Laker Bronny James shoots the ball during a California Class game against the Miami Heat on Sunday at the Chase Center in San Francisco. (Noah Graham / NBAE via Getty Images)
Bronny James made his 2025 summer league debut, scoring 10 points in 10 minutes during the Lakers' win over the Miami Heat in the California Classic at the Chase Center on Sunday.
The Lakers led for most of the game, rolling to a 103-83 victory.
The Heat went on a 10-0 run to start the third quarter, but the Lakers responded with strong perimeter shooting to maintain a double-digit lead.
Cole Swider was the Lakers' leading scorer for the second consecutive game, finishing with 20 points against the Heat. Swider shot seven of 10 from the field, including two of five from three-point range.
“We have to get back to defending how we did in the first half, I thought we did a great job,” Swider said. “They only had 38 points in the first half. They came out high, but we were able to weather the storm and win the third quarter, which was huge for us.”
James, who didn’t suit up for the Lakers’ loss to the Warriors on Saturday, was three-of-seven shooting and two-of-five from three-point range. He sat out the second half because of a minutes restriction for conditioning.
“It felt good, just getting out there for the first time this summer. I’m just trying to make a difference any way I can defensively and offensively,” James said. “... First wind was definitely tough. … Pretty much just trying to go out there have fun and not be so tired while I'm doing it.”
Bronny opened up the game with a steal and fast-break dunk to score the Lakers' first points.
The Lakers shot 57.1% from the field and stepped up their perimeter defense while limiting the Heat to 14 free throws. Miami made just eight of 27 (29.6%) from beyond the three-point line.
Swider said as one of the veterans on the roster, he tries to provide support for younger players.
“This is my fourth year doing this thing, I think I might be the oldest guy on the roster," he said. "Just giving these guys a game, trying to help Dalton [Knecht] as much as possible, trying to help Bronny as much as possible. Me and Bronny had a great stint together with the South Bay Lakers, so just trying to continue that chemistry and continuity.”
The Lakers get a day off before they play the San Antonio Spurs in the final game of the California Classic on Tuesday. Tipoff will be at 7 p.m. The team will then travel to Las Vegas for the remainder of its summer league schedule.
Kevin Durant is a four-time Olympic champion and two-time NBA champion [Getty Images]
NBA star Kevin Durant has joined the Houston Rockets from the Phoenix Suns in a record-breaking trade deal involving seven teams.
The move was first announced last month but was confirmed on Sunday when the league's new year officially started.
The Atlanta Hawks, the Brooklyn Nets, the Golden State Warriors, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers are also involved in the deal, which involves 13 players and several future draft picks being exchanged.
The previous record for the largest trade in NBA history was six teams, set last summer when Klay Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks.
Durant, 36, was named the 2014 Most Valuable Player, won two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors, and is a 15-time All-Star.
He also won four Olympic golds with the US basketball team.
"My time in Phoenix has come to an end," he posted on social media.
"All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way. Remember it's a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space, work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players.
"I truly believe this NBA is a one big community. Much love to Arizona. Houston, Can't Wait!"
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said: "His skill level, love of basketball, and dedication to his craft have made him one of the most respected players of his generation, and my staff and I are excited to work with him."
Houston finished second in the Western Conference last season but were knocked out of the play-offs in the first round.
"One of the greatest to ever play the game, we are grateful for the impact Kevin made on our organization and in our community," Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory said.
"As a member of the Suns, he climbed the scoring charts to become just the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points, and we wish him the best as he continues his career in Houston."
Who gets what in the seven-team deal?
Under the deal, Houston get Durant and 31-year-old Swiss centre Clint Capela from Atlanta - he started his career at the Rockets.
From the Rockets, the Suns pick up 18-year-old South Sudanese centre Khaman Maluach, who was the 10th overall pick in June's NBA draft, as well as forward Dillon Brooks and guard Jalen Green. The Suns also get Atlanta wing Daeqwon Plowden, Minnesota forward Rasheer Fleming and Golden State guard Koby Brea, as well as two future draft picks.
The Hawks, meanwhile, receive David Roddy, cash, and a 2031 draft pick swap from Houston.
Brooklyn obtained two future second-round picks and sent a draft pick, forward Adou Thiero, to the Lakers.
The Warriors obtained Australian forward Alex Toohey, who was initially drafted by the Suns, and guard Jahmai Mashack, the last pick in the draft for the Rockets.
Minnesota landed two future draft picks from the Suns and 18-year-old Australian centre Rocco Zikarsky, a draft pick from the Lakers.
The Jonathan Kuminga saga remains roughly the same, but a Northern California rival appears intent on acquiring the Warriors’ 22-year-old forward.
The Sacramento Kings have been the strongest pursuer of Kuminga, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported Sunday night, citing sources.
No significant traction on the Jonathan Kuminga front over the weekend, per sources. Restricted free agency around the NBA remains ice cold. Conversations and little action. Kings have been strongest pursuer of Warriors’ wing, but nothing has come close.
That deal would have sent Kuminga to Sacramento, while Detroit would would receive guard Malik Monk, with the Kings sending Golden State second-year guard Devin Carter, big man Dario Šarić and two second-round draft picks.
Kuminga has averaged 12.5 points on 50.7 percent shooting from the field in four NBA seasons since being selected by the Warriors at No. 7 overall in the 2021 draft.
As the ongoing situation awaits a resolution, it’s worth keeping an eye on Northern California’s two NBA teams potentially striking a deal for Kuminga.
In the first possession of Warriors’ last-second 90-88 California Classic summer league loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center, Richard swiped down and stripped the ball away from David Jones-Garcia like he was Andre Iguodala and took it the other way himself for an easy layup. That’s the kind of two-way impact the Warriors saw out of Richard at Florida, and why they moved up three spots from No. 59 to No. 56 to select the former Gator.
“I have a lot of length on defense and I can do a good job of knowing where the ball is going to be,” Richard said. “Just being aggressive. As soon as I saw him bring it down I knew I could have a chance to steal the ball.”
Melton is 6-foot-2, but his wingspan exceeds 6-foot-8. Richard comes in even taller at 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan he knows how to use to his advantage. He led Florida with 1.7 steals per game as a senior last season, and more than half of his 40 games resulted in multiple steals.
Richard had 22 games of two or more steals, including six games of three steals, one with four and another where he swiped five. He was without a steal in only seven games last season. His first time wearing a Warriors jersey ended with two steals, making a major impact defensively in a handful of ways.
Coach Lainn Wilson was equally impressed with how Richard guarded his man, as well as understanding concepts of team defense.
“Honestly, both,” Wilson said. “His activity on the ball – he was doing what we asked off the ball as well. There wasn’t many times where he was caught out of position. Obviously he’s a pretty aggressive player, so that’d be the only time he gets burned.
“But we can honestly work with guys that are pretty aggressive.”
Jones-Garcia led both teams with 25 points, though Richard hounded him throughout the Warriors’ loss. His second steal was jumping a passing lane and tipping an attempt from Jones-Garcia. Richard’s best defensive sequence also came on Jones-Garcia in a play where he wasn’t given a steal in the box score.
While Jones-Garcia kept trying to dribble past Richard, he had nowhere to go. Stuck in the mud with an unsuccessful last-ditch effort going behind his back. Jackson Rowe pounced on the loose ball, and Richard wound up dropping a highlight of dime in mid-air to tie the game in the fourth quarter.
Sunday was full of firsts for Richard. Complications from the Warriors’ trade to acquire his draft rights delayed his California Classic debut, and withheld him from any practices. The two-point loss was the first time Richard even played 5-on-5 since the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game three months ago.
Still, Richard ended as a plus-13 in 25 minutes. He scored 16 points on 3-of-10 shooting, going 2 of 8 on threes but made all eight of his free throw attempts. Richard also had four rebounds, one assist and two steals.
“Pretty impressive debut,” Wilson said. “… His effort out there was just a really good start for him.”
With just 32 seconds remaining in regulation, Richard drained a three to make it a one-point game. Wilson then drew up a play for Richard with the game on the line in the final seconds, going for the win and putting his ultimate faith in him.
Off his hands, the shot was right on target. As it hit the front of the rim, teammates jumped in anticipation on the sidelines. No summer league storybook ending this time.
The ball hit the back of the rim and trickled out at the buzzer. Wilson thought it was going to fall, as did Richard. The heartbreak won’t deter him from taking the shot again, and it certainly won’t place a dark cloud over what was a positive first impression.
The Kevin Durant trade to Houston was agreed to two weeks ago — hours before Game 7 of the NBA Finals, just to cast a shadow over that event — and since then has kept growing and growing. As other trades were agreed to, it became fiscally responsible to combine them into one big trade.
On Sunday, the Durant trade became official, approved by the league as a historic seven-team trade, a development that has been anticipated for a while and is was first confirmed by Fred Katz of The Athletic (since his post the trade became official). This is the first seven-team trade in NBA history. Outside of the big names, a lot of what is happening is draft picks getting moved around.
The trade fully shakes out this way:
• Houston receives: Kevin Durant, Clint Capela • Phoenix receives: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, rights to Khaman Maluach (No. 10 draft pick), Rasheer Fleming, Koby Brea, Daeqwon Plowden, one second-round pick • Golden State receives: Alex Toohey, Jahmai Mashack • Los Angeles Lakers receive: Adou Thiero • Brooklyn receives: two second-round picks • Atlanta receives: David Roddy, a second-round pick, cash • Minnesota receives: Rocco Zikarsky, two second-round picks, cash
The Durant trade could not be approved until the NBA's new fiscal year (July 1) and the end of the trade and free agency moratorium, which runs until July 6. On Sunday, a flood of already agreed-upon trades and signings will be officially announced.
Including a historically large Kevin Durant trade.
The deal got approved by the NBA on Sunday as part of a seven-team transaction, one in which a slew of other trade agreements got folded into one massive package.
“Kevin impacts the game on both ends of the court and is one of the most efficient scorers in the history of basketball,” Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said. “We liked the growth our team showed last season and believe Kevin’s skill set will integrate seamlessly.”
Involved in the deal: Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, Minnesota, Golden State, Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Lakers. It includes a total of 13 players — the headline moves include Durant going to Houston from Phoenix, the Rockets sending Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to the Suns, and the Rockets acquiring Clint Capela from the Hawks.
The seven-team involvement in the Durant trade tops the previous record, a six-team transaction last summer that most notably sent Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks. Golden State — Thompson’s former team — obviously was another part of that trade, as were Charlotte, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Denver on varying levels.
“One of the greatest to ever play the game, we are grateful for the impact Kevin made on our organization and in our community,” Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory said of Durant. “As a member of the Suns, he climbed the scoring charts to become just the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points, and we wish him the best as he continues his career in Houston.”
There will be at least five second-round draft picks in the deal before all terms are satisfied, the potential for another second-round pick swap and the Hawks and Timberwolves both had to receive some cash considerations to make all the math work. And some of those draft picks won’t actually be made until 2032, which raises the serious possibility that some players who will go down in history as being part of the trade haven’t reached high school yet.
Durant averaged 26.6 points last season, his 17th in the NBA — not counting one year missed because of injury. For his career, the 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game.
The move brings Durant back to the state of Texas, where he played his only year of college basketball for the Longhorns and was the college player of the year before going as the No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft by Seattle.
Houston becomes his fifth franchise, joining the SuperSonics (who then became the Oklahoma City Thunder), Golden State, Brooklyn and Phoenix. Durant won his two titles with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and last summer in Paris he became the highest-scoring player in U.S. Olympic basketball history and the first men’s player to be part of four gold-medal teams.
Durant is a four-time scoring champion, a two-time Finals MVP and one of eight players in NBA history with more than 30,000 career points.
“Having played against Kevin and coached him before, I know he’s the type of competitor who fits with what we’ve been building here in Houston,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “His skill level, love of basketball, and dedication to his craft have made him one of the most respected players of his generation, and my staff and I are excited to work with him.”
Houston sent Green and Brooks to Phoenix, along with the rights to Khaman Maluach from last month’s draft, a second-round pick in 2026 and another second-rounder in 2032. The Hawks got David Roddy, cash and a 2031 second-round pick swap from the Rockets. Brooklyn gets a 2026 second-round pick and another in 2030 from the Rockets, and the Warriors received the rights to Jahmai Mashack from last month’s draft.
And though Looney clearly means this as a happy goodbye, it’s hard not to get emotional reading this conclusion to his open letter:
And so, with that, I’ll leave you with what me, Steph, and Draymond said to each other when I called them last week to break the news, Looney wrote.
Those were my first two calls. Those guys, they’ve been my big brothers for the past 10 years — showing me the ropes, guiding me, helping me to grow up. I relied on those two so much throughout my time as a Warrior. And especially when I first came into the league, I needed that guidance, that wisdom, the friendship. I’m not a big crier, but calling to tell them I’m heading somewhere else was pretty emotional for me, just to be real with you. It was like, I don’t know … I felt those conversations in my heart.
Since being selected No. 30 overall out of UCLA in the 2016 NBA Draft, Looney has been a model of consistency in Golden State, highlighted by his streak of 290 consecutive games played from 2021-24.
I hope they know how grateful I am. How thankful.
I hope you all know. Truly. Everyone in the Bay, and Warriors fans around the world.
Because these past 10 years have been more than I ever could have dreamed of.
So, yeah, before we hung up those phones, it was like….
“What a journey we all went on together!”
“Ten amazing years.”
“It’s been one hell of a ride!”
Not every ending has gotta be a sad ending.
I’m leaving the Bay with a huge smile on my face.
Thank you for the ride.
Of course, Dub Nation is just as thankful for the contributions of the ever-underrated Looney, who, despite not putting up extraordinary numbers throughout his tenure, undoubtedly was a vital piece of the Warriors dynasty.
The Warriors finalized a blockbuster trade involving Kevin Durant.
Yes, it’s true. No, they’re not getting Durant.
Golden State played a small part in a historic seven-team trade centered around the Houston Rockets acquiring the 15-time NBA All-Star from the Phoenix Suns.
The Warriors received the draft rights to Australian forward Alex Toohey, whom they selected with pick No. 52 after a draft-night trade with Phoenix, and Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack, who, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson, will be re-routed to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of their second draft-night trade to acquire the rights to guard Will Richard, whom they selected with the No. 56 pick.
Full clarification after talking with some people: As part of today’s 7-team trade, the Warriors added Alex Toohey and Jahmai Mashack. Toohey stays, but Mashack will be sent to the Grizzlies so the Warriors can acquire the draft rights to Will Richard @NBCSWarriors
The complex trade is the first in NBA history to include seven teams, beating the then-record-setting blockbuster that sent Warriors icon Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal last summer.
Unlike that trade, where the Warriors acquired proven veteran players Kyle Anderson from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Buddy Hield from the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State, eventually, only received two draft prospects in this blockbuster.
In his letter, Looney discussed his role during the Warriors’ 2022 NBA championship run and why he is most proud of his accomplishments that season.
“On the court, though, when it’s all said and done, I’m pretty sure that 2022 title run will be the season I’ll remember the most from my NBA career,” Looney wrote. “Playing all 82 games. No nights off. Eighty starts. And now I’m doing it as one of the guys we really depended on.
“Most people … I’m pretty sure what they’re gonna remember about me from that playoff run is all the rebounds. Game 6 in Memphis, 22 boards or whatever. Another 18 to close out the [Mavericks] in the conference finals. Just keeping plays alive whenever I could. Scrapping and grinding to get us an extra shot every possession. That’s probably my legacy from 2022.”
In Golden State’s Western Conference finals series against Dallas that year, Looney averaged 10.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on 70.6-percent shooting from the field in five games, including a monstrous 21-point, 12-rebound performance in the Warriors’ 126-117 Game 2 win over the Mavericks.
Looney’s performance was so electrifying, that he even received “MVP” chants from the Chase Center crowd, which he recalled fondly in his Players’ Tribune article:
But, I’m not gonna lie, you know what I’ll remember most?
Game 2 against Dallas, at home in Chase Center. Third quarter. I’m at the line shooting free throws, and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, down from the rafters, here it comes….
As that’s happening, no lie, I’m basically like … I’m confused.
I’d heard MVP chants from crowds a ton over the years. For Steph [Curry], or Klay [Thompson], or [Kevin Durant], for a lot of different players. I’ve always had real MVP-type guys on my team. So I knew what I was hearing immediately. But I didn’t understand why the crowd was yelling it.
In my head I’m like: Is Steph about to check into the game? What’s going on?I definitely didn’t think it was for me. Like, seriously, that’s the kind of thing I dreamed of as a kid. It couldn’t be for me. But….
It was!
And when I realized it? I mean … that was an incredible moment right there. I’d gotten LOOOOOON chants before, which I absolutely loved. But MVP? For me? Come on now.
That’s a moment I’ll never forget as long as I live.
Thank God I sank the free throw, right?
Curry ultimately won Western Conference finals MVP that year. Because, of course. However, there certainly was an argument to be made that Looney was, at least, one of the three most-deserving players in that series.
He would have to settle for just another championship ring. His third with the Warriors.
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; VJ Edgecombe arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
This is why the majority of teams had VJ Edgecombe third on their draft boards, and why Philadelphia took him at No. 3.
Edgecombe put on a show in his Summer League debut, scoring 28 points, showing his explosiveness (particularly in transition), the fluidity of his game, his pull-up jumper, his playmaking, and he played good defense (for Summer League). Edgecombe's game is well-suited for the glorified pick-up game that is Summer League, and he showcased his skills.
Edgecombe outdueled the Utah Jazz's No. 5 pick Ace Bailey, who scored 8 points in 3-of-13 shooting. Bailey struggled when he had to create his own shot, but that's not a surprise, given that it was known he had to work on his handle, and he's not the athlete Edgecombe is to create space. However, Bailey looked good working off the ball, something Jazz coach Will Hardy could take advantage of during the season.
What matters most, especially for Bailey, is not this game, but how much he improves. Does he look better by Game 3 of Summer League? Is he learning?
Lakers forward Cole Swider goes up to shoot and gets fouled by Golden State's Blake Hinson, left, during the second half Saturday in San Francisco. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
The Lakers dropped their first game of the California Classic at Chase Center to the Golden State Warriors 89-84 on Saturday after leading by double digits in the first half.
The Lakers struggled defensively in the second half, giving up 30 points in the third quarter, when they trailed for the first time.
Bronny James traveled with the team but did not suit up.
Darius Bazley was the Lakers' only constant on defense, switching on the perimeter while contesting shots at the rim. Perimeter defense was a clear struggle for L.A., forcing late challenges by bigs leading to 25 free throws.
Cole Swider was a bright spot all game for the Lakers, using his ability to shoot from deep to tally a game-high 24 points on seven-for-10 shooting, including, six of eight from three. Swider, entering his fifth year in the NBA, played seven games for the Lakers his rookie season.
DJ Steward also stood out, scoring 20 points on seven-for-10 shooting. Steward’s ability to get to the rim and draw fouls allowed for catch-and-shoot threes for teammates.
“This is a good opportunity to be myself," Steward said. "There’s a lot of things [the coaching staff] wants me to hone in on, controlling the controllables, picking up 94 feet, communicating, and getting guys involved.”
In his fifth summer league appearance, Steward was the game's second-leading scorer and assist co-leader with six.
Steward said he will push for a win when the Lakers play their next game on Sunday.
“We got to get the guys together to go out there and play harder than we did today," Steward said. "We have to make sure we're picking up 94 feet and being more physical.”
The Lakers' first round draft pick last season, Dalton Knecht, looked a bit rusty scoring only 10 points on three-for-13 shooting, missing all six shots from deep. Knecht is coming off a season for the Lakers where he averaged 9.1 points on 46.1 % shooting in 78 games.
“It took a while for me to get going; I didn’t get going at all,” Knecht said reflecting on his performance. “I just have to come out ready to play better tomorrow and shake off the rust. My teammates were great, they came out competing, picking up full court, rebounding and crashing the glass, so I’m proud of my team.”
The California Classic will continue tomorrow when the Lakers take on the Miami Heat. Tip off will be at 1:30 p.m.
The summer Sixers will face the Thunder on Monday night. Here are observations on their opener:
Broome-Bona frontcourt
Adem Bona threw home the night’s first hoop with an emphatic dunk out of the pick-and-roll. Next time down, rookie Johni Broome sunk a pick-and-pop three-pointer assisted by Edgecombe.
Both Broome and Bona were looking forward to playing in a double-big lineup.
“He’s a great teammate,” Broome said Wednesday of Bona at the Sixers’ summer league minicamp. “He talks, he leads by example, he’s a willing worker. He’s going to put the extra work in. Super athletic, super bouncy. It’s going to be really fun to play with him.”
The Sixers later used Broome at center with Bona on the bench.
Broome’s lack of vertical pop was evident on a few occasions. Adama Sanogo swatted one of his layups. However, the 22-year-old showed his physical strength and knowhow inside. Broome recognized his chances to get deep catches and score on smaller players, tallied three offensive rebounds and drew five free throws (3 for 5). He finished with 13 points in 24 minutes.
The Sixers’ starting five was Jalen Hood-Schifino, Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Broome and Bona.
Hood-Schifino served as the starting point guard and Edgecombe received plenty of on-ball reps in the second half. Just about every perimeter player brought the ball up at times in the Sixers’ transition-heavy offense.
Edgecombe thrived in the open floor. He scored his first basket on a tricky scoop shot that evaded Jazz big man Filipowski. The Baylor product added another fast-break highlight in the second quarter when he grabbed a defensive rebound and then glided past everyone on his way to a coast-to-coast slam.
Though he didn’t have a good long-distance shooting night (1 for 7 from three-point range), Edgecombe swished a fluid baseline pull-up jumper late in the first quarter and generally appeared quite comfortable in the mid-range. He had no hesitation about firing up open shots both off the catch and off the dribble.
Edgecombe’s work on the boards was also a bright spot. He displayed the traits that made him a strong guard rebounder in college and, thanks largely to hustle and athleticism, wound up leading the Sixers in that category.
Sixers’ effort not an issue
The Sixers struggled to run productive half-court offense and shot 4 for 22 beyond the arc. Edwards began 2 for 10 from the floor. Mark Armstrong went 0 for 7.
Despite those shooting woes, the Sixers scrapped back into the game late in the third quarter. Backup point guard Judah Mintz played some pesky defense and was the Sixers’ best bench player. Edgecombe dished to Bona for a dunk that tied the contest up at 66-all early in the fourth.
While effort level tends to understandably fluctuate at summer league, Edgecombe’s approach sure wasn’t casual. Seconds after a chase-down block on former Sixers first-round pick Jaden Springer, Edgecombe converted an and-one layup.
Utah’s execution was ultimately a bit better down the stretch.
Edwards stepped on the sideline with 12.9 seconds left, Edgecombe missed a tightly contested, game-tying jumper attempt, and the Jazz notched a home win.
Whitmore was frustrated in Houston with his lack of minutes. Part of that was that Whitmore was stuck in a logjam at the forward spot in Houston, and the addition this offseason of Kevin Durant and Dorian Finney-Smith was not going to help matters. Some around the league also said he struggled to break through because Ime Udoka was frustrated with Whitmore's levels of effort and team play. It was time for both sides to move on.
The Wizards are willing to give him a chance. That's why Houston has agreed to trade Whitmore to Washington in exchange for two second-round picks, a trade first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and subsequently confirmed by other sources.
Whitmore, who turns 21 on July 8, is a very athletic 6'7" forward who can play the three or the four, and that athleticism would lead to some big nights and jaw-dropping highlights.
However, the Rockets were a defense-first team, and Whitmore's efforts on that end, along with his willingness to play team-first basketball, led Ime Udoka to limit his minutes.
The runway is open in Washington, but Whitmore has to prove himself. He fell to 20th in the 2023 draft, and now, after two seasons, the team that took him is ready to move on. The Wizards are trying to build a culture, a defense-first mindset and use his switchability on that end. The effort needs to be there every night. Whitmore will get his chance but he's going to have to earn it.
For the Wizards, this is a good roll of the dice for a very low price.
For the Rockets, this is about the money — Houston is hard-capped at the first luxury tax apron (due to the Finney-Smith signing) and getting off Whitmore's $3.5 million gets it below that line. The Rockets have one more roster spot to fill but can do so with a veteran minimum contract.
SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors fans will have to wait to watch the team’s two picks from last month’s NBA draft in action for the first time.
Alex Toohey and Will Richard did not play in Saturday’s California Classic summer league game at Chase Center against the Los Angeles Lakers. In fact, they couldn’t.
The Warriors went into the second round of the draft with one pick at No. 41 overall. Before the round even began, they traded the pick to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 52 and No. 59 overall picks. Toohey was taken at No. 52, but the Warriors weren’t done wheeling and dealing. They then moved up from No. 59 to No. 56 in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies to select Richard.
Neither trade has been made official, which is why Toohey and Richard couldn’t suit up Saturday, NBC Sports Bay Area was told. Sunday at 9 a.m. PT marks the first day of the new league year. The hope is that Toohey and Richard can play Sunday, if the trade is made official before the Warriors’ 3:30 p.m. PT tipoff against the San Antonio Spurs.
In their absence, the Warriors started off slow and sloppy but came out roaring in the second half under Lainn Wilson in his head coaching debut to beat the Lakers, 89-84.
“Our intensity level as a team really raised up after halftime,” Wilson said. “Their pressure, I think, threw us off a little bit in that first period. We struggled to make some open shots, but they did a really good job of speeding us up. They were a really physical team, so our guys after halftime really took it up a notch with their intensity as well and kind of exceeding that and broke the game open.”
The Warriors trailed 19-11 after the first quarter as the Lakers pressured them all over the court. Slowly but surely, adjustments were made. Upping the ante themselves, the Warriors outscored the Lakers 28-24 in the second quarter to go into halftime down 43-39.
At the half, the Lakers were whistled for 14 fouls while the Warriors totaled nine. The way the Lakers were hounding the Warriors defensively, however, led to eight turnovers – five in the first quarter and three in the second.
Wilson’s halftime message was to not back down and use spacing to their advantage. Message received.
“I think we were getting used to the 10-foul rule,” Jackson Rowe said. “Everybody kind of didn’t want to get fouled, and then we realized we got 10 to give.”
Summer league rules are different from standard NBA rules, including how many fouls a player can have and remain in the game. Instead of fouling out at six fouls, players are can hack away until they’re called for 10 fouls, resulting in a different product much of the time.
After adjusting to the style of play, the Warriors needed only one minute in the third quarter to regain their first lead since it was 2-0 in their favor. The Warriors outscored the Lakers 30-17 in the third quarter and held on in the fourth to come out with a win. Rowe was a major reason why.
As the most experienced player on the Warriors’ summer league roster, Rowe is taking on a leadership role and put the team on his back down the stretch. He led the Warriors in points (13), rebounds (eight) and blocked shots (two), also adding two assists and two steals as a game-high plus-13. Rowe scored nine points in the second half, including six in the fourth quarter.
He proved to be a big-time scorer in the G League last season for the Santa Cruz Warriors, twice scoring at least 30 points, and exceeding 20 points seven times. It was the other side of the ball he was most proud of Saturday.
“My favorite plays were the defensive plays,” Rowe said. “Getting some blocks and trying to change the momentum of the game.”
The Warriors signed Rowe, 28, to a two-way contract on Jan. 28. He remains two-way eligible this season, and is well aware his calling card isn’t going to be trying to take over offensively. Rowe says he has gained 15 pounds of muscle already this offseason with an emphasis on getting his body right to be relied on more defensively as someone who can do all the dirty work for Golden State.
Like Juan Toscano-Anderson years ago, Rowe’s journey with the Warriors began at a tryout. Rowe even admitted he never expected to be in the position he is today. The Warriors saw his talent, and as his game has grown, so has his mindset.
“If you want to make the NBA, oftentimes you’re not going to be the guy taking 30 shots a game,” Rowe explained. “You’re going to be the guy getting rebounds, playing defense and helping those main guys score. If you just watch what I’m doing, I think it’s a good example of how you can play in the NBA, or at least get as close as possible.”
After earning his two-way contract last season, Rowe played six games for the Warriors, seeing the floor for a total of 52 minutes. He tallied 22 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals in that span. Though he wasn’t on the active roster for the playoffs, he remained with the team and continued to absorb every ounce of knowledge.
Now, he’s the one encouraging summer league teammates for boxing out strong, running the floor and making the extra pass. Of course he’d love to drop 30 like he’s in Santa Cruz. He’d love to start the season with at least one of the Warriors’ three two-way contracts even more.
“You’re not going to replace Stephen Curry,” Rowe said. “It’s like, big surprise, you’re not going to fill that guy’s shoes ever. You gotta think, how can you impact the game in other ways? They’ve taught me how to do that.”
Playing and leading like Rowe did to open his summer league campaign will earn him the right to have plenty of space for his own shoes inside the Warriors’ locker room next season.
Lonzo Ball was traded from the mid-tier treadmill that is the Chicago Bulls to a title contender in the Cleveland Cavaliers — and he couldn't be happier about it.
"Just playing, competing for a ring. I feel like that should be the goal, I feel like that is the goal," said Lonzo Ball. "So, happy to get over there and get started. To meet everybody, get familiar with everything, and take it as far as we can.
"I feel like it's just a blessing, bro. To be honest, I mean, everybody keeps asking me how I feel about the trade. I'm like, s*** I'm happy to still be playing anywhere, let alone a team that has a real chance to win a ring. My whole life, I feel like I've been playing the right brand of basketball, and that's to win games, so I feel like I'm going to a great situation and I just want to play my role and do what I can to help."
Ball's presence helps the Cavaliers make up for the loss of Ty Jerome in free agency (even though they are very different players). It also can mean more rest for point guard Darius Garland, whose turf toe injury seriously hampered the Cavs' postseason run.
The Cavaliers enter next season as the favorites in the East, coming off a 64-win season where injuries — and an outstanding, very hot Pacers team — ended their playoff run earlier than expected. However, with Boston's Jayson Tatum and Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton both out for most, if not all, of next season, the Cavaliers are going to be at or near the top of every team's preseason predictions for the East winner.
Lonzo Ball is going to be right in the middle of that.
