Category: Basketball

Welcome back to basketball, folks!

While Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings fans got the California Classic, and a bunch of different teams got the Salt Lake City Summer League, the Minnesota Timberwolves kicked off their season — Summer League or otherwise — with a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, who have not won a Summer League game since 2023.

That did not change today.

The drought continues.

Joan Beringer with 18 points, 12 boards and 5 stocks, was a +14

Zyon Pullin with 24 points, 12 dimes to 4 TOs, and 7 boards

Rocco Zikarsky with a disappointing showing of 4 TOs to 3 FGM, 6 boards

Wolves 17 OREBs for 22 2C PTS, 33 PTS off 18 Pels TOs. https://t.co/9pG4x7ef1k

— Jack Borman (@jrborman13) July 9, 2026

Before I drag on about the players that performed well, let’s immediately get to the things that most of you are likely here to read about. Of course, I’m talking about the pair of sophomore bigs, the international duo of Rocco Zikarsky and Joan Beringer.

Despite less than impressive finishing to start out the game (with the exception of a soaring lob finish off an inbound), during which he missed four hook shots, Joan Beringer was impressive as a rebounder and shot blocker. It makes a ton of sense that the Wolves have been so high on him internally.

Possibly most encouraging was the weight and muscle Joan has clearly put on, and the improvements to his handle that enabled him to attack and dominate Pelicans big Hunter Dickinson.

I’m sure people will be talking about this play for the next few days.

JOAN APPRECIATION POST. pic.twitter.com/eS3e4fvKyl

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) July 9, 2026

Much of the conversation surrounding the Frenchman will be about how soon he can be a contributing piece to a team that got decidedly younger this offseason while still aiming for title hopes (however unrealistic that is).

Still, his partnership with Rudy Gobert should certainly leave him with a guide that the mentorship system in 2K would drool over.

We also got some confirmation from head coach Chris Finch that the Wolves will use Beringer at the four beyond just this summer in defensively focused lineups. Finch highlighted Joan’s ability to switch onto guards as a swing factor in that regard.

Zikarsky was, unfortunately, not as exciting. While the towering Aussie was not awful, he also seems to lack the required movement abilities that an NBA player needs, but that will not be decided in Summer League. He got off to a very slow start, missing his first four shots, but bounced back to have moments as an under-the-rim finisher.

For those of us (myself included) who were excited to watch Rocco as a passer and shooter, he disappointed there with four turnovers, two assists, and 1/3 shooting from deep.

With those two big pillars covered, the rest of this recap falls at the feet of the guy who may have been the Wolves’ best player this afternoon: Zyon Pullin.

The starting point guard had a near triple-double with 24 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds. The 6’4 product out of Florida did it with no threes, instead constantly slashing to the rim, and finishing with some impressive layups and floaters.

Joan Beringer with his third block of the day right here, giving way to a transition layup for Zyon Pullin. The two of them have a combined 29 points this afternoon. They've been great. pic.twitter.com/GQlBYf7Kiy

— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) July 9, 2026

Pullin lit up the G-League last year and is a likely candidate for one of the Wolves’ two-way spots. While there may only be one left alongside Enrique Freeman and Zikarsky, I’d be shocked to see anyone but Pullin in that role.

There should be some credit given to Nate Santos and Donovan Williams as well, who both had the definition of “great in their role” performances, with Santos in particular flashing as a full-court player and finisher.

That leaves just the recent 2nd round pick, Trey Kaufman-Renn, who did little with sparing playing time, participating largely just as a rebounder.

For any fans excited to see the early of the two second-rounders the Wolves took during the draft, Duke wing Isaiah Evans, he is still in NBA purgatory while Minnesota waits on Charlotte and Brooklyn to finalize the details of the Lamelo Ball – Naz Reid – Julius Randle trade.

The Wolves will be back in action on Saturday against a Nuggets team that should be less strapped for cash than their NBA equivalent. Who knows? Maybe we’ll add another funny chapter to that rivalry in the halls of the Pavilion in Vegas.

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Highlights

Brooklyn made history in the 2025 NBA Draft by securing five first-round picks, the most ever selected by a single team in one round. After one full season and a look at the California Classic, we asked the simple question: Who out of the “Flatbush Five” has the most to prove?

The results are in, and the responses paint a clear picture of how fans view the current trajectories of these five prospects. While Egor Dëmin has solidified himself as the undisputed star and leader of the group, expectations vary wildly for the rest of the pack. The good news? The “top” pick from this survey is only 20. Patience…

Here is the full results:

When we first asked, roughly 18 Nets fans commented their thoughts. Here’s a quick look:

The Burden of the Lottery Pick: Egor Demin

• Comment: “Egor clearly has the most to prove. He was a top 8 pick. The other four were just flyers… “
• Comment: “Egor because he’s the lottery pick.”

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Powell Panic Meter

• Comment: “Powell showed difficulty in the Cali Summer league. Should have showed an improved play since he played last year with the regular team. He was committing TOs left and right. For me, he wasn’t ready for the summer league, not sure why? injury?”
• Comment: “I guess I see a difference between ‘who has the most the prove’ and ‘who do I think unlikely to be able to prove’. Obviously Egor needs to take a major step forward to justify his draft status, but the guy who may be gone if he can’t get it together is Drake Powell. Unless he turns it around in Las Vegas, he may be playing most of the year in LI, or could be packaged in a trade.”

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Still early… right?

• Comment: “None of them. This is year 2 for a rebuilding team. The nets can and should just work slowly developing them. You nets fans acting like if they dont start producing they should be gotten rid of…. are seriously misguided on who the nets are. They can take there time and let jordi and his crew work there magic.”
  • Reply:” With the number of draft picks we have in coming years, they’ll soon be under pressure to perform or to be replaced. For me Demin, Traore and Wolf have shown the most. Saraf and Powell could be replaced in future drafts if they don’t improve quickly. It’s just business.”

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Thanks to everybody who voted and/or participated.

This is a sponsored post. Check out the latest lines, futures, and player props by visiting FanDuel. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21+ and present in NY or other select states.

The Golden State Warriors’ Plan B may already have a name.

As the franchise waits to see whether LeBron James becomes a realistic option, DeMar DeRozan has emerged as a veteran fallback worth watching. According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, Golden State is expected to have internal conversations about pursuing DeRozan after his release from the Sacramento Kings.

“DeRozan’s kind of a 1B plan right now for some of these teams that are looking at LeBron James,” Siegel said on “Clutch Scoops.” “The Golden State Warriors are a team that is going to have internal conversations about pursuing DeMar DeRozan.”

That matters because the Warriors are still trying to maximize the final years of Stephen Curry’s career. LeBron remains the dream scenario, a late-career partnership between two players who defined an era from opposite sides of the NBA Finals.

But if that pursuit falls short, Golden State cannot afford to leave Curry waiting without reinforcements.

DeRozan would not bring the same kind of star power or playmaking as James. He is not a perfect modern spacing fit, either. But he would bring something the Warriors could use: reliable half-court scoring.

Even at 36, DeRozan remains a proven bucket-getter. He averaged 18.4 points per game last season in Sacramento and has long been one of the league’s most dependable mid-range scorers.

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For a Warriors team that has too often leaned on Curry to create offense from scratch, DeRozan could give Golden State another late-clock option and a veteran who can calm possessions when the system stalls.

His market could also make him attractive. DeRozan is not expected to command a massive deal, which means contenders may view him as a bargain veteran addition.

That could matter for the Warriors, especially if they preserve financial flexibility while waiting on James.

Siegel also mentioned Miami and Cleveland as possible landing spots. The Heat have long been linked to DeRozan, while the Cavaliers could view him as a fallback if they miss on James.

Other reporting has similarly framed DeRozan’s decision as connected to LeBron’s timeline, with several teams potentially waiting to see where the league’s biggest free agent lands first.

For Golden State, the logic is simple.

LeBron would be the swing.

DeRozan could be the pivot.

And with Curry turning 38, the Warriors need something more than waiting.

The Celtics have waived guard Dalano Banton, the team announced on Thursday evening.

We have waived Dalano Banton.

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 9, 2026

Banton played in 6 games between the Celtics and Clippers last season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.8 assists per game. He played 36 minutes in the Celtics regular season finale and had 2 points, 7 assists, 6 turnovers while going 0/3 from the field.

Banton’s best stretch of his career came at the end of the 2023-24 season when he averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game with the Portland Trail Blazers.

This move puts the Celtics under the luxury tax and puts the Celtics at 14 players. Boston is allowed to remain at 14 players until the start of the playoffs.

Boston signed Banton to a 10-day contract in February and signed him on the 2nd to last day of the regular season to fill the roster to 15 players.

The Celtics exercised Banton’s team option on June 29th.

STATELINE, Nev. — Steph Curry is looking to lure LeBron James to the Warriors with both basketball and golf — saying the potential pairing would mark a one-of-a-kind moment in sports history.

The Golden State superstar shed light on his recruiting pitch to James while playing in the American Century Championship golf tournament in Lake Tahoe on Thursday, revealing that hoops and fairways have been a part of his conversations with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

“The pitch is if you want to play good basketball, be around people that know how to play the game, hopefully raise our floor and our competitiveness this year,” Curry said, before adding, “there’s good golf in the Bay.”

“We’re an organization that’s been there. And he knows that,” Curry continued. “It’s self-explanatory. It’s just a matter of where he sees himself fitting. And at the end of the day, that’s up to him.”

Curry made it clear he’d love to play alongside the 22-time All-Star, saying it “would be such a unique story in NBA history — sports history.”

After announcing his split from the Lakers on June 30, James has been linked to a number of teams, including the Warriors.

It’s unclear where exactly Golden State ranks on James’ short list of preferred destinations, and Curry acknowledged he’s been given no indication that the four-time NBA champ plans to play alongside him in 2026.

It’s “a little premature right now to talk about,” Curry said.

Another place Curry would love to see James is on the greens near Lake Tahoe this weekend, as he told The California Post he’d “absolutely” enjoy playing 18 with the former Laker at the tournament.

“If he can get a jet out here for tomorrow,” Curry said, “that’d be awesome.”

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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Raptors fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

This week’s question shines a spotlight on former Raptor legend DeMar DeRozan. The 36-year-old is nearing the end of his career, and as polarizing as he may be to many Raptors fans, there’s a case to be made that he’s one of the best available options left in free agency.

Last season, DeRozan averaged 18.4 points (lowest-mark since 2012-13), 4.1 assists, and 1.0 steal while shooting 49.7 per cent from the field and 32.0 per cent from three. While DeRozan doesn’t fit the defensive identity that carried the Raptors against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs, the veteran would immediately one of the best scorers on the roster.

Cast your vote, tell us in the comments, and we’ll be back soon with more Reacts.

LeBron James’ free agency has officially moved from the rumor mill to the back nine.

As the NBA waits for James to decide where he will play next season, the four-time MVP was spotted golfing with Draymond Green in Puerto Rico, instantly adding fuel to the Golden State Warriors speculation that has followed him since he left the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month.

The sighting was shared by ESPN Cleveland, which posted that “someone” had spotted James and Green on the course. It is not clear whether the two were discussing basketball, free agency or just trying to keep their drives out of the rough.

But with James, every offseason sighting now feels like a clue.

Someone has spotted LeBron and Draymond golfing in Puerto Rico pic.twitter.com/wdMJHXX7Lk

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 9, 2026

Green and James built part of their legacies by barking at each other through four straight Finals matchups. Now they’re sharing tee times, which makes the recruiting picture a lot more interesting: is Green selling the Warriors, is James selling Green on his next stop, or are two old rivals simply enjoying a few swings while the rest of the sporting world loses its mind?

The idea of James joining Green and Stephen Curry in the Bay Area has gone from impossible fathom to one of the most fascinating possibilities of the summer.

Green’s own free agency has only made the picture more interesting. He declined his $27.7 million player option, a move widely viewed as a way to give the Warriors more flexibility to pursue James.

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But Kevin O’Connor recently raised another possibility: what if Green is not just helping Golden State recruit James, but keeping himself available to follow James somewhere else?

It is speculation, but not outrageous. Green’s defensive IQ, passing and playoff experience would fit almost any contender chasing James, whether that is Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia or Golden State.

Then there is the funniest subplot of all: golf has somehow become central to LeBron’s free agency.

Shams Charania reported that James has been spending time with family and friends, including plenty of golf, while operating without a firm timetable. Curry, speaking at a golf event of his own, even joked that the Bay Area has “good golf” while making Golden State’s pitch around basketball intelligence, competitiveness and the chance to play with people who know the game.

Rich Paul has also framed James’ decision around “complete happiness,” not just money. Paul even joked that market size is not the deciding factor as long as there is access to indoor and outdoor golf.

At this point, that line feels less like a throwaway joke and more like a real campaign plank, especially in light of how the James camp has demanded the league communicate with him at this point.

The Warriors can offer Curry, Green, championship experience and, apparently, a respectable golf scene. Cleveland offers the storybook ending and familiar roots. Miami offers history and a loaded roster. Philadelphia offers another star-heavy path to a ring.

James has earned the right to take his time.

But when he is golfing with Green while the Warriors rumors swirl, the NBA ecosystem is going to notice.

The free agency race may not be decided on a golf course.

It just keeps looking more and more like one.

Zaire Wade, the 24-year-old son of NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, has been charged with a felony following his arrest last month in connection with an alleged domestic violence incident in Burbank.

According to a criminal complaint filed Thursday in Los Angeles, Wade faces one felony domestic violence-related charge stemming from a June 21 altercation involving someone with whom he was in a dating relationship.

Police responded to a home around 5:30 a.m. after a 911 caller reported hearing a woman screaming.

When officers arrived, they found Wade and a woman with lacerations to her face and body.

A spokesperson for the Burbank PD told The California Post on June 26 that Zaire was “booked for domestic violence, criminal threats and false imprisonment.”

Paramedics evaluated the woman at the scene, but she was not taken to a hospital.

Authorities also seized a handgun from the home following the arrest and issued an emergency protective order, NBC reported.

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Wade posted a $50,000 bond and was released later that day.

He is the oldest child of Dwyane Wade, the first-ballot Basketball Hall of Famer whose decorated NBA career included three NBA championships, 13 All-Star selections, the 2010 All-Star Game MVP award, eight All-NBA honors, and the league scoring title in 2009, who has not issued any public comment regarding his son’s arrest.

Years before his arrest, Zaire and Bronny James played together during the 2019–2020 high school basketball season at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers tip off Summer League action in Las Vegas on Friday evening. They’ll take on the Indiana Pacers in the first of five guaranteed games.

Summer League debuts are always interesting. It’s the first official look at professional basketball for newly drafted players, but it’s also pretty far removed from the NBA game.

The level of competition can be hit-and-miss from a talent and continuity perspective. Everyone is hoping to show that they belong in the league, but many are more realistically trying to prove that they can be helpful to another professional team — whether that’s a different NBA team, a G League team, or an overseas team.

This all creates a unique and interesting environment — and one that isn’t exactly the best for forming too strong opinions. However, that probably won’t stop any of us from doing so anyways.

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Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers

Where: Cox Pavilion – Las Vegas, NV

When: Fri., July 9 at 4 PM

TV: ESPN 2

Point spread: Cavs – 2.5

Cavs notable players: Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Meleek Thomas, Ernest Udeh Jr., Riley Minix, Tristan Enaruna, Malaki Branham

Pacers notable players: Braden Smith, Taelon Peter, Kowacie Reeves Jr., Jalen Slawson, Gabe McGlothan

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This will be our first chance to see newly drafted guard Meleek Thomas wear the wine and gold.

Thomas played more off-ball in college, but the Cavs believe he has some capabilities on ball as well. Koby Altman mentioned in his post-draft media availability that we’re going to see Thomas play the point in Summer League. We’ll see how he looks in that role.

The other Cavalier to keep an eye on is Nae’Qwan Tomlin.

Tomlin is the lone player on the summer roster with legitimate NBA experience. He showed that he could be helpful with his rebounding, cutting, and overall energy in 64 appearances last season. The three-ball is what held him back.

Last season, Tomlin went just 23.5% from three and connected on just 24% of his corner triples (0th percentile). That is a problem considering how the Cavs want to use him.

Tomlin can be so dynamic crashing from the corner. That, however, is neutralized if teams dare him to take that shot. One of the top priorities this offseason will be improving that shot. We’ll see if he’s more confident taking and making those looks in Summer League.

The Summer League Dallas Mavericks kick off their time in Las Vegas by playing the Golden State Warriors. It’s the game before the “big” game (Washington Wizards vs Utah Jazz), but still features quite a cast of players from June’s NBA Draft. The game’s selling point to casual fans is the Michigan match up between number nine overall pick Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg, who as selected eleventh. All four Dallas Mavericks draft picks from June should suit up Thursday evening. The game will be on ESPN Here’s the main things you need to know:

• WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors
• WHAT: NBA Summer League, Game 1 for Dallas
• WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
• WHEN: 6:00 pm CST
• HOW: ESPN

Since no one’s played yet for the Mavericks, there aren’t any injyuries to report heading into the game. The Warriors did play in the California Classic, but as of this writing, there aren’t any injuries to be aware of.

Since I won’t admit to being hyperaware of any of the Dallas picks prior to June, the main draw of Johnson vs Lendeborg is a good place to start with this one. The former Michigan frontcourt teammates should spend at least some time guarding one another and I’m pretty excited to see if Johnson can stymie Yaxel’s mature offensive game. Past that, I’m curious to see how Sergio De Larrea looks against NBA-adjacent size and speed. Though the selection of Tobi Lawal didn’t enthuse me, I hope his athleticism translates at this level. I hope Vsevolod Ishchenko gets playing time, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t make an appearance. John Poulakidas and Ryan Nembhard should look good in this environment, but you never know how things will pan out with different teammates.

One note: don’t get overly worried about how anyone shoots at Summer League. Part of my early Jalen Brunson disdain was watching him miss everything literally (he shot 23% from the field).

Either way, have fun. I’m going to try to!

It’s time for some basketball!

Summer League 2026 is upon us, and the Philadelphia 76ers begin their seasonal run on Thursday evening with a 5:30 p.m. ET game against the Detroit Pistons. The game will be broadcast on NBC Philadelphia Sports+ as well as Prime Video.

While far from real deal NBA basketball, this is the first opportunity Sixers fans have to see a post-college Labaron Philon Jr. at work. The No. 22 overall pick out of Alabama is the biggest name on the Sixers’ Summer League roster, with the majority of the remaining roster being G Leaguers and unsigned players.

One other name to watch, for better or worse, is going to be Johni Broome. After being selected at the top of 2025’s second round, Broome barely saw NBA action as a rookie before missing time with an injury towards the end of the season. Summer League will be one of the first indications of whether Broome might have an NBA player in him or if he simply is not cut out for the big leagues.

The Sixers’ summer squad, led by coach T.J. Dileo, take the court for the first time Thursday evening.

Game Details

When: July 9, 5:30 p.m. ET
Where: Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas, NV
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia+, Prime Video
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Dell Curry shares how Steph, Seth became ‘closer' playing together on Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Reaching the NBA is an incredibly rare and impressive feat. Playing for 16 seasons is even tougher. But, having two sons both reach the NBA and actually getting to play a season on the same team? That’s something extraordinary.

But that’s reality for Dell Curry. That’s because Seth Currysigned with the Warriors and joined his older brother Steph in Golden State for the 2025-26 season.

For the eldest Curry, seeing his two sons play on the same team was something, he told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole, that hadn’t happened in almost two decades.

“I’m like, ‘Wow, they haven’t played together since high school,’” Curry said. “Unfortunate that they didn’t get to play a lot of games together but just the time that they spent together traveling, at meals. As an NBA team you spend more time with your teammates than your family over the course of the season. I’m sure they became closer. It was a chance for Seth to see Steph’s kids a little more, so it’s all good.”

Seth played just 10 games with Golden State, while Steph played 43 of his own last season — in total, the pair played just three games together.

As for the legacy the Curry brothers have left on the hardwood, Dell believes they’ve played the game the right way over the course of their careers.

“I think they haven’t cheated the game,” Curry told Poole. “They’ve really respected the game, played the game the right way. It’s something I tried to instill in them early. … They’re great teammates, they take their craft seriously. They’re constantly working on their bodies to get to this point and have the careers that they’ve had.

“It’s a grind — I know how hard it is to get to the NBA. …To stay in the league, if you don’t produce, you’re not going to stay in the league. So, the fact that they’re able to produce on the floor, be quality teammates and now at this point in their careers, they can be mentors in the locker room. All of that gives you an advantage of being an older player and what you can bring to the table for a team.”

Seth has played 13 years in the league, while Steph is entering year 18 with the Warriors this upcoming season.

The Curry family surely has a lifetime of basketball memories, and seeing the brothers play on an NBA floor together in the same team’s uniform is likely near the top.

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The Kawhi Leonard trade back to Toronto is no longer just a basketball transaction.

It is now tied directly to the NBA’s ongoing investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers, Steve Ballmer, Aspiration and allegations of salary-cap circumvention that have hovered over the franchise for nearly a year.

The Clippers issued a lengthy statement after Shams Charania reported that Leonard’s planned trade to the Raptors has been delayed.

According to the Clippers, the deal was agreed to in principle on June 30, but cannot be finalized unless Toronto’s ownership group assumes the risk of any potential penalties connected to Leonard’s contract that could emerge from the NBA investigation.

At this time, Toronto is not willing to do that.

The Raptors wrote that the league office informed them that, because of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, they would assume the risk of any potential outcome affecting Leonard.

As a result, Toronto said it will wait until the investigation is complete before moving forward.

“The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans,” the team said.

That leaves Leonard in limbo, the Clippers’ blockbuster exit plan unfinished and the Raptors’ reunion with the 2019 Finals MVP on hold.

The Clippers, meanwhile, continue to strongly deny wrongdoing.

“For the past 10 months, our organization has fully cooperated with an NBA investigation,” the team said, noting that it has participated in dozens of interviews, provided tens of thousands of documents and allowed access to staff.

The organization also denied the central accusation in the case.

“We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration,” the Clippers said.

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At the center of the investigation is Aspiration, the now-defunct green banking company co-founded by Joe Sanberg.

Sanberg pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges tied to a scheme prosecutors said defrauded investors out of $248 million. The Clippers’ statement described Sanberg as the architect of a fraud and said Ballmer, like other investors and business partners, was one of the victims.

That has been Ballmer’s position throughout the fallout.

Ahead of Sanberg’s sentencing, Ballmer’s attorney submitted a victim impact statement saying the Clippers owner lost his entire $60 million investment in Aspiration and suffered “immeasurable” reputational harm. The letter also said the Clippers lost out on a $300 million sponsorship agreement with Aspiration, along with roughly $20 million tied to carbon offset purchases.

Ballmer’s attorney argued that Sanberg targeted Ballmer because of his interest in environmental sustainability and used the relationship to attract other investors. The letter also said Ballmer had met Sanberg only once and pushed back against a civil lawsuit that added Ballmer as a defendant, calling the allegations against him baseless.

But the piece of the story that matters most to the NBA is Leonard’s reported $28 million endorsement agreement with Aspiration.

Players are allowed to have outside endorsement deals.

The question is whether the Clippers or Ballmer were involved in arranging a side deal that functioned as additional compensation to Leonard outside the salary cap. If the NBA determines that happened, it could classify the arrangement as cap circumvention, one of the league’s most serious violations.

Leonard has addressed the accusations publicly only once, denying wrongdoing and saying he understood the contract and services involved.

“I don’t deal with conspiracies or the click-bait analysts or journalism that’s going on,” Leonard said.

The NBA launched its investigation in September 2025 after reporting by Pablo Torre raised questions about Leonard’s Aspiration deal and whether it was connected to the Clippers’ relationship with the company.

The probe is being conducted by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, with attorney David Anders leading the review.

In a letter submitted before Sanberg’s sentencing, Anders said Sanberg had sat for two in-person interviews and provided documents and information relevant to the league’s investigation. Anders wrote that Sanberg’s cooperation helped investigators develop a more complete understanding of key events, while also stating that no promises were made in exchange for that cooperation.

That detail is important because it suggests the NBA investigation is not merely procedural. The league has reviewed documents, interviewed figures connected to the case and gathered information from Sanberg himself.

The potential consequences remain unclear.

The most infamous modern cap-circumvention case remains the Minnesota Timberwolves’ secret agreement with Joe Smith, which led the NBA to strip the franchise of first-round draft picks, fine the team and void Smith’s contract.

That happened more than two decades ago under David Stern, and Adam Silver’s approach may differ. Still, the precedent shows why the Raptors are hesitant to absorb any risk tied to Leonard’s contract before the investigation is complete.

For the Clippers, a fine would be survivable. Losing draft picks or facing restrictions that affect roster construction would be far more damaging, especially now that they are rebuilding after an era that never reached the heights the franchise imagined.

Leonard arrived in Los Angeles in 2019 after delivering Toronto its first NBA championship. The Clippers paired him with Paul George and appeared positioned to become a Western Conference power. Instead, injuries, playoff exits and instability defined the era. Now, even Leonard’s departure cannot be completed cleanly.

The proposed trade would send Leonard back to Toronto, where he remains a franchise legend, while the Clippers would receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, multiple first-round picks, a pick swap and second-round compensation.

But for now, the trade is frozen.

The Clippers say they expect it to be finalized once the investigation concludes. The Raptors say they still want Leonard back. The NBA has not announced its findings.

That means Leonard’s Los Angeles chapter is effectively over, but not officially closed.

And until the league delivers its ruling, the Clippers, Raptors and Leonard are all stuck waiting on the same thing: the final word on the Aspiration saga.

Yaxel Lendeborg, LJ Cryer put on Las Vegas show in Warriors' summer league win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• BOX SCORE

The California Classic was just the appetizer to Yaxel Lendeborg’s multi-course meal at NBA Summer League. 

Lendeborg had to be frothing when he saw the Warriors’ summer league schedule for Las Vegas. First on his menu was a pair of Michigan teammates in Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara. Lendeborg and the Warriors got the best of Johnson and the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night in a 101-90 win at the Thomas & Mack Center on UNLV’s campus. 

“Felt amazing. Felt good to go out here against Rez and win,” Lendeborg said to ESPN after the Warriors’ win. “Felt good to go out here and beat Rez for all the times he did me dirty in practice. This is what the Warriors saw in me – my versatility. I’m trying my best to showcase that and more. That’s what I’m going to try and do the rest of summer league and the rest of my career here.”

Yaxel Lendeborg says it felt "amazing" to beat his Michigan teammate Morez Johnson Jr. today 😅 pic.twitter.com/wxK4FiK0R5

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 10, 2026

Led by the trio of Lendeborg, Johnson and Mara, Michigan won the national championship last season. Their coach, Dusty May, then accepted the Mavericks’ head-coaching job shortly before the 2026 NBA Draft. The Mavs took Johnson No. 9, and Lendeborg (No. 11) and Mara (No. 12) followed him in near-consecutive order. 

Known more for his defense, Johnson scored a game-high 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting to go with eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocked shots. But Lendeborg wasn’t going to be outdone by his close friend. 

The Warriors’ top draft pick continued to shine this summer, tallying a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double. Lendeborg also added six assists and was a game-high plus-26. 

“I tried to big-boy him,” Lendeborg said to reporters when asked about facing Johnson. “It never worked in practice. I don’t know why I tried in a game, but it doesn’t hurt to try. I didn’t move him at all. Pretty much ran into a brick wall, but it was super fun playing against him.” 

While Lendeborg praised Johnson, one of his best plays of the day came against him when he spun off the Big Ten All-Defensive recipient for a three-point play. Lendeborg let him know about it, too. 

Yaxel is too strong 💪 pic.twitter.com/VkjYNgLKg9

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 10, 2026

As Lendeborg mentioned, it’s his versatility that continues to stick out. His 3-point shot was a question mark going into the draft, and it looks like one of his best weapons after just three summer league games. In those three games, Lendeborg has gone 9 of 13 from deep (69.2 percent) as a multifaceted scorer. Passing has been another positive for Lendeborg, showing off his feel for the game and why he should be such an easy fit in coach Steve Kerr’s system operating off split-action. 

Nothing about Lendeborg’s game looks like a timid rookie scared of the next level. He has been able to bully his way to the basket, and though it will be an adjustment, he has the frame to do so against NBA veterans as well. 

“The NBA is all about physicality,” Lendeborg also said in his ESPN interview. “I still got to put on a little more pounds of muscle to learn how to use my strength a little more, but I definitely plan on playing even more physical than I have already. 

“That’s the name of the game: Physicality.” 

Yaxel Lendeborg throws it DOWN 🔨 pic.twitter.com/Q6io36JTST

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 10, 2026

The spotlight has been all over Lendeborg since the Warriors selected him. However, another one of his teammates also put on a show Monday against the Mavericks. 

Summer league is a great opportunity for LJ Cryer to continue showing he belongs on the big squad. Cryer went undrafted last year out of Houston, turned heads in summer league and kept climbing the ladder for the Warriors. It was Cryer, not Lendeborg, who was the Warriors’ leading scorer to start their slate in Sin City. 

Cryer scored a team-high 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting and went 5 of 8 behind the 3-point line. The 6-foot point guard also had six rebounds, four assists and was a plus-22. 

After missing both of his shot attempts in the first quarter, Cryer exploded for 16 points in the second. Over a six-minute stretch, Cryer went 5 of 6 from the field and 4 of 5 from long distance to give the Warriors a 20-point lead at halftime. 

“Obviously LJ’s shot making was great, but it was just his decision making,” Warriors summer league coach Khalid Robinson said to reporters. “He picked his spots really well – when to get to the rim, when to pull up, when to kick out to his teammates. He read the pictures really well, and then he had a good level of physicality defensively.

When the Mavs made it a three-point game with a little more than three minutes remaining, Cryer made sure a comeback wasn’t going to be completed.

LJ Cryer hits his FIFTH 3 of the game 💦 pic.twitter.com/WBobpZOQHI

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 10, 2026

Cryer was signed by the Warriors to a two-way contract on Dec. 2. He played 18 games for the Warriors and shot 39.4 percent on 5.2 3-point attempts per game. Cryer made multiple threes in 11 of the 18 games he played. 

Look past his height. Cryer is the microwave scorer the Warriors desperately need. He just has to stay healthy and erase past problems with his hamstring and ankle.

The 24-year-old who will turn 25 ahead of the regular season should be back on a two-way contract at the least, with a real chance to compete for a spot on the 15-man roster.

Lendeborg, Cryer and the rest of the summer Warriors play again Sunday at 3 p.m. PT against Mara and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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