are two clear paths to improvement for Smith Jr. One is to simply improve his three-point shooting, and the other is to explore his midrange game more thoroughly.

As the roster is constructed, that midrange game might be difficult to probe. Between Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, that part of the floor is largely occupied. So, an increase in three-point efficiency (and, ideally, volume) seems like the more available path.

If Smith Jr. can take strides, the Rockets should win more games. If you happen to want to bet on how many games they might win (or anything else), head on over to FanDuel, who sponser our SB Nation Reacts polls. There are plenty of bets available that feature the Rockets.

June 26, 2026

Center Mark Williams returning to Suns on three-year, $38 million contract

Phoenix had already re-signed starting point guard Collin Gillespie and his backup Jordan Goodwin, now it has locked up all three of its own free agents it wanted to keep.

Center Mark Williams is returning to the Suns on a three-year, $38 million contract, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN.

Williams came to Phoenix on a draft night trade a year ago and averaged 11.7 points and eight rebounds per game. He was a solid part of the rotation, and the Suns wanted to bring him back on a two-year deal, reports John Gambadoro, the well-connected long-time radio host in Phoenix.

The bet for Phoenix in this deal is that Williams stays healthy. Williams has an injury history, and while he played 60 games last season for the Suns, he never played more than 44 games in any season during his three years in Charlotte.

This gives the Suns 15 players on their roster, and they are above the first apron and about $4.7 below the second, there is little chance they are adding any salary. If a good deal came up, the Suns have non-guaranteed contracts they could waive to make a move, but this looks like the Suns' roster for next season.

June 26, 2026

Jose Alvarado returning to Knicks on $14 million contract after declining player option

New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado dribbling the ball against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle. — Jose Alvarado reacts during the Knicks' June 8 game.

One of the first dominoes of the Knicks’ offseason now has clarity.

Jose Alvarado declined his $4.5 million player option for next season, but he’s returning on a three-year deal worth over $14 million, according to ESPN.

The decision allowed him to, instead of playing on the one-year option, sign a multiyear deal that carries a lower average annual value than that $4.5 million.

That is crucial because the Knicks are operating in accordance with owner James Dolan’s wishes to stay below the second apron and have a tight budget in order to do so.

Jose Alvarado reacts during the Knicks’ June 8 game. Charles Wenzelberg

Alvarado’s deadline for the decision was originally on Monday, but he and the Knicks agreed to push it back to Friday, after the NBA draft.

He emerged as a key bench piece for the Knicks’ championship run, providing the Knicks with a true backup point guard that they lacked before his arrival.

He also added a bit of snarl and feistiness to a team that, at the time, needed it.

They acquired him — after a series of moves that started with sending away Guerschon Yabusele — just ahead of the deadline.

President Leon Rose recently praised Alvarado as one of his best under-the-radar moves in building the Knicks into champions.

“That was huge,” Rose said on the “Roommates Show” podcast, “because we did need another ball handler, we needed another person that could put it on the floor and take some of the pressure off.”

His playing time varied, but by the postseason and Finals, he was playing critical minutes.

Alvarado memorably scored eight points and drilled two 3-pointers during the Knicks’ historic comeback in their 107-106 win in Game 4 of the Finals.

Alvarado, 28, is also a local kid, having been born in Brooklyn and played high school basketball at Christ the King.

June 26, 2026

Jose Alvarado signing multi-year deal with Knicks after declining player option

Jose Alvaradois staying with the Knicks.

The reserve guard, who was traded midseason from the New Orleans Pelicans, will decline the $4.5 million player option for the 2026-27 NBA season and will remain in New York on a multi-year deal, according to SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley.

Begley noted that Alvarado was a key piece in helping the Knicks win their first NBA title in 53 years, and the organization has been "prioritizing his return this offseason."

The deal is reportedly for three years and at least $14 million, according to ESPN.

In his fifth season in the NBA, Alvarado, a Brooklyn native, enjoyed much success in New York while playing for the team he grew up rooting for in the city he grew up in.

"I’m Home," Alvarado posted on social media shortly after the news broke.

As the backup point guard to Jalen Brunson, Alvarado averaged 6.6 points, 3.8 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game and saw action in 28 contests (three starts) for the Knicks. During the team's championship run, the 27-year-old averaged just 9.4 minutes per game, but saw an increased role in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, which included a great fourth quarter in Game 4 while playing alongside Brunson and the rest of the starters.

In addition to his numbers on the stat sheet, Alvarado showed great energy on and off the bench upon joining the Knicks and played with passion and hustle on the court, specifically on defense, endearing himself to New York fans everywhere.

After his performance on the biggest stage, Alvarado, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, is hoping to turn that into a significant and long-term payday this offseason.

I’m Home 🧡💙🧡💙🧡
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) June 26, 2026

June 26, 2026June 27, 2026

Knicks make free agency decision on Jose Alvarado

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: Jose Alvarado of the New York Knicks is seen on the red carpet prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

New York Knicks point guard Jose Alvarado is here to stay at home, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.

“New York guard Jose Alvarado is declining his $4.5 million player option and intends to sign a new three-year, $14-plus million deal to return to the Knicks, sources tell ESPN. Knicks made it a priority to retain the NY native who played key role on a historic championship team,” Charania tweeted.

Trading for Alvarado was one of the most important moves of New York’s season. In 28 regular-season games with the Knicks, he averaged 6.6 points and 3.8 assists per contest. He also averaged a steal per game, proving to be the menace he is on the defensive end of the floor.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown explained how important Alvarado was to the team shortly after being acquired back in February.

“He’s been good. The quickness is irreplaceable. It gives us a different look,” Brown said back in March. “He’s different in a way that kind of stands out. I don’t know what that way would be, but Jose was available.

“And I give Leon [Rose] credit, he got him. It’s helped us on both ends of the floor. … The energy on top of the quickness that he brings to the table, every time we step on the floor, is irreplaceable. At least with the guys that we had, or the guys that we have. Just different.”

Posting and Toasting community, how do you feel about Alvarado’s new deal? Chime off in the comments section below.

June 26, 2026

Suns Summer league schedule released

The Phoenix Suns officially released the schedule for their first four 2026 NBA Summer league games Friday.

2026 Summer Suns Schedule ☄️

🗓️ Fifth Game TBD pic.twitter.com/ZZHwe3yf0Z
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 26, 2026

The team will likely include the team’s first-round pick, Koa Peat, recent signings Sam Hoiberg and Corey Camper Jr., and 2025 draft picks Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming.

Last season, the team went 2-3 in the Summer League, with Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Fleming, and Maluach serving as the key players.

The matchups are on three different networks, with two on ESPN platforms. With multiple lottery selections after selecting Arizona guard Brayden Burries and acquiring the 13th overall pick, Nate Ament, after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, the rematch of the 2021 Finals could be an interesting one.

To advance in the Summer League, the Suns must have one of the four best records. If they do, they’ll head to the semifinals, where, with a win, they’ll play for the championship. The franchise has never won the Summer League but reached the Finals back in 2013.

After the Summer League festivities, it’ll be a few months until Suns basketball is back, but in the meantime, we’ll have you covered with game previews, recaps and analysis for their games in Vegas.

June 26, 2026

What Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy expects when Jimmy Butler returns from ACL injury

What Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy expects when Jimmy Butler returns from ACL injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Most Warriors fans wouldn’t be thrilled if you had told them before this past season that Golden State made the NBA play-in tournament, but missed the playoffs.

However, if you told them that practically all of the team’s stars missed a chunk of the season due to injury, they might change their tune a tad. Steph Curry played in just 43 games, Kristaps Porziņģis logged just 15 appearances and Jimmy Butler was limited to 38 games after tearing his ACL.

When speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Pool and Bonta Hill, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. revealed that the team doesn’t yet have a clear timetable for Butler, but they still expect him to be a productive player.

“I do think when Jimmy returns, depending on his load that he can carry the amount of minutes, I do think he’ll be a very good player based on the way he plays,” Dunleavy said. “The two best things about him are his mind and his physicality, and you don’t lose that with a hurt knee.”

Despite aging typically being viewed as a negative in sports, Dunleavy, who enjoyed a prosperous 15-year NBA career, revealed that Butler’s age (36) already has helped him adapt to no longer being a top-tier athlete.

“He’s adjusted well as he’s aged already on the athleticism front, and I think that’ll be no different,” Dunleavy told Poole and Hill. “It’s just, we got to get him back when we can.”

Before going down with the injury, Butler was averaging 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

Luckily for the Warriors, they were able to snag a couple of productive wings in this week’s 2026 NBA Draft, landing both Michigan All-American Yaxel Lendeborg and Florida State two-way wing Lajae Jones. With Butler and Moses Moody both having to miss time due to knee injuries, the rookies might have to grow up quickly.

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June 26, 2026

Suns re-signing starting center Mark Williams to fully guaranteed deal

The Suns have re-signed center Mark Williams to a fully guaranteed three-year, $38 million deal, according to ESPN.

Williams played 60 games for the Suns this season, averaging 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 blocks.

Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams slaps hands with teammates during player introductions. AP Photo

He joined Phoenix this season after spending three years with the Hornets, where he was drafted No. 15 overall from Duke in 2022.

Despite being a starter, Williams will be the 34th-highest-paid center in the league in total value and 32nd in AAV, according to Spotrac.

This is largely because of the fully guaranteed nature of the deal, parlayed with the fact that Williams has had trouble remaining available for long stretches of his career — missing 162 games in his first four seasons in the league.

Williams has dealt with a nagging foot injury for the better part of his NBA career to this point.

It kept him out of the four-game series loss to the Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs this season.

Mark Williams of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket as Noah Clowney of the Brooklyn Nets defends. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The Suns surprised many last season with a 45-37 record and only slowed down at the end because of injuries.

The Williams deal, as well as re-signing rotation guards Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin for four- and three-year deals, respectively, show their intent to run it back in 2026-27 with a similar core.

The Suns acquired Williams from the Hornets in a draft-day trade.

He had previously been traded to the Lakers on the 2025 deadline day, but the deal was rescinded after he failed his physical in Los Angeles.

June 26, 2026

Sixers sign Duke Miles to Exhibit 10 deal

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 19: Duke Miles #2 of the Vanderbilt Commodores looks to shoot the ball during the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the McNeese Cowboys held at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Shane Bevel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Normally, a slew of undrafted free agents sign with teams at the conclusion of the second round. Things were pretty quiet though after the 2026 NBA Draft — especially for the Sixers.

That changed slightly Friday with the team reportedly adding Vanderbilt guard Duke Miles on an Exhibit 10 deal. Adam Aaronson of Philly Voice was the first to report the news.

NEWS: The Sixers are signing Duke Miles to an Exhibit 10 contract, source tells @thephillyvoice. An E10 deal is a training camp contract which gives player a signing bonus if they are waived and report to that team's affiliate in the G League. Vandy On SI reported earlier today.
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) June 26, 2026

Miles is a 6-foot-2 guard who played last season at Vanderbilt. He’s an undersized but feisty guard in the mold of Jose Alvarado or Jamal Shead. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.5 assists and a conference-leading 2.6 steals per game. He shot 43.5% from the field and 34.8% from three. Miles enjoyed a six-year collegiate career, spending three years at Troy before stops at High Point, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt. He’s an Alabama native, just like Sixers first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr.

As a reminder, an Exhibit 10 contract is basically a glorified G League deal. Miles will likely spend the summer league and training camp with the Sixers, but will be financially incentivized to spend the 2026-27 season with the Delaware Blue Coats.

The only other name we’ve seen even linked to the Sixers is Javontae Campbell, the reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Campbell’s alma mater, Bowling Green State, shared the news. He’s yet another undersized, defensive-minded guard at 6-foot-2.

We don’t know who else will be on the Sixers’ summer league roster, but we do know they will only be making the trek to Vegas from July 9-19. Unfortunately, the team will not be participating in the Salt Lake summer league in 2026.

June 26, 2026