The Lakers announced the signing of free agent guard Collin Sexton on Sunday, July 12 after originally agreeing to terms on a two-year, $19 million contract on July 1. The news comes days after the Lakers officially announced the Walker Kessler trade and their other notable free agent acquisitions of Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Sexton, originally drafted with the eighth overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Draft, split time between the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls last season. He averaged 15.4 points, 3.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. In his eight seasons in the league, Sexton has averaged 18.3 points, 3.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game.
Projected to be the lead guard off the bench, Sexton should provide plenty of athleticism and efficient scoring as a career 47% shooter for the Lakers, especially at the rim. Those are areas that LA has lacked for in the last few years. He's not a great defender or playmaker, but Sexton does have three years of experience playing alongside Kessler in Utah, which may have factored into Rob Pelinka's thinking amid the Lakers' roster overhaul this summer as they begin the post-LeBron James era.
Sexton posted a hype video on July 1 shortly after agreeing to sign with the Lakers set to "No Child Left Behind" by Kanye West with just two words in the caption: "It's ON."
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Ebuka Okorie #23 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2026 at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Detroit Pistons rookie Ebuka Okorie showed you just about everything youâd hope to see from him during his first Summer League game. Now, he looks to keep the momentum going in game two against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Okorie scored 20 points and had four assists in his first game as a member of the Pistons. He was able to showcase a reliable 3-point jumper (2-of-4) and his special mix of speed, body control, and spatial awareness to get by his defender and find lanes at the rim. While he still obviously has a long way to go, you could tell that even at the NBA level that burst, coordination, and intelligence is going to be a difference-maker. It needs to be, too, because itâs tough being an impactful guard when youâre only 6-foot-1 without shoes on.
Game Vitals
When: 4 p.m. Where: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada Watch: Prime Video
Analysis
Itâs a good thing Okorie showed up like he did because otherwise the Pistons lineup was pretty dreadful. Bigs were having trouble catching the ball, rebounding, defending, and finishing. The perimeter talent was mostly non-descript.
Isaac Jones, a Pistons two-way player, led the team with 22 points, and did at least do plenty of good things, but he also really struggled on defense. Second-year player Chaz Lanier, Detroitâs second-round pick last season, didnât really show out like he needed to in a league where he should be far more advanced than the competition. As a catch-and-shoot guy, maybe his game isnât conducive to taking over in Summer League, but at this stage, you canât afford to be invisible. Lanier was largely invisible.
Roddy Gayle Jr., an undrafted rookie out of Michigan, mostly acquitted himself quite well, and Drake Allen, undrafted out of Utah State, showed himself to be an NBA (or at least G League)-level defender, if not NBA-level in other areas of the game. Otherwise, it was a bunch of forgettable guys delivering forgettable performances.
The Cavs were in their first Summer League game (a loss to the Pacers), with third-year player Nae-Quan Tomlin and rookie Meleek Thomas with 20 points apiece.
All I want to see tonight is an Okorie that is more aggressive in looking for his own shot and in creating his own offtense. It seemed clear he was looking to be more of a willing passer in Game 1, and it is important to show he can run an offense if heâs fighting to be a primary backup guard for the Pistons. But a lot of those passes went to bigs who could do nothing with them. It also meant the explosive Okorie, who averaged more than seven free throws per game in college, only got to the free-throw line one time. I want more of everything from Okorie, and a little less of everything else from Not Okorie.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 7: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on April 7, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Steph Curry appreciates the assist from longtime Golden State Warriors teammate Draymond Green, but the basketball superstar wonât be trading sports anytime soon. But he will surely take Greenâs help in lobbying superstar free agent LeBron James to join their team.
Draymond Green says Steph Curry could make the PGA Tour in 3 years
âBro, I went to golf with Steph one time. He incredible. He could real deal possibly be a professional golfer. He can definitely be a golf pro, no questionâ
Curry laughed off the idea in an NBC Sports interview during Saturdayâs second round.
âI love Draymond; that's why he's such a great teammate,â Curry said. âHe's hyping me up. I do have so much respect for how hard this game is and what you all do on the Tour week in, week out. There's no even realistic shot that I'm going after a Tour card. But to see how good I can get when basketball is done, I kind of want to slowly and maybe without that shot say that I had a chance.
"Draymond, I appreciate you, and I love you, and I know you think I'm a great golfer, but there are levels to this! There are levels.â
Curry is playing in the tournament with his father, Dell, and his brother, Seth. All three played in the NBA, and Dell passed on the passion for golf to his sons. The trio have their own competition (with a handicap system) during five years of playing in the ACC tourney, and each has won family bragging rights at least once.
âI love seeing Pops play well,â Steph Curry said. âHe's 62 years old, still doing it. We call him 'The Originator,' and he's showing it right now.â
âI was blessed to pick up the game,â he said. âMy dad got me into it, my brother into it, when I was 10 years old. And just what golf brings, this camaraderie, allows you to travel the world. But there's not a lot of access for everybody to get into the game. And so that's what I've been trying to attack through golf at Howard University and our Underrated Tour that we do for kids 13 to 18.
"I'm just trying to create more opportunity, equity, and access in the game. Meanwhile, still competing and having fun myself because I think it puts golf on a cool platform for somebody from another sport coming in and having fun.â
While heâs enjoying the links during the NBA offseason, thereâs some serious business afoot as the NBA awaits James to choose his next landing spot after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. Green and James are on vacation and golfing together in Puerto Rico, and Green reportedly has admitted to making the hard sell to James on the Warriors.
Though Curry downplayed speculation on where James might play (a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers also is an option), he said it would be intriguing to play against his longtime rival. The Cavs and Warriors met in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015-18 with Curry triumphing three times over James.
"Up until probably two, three years ago, that was like a pipe-dream question or even a thought," Curry said during an ACC media availability Thursday about the possibility playing with James, according to ESPN.com. "But that's part of the allure. Him going into his 24th season, me going into my 18th, the battles we've had, that would be such a unique story in NBA history, in sports history. But a little premature right now to talk about it."
Though he said the decision ultimately would be up to James, Curry also noted âthereâs good golf in the Bay. We're an organization that's been there. He knows that. That's really self-explanatory. It's a matter of where he sees himself fitting. At the end of the day, that's up to him."
Curry, who was paired with former MLB stars John Smoltz and Derek Lowe for Sundayâs final round, seemed hopeful after surviving âa very adventurous, eventful roundâ Saturday. The top three are Mardy Fish, Joe Pavelski and Annika Sorenstam.
âThey always say golf is pure when it's fairways and greens,â Curry said. âI've done everything other than that, but still trying to stay within earshot of Joe and Marty, and I know Anika's playing well, so still having fun.â
Steph Curry appreciates the assist from longtime Golden State Warriors teammate Draymond Green, but the basketball superstar wonât be trading sports anytime soon. But he will surely take Greenâs help in lobbying superstar free agent LeBron James to join their team.
Draymond Green says Steph Curry could make the PGA Tour in 3 years
âBro, I went to golf with Steph one time. He incredible. He could real deal possibly be a professional golfer. He can definitely be a golf pro, no questionâ
Curry laughed off the idea in an NBC Sports interview during Saturdayâs second round.
âI love Draymond; that's why he's such a great teammate,â Curry said. âHe's hyping me up. I do have so much respect for how hard this game is and what you all do on the Tour week in, week out. There's no even realistic shot that I'm going after a Tour card. But to see how good I can get when basketball is done, I kind of want to slowly and maybe without that shot say that I had a chance.
"Draymond, I appreciate you, and I love you, and I know you think I'm a great golfer, but there are levels to this! There are levels.â
Curry is playing in the tournament with his father, Dell, and his brother, Seth. All three played in the NBA, and Dell passed on the passion for golf to his sons. The trio have their own competition (with a handicap system) during five years of playing in the ACC tourney, and each has won family bragging rights at least once.
âI love seeing Pops play well,â Steph Curry said. âHe's 62 years old, still doing it. We call him 'The Originator,' and he's showing it right now.â
âI was blessed to pick up the game,â he said. âMy dad got me into it, my brother into it, when I was 10 years old. And just what golf brings, this camaraderie, allows you to travel the world. But there's not a lot of access for everybody to get into the game. And so that's what I've been trying to attack through golf at Howard University and our Underrated Tour that we do for kids 13 to 18.
"I'm just trying to create more opportunity, equity, and access in the game. Meanwhile, still competing and having fun myself because I think it puts golf on a cool platform for somebody from another sport coming in and having fun.â
While heâs enjoying the links during the NBA offseason, thereâs some serious business afoot as the NBA awaits James to choose his next landing spot after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. Green and James are on vacation and golfing together in Puerto Rico, and Green reportedly has admitted to making the hard sell to James on the Warriors.
Though Curry downplayed speculation on where James might play (a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers also is an option), he said it would be intriguing to play against his longtime rival. The Cavs and Warriors met in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015-18 with Curry triumphing three times over James.
"Up until probably two, three years ago, that was like a pipe-dream question or even a thought," Curry said during an ACC media availability Thursday about the possibility playing with James, according to ESPN.com. "But that's part of the allure. Him going into his 24th season, me going into my 18th, the battles we've had, that would be such a unique story in NBA history, in sports history. But a little premature right now to talk about it."
Though he said the decision ultimately would be up to James, Curry also noted âthereâs good golf in the Bay. We're an organization that's been there. He knows that. That's really self-explanatory. It's a matter of where he sees himself fitting. At the end of the day, that's up to him."
Curry, who was paired with former MLB stars John Smoltz and Derek Lowe for Sundayâs final round, seemed hopeful after surviving âa very adventurous, eventful roundâ Saturday. The top three are Mardy Fish, Joe Pavelski and Annika Sorenstam.
âThey always say golf is pure when it's fairways and greens,â Curry said. âI've done everything other than that, but still trying to stay within earshot of Joe and Marty, and I know Anika's playing well, so still having fun.â
LAS VEGAS â Once again, Yaxel Lendeborg got the best of a former Michigan teammate in his second game during the Las Vegas NBA Summer League.
After beating Morez Johnson and the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, Lendeborg got bragging rights with the Warriorsâ 104-79 win over Aday Mara and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center on UNLVâs campus.
Lendeborg scored a game-high 14 points, and also had two rebounds, four assists and three steals as a plus-14. Mara scored 10 points and added nine rebounds as a minus-8.
The Warriors improved to 2-0 in Las Vegas and 4-1 overall this summer. Sundayâs win was far from beautiful basketball, though.
On paper, the Warriors won in nearly every category. They shot 44.2 percent from the field, just better than the Thunderâs 44.1 percent while taking nine more shots than OKC and making four more. The Warriors went 15 of 41 from 3-point range (36.6 percent), which was much better than the Thunder going 8 of 30 (26.7 percent).
The Warriors also tallied 19 more rebounds than the Thunder (45 to 26), six more assists (23 to 17) and seven more steals (10 to 3), plus three fewer turnovers (13 to 10).
âEveryone that came in the game executed the game plan pretty well,â Warriors coach Khalid Robinson said.
Lendeborg started the game slowly in the first quarter before finding his shot during a nine-point second quarter, where he drained three 3-pointers, including one over Mara.
His celebration alone shows what kind of fun personality Lendeborg brings to the court. Lendeborgâs favorite moment of the game might have come in the third quarter when he beat Mara on a jump ball. When it landed in the Warriorsâ hands, Lendeborg gave a fist bump and yelled âyes!â with a giant grin across his face.
Offensively, Lendeborg was 5 of 14 from the field and 4 of 8 beyond the arc. His hot 3-point shooting continued. An array of skills with the ball in his hands continues to shine, too.
Defensively, however, Lendeborg continues to be a mixed bag. Yes, he came away with three steals, but that doesnât show his lapses. Lendeborg has been drifting and spectating on defense. Once heâs playing strictly against NBA players, those bad habits will have to leave him.
âItâs an area where you got to continue to grow,â Robinson said. âWe talk about just being locked in at all times defensively, on and off the ball. Itâs a level of awareness that you have to have as a defender at this level and heâs going to continue to grow at that.â
Lendeborg himself has admitted he isnât in the best shape right after trying to be off his feet as much as he could following Michiganâs national championship run. He dealt with a sprained MCL and a rolled ankle but continued to play through pain.
Every rep and every game is a learning lesson for Lendeborg and the rest of his Warriors teammates. The spotlight is brightest on him as the Warriorsâ top draft pick. The positives continue to be eye-opening. The negatives are issues the Warriors arenât worried about at all in the long run.
The Warriors play next on Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies at 4 p.m. PT.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: Cameron Carr #43 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Summer League offers the first look at rookies. A draft heralded as one of the best in years may also include a Laker selection when itâs all said and done.
In a trade with the New York Knicks, LA moved up to the 24th pick to select Cameron Carr. In a short amount of time, Carr showed a full repertoire of NBA-ready skills and a tantalizing athletic profile, quickly stealing the hearts of Laker fans.
On a roster clearly lacking wing talent, Carr projects as a two-way producer with a real opportunity to earn a spot in head coach JJ Redickâs rotation.
His offensive game revolves around a unique ability to shoot the basketball from any spot on the floor. He combines textbook shot mechanics with detailed footwork to cleanly square up and fulfill his versatile shot profile.
LAâs Summer League roster is bereft of top-level ballhandlers, leaving a lot of work for Carr to create his own. In the clip below against the Thunder, Carr receives a step-up screen with the opposing defender in deep drop coverage. Operating as the ballhandler, he pulls up and punishes the space given by the scheme.
Heâs shown a nice handle, the skill to maneuver in ball screens and the ability to get to his spot and athletically rise up. Watch below as the Baylor product runs a pick and roll with teammate Adou Theiro, a duo thatâs gained nice synergy so far, and gets to the free throw line extended area on the floor.
A veteran pump fake freezes the defender and Carr rises to hit a patented mid-range pull-up, showcasing the untouchable 7-foot wingspan.
Joining a team with Luka DonÄiÄ and Austin Reaves as the lead backcourt, along with Collin Sexton as the backup guard, leaves Carr without many on-ball responsibilities or opportunities.
Carrâs real compelling case for minutes on the team lies in his being a potentially elite off-ball wing. Heâs a hand-in-glove fit for Redick, whoâs consistently stressed the value of having a movement shooter in the lineup.
LA ran him off numerous actions throughout Summer League to get him open as a shooter. One of the main screens used to free him was a pindown, allowing Carr to curl into position to receive the entry pass, as shown below.
With the defender in a lock-and-trail position, he tightly curls off the screen to catch and fire in one motion.
In the next action, he comes off a wide pin down. He uses his athletic profile and handle to take advantage of the defender out of position. A quick triple threat fake gets him a step and he finishes above the rim.
In four Summer League contests, Carr is averaging 17 points per game and shooting 37% on 3-point attempts, including a five-point performance in which he did not play the second half in California.
The other side of the ball is where thereâs just as much untapped potential. The wingspan and athletic ability enable electrifying perimeter blocks. In actions where most players would be at the mercy of the offensive player, Carrâs ability to quickly recover makes for a high ceiling.
So far, heâs averaged a block per night in four games. Watch below in the out-of-bounds play as he gets screened twice by the big man and yet still manages to recover to block the 3-point attempt.
The mix of block shots and threes is a unique combination, even more so for a perimeter-based wing. Carr was the only D-1 player with over 70 3-point field goals made and over 40 blocks last season.
Thereâs still a ton of room to grow for the Lakersâ most recent draft selection. Passing reads need tightening, off-ball defense can be cleaned up with more focus and heâs admitted a need to add muscle in the weight room.
With that being said, while itâs early and Summer League isnât a perfect predictor by any means, it appears the Lakers got a steal in the draft and a player that could potentially contribute immediately.
It was the timing that surprised fans: Charlotte had gone 33-16 from Jan.1 through the end of the season, with the top-ranked offense and fifth-ranked defense in the NBA in that stretch â the Hornets were fun and good. They won 44 games, the most in a decade. So why break things up? Why trade All-Star point guard and fan favorite LaMelo Ball to Minnesota rather than build on that finish?
Jeff Peterson, the Hornets' president of basketball operations, explained his thinking to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. As a reminder, Peterson and the Hornets got a haul in that trade: Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks.
"These decisions are challenging at times, but when you look at the totality of the season and everything of where we were, it's important to take an honest look in the mirror of where you guys are as a team. And that's what I had to do at the end of the season. And it just felt like the goal is never to compete for a play-in spot. The goal isn't to get to the play-in or even the playoffs for one year.
"I've said it plenty of times since I've been here in Charlotte: The goal is to get to the playoffs and stay there for a long time. And eventually contend to compete for championships. Getting Naz Reid when you can get a player of his caliber. And of course, the draft capital and the flexibility just felt like it was something that was able to achieve multiple goals in one transaction."
After years of watching the team struggle, Hornets fans were rightfully excited about how the season ended. Peterson saw a bigger picture: There were a lot of inflated records at the end of last season due to all the tanking teams, and in the play-in his team needed overtime to beat an uninspiring Miami squad, then got run out of the building in the last play-in game by the Magic (who were shorthanded and lost in the first round of the playoffs). Was Charlotte really that good?
We had Charlotte as a winner in this trade. Peterson sold high on Ball and is restructuring a team around Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, with Reid now at the four. They also have Coby White at the point and Moussa Diabate at the five. It's a good team with a lot of shooting and spacing, and now a lot more flexibility to build around them.
The Hornets likely take a small step back on the court this season â the East is a lot deeper and better â but, in Peterson's view, they are better positioned to build something sustainable and long-term. It's a big bet, but if he nails the picks and other moves, this will be looked back on as a turning point for the franchise.
There was logic to the move, even if some fans didn't like it.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Koa Peat #18 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The first game from the summer league Suns was a sloppy but exciting game highlighted by the offseason development of Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming. Can those two, plus Koa Peat, continue to build our excitement for the long-term future of Planet Orange?
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrates scoring the game tying shoots a three point basket during the game against the Toronto Raptors on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Boston Celtics (1-0) vs Charlotte Hornets (1-1) Sunday, July 12, 2026 5:00 PM ET Summer League Game #2 TV: NBCSB, ESPN2 Cox Pavilion
The Hornets are the defending Summer League champs. Their first game in Summer League was against the Orlando Magic who eliminated them in a Play In game this season. They beat the Magic 86-74 in that game. They played a second game on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans, which they lost 95-91. The Celtics had a day off while the Hornets are playing in back to back games.
Even though their #4 draft pick from last season, Kon Knueppel, isnât playing in this yearâs Summer League, they still have plenty of experience on their team. They have 5 players with 1 year of experience. They have 1 player, Tidjane Salaun, with 2 years experience. And, they have i player, Terrell Brown, Jr, who has 4 years experience in the G-League. They also have 8 Rookies listed. The Celtics have 13 rookies listed with 2 players with 1 year NBA experience and 1 player, Alondes Williams, with 3 years experience with Brooklyn, Miami, Detroit and Washington.
The Celtics are coached by Amile Jefferson. Jefferson was named Director of Player Development for the Duke Blue Devils in 2021. He was promoted to assistant coach at Duke for the 2022-23 season. In 2023, Jefferson became an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics under head coach Joe Mazzulla. Jefferson played with Jayson Tatum at Duke and he played for the Celtics on an Exhibit 10 contract before being hired as an assistant coach.
Blaine Mueller is the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets Summer League team. Mueller has prior experience coaching in the G League with the Maine Celtics. He was an assistant at Middletown HS from 2013-2016. He was an assistant at Lindenwood University from 2016-2018. He was an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks from 2018-2023. He coached the Maine Celtics for the 2023-24 season. He has been an assistant with the Charlotte Hornets from 2024-present.
Celtics Summer League Roster Mohammad Amini #54 R Chris Cenac, Jr #12 R Tucker DeVries #41 R Hugo Gonzalez #28 1 Caleb Grill #37 R Curtis Jones #26 R Kyle Mangas #43 R Dillon Mitchell #20 R Hank Morgan #51 R Nick Pringle #40 R Day Day Thomas #38 R John Tonje #8 R Milos Uzan #29 R Chauncey Wiggins #50 R Alondes Williams #46 3 Amari Williams #77 1
Head Coach Amile Jefferson
Starters vs Toronto Curtis Jones John Tonje Hugo Gonzalez Dillon Mitchell Amari Williams
The Celtics struggled on offense for much of the game, shooting just 15.6% from the field and 12.5% from beyond the arc. rallied in the 2nd half, shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.2% from beyond the arc. The Raptors werenât much better, shooting 33% from the field and 20.9% from beyond the arc for the game and much of that is due to the Celtics defense.
The Celtics held their own on the boards with 51 rebounds to 52 for the Raptors. 10 different players saw action in this game for the Celtics, with Hugo (37), Amari (30), Milos Uzan (30), Chris Cenac (29), Dillon Mitchell (26) and John Tonje (26) getting the most minutes. Amini, DeVries, Grill, Pringle, Thomas, and Wiggins all received DNPâs. My guess is that we will see the same starters with possibly a change at PG but that the players who sat out that game will play in this game.
Celtics Players to Watch
Hugo Gonzalez | NBAE via Getty Images
Hugo Gonzalez â Celtics fans will be watching for a big Summer League showing from Gonzalez. Hugo was the 28th pick in last yearâs draft. In last yearâs Summer League, he averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14 minutes per game last season. His +11.9 rating was the highest for any rookie that played at least 100 minutes. Against the Raptors, he finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 1 steal. He shot just 18.8% from the field and 11.1% from beyond the arc but he showed off the motor and athleticism that have made him a Celtics fan favorite.
Chris Cenac, Jr â Cenac was the 27th pick in this yearâs draft. He is 19 years old and was a highly recruited center going into his one season at Houston. He averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds in college, while shooting 48% from the field, 33% from beyond the arc and 62% from the line. He has a combination of size and athleticism that makes him a very intriguing player. He finished Fridayâs game with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal and 4 blocks while shooting 38.5% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.
John Tonje â Tonje came to the Celtics as a 2-way player from Utah in the Chris Boucher trade at last yearâs deadline. At the end of last season, his contract was converted to a standard contract. His option wasnât picked up this season but the Celtics have two 2-way spots and a spot on the parent team to fill. On Friday, he finished with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals while shooting 42.9% from the field anf 55.6% from beyond the arc. When most of his teammates were struggling on offense, Tonje kept them in the game with some key threes. Amari Williams â Amari was the 46th pick in last yearâs draft. He spent most of last season on a 2-way deal but was converted to a standard contract at the end of last season. He averaged 1.4 points, and 1.8 rebounds in 6.6 minutes with Boston last year. He averaged 15.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.8 blocks with Maine last season. He has already been signed to a 2-way contract for this season. He was great against the Raptors, finishing with 23 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks while shooting 77.8% from the field with no 3âs. Charlotte Hornets Roster Sion James #4 1 year Christian Anderson #5 R Michael Ajayi #10 R Ryan Kalkbrenner #11 1 year Terrell Brown, Jr #12 4 years Wyatt Fricks #17 R Kylan Boswell #18 R Max Mackinnon #20 R Hannes Steinbach #22 R Cameron Matthews #25 1 year Tidjane Salaun 31 2 years Liam McNeeley #33 1 year Latrell Wrightsell, Jr #35 R Josiah Allick #53 1 year Head Coach Blaine Mueller
The Hornets are already playing their 3rd game in Summer League. They beat the Orlando Magic 86-74 on opening night on Thursday.. They then lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 95-91 on Saturday. They are playing in the second of back to back games in this one. They started the same 5 of Christian Anderson, Sion James, Liam McNeeley, Tidjane Salaun, and Ryan Kalkbrenner in both games so far. The Hornets 4th pick from last season, Kon Kneuppel, isnât playing in Summer League.
Hornets Players to Watch
Liam McNeeley | NBAE via Getty Images
Liam McNeeley â McNeeley, a UConn standout, made a strong Summer League debut showing scoring, rebounding, and playmaking skills. He was the 29th pick in last yearâs draft. He averaged 4.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game in his first season with the Hornets. He averaged 22.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1 steal per game over the Hornetsâ first 2 Summer League games.
Tidjane Salaun â Salaun was the 6th pick in the 2024 draft and has played 2 years for the Hornets. Last season, he averaged 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game while shooting 50.3% from the field and 43.4% from beyond the arc. In the first 2 Summer League games he averaged 10.5 points, 6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1 steal per game. Hannes Steinbach â Steinbach was the 14th pick in this yearâs draft. He is a German basketball player who played college basketball for the Washington Huskies. In his year at Washington he averaged 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 57.7% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc. In his first 2 Summer League games, he averaged 10.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.5 blocks per game.
Ryan Kalkbrenner â Kalkbrenner was the 34th pick in last yearâs draft. In his first season with the Hornets, he averaged 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 75.3% from the field. In his first 2 games in Summer League, he averaged 8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3.5 blocks per game.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Collin Sexton #2 of the Chicago Bulls reacts during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on April 9, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the Lakersâ big weaknesses last year was their bench production.
During the regular season, LAâs reserves scored just 29.3 points per game, the second-worst mark in the NBA. Things didnât get much better in the playoffs. The backups scored 21.6 points per game, which was bottom-four in the postseason.
It should be no surprise, then, that the Lakers moved quickly to bring in Collin Sexton, who was officially announced on Sunday, to bolster their bench this season.
Last season, Sexton averaged 15.4 points and shot 48.5% from the field and 40.1% from the 3-point line. He did that as a backup for both the Hornets and Bulls and the hope is that he can replicate that with the Lakers.
Sextonâs first-step burst is what separates him from the pack. He can drive on anyone and, thanks to his agility, he can contort his body near the basket to score in the paint even against the most physical defenders.
In a league thatâs increasingly becoming about being able to catch and shoot, Sexton is a great balance of new and old-school.
Sexton had 183 catch-and-shoot attempts and converted on 43.7%. For context, these numbers wouldâve made Sexton fourth-highest on the Lakers in catch-and-shoot attempts. His shooting percentage on these attempts wouldâve been second-best on the roster for those who took at least 150 shots.
At the rim, he had a whopping 204 attempts and made 64.7% of his baskets. The only guard on the Lakers who took more attempts at the rim last year was Luka DonÄiÄ at 255. And on the bench, no backcourt player was able to get to the rim better than Sexton. Luke Kennard had just 59 shots at the rim, and Marcus Smart took 61.
He also took 232 field-goal attempts with zero dribbles, but he also attempted 194 shots on 3-6 dribbles and a whopping 150 with seven-plus dribbles.
Sexton was most efficient when he took 3-6 dribbles, making 50.5% of those shots.
His comfort with the ball makes him a great option to run the offense behind Luka DonÄiÄ and Austin Reaves. And on the nights one of them is unavailable, he can be slotted in the starting lineup.
Sexton isnât just a scorer. He can also distribute the ball well. Last year, he averaged 3.3 assists per game. If he replicates his scoring and assist numbers from last year, heâd be the best backup guard theyâve had since Dennis SchrĂśder.
Right now, though, the Lakers just need him to replace Kennard, which is still a tall order.
Kennard was an elite 3-point shooter for the Lakers during the regular season. In the opening round against the Rockets, he had some great performances. He scored 27 points in the teamâs Game 1 win and 23 points in Game 2âs victory. Without his play, an argument can be made that the Lakers wouldnât have beaten the Rockets.
Sexton has demonstrated he can shoot near Kennardâs level. Heâs a career 38.9% 3-point shooter and has three seasons where he converted over 40% from deep, including last season.
The Lakers werenât looking for a like-for-like replacement for Kennard. Instead, they brought in a player in Sexton who can do just enough of the things that made Kennard a great addition to the team midseason while also providing other elements to the bench that, hopefully, see the team take a step forward.
This is an opportunity for Sexton to flourish. Now on a winning team with title aspirations, he can show what he can really do and produce at a higher level.
The Lakers are banking on it, and if he accomplishes that, the bench can become a strength rather than a weakness.
Well, probably not the one that Golden State fans were hoping for, at least not yet. As the NBA world sits and waits for 21-time All-NBA selection LeBron James to decide where he will play next season, Steve Kerr and the Warriors reportedly added his former head coach to the staff.
Former Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel is set to join the Golden State staff as an associate head coach, ESPNâs Shams Charania reported, citing sources.
Longtime NBA coach Frank Vogel has agreed to become the associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors under head coach Steve Kerr, sources tell ESPN.
While Vogel is as well-traveled as any coach in the NBA, he is best known as the head coach of the 2019-20 Lakers, who won the NBA Finals. However, even coaching the team to a title wasnât enough to prevent his eventual firing two seasons later.
Across his 12 seasons as a head coach, Vogel has compiled a 480-422 record. He spent this past NBA season as an assistant for the Dallas Mavericks on Jason Kiddâs staff.
Although he brings another coach with experience, the big question surrounding this hiring is whether or not this helps or hurts the Warriorsâ chances of landing James.
Gonzaga basketball suffered an unexpected loss from its starting lineup ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Starting point guard Mario Saint-SupĂŠry officially signed with Valencia, a Spanish club in EuroLeague, on Saturday, July 11. The move leaves the Bulldogs without an established point guard next season, and they can't get an experienced replacement with the transfer portal closed.
The All-WCC freshman team honoree averaged 8.6 points with 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last season on 41% shooting as a true freshman, starting 17 of Gonzaga's 35 games. He's reportedly signing a four-year deal with the club.
"Zag nation, thanks for everything," he wrote on Instagram.
It's the second tough break for the program this offseason, as fellow European guard Jack Kayil was drafted in the second round by the Houston Rockets and subsequently traded to the New York Knicks after initially committing to Gonzaga.
đ El principito harĂĄ del @RoigArena su nuevo palacio đđ§Ą
â Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) July 11, 2026
It's unclear why Saint-SupĂŠry is leaving, although it's a return home for the former Liga ACB guard. He previously played for MĂĄlaga, a Liga ACB club like Valencia, his new team.
Gonzaga returns 6-foot-10 forward Braden Huff, who averaged 17.8 points with 5.6 rebounds per game this season, and replaced leading scorer Graham Ike with highly touted Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop. It'll have to rely on projected backups in its backcourt, though, which could change the dynamic for a team expected to be in the national conversation next season.
For Portland, trading for Ja Morant was a high-upside play. The Trail Blazers land a former All-Star point guard at a minimal cost (Jerami Grant, Kris Murphy), and if it works out, it's a home run. If not, no big setback. Think of it like Portland owner Tom Dundon: They bought a distressed asset and are trying to turn it around.
For Ja Morant, it's a chance to change the narrative and prove he's still that All-Star player and a more mature one off the court. He was honest about that speaking to reporters at NBA Summer League (quotes via Ben Golliver of ESPN).
"What would I like cleared up? I think you know the answer to that. My image. [That] I'm a bad guy. I'm Ja. I've done what I've done in the past, but it's been addressed and handled already. I don't see why, years later, that's still the topic when nothing's happened since. If I was that guy, y'all wouldn't be talking to me now. I wouldn't be here...
"New home. New team. New organization. I get to show the fans in Portland a different Ja. It's like starting all over again. ... Over the years, I've grown a lot and learned a lot. My mindset changed. I go into things differently now. I feel more mature, and I'm ready to work."
Morant is going to get his chance, playing in a backcourt with trusted veterans in Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. There is athleticism on the wing around him and a center in Donovan Clingan who sets a big screen. He's working under an offensively-minded coach in Micah Nori.
This is a great opportunity for Morant. What he does with it, what level of athleticism remains, and how much the craft of his game has grown are what we will find out next season. Can he seize the opportunity?
In Las Vegas, Morant was saying all the right things, he was hanging out with his new teammates on the sideline of Trail Blazers Summer League games. It's a promising start and there is reason for optimism in the Pacific Northwest. This is going to be an interesting season for the Trail Blazers.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Tyler Nickel #55 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 11, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It looks like the Knicks are so good that they have the worst Summerteam.
Conversely, the Spurs are doomed as they reached the Finals but then beat the SummerKnicks by 21 in Las Vegas. Not good news for San Antonio.
Anyway, hereâs the latest to cap the weekend from Sin City.
On Tyler Nickelâs shooting, defense and preparation:
âHeâs been shooting all right. His defense has actually been impressive in the camp. When we were in the airport the other day, I went over to talk to him, and he was studying our playbook, so I already like where heâs at, getting ahead of the game.â
On his first impressions of Jack Kayil:
âReally liked him. Started watching him on film after the draft. Thought he could get in the paint. Thought he had a quick burst.â
âMy goal is to play in the NBA. Thatâs why I went into the draft.â
On whether he will remain with the Knicks or return to Europe:
âItâs not my decision, so Iâm just trying to show myself in the best way, and it is what it is. Iâm super happy I also got drafted, and weâll see what happens in the next days, weeks, whatever.â
On the reported contractual issues with Alba Berlin delaying his Summer League debut:
âThere were things going on that I donât want to get into.â
On adjusting from basketball in Germany to the NBA Summer League:
âItâs difficult to say [what the differences are from the German league]. Itâs only one game. For me, it still feels like basketball, and [I] try to play the right way. And everywhere, itâs kind of the same. Itâs obviously different players to play against and a different kind of speed and everything. But Iâm used to different systems, so it wasnât difficult to adapt to that. So for me, it wasnât that big of a difference.â
â New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) July 11, 2026
Jose Alvarado
On looking up to his father:
âI just looked up to my dad⌠I saw somebody that I really love struggle and still work hard every day and continue to grind it out.â
Jose Alvarado Sr.
On the championship gear his son gave him:
âHe gave me his whole uniform, his jersey, shorts, sneakers, headband, the champion shirt⌠He said, âPa, hold this. Itâs wet, but put it on.ââ
On watching his son win a championship with the Knicks:
âHeâs from New York and to win in New York with his team, it was just amazing.â
On keeping his son away from trouble while growing up:
âWilliamsburg now, itâs not the same, but when I was growing up, it was drug-infested, gang-infested, a lot of killing. So I was trying to keep him out of the streets.â
On traveling from Brooklyn to Staten Island for his sonâs football games:
âI came out of work at 1:30 p.m., got home at 3, got on the bus to the R train, and then back on a bus to go over the bridge, and then walk from Hylan Boulevard.â
On getting his son into Christ the Kingâs basketball camp:
âI said, âYeah, how much is it?â He goes, âItâs about $225 a week.â I said, âAlright, Iâll take a week.â When I went to pick him up for the last day, Coach Joe Arbitello came to me and was like, âCan we keep him here for another two weeks?â I said, âAs long as itâs free.â He said, âIâll take care of it.ââ
On taking his son to Knicks games at Madison Square Garden:
âWhen I had enough money to take him to the games [at MSG] ⌠we were sitting all the way on top ⌠And I remember him saying, âI canât wait to be one of these players,â and I said, âYou just got to work hard.ââ
On the sacrifices required to support his sonâs AAU career:
âI used to hope at times they lost. I was like, âI gotta go to work tomorrow. I canât drive at 12 oâclock at night and get to work at 4 in the morning.â The first person that came to me was Georgetown. And then, after that, it just started flooding. Then, one day, Coach Pastner [of Georgia Tech] came by and rang my bell.â
On supporting his son during his career at Georgia Tech:
âSo I supported him through the TV. I texted him before the game, after. I was his hype man.â
On his sonâs reaction to being traded from New Orleans to New York:
âHe had mixed emotions, because he loved the Pelicans; heâs a loyal kid.â
On why he believed the Knicks would win Game 5:
âHe got traded on the fifth. His daughterâs birthday is on the fifth. Heâs representing the five boroughs. We live on the fifth floor.â
On his sonâs new contract with the Knicks:
âHe can take care of his family forever now.â
On Patrick Ewing joking with him:
âHe sits right next to me, and he looks at me and goes, âWho you with?â I said, âWith Alvarado.â He goes, âWho?â I said, âGTA 5, the small guy on the team.â He goes, âIâm only messing with you man, I love that kid.ââ
On seeing children react to his son at the championship parade:
âThey were like, âDonât touch my hat, he signed it!â Thatâs when I was like, âThis kid could change peopleâs lives.â It was beautiful.â
On the Knicksâ chemistry and selflessness leading them to the title:
âThey care for one another. They play for one another.â
On Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges:
âI got to know some of those guys when I played with the USA teamâwith Mikal, Josh and JB. Great dudes. You couldnât ask for better humans. I think that shows on the basketball court. They care for one another. They play for one another. And thatâs, like you said, something you want to build.â
Kurt Helin
Kurt Helin
