WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 27: Khris Middleton #22 of the Washington Wizards prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 27, 2026 at Capital One Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Sabina Shysh/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards have acquired Khris Middleton via a sign-and-trade deal with the Dallas Mavericks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.
Just in: Free agent Khris Middleton has agreed on a three-year, $17.6 million deal with the Washington Wizards via sign-and-trade, agent Mike Lindeman of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN. The 14-year veteran returns to D.C. where he spent parts of last two seasons as a leader… pic.twitter.com/iZh6XrXMoc
The deal is part of a larger six-team trade that sends D’Angelo Russell, a 2029 second-round picks (via Lakers) and a 2033 second-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Middleton, 34, will sign a three-year, $17.6 million contract as part of the deal. The first year is fully guaranteed, but the second year only carries a partial guarantee and the final year is fully non-guaranteed, per The Athletic’s Joshua Robbins.
The second season on Khris Middleton's new three-year sign-and-trade deal with the Wizards will be partially guaranteed, while the third season will be non-guaranteed, per source.
Sign-and-trade deals must be at least three years in length and have the first year fully guaranteed, which is why Middleton’s contract fits those parameters.
The 14-year NBA veteran returns to Washington after he was traded at the February deadline for Anthony Davis. Middleton averaged 10.3 points across 34 games for the Wizards during the 2025-26 season.
Washington’s roster now sits at 14 standard contracts:
G: Young | Johnson | Carrington W: Dybantsa | George | Coulibaly | Riley F: Davis | Champagnie | Middleton | Whitmore C: Sarr | Ayton | Vukcevic Two-way: Watkins | Reese | Okpara
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors smiles before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the In-Season Tournament on November 14, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This early into the NBA offseason, it’s unclear what the Lakers’ roster will look like at the start of the year. But it’s obvious the front office would like it to feature Jonathan Kuminga.
The Lakers have a serious need for wings, and they’ve been linked to Kuminga since the Hawks declined his team option.
Not only have they spoken with him, but they’ve reportedly remained in contact with his agent and even increased their offer to entice him to sign.
However, he remains available and is still looking for the best possible deal.
Jonathan Kuminga is a player the Lakers are after, according to people, who said LA is looking at a two-year, $20-million deal for Kuminga.
Last season, Kuminga earned over $23 million, so going from that to $10 million per year is a considerable decrease. But given how little cap space the Lakers have, this offer signals how serious they are in bringing Kuminga in.
The Lakers are showing they want Kuminga by offering whatever they can, even increasing their original deal. And with a potential starting spot on the table, a breakout season from Kuminga could raise his value around the NBA.
Kuminga averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season. He also shot 33.3% from 3-point range last year while playing for the Warriors and Hawks.
If he does start with the Lakers, he can produce well past those numbers and get closer to his career-high in scoring, which came during the 2023-24 season with Golden State, when he averaged 16.1 points per game.
Here in LA, with LeBron James gone, there are a ton of shots up for grabs. Kuminga could be the one to pick them up and make the most of this opportunity.
Clearly, the two-year $20 million deal isn’t enough to get him here, but this is all part of the negotiation.
Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka has to keep selling his vision and see if he can free up some salary cap space so he can get this deal to the point where Kuminga will take it.
So far, the Lakers appear to remain aggressive and very much in the running for Kuminga. The fit seems good, and if they can reach an agreement, this could be beneficial for everyone involved.
It wouldn't be a proper NBA offseason without a convoluted, six-team trade that sends multiple players to new teams.
The Detroit Pistons continue to make roster moves to bolster their team after concluding the 2025-26 season with a seven-game series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Their latest move has them parting ways with 10-year veteran guard Caris LeVert.
The deal allows Detroit to save money and creates a trade exception, while the Bucks will acquire LeVert and pick up additional assets.
Clutch Points insider Brett Siegel reported that the Pistons freed up roughly $7 million in extra funds needed to complete their recent transactions. The simple cost-cutting maneuver by the Pistons is expected to go toward signing restricted free agent Jalen Duren.
The Pistons have been making moves to clear cap space since the summer period began. The Stewart trade allowed Detroit to clear $30 million off its cap for free agency. In exchange, Memphis acquired a defensive-minded frontcourt piece. The big man plays physical, intimidating defense.
As for the Bucks' assets, they now own seven first-round picks and four second-round picks, as they continue to rebuild in the post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era.
Six-team trade to connect everything
The Bucks-Pistons trade was important for other teams and players involved. Ultimately, it connected one trade to another to make several transactions possible.
According to ESPN, free agent Khris Middleton agreed to a three-year, $17.6 million deal with the Washington Wizards. The deal is a sign-and-trade involving the Dallas Mavericks, who had acquired Middleton from the Wizards ahead of the trade deadline in February.
That's all part of a larger six-team deal.
The teams included are: the Mavericks, Wizards, Pistons, Bucks, Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Wizards are sending D'Angelo Russell, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap to the Grizzlies, according to ESPN.
Nearly a week ago, the Pistons made a move to sign John Collins as a free agent on a three-year, $51 million contract. The six-team trade helps to solidify the move.
A look at the six-team trade
Here's where players went as a result of the six-team swap:
Dallas Mavericks
Receive: Santi Aldama
Lose: Khris Middleton
Detroit Pistons
Receive: John Collins, Gary Harris and Taurean Prince
Lose: Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, two second-round picks
In a deal that saves the Pistons some money and gives them a trade exception to make a move later if they want, Detroit is trading Caris LeVert to Milwaukee, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and confirmed by multiple reports.
The trade breaks down this way:
Detroit receives: Taurean Prince, Gary Harris Milwaukee receives: Caris LeVert, two second-round picks
The Pistons will also generate a $15 million trade exception with this deal (which ultimately folds into a larger six-team trade).
For Detroit, this is about freeing up some cap space — they still have to re-sign restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren, and that is going to push them close to, or into, the luxury tax.
Factoring in the reported contracts for John Collins, Kevin Huerter & Javonte Green and the Gary Harris/Taurean Prince acquisitions, I've got the Pistons at about $42.8M under the luxury tax.
That's enough room to give Jalen Duren a 25% of the cap max without going into the tax.
For Milwaukee, they get a player in LeVert who can play for them this season while freeing up some roster spots. In the wake of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, the Bucks have a lot of new faces and some redundancy on the roster and want to clean it all up.
Los Angeles Lakers legend and two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol turned 46 years old on July 6.
While Gasol will always be beloved among Lakers fans because of what he accomplished on the basketball court, he has also earned endless respect for stepping up as a father figure in Natalia Bryant’s life in the wake of the late Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing in 2020.
Pau Gasol speaking to Vanessa Bryant at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Getty Images
Plus, Pau has maintained a great friendship with Vanessa Bryant, as the Gasol and the Bryant families have formed an extremely close bond after enduring this tragedy to their shared loved one.
Vanessa Bryant has made her appreciation for Gasol very clear over the years, and she shouted him out with a birthday post to her Instagram on July 7, which showed her, Natalia, Pau, and Pau’s wife, Cat, playing what appears to be the card game called Spoons.
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Pau Gasol and Vanessa Bryant laugh while playing a game of spoons. vanessabryant
The Instagram video shows the group of four laughing and joking about an apparent mishap that Pau had during the game. The post was captioned, “Happy birthday @paugasol !!!!!! We love you uncle Pau! #hermano #family”.
This caption says it all, showing that Vanessa and Natalia have a ton of appreciation for “uncle Pau” and wanted to show him that on his birthday.
Vanessa and Natalia Bryant pose for a photo together. Getty Images for Culture MakersPau and Cat Gasol play a card game with Vanessa and Natalia Bryant. vanessabryant
Pau and Cat Gasol have three kids of their own, all of which were born after Kobe and his other daughter’s Gianna’s passing in January of 2020. Their oldest daughter, Elisabet Gianna (named after Gianna Bryant) was born later in 2020, their son Max was born in 2022, and their third child, a daughter named Olivia, was born in January of 2026.
This is surely not the last birthday celebration the Gasol and Bryant families will share together.
The Milwaukee Bucks have traded veterans Taurean Prince and Gary Harris to the Detroit Pistons for Caris LeVert and two second-round picks, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.
“The Detroit Pistons are trading Caris LeVert and two second-round picks to the Milwaukee Bucks for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris, sources tell ESPN. Pistons will create a trade exception from the deal and savings while Bucks acquire LeVert and pick up assets,” Charania tweeted.
LeVert, a 6’7” wing who will turn 32 prior to the upcoming season, played 60 games for the Pistons last year—all off the bench—averaging 7.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 2.7 APG, to go along with 1.6 stocks, in 19.2 MPG. He was a regular part of the Pistons’ postseason rotation too, averaging 16.6 MPG through 13 games, and is just two years removed from being a 14, 4, and 5 guy on a Cleveland Cavaliers team that won 48 games and finished fourth in the Eastern Conference. He is on an expiring contract that pays him $14.8m for the 2026-27 season.
But while LeVert is a proven player, capable of handling the ball and creating offense for himself and others, the move for the Bucks is likely more about the acquisition of draft assets and roster construction. Milwaukee now adds two more second-round picks to the 2030 first-round pick swap, two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), and 2033 second-round pick they acquired trading Giannis to the Miami Heat. The move also trims the Bucks’ roster. By exchanging two veterans for one, the Bucks are effectively down to a full 15-man roster—pending the official signing of 13th overall pick Nate Ament—for the 2026-27 season.
While the Bucks gain a valuable player and draft assets, they lose strong veteran leadership in Prince and Harris. Prince, who somewhat surprisingly picked up his player option on June 30, played 106 games across two seasons with the Bucks, averaging 8.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 1.9 APG. He primarily served as a floor-spacer in the frontcourt, hitting 44% of his 4.5 three-point attempts during his time in Milwaukee, and bravely battled through a herniated disc and subsequent neck surgery that kept him out of action for most of last season.
Harris, on the other hand, signed with the Bucks prior to last season as a depth piece. He played 48 games for Milwaukee, averaging 2.7 PPG, 1.3 RPG, and 1.1 APG in 13.8 MPG, hitting 41% of his shots from three. While he didn’t put up big numbers, he was a pro’s pro who more often than not did all the right things on the court.
All the best, Taurean and Gary.
UPDATES:
According to Charania, the trade is actually part of a larger, six-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Per Eric Nehm, the Bucks get their own second-rounder in 2027 back from the Pistons and then the least favorable of the Dallas Mavericks’ and Brooklyn Nets’ second-round picks in 2027.
What are your thoughts on the trade, Brew Hoopers? Add your two cents in the comments.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 09: Caris LeVert #8 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after a dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 09, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons made a trade Tuesday that made me legitimately ask the question — has there ever been a trade of at least three players that all had at least a decade of NBA experience before? If not, then welcome to history, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince, and Gary Harris!
The Pistons traded Caris LeVert, a significant offseason addition a year ago who never found his footing in during his one-year stay in Detroit, along with two second-round picks for veterans Taurean Prince and Gary Harris. The trio have a combined 32 years of NBA experience under their respective belts.
ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to break the news of the trade. The second-round picks in the deal are from 2027, according to Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press. The Pistons own their own 2nd, the least favorable between Brooklyn and Dallas, and a Milwaukee second. I wouldn’t be surprised if this trade gets Milwaukee its own pick back.
LeVert was set to make $14 million in the final year of his contract with the Pistons while Prince and Harris make $3.8 million each. The trade shaves more than $7 million off the team’s books and gives Detroit a $14.8 million trade exception, per cap expert Yossi Gozlan.
Prince is the more significant of the two additions as he fills the role of backup power forward with enough girth to man the position and more than enough shooting ability. Standing just 6-foot-6, he’s a stout 218 points. More importantly, he’s a career 38.7% 3-point shooter and has shot 43% and 41% the past two seasons. He doesn’t do much more than catch-and-shoot these days, but it’s a skill the Pistons can’t have enough of. Prince is coming off an injury-plagued season with the Bucks that saw him limited to just 26 games. But in both of the two previous seasons, Prince played more than 2,000 minutes.
Prince suffered a herniated disc in his neck in November of last season that kept him out until March. But when he returned, it was like he never missed a beat. He averaged 10.6 points and shot 43.8% from deep on more than six attempts per game in the season’s final 18 games.
Harris has been a part-time role player each of the past two seasons in Orlando and Milwaukee, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he were waived after the deal is finalized.
The LeVert stay in Detroit was a brief and disappointing tenure. He seemingly completely forgot how to shoot the ball from deep and had the worst turnover percentage in his 10-year career. He also wasn’t a good defender. There’s not much you can point to that went right for Caris in Detroit, and he seemed like he was entering the season where he might find himself on the outside looking into a crowded backcourt rotation.
The Pistons have Cade Cunningham and Daniss Jenkins to take the lion’s share of the point guard minutes, drafted a 6-foot-1 drive-and-score rookie in Ebuka Okorie, traded for Isaiah Joe and return Duncan Robinson as the primary shooters.
They also had a significant need at the backup power forward spot. The team added John Collins this offseason but lost Tobias Harris to the San Antonio Spurs. They were staring at a season with Ron Holland as the only legitimate backup power forward. With the trade for Prince, the roster feels much more balanced.
This deal might be a signal that the Pistons are done making moves this offseason. LeVert’s $14 million salary was one of the only significant moveable salaries on Detroit’s payroll. Unless the team moves one or both of Ron Holland, Duncan Robinson and all of the future firsts, there isn’t really an avenue to a significant upgrade remaining.
Presuming the reported Marcus Sasser trade to the Dallas Mavericks comes to fruition, Jalen Duren re-signs, and Harris gets waived, Detroit would enter the season with a full 15-man roster.
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, and Jalen Duren as the starters. Daniss Jenkins, Isaiah Joe, Ron Holland, Taurean Prince, Paul Reed as primary backups. Ebuka Okorie, Kevin Huerter, Javonte Green, Chaz Lanier, and Tolu Smith as depth pieces. Ugonna Onyenso, Isaac Jones as two-way players.
How does that stack up in the East? We have a whole offseason to argue about that.
LeBron James and his agent, Rich Paul, are very good at this: Keeping everyone guessing, including teams, what the legendary star's next move will be. They have practice doing it.
LeBron's next team is the biggest unknown left in free agency and he has kept things close to the vest, so much so that six teams think they are still in the running, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Miami Heat.
Cleveland may be in the lead. League sources speaking to NBC Sports said that it's always a bit of reading the tea leaves with LeBron (and Paul is the one in contact with teams, not LeBron himself), but that those leaves seem to point toward another reunion with the Cavaliers. Brian Windorst of ESPN put it this way on ESPN Cleveland:
"People in the league are thinking it's pointing toward Cleveland, but they are operating off vibes. If you ask me, 'Are the vibes pointing towards Cleveland?,' Yeah, the vibes are pointing towards Cleveland. But it's just vibes."
Both Donovan Mitchell — who just agreed to a max contract extension with the Cavaliers — and James Harden would be "all in" on LeBron in Cleveland, Charania reports. That said, Giannis Antetokounmpo also reportedly would welcome a LeBron reunion with the Miami Heat. Smith said on the show that he has heard executives say Miami is a better fit for him than Cleveland in terms of style of play.
It’s not about the money
The other thing that makes this a particularly difficult situation to predict is that this is not what we have seen from LeBron in the past.
Since taking slightly less than the max in Miami to bring that big three together, LeBron has always taken the most money he can in every contract. As was his right, and he was worth every penny.
Times and the situation have changed. There is no max for him, and if it were all about the money, he would have worked something out with the Lakers, who retain his Bird rights and can offer more than any other team if they wish. LeBron has told Los Angeles he is not returning, and the Lakers are good with that.
LeBron could end up playing for as little as the minimum ($3.9 million) in his 24th season, which opens up more options. Some teams have part of their mid-level exception left, but it's going to be a steep drop off from the $52 million he made last season.
Paul has said being able to play meaningful games and compete for a title are the most important factors, which is a good sign for Philly and Cleveland (the Cavs did reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season), and maybe Miami, although it has work to do to round out the roster around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
LeBron has to balance questions about the chances of that team conceding, his fit on that team, comfort with the organization and players on the team he joins. LeBron is hanging with the Warriors' Draymond Green this week, ESPN's Charania adds. That doesn't mean the Warriors are frontrunners, but in a world where everyone is trying to read the tea leaves, it's worth considering.
When will LeBron make his decision? From the start, it was clear LeBron was going to take his time, and he's never shied away from basking in the spotlight when it's on him. And it is on him right now.
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and guard Jaylen Brown (7) celebrates with the Larry O’Brian Trophy after beating the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the 2024 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
NEWTON — The basketball world was largely stunned when Jaylen Brown was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers last week. Since the trade was first reported on Wednesday, Celtics fans have reflected on his longtime tenure coming to a sudden halt, and what that means for the team, both on and off the floor.
And Jayson Tatum, Brown’s co-star of almost a decade, is also processing it all.
“To be honest, weird. It’s weird,” Tatum said on Tuesday night. “You play on a team with a guy for 9 years. I was fortunate enough to go to the finals with him twice, and win a championship, and push each other to be the players that we are today.”
Tatum’s reflection came as part of an hour-long sit-down at the Newton Community Stage for a sit-down Q&A with longtime reporter Howard Bryant to promote his new book, “Baby Dunks-a-Lot: The Day the Basketballs Stopped Bouncing.” (The book, co-written with author Sam Apple, is currently available for purchase at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore as well as Newtonville Books).
At the event, Tatum spoke on several topics, including his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon, what it’s like balancing being a father and a pro athlete, and much more (a longer story on some of his reflections is to come).
Jayson Tatum is here in Newton in celebration of his newest book, Baby Dunks-a-lot, which came out today.
Tatum both answered questions in a moderated panel with longtime reporter Howard Bryant and also took questions from the kids in attendance.
Jayson Tatum reflected on ‘tough’ reality of Jaylen Brown trade
Bryant explicitly asked Tatum how he’s handling the reality that a new chapter is now beginning for him, the Celtics, and for Brown.
“The NBA is an incredible business; it’s an incredible job, but there are some downsides to the business and moments like this, where you just kind of feel like you’re going to be on the team with somebody, because that’s all you know,” he said. “And then it’s just like, one day you find out that they’re no longer on your team anymore. And, we’re all humans. We feel all those emotions. Going into the facility, and knowing that you have different teammates, and somebody that you’ve been to war with, essentially, is on a different team…”
Together, Tatum and Brown made five Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals.
In 2024, they won their first title as a duo.
“It’s tough. But it just makes you appreciate the moments and time that we had,” Tatum said. “Obviously, it came to an abrupt ending, but it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t super successful. Great years, obviously, that he gave to the city and to the organization.”
Brad Stevens, who addressed reporters in a press conference on Monday, said that Tatum did not have any input in the decision to trade Brown.
“I have a real hard-and-fast rule,” Stevens said. “I don’t ask guys about other guys.”
In lieu of Jaylen Brown (and Nikola Vucevic, who departed in free agency), Tatum now welcomes a slew of new teammates like Paul George, Mike Conley, and Mitchell Robinson, among others.
All three players were at the Auerbach Center this week and took photos with their brand-new Celtics jerseys.
“The tough part is you miss teammates, but then you have new teammates, and you want to welcome those guys and accept them and move forward with them,” Tatum said. “So there is a balance there.”
Feb 10, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks on during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill...
Fellow NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed this and then some during a July 7 conversation with Stephen A. Smith.
Charania initially said that after checking around the league, he has heard that the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, and the Philadelphia 76ers are the teams that he keeps hearing about as LeBron’s top free agency fits at this point.
LeBron James looks on during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. USA TODAY Sports
“Philadelphia, after they got the Jaylen Brown [trade done]. Philadelphia was not in the picture [before that],” Charania said.
He then spoke about how James didn’t necessarily have a free agency plan in place headed into this offseason because there’s no clear indication about how much money he’ll try to secure.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid celebrate during a Philadelphia 76ers game. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
REPORT: LeBron is taking the Sixers “very seriously” after they got Jaylen Brown, per @ShamsCharania
“When I talk to teams now I have a hierarchy of Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, and then some teams on the peripheral.”
Charania then added, “When the Sixers got Jaylen Brown, I did some research and I found out within 24 hours, [LeBron is] taking their pitch really seriously. So, when I look at it, when I talk to teams now, I have a hierarchy of Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, and then some teams on the peripheral.”
The 76ers stand out among these three teams at the top of James’ “hierarchy”, if only because it’s the only franchise among the trio that James hasn’t played with before.
It’s clear that LeBron is looking to compete for another NBA championship before retiring, and the 76ers’ addition of Jaylen Brown to pair with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe already makes them one of the Eastern Conference’s most talented rosters on paper.
Adding LeBron to that mix would make them even more lethal and probably cement them as favorites in the East.
Of course, things can change very fast in free agency. But Philadelphia has become one of the most compelling teams to watch regarding LeBron.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: Tarris Reed Jr. #10 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to pass the ball against the Miami Heat during the second half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Chase Center on July 03, 2026 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Going 0-3 in the California Classic is not good… I wouldn’t necessarily call it bad either. Summer League isn’t about wins and losses. It’s about seeing if your contracted young players can stand out, or finding diamonds in the rough in the G League. In Monday’s 88-84 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the San Antonio Spurs got exactly what they needed from their new draftees.
Tarris Reed Jr. and Ja’Kobi Gillespie had their best games of the summer, nearly leading San Antonio to a comeback win. Reed Jr. got a low-post seal, turned his shoulder, and finished through the contact for an and-1 opportunity late in the game, but rimmed out the free throw that would have tied it. Gillespie hit some big threes down the stretch to put the Spurs within striking distance.
It was clear that both of those guys belong on an NBA court in some capacity. That’s about all you can ask from a Summer League squad. Now the team will head to Las Vegas, where Carter Bryant will join the team and almost certainly get to show the Spurs what he’s got in his offensive bag. With an NBA rotation player on his way, the team could find more success when they head to Sin City.
Takeaways:
Reed Jr. showed off the skills that made him a first-round pick. He played incredibly tough on the interior, making some contested shots through contact. He got a few opportunities to back a defender down in the post and use his size to seal defenders and create angles for himself. He made a nice pass to Gillespie on a backdoor cut for a bucket, flashing his playmaking upside. He had one good weakside block, but was overall a step slow rotating to play help defense. His role with the NBA team will likely be to set screens, rebound, and finish around the rim. He’s shown he can do that, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds in his second summer game.
Gillespie finally got his shots to fall. He was super active offensively, cutting and relocating all over the place to get open. He finished with 19 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals. What’s most important is that he knocked down 5 of his 9 three-pointers. If Gillespie gets playing time in the NBA this season, it will likely be as a combo guard who can handle, but typically plays off the ball. Hitting threes, as he did on Monday, will be important to providing value in that role.
Emmanuel Miller continues to show flashes, but forces it a bit too often. He had 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals in the loss.
Maliq Brown has been incredible defensively to start the Summer League. He may have one defensive flaw: he leaves his feet a bit too often, jumping for pump fakes.
Pacers rookie Kam Jones questioned his NBA future after he was ordered out of his car at gunpoint following a police chase last year, new body cam footage obtained by The California Post shows.
Jones’ dramatic encounter with Indiana State Police occurred in Indianapolis on Oct. 10, 2025, after he allegedly hit speeds of over 100 mph and then refused to immediately pull over.
Pacers rookie Kam Jones was pulled over in October after he allegedly reached speeds of over 100 mph. Indiana State PoliceJones was adamant he did not mean to evade police officers on purpose. Indiana State Police
Cops were seen in the newly released video training their guns on Jones before they demanded he exit his ride and walk toward them slowly.
When Jones, 24, ultimately complied and was placed in handcuffs, he insisted he was not trying to evade them on purpose.
“I feel very confused right now,” the basketball player said. “Honestly, I saw your right blinker on, so I’m like, ‘Is he trying to get by me?’ So, I was trying to get out your way.”
Jones explained he was driving quickly because he was late for a practice. He was then stunned to learn cops intended to take him to jail over his behavior.
Jones told cops he was driving quickly because he was late for practice. Indiana State Police
“I’m going to jail?” he asked.
“Yeah,” one cop responded. “Reckless driving and resisting law enforcement.”
“I didn’t know you were trying to pull me over, though,” Jones said.
“You could have fooled me,” the officer said.
As police took Jones toward the back of a squad car, a Pacers assistant coach appeared on the scene. However, cops would not let the two communicate and the Indiana staffer drove off moments later.
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Jones played in 37 games for the Pacers this past season. Getty Images
One officer then asked about Jones’ life, and at one point, the cop noticed Jones’ 6-foot-3 frame and wondered if he played point guard or shooting guard.
Jones then somberly said, “I’m about to be nothing no more.”
“Why not?” the cop asked.
“I just didn’t realize I was driving that fast,” Jones said.
Jones was arrested and booked on two charges following his October encounter with Indiana State Police. Marion County Sheriff's Office
Jones was eventually taken to a nearby jail and booked on reckless driving and resisting law enforcement charges. Following his release, he apologized to his team and media members and said the situation was a “mistake that I’ve learned from.”
Prosecutors ended up charging Jones with misdemeanor reckless driving in January, but court records show the count was dismissed in March after Jones entered a pretrial diversion program.
Jones, the No. 38 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, played in 37 games for the Pacers this past season, logging 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 4: Jacob Toppin #15 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz during a 2026 NBA Salt Lake City Summer League game on July 4, 2026 at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Hawks will be a bit shorthanded to take on Cam Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, UT
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 07: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets posts up against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of game at Spectrum Center on January 07, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s transaction day in the NBA, seeing as the new league year officially began yesterday. We’re seeing plenty of notifications and press releases about players re-signing with the Phoenix Suns, including Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and Mark Williams. Things that were previously reported are now becoming official, which is all part of the process once the calendar turns.
But there is one thing we have not seen come through officially yet. The Miles Bridges trade. And per Espo of PHNX, we shouldn’t expect anything until at least July 9.
For those wondering why the Suns haven't announced the Miles Bridges trade, it's not official and is still waiting for league approval.
Sources have indicated the earliest we'll hear anything official is likely July 9th based on process of getting deal completed. pic.twitter.com/NP9UmDSBiE
It has everything to do with how active the Charlotte Hornets have been during this offseason cycle. Not only did they deal Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns for Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, and a 2033 first-round pick, but they also traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Add in Minnesota trading Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, and this could end up becoming a five- or six-team deal by the time everything is finalized. There are plenty of i’s and lowercase j’s to dot, and plenty of t’s to cross.
The biggest snag in this mega-trade from occurring is the contract of Mouhamadou Gueye, who is being traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a three-team Julius Randle-to-Brooklyn deal. Gueye is not eligible to be traded until July 9, seeing as he was signed on April 9.
A handful of people asked why the big Nets-Hornets-Bulls-Wolves trade hasn't gone official yet…
That deal will have to wait until July 9. Mouhamadou Gueye, who the Bulls are trading as part of the deal, isn't eligible to be traded until July 9 because he was signed on April 9.
So the reason we haven’t seen the Bridges trade officially go through yet is most likely because these transactions could be combined.
We could also see other things happen as a result. Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale could potentially be rerouted to either Minnesota or Brooklyn, which means Phoenix’s final return might end up being more than Miles Bridges, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick. If either player is rerouted, there’s a chance another second-round pick could come Phoenix’s way as part of the larger transaction.
It remains to be seen what the final verbiage of this deal will be, but I will say this. For those who believe the trade not being official yet means the organization could still rescind it due to any pushback surrounding Miles Bridges, that probably isn’t happening. That’s not why this trade is being held up. It’s being held up because there are multiple moving parts, tax implications, apron implications, and legal details that need to be properly addressed to make sure the trade is valid and executable.
What looks like a delay is really the NBA’s version of back-office work. Fans understandably want closure, especially with a trade this polarizing, but the league office is more concerned with making every cap sheet, exception, and transaction line up than satisfying the news cycle. Until every piece of the larger puzzle fits, the Bridges deal will remain in limbo on paper, even if its outcome has almost certainly already been decided.
Nov 25, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the rest of the basketball world are waiting to see what LeBron James does in free agency. As has been the case throughout the better part of the last several weeks, there hasn’t been too much noise from James’s camp. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess as to what he’s thinking. There is, however, some reporting out there that could give a hint as to what James is planning on doing.
The big news of the day for the Cavs was signing Donovan Mitchell to a four-year contract extension. That deal is guaranteed to keep him through the end of the 2029-30 season, and includes a player option for the season after.
Despite the potentially $273 million extension the Cavs gave out on Tuesday, the 41-year-old James is still Cleveland’s top priority, and that is something Mitchell is fully on board with, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Charania said that Mitchell has been an “active” and “significant part” of the Cavs conversations about improving the roster.
How much you want to read into this is up to you, but this is worth pointing out because of what James’s agent, Rich Paul, said earlier in the infamous whiteboard episode of the Game Over podcast. LeBron would need the blessing of the incumbent star before he signs somewhere. Presumably, he has that with Mitchell and with James Harden, considering he’s reportedly willing to make less money annually to open up room for James.
Remember what Rich Paul said about Jalen Brunson regarding LeBron?
Well, look at the reports coming out today about LeBron and the Cavs.
Harden: "He is embracing the concept" AND willing to make his contract work
Mitchell: "He has made it clear he would embrace LeBron"
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The Denver Nuggets seem to be the lone exception to this feeling. Sam Amick reported that the Nuggets haven’t heard much from James or his camp, but the team believes they are “still in it.” Maybe they are. We’ll see.
Brian Windhorst said on his weekly YouTube video with ESPN Cleveland that the “vibes are pointing towards Cleveland” based on those he’s been talking with. However, he added that even those around LeBron don’t know what he’s going to do.
The lack of actual, concrete noise has left a vacuum. Much of the noise online is speculation. Some of it is informed, most of it isn’t.
We’ll keep waiting and see how this plays out. We know that the Cavs are interested in LeBron and that there’s plenty of reason to believe a farewell tour is how this ends. However, when and if that happens remains to be seen.
Happy birthday @paugasol !!!!!! 
We love you uncle Pau! #hermano #family”. 
