We came into Summer League 2026 the way we always do. With excitement and with hope. There’s something about watching your team’s young prospects take the floor for the first time that always pulls you in. When you have rookies in the mix, it’s your first opportunity to see them wearing your team’s colors, and that alone creates a different level of anticipation.

But as the days pass, that excitement naturally begins to fade. Reality sets in. The games don’t count. Some players are further behind in their development than we hoped. Rotations change, veterans sit, and gradually your attention starts to drift elsewhere.

That’s exactly what happened last season. The Suns arrived in Las Vegas with an exciting group of young players alongside a pair of sophomores we were eager to see develop. In the opener against the Washington Wizards, Ryan Dunn scored 17 points while shooting 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Oso Ighodaro finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Khaman Maluach added 14 points, although he was 1-of-6 from three. Koby Brea chipped in 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

Then Game 2 arrived. Ryan Dunn didn’t play. Neither did Khaman Maluach. Rasheer Fleming missed his second consecutive game. Like clockwork, the excitement faded.

This year’s version has been much more exciting because the guys you came to see are actually playing. And they’re playing every game. From Game 1 through Game 4, you can see the connectivity and cohesion developing, and it’s translating into wins.

I applaud the Suns’ front office for handling it this way. Typically, a player has a couple of strong performances, the organization decides it’s seen enough, and he disappears for the remainder of Summer League. That’s not what Phoenix has done. The Suns are taking advantage of every developmental opportunity available, and Summer League is a significant part of that process.

Yes, Khaman Maluach has dominated in pretty much every facet of the game. You could argue the organization has already seen everything it needs to see. But these minutes still have value. He’s out there leading, communicating, and continuing to build good habits. So why not give him more opportunities to do exactly that? That’s the approach the Suns have taken.

They now sit at 3-1 in standings that don’t count, and it’s because they’ve allowed this group to develop together. The cohesion has grown, the talent has become more apparent, and the players have been given every opportunity to showcase what they can do.

Quite honestly, this has been one of the most enjoyable Summer Leagues I’ve watched as a fan. I actually get to watch the players I came to see, and they’re getting enough minutes for me to develop a real understanding of who they are while gaining valuable reps at the same time.

Whether the Suns finish Summer League with a winning record won’t matter much a few months from now. What will matter is that they resisted the urge to declare victory after a game or two and instead treated Las Vegas like the classroom it was meant to be. Development isn’t about checking a box. It’s about accumulating reps, building chemistry, and learning through experience. Phoenix has embraced that philosophy this summer, and it’s made the basketball more enjoyable to watch while giving these young players a better chance to become contributors when their number is eventually called.

Summer Bright Side Baller Standings

Three games. Three Maluach masterclasses. He has owned the Summer League Bright Side Baller standings to this point, winning once again for his performance against the Bucks on Monday. Although he did so with only 71% of the vote.

Summer Bright Side Baller Nominees

Game 4 against the Pistons. Here are your nominees:

Khaman Maluach
23 points (8-of-13, 2-of-5 3PT), 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, +14 +/-

Rasheer Fleming
22 points (8-of-12, 4-of-6 3PT), 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +8 +/-

Koa Peat
19 points (6-of-13, 0-of-1 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers, +16 +/-

Darius Brown II
9 points (3-of-4, 0-of-1 3PT), 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +6 +/-

Javonte Cooke
12 points (4-of-9, 2-of-6 3PT), 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers, -1 +/-

Jameer Nelson Jr.
8 points (3-of-4, 0-of-0 3PT), 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +6 +/-

Time to cast away!

Even if the Knicks didn’t play, the Knicks swept.

New York’s mob attended the ESPY Awards and racked up trophy after trophy, all of them starting with Best.

Here’s the latest from the protagonists and a couple more folks.

Jalen Brunson

On the condition of his surgically repaired left wrist, and when the injury happened:

“I’m good. Obviously, it’s going to take a little bit of time. There isn’t a play where I remember it happening; I just remember being at the free-throw line in the third or fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals and my wrist is starting to feel weak.

“From that point on, it was just trying to figure out what was going on and how to proceed because I wasn’t going to get anything done during that time.”

On the emotional swings after winning the championship and then undergoing wrist surgery:

“It’s been a rollercoaster, honestly. Once we won and everything, everything was up high…everything after we won was amazing. And then getting back to real life, it was probably best to get surgery done for my wrist. That brought me back down. But I would do it all again.”

On winning the championship in New York:

“Obviously, once we won and everything, everything was up and high and everything was amazing, the parade and all of that. Everything after we won was amazing. Then kind of getting back into real life and realizing it was probably best to get surgery done for my wrist. That kind of brought me back down. But I would do it all again.

“It’s an incredible feeling, and something that doing it here has made it 10 times better. The experience has been better, just being in the city. It’s been amazing, to say the least.”

On accepting the ESPY for Best Championship Performance:

“First and foremost, I want to thank my family for sacrificing everything day in and day out. Thank you to [owner] Jim Dolan and the Knicks organization, [president] Leon [Rose], the front office, Mike Brown, my teammates — without them, none of this would be possible. They allow me to be me. I’m forever indebted to them.”

OG Anunoby

On accepting the ESPY for Play of the Year:

“Uh, it’s truly such an honor to win an ESPY to cap off an amazing year and special moment for our team.

“To the best fans in the world, we thank you for all your love and support. Winning a championship for the city is truly so special, and I want to thank God, my teammates, the entire Knicks organization and all those who supported me along the way. Go Knicks!”

Andre Drummond

On extending his career and choosing the Knicks:

“You know, I just love to play. I don’t have to play… [It’s] because I want to, and I love the game, and I truly love being a part of winning.

“And I’ve been on a bunch of winning organizations the past few stints I’ve been in, and it’s felt great. And now that I’m playing with the Knicks, obviously another team that just won. Just looking forward to continuing to build on that, and it kind of just helps me stay focused as well too.

Just having some sort of structure, so I’m still going with basketball and obviously being able to focus on the other things I want to do off the court.”

On his partnership with and creative director role at Stria Sport:

“Obviously, every athlete and every sports person has a dream that they own their own sneaker company or own their own signature shoe. So for me, this is a dream come true, but not really understanding what went into the business of how grueling and how long these hours can be.

“And it’s been so much fun, man. I can’t even explain to you how much fun I’ve had with this. This is like I feel like a kid in a candy store. Every day I have new ideas… So I’m thinking further along the line instead of what’s happening right now. So my investment and my dedication to this brand, it’s everything.”

On his career and life goals:

“I mean, I’ll definitely be on the golf course out there and get my swing thing. But I do like to feel what my future will look like because I don’t want to be a couch potato when I’m done playing. I still want to keep my mind and keep myself sharp and involve myself in things that I still do care about and want to progress in.”

Sean Sweeney (’26 Spurs Associate HC)

On why the Spurs lost the NBA Finals:

“I think a few things. One, I think there’s a little attrition having to go through the previous series. Two, bad luck. They told me if the games were like 46 minutes or whatever, we would’ve won 4-1.”

On Jalen Brunson’s Game 5 performance and San Antonio’s mistakes:

“Jalen [Brunson] obviously had a monster game in that last one. Coached him in Dallas. Happy for him — kind of. I think we just made more mistakes than we had made in the previous series. You can maybe say something to that, but you don’t do what you did, and then all of a sudden become young.”

On the additional media responsibilities players face during the NBA Finals impacting the young Spurs:

“The one thing I think that’s a little different in the finals than the other rounds is when you have to do media in the finals, you have to answer questions even when you’ve played poorly or struggled. And you don’t have to do that in previous rounds.”

Nick Young

On his experience competing in the BIG3:

“BIG3 is in the ninth season. Nobody expected us to be going this long. It’s good for the players like myself. I’ve been at home. I get a chance to be back on the road and get back in the league. It’s been very competitive. It’s fun.”

On how Gilbert Arenas brought him into the BIG3:

“Gil had played [Gilbert Arenas]. So he came and got me. Once he started doing the whole podcast stuff, he didn’t have time to be the coach. So I took over as the coach. We ended up winning the championship.”

On why the BIG3 has endured:

“The consistency. It’s good. The way social media is going. You got all the 1-on-1 tournaments going on with YouTube, I feel like this is right up that alley. I think it’s a cross between the NBA and YouTube. You get the best of both worlds.”

Summer League serves as a proving ground for young NBA prospects.

Some players, like Tre Johnson and Will Riley, quickly prove they’re too good for such competition. Others, like Johnny Davis — Washington’s No. 10 pick in 2022 — fold under the bright Las Vegas lights.

AJ Dybantsa proved worthy of the former, scoring impressively across his two performances. But that’s not to say his showing was without its imperfections.

Below is a breakdown of how the BYU product fared in his first action as a Wizard and what, if anything, it tells us about his potential.

Scoring prowess

Dybantsa scored 27 points in Washington’s Summer League opener against the Utah Jazz. He followed with 23 points against the Sacramento Kings.

Dybantsa’s scored from multiple levels, relentlessly attacked the rim and got to the free-throw line often. His 25.0 points per game marked the most by a No. 1 pick in Las Vegas Summer League history.

This mirrored his collegiate scoring production of 25.5 PPG, which mostly came from rim finishes, mid-range jumpers and free throws. The Wizards primarily played Dybantsa on-ball, which explains his 40% usage rate.

The 6-foot-9 wing’s best pre-draft attribute was his scoring ability. Specifically around the rim, where he shot 72.3% in a tough Big 12 conference.

Dybantsa topped that efficiency in Vegas. He shot 8-for-9 (89%) at the rim, his lone miss a blocked dunk while attempting to posterize Sacramento’s Dylan Cardwell.

He also excelled at drawing contact. Dybantsa’s seven free-throw attempts per game tied Darryn Peterson for the most in Las Vegas this year.

For a Wizards team that ranked 29th in adjusted offensive rating and 26th in free throws attempted per game last season, Dybantsa’s Summer League performance proved what everyone already knew: He’s a dangerous scoring weapon that will tremendously aid Washington’s offense.

Shooting struggles

One of the few blunders on Dybantsa’s otherwise pristine draft profile was his poor outside shooting. At BYU, he shot just 33.1% from 3-point range and sub-50% on mid-range jumpers.

Those struggles continued in Vegas.

At the rim: 8-9 (89%)

Mid-range: 4-13 (31%)

3-point range: 1-11 (9.1%)

Free throws: 12-14 (86%)

While Dybantsa shot well from 2-point range (12-for-22), eight of those makes came at the rim. He made just four of his 13 2-point attempts from outside the restricted area, which were comprised of mid-range jumpers and a few floaters.

A silver lining to Dybantsa’s mid-range struggles is that he generated open looks off the dribble with his quick first step and ensuing pivot into a turnaround jumper when defenders overcommitted to stopping his drive. He didn’t finish those plays with a bucket, but it showcased the space he’s able to create and counters he’s developed for when teams overload to stop his drive.

Dybantsa’s 3-pointer is a different story. He missed all five of his outside jumpers against Utah and made just one of his six attempts against Sacramento. His lone make was an open transition triple.

Dybantsa’s 3-ball remains his Achilles’ heal. And in a league reliant on spacing, adding a respectable outside jumper should top his summer workout plan.

That said, a few poor shooting performances at Summer League isn’t the greatest indicator of whether a prospects 3-point jumper will develop. Take Peterson for example.

Those who preferred Peterson in the pre-draft process will certainly criticize Dybantsa’s poor shooting splits in Las Vegas. But Peterson, who’s primary offensive weapon is his lethal jumper, shot just 30.8% from the field — nearly nine percentage points worse than Dybantsa’s 39.4% — and 23.1% from 3-point range.

Does that mean Peterson projects as an inefficient scorer and poor 3-point shooter at the NBA level? Absolutely not. Just like Dybantsa’s low shooting percentage doesn’t mean he can never improve as a jump shooter.

Overall, Dybantsa’s shot chart is somewhat unsurprising. He was nearly unstoppable when he got to the rim, and he often drew contact when he accelerated downhill. He made a few mid-range jumpers, probably fewer than he should’ve given how open some of those looks were. And he struggled to make 3-pointers.

All of this tracks with what his draft profile suggested he was: An NBA-ready slasher who possesses the shot creation tools to evolve into a scary three-level scorer if he ever adds a respectable jump shot.

A solid defensive effort

Many questioned Dybantsa’s defensive pedigree at BYU. It wasn’t as much a question of effort as it was of production, which trailed behind his fellow prospects.

Despite a 6-foot-9 frame, a 7-foot wingspan and a 42-inch maximum vertical, Dybantsa totaled just 23 combined steals and blocks in 38 collegiate games. He tallied over 33% of that figure — eight combined steals and blocks — in just two Summer League games.

“I was lazy in college, I can admit that,” Dybantsa said on the Prime Video broadcast on Tuesday. “I want to make an impact on the defensive end”

His defensive effort was noticeable. He pressured his assignment at halfcourt and used his length to deflect passes, disrupt drives and generate five steals.

He tracked back against the Jazz for a block in transition. And against Sacramento, he casually extended his arm to swat Darius Acuff’s 3-point attempt.

Dybantsa wandered when guarding off-ball and at times lost his assignment. But for a player scolded for his lackluster defensive numbers at BYU, averaging 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest is a great sign that his defense will, at worst, be respectable against NBA competition.

The Celtics finished the regular season portion of Summer League at 3-1 with an 82-76 victory the Sacramento Kings. The wire-to-wire win included a strong defensive effort in the first quarter when the Kings only scored four points, the lowest in SL history. There’s still a shot for Boston to be a playoff team with today’s games still undecided.

Maine on my mind

Earlier in the day, former CelticsBlogger and Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported that Boston had signed Milos Uzan and Tucker DeVries to Exhibit 10 contracts. Tennies are basically non-guaranteed training camp deals that tend to subsequently lead to G League invites to Maine.

Uzan has been particularly impressive throughout this Summer League regular season. Kingston Flemings was the University of Houston’s highest draft pick at #8 to Atlanta, followed by Cenac Jr. to the Cs and Emanuel Sharp to Sacramento, but Uzan has been a pleasant surprise as the lone undrafted Cougar. He had another solid game with 13 points, seven rebounds, and two assists last night and could be a good candidate to be the starting point guard up at the Portland Expo.

“I know I’m going to be at training camp, so I’m just trying to keep getting better and just try to add value to the team,” Uzan said.

What could interesting is the fate of John Tonje. He was included in the trade that sent Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz and played on a two-way contract with the Celtics last season. Now, he’s effectively a free agent after the Celtics didn’t pick up his option last month. He hit 47.4% from 3 heading into the Kings game and made another 3-of-7 against Sacramento.

The 25-year-old is a capable second-side scorer as a spot-up shooter and close-out attacker, but he just lacks the athleticism on defense to hold his ground.

Hugo has been huge

I made this Hugo Gonzalez comp in our CelticsBlog Slack and I think it’s pretty accurate: Austin Reaves. Ridicule and disgust followed the comparison to the Laker. The sophomore still has three more years on his rookie contract while Reaves signed a four-year, $185 million max extension this summer. There’s still some ways to go for Gonzalez, but the tools are there. Hugo is the superior defender (by far) and the Summer League ## turnovers are an eyesore in his SL box score, but he’s on track with Reaves’ development on offense.

His Eurostep and decel have generated 15 trips to the free throw line — remember: Summer League is testing a new rule where one free throw is two points — and he’s dished out 17 assists in three games.

Admittedly, the grift isn’t exactly my favorite part of his game, but if his handle tightens up and his vision focuses, he could be a reliable ball handler in the second unit. That’s a huge development from last year when he was mostly used as a spark off the bench and a versatile defender.

Speak softly and carry a big stick

The marquee signing of this offseason was Mitchell Robinson. The former Knick earned a three-year, $47 million contract in Boston after finishing last season as one of the league’s best offensive rebounders and rim protectors. He’ll join last year’s breakout star Neemias Queta and second unit stalwart Luka Garza in the Celtics center room.

However, in the shadows of the Summer League, Boston is developing the future of their franchise in Amari Williams and Chris Cenac Jr. Williams spent last season in Maine on a two-way contract and he’s signed on again to do the same, but don’t be surprised if he’s converted into a standard deal again by the end of the year.

The prerequisite rebounding and rim protection is there — I swear there are times that Williams seemingly invites a driver to test him only for him to swat their attempt into the first row.

What sets Williams really apart is his passing.

“It calms everybody else down,” SL head coach Amile Jefferson said of playing through Williams. “When you’re able to play off-ball knowing that we have a guy that—his strength is his passing. He’s creative. He can find you. If you move and you’re open, he can get the ball where it needs to go.”

He had three assists to go along with his seven rebounds and two blocks.

Cenac Jr. is a different animal. After making that game-tying three in the team’s opener against the Raptors that sent the game into overtime, he missed his next four attempts against Charlotte and Atlanta. Then, last night, he went 1-for-3 against the Kings.

His shot plot at Houston consisted of a heavy diet of mid-range jumpers. Think Chris Bosh or LaMarcus Aldridge. In the pros, that shot might need to migrate out to the three-point line and it looks like it’s already an adjustment that the team has made with him.

“I dropped way lower than I was supposed to in the draft,” Cenac Jr. told ESPN. “So, I’m coming out and showing everybody what I’m capable of doing and [making them regret] the decision that they made.”

Cenac Jr. finished with a strong double-double of 10 & 12.

The NBA offseason is close to complete. Free agency, minus LeBron James’ next destination, is almost over. The draft has come and gone. A number of elite players, from Giannis Antetokounmpo to Jaylen Brown, have changed teams.

With that said, The Post’s Zach Braziller breaks down the league’s landscape, ranking the teams from 1-30.

True title contenders

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

If healthy, the Thunder are the best team. Remember, top guards Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams were either significantly limited or out during the Western Conference finals against the Spurs, and that series still went the distance.

2. New York Knicks

The Knicks are basically running it back following their first title in 53 years — except for replacing Mitchell Robinson with Andre Drummond as Karl-Anthony Towns’ backup. They remain the best team in the Eastern Conference until further notice.

3. San Antonio Spurs

It’s a matter of when — not if — for the Spurs’ next title. The young big three of Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle have dynastic possibilities, and San Antonio made two intriguing first-round picks in Tarris Reed Jr. and Jayden Quaintance to improve its interior depth behind Wembanyama.

4. Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton is back, and so are the Pacers after a nightmarish 19-win campaign. The team that took the Thunder to seven games in the NBA Finals in 2025 will be mostly intact again, aside from Ivica Zubac replacing Myles Turner.

Can play deep into May

5. Toronto Raptors

As long as the Kawhi Leonard trade with the Clippers ultimately goes through, the Raptors have major contending potential. The 35-year-old Leonard is still a star — when healthy — and he joins a quality nucleus featuring Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and Immanuel Quickley.

6. Philadelphia 76ers

It’s easy to see the 76ers having a big year, led by the big four of Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. But there are depth and chemistry questions to be answered for this top-heavy roster.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota had a fascinating offseason headlined by the blockbuster four-team trade that landed the Timberwolves LaMelo Ball and sent Naz Reid to the Hornets. Ball and Anthony Edwards could be terrific together — or a disaster. This is a boom-or-bust roster that no longer includes Julius Randle and will likely feature Jaden McDaniels as a small-ball four.

8. Boston Celtics

The Celtics got better on the interior with the addition of Robinson, but worse on the perimeter after the Brown trade. Jayson Tatum should be able to recapture his superstar form after returning from his torn Achilles tendon last season, but does he have a suitable wingman now that Brown is in Philadelphia?

9. Atlanta Hawks

Nobody gave the Knicks more issues in the playoffs than the Hawks, who returned their entire young core and had a terrific draft, selecting hard-nosed prospects Kingston Flemings of Houston and Zuby Ejiofor of St. John’s.

10. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are basically the same team that couldn’t get out of the first round. After Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, there isn’t much there.

11. Houston Rockets

There is enough talent here to finish in the top half of the West: An All-Star forward (Alperen Sengun), quality point guard (Fred VanVleet), still productive future Hall of Fame wing (Kevin Durant) and on-the-rise young two-way star guard (Amen Thompson).

Pretenders

12. Los Angeles Lakers

It is now Luka Doncic’s team, after LeBron James’ departure. The Lakers have spent a lot this offseason already in bringing back Austin Reaves ($180 million) and signing Walker Kessler ($130M), Quentin Grimes ($60M) and Sandro Mamukelashvili ($52M). But those moves aren’t going to scare the Thunder or the Spurs.

13. Miami Heat

Giannis Antetokounmpo is now in South Beach, joining Bam Adebayo. That duo doesn’t have much help — Tim Hardaway Jr. and Andrew Wiggins aren’t difference makers — and it would be a stretch for the Heat to be considered a legitimate contender.

14. Detroit Pistons

It wasn’t so long ago the Pistons were favored to reach the NBA Finals. Now, after a playoff flop and an underwhelming offseason so far, Detroit may not even be in the top four of the East.

15. Orlando Magic

The Magic seemed primed to upset the top seed in the first round before Franz Wagner suffered an ill-timed calf injury. Orlando didn’t let that deter them from making a change at coach, hiring highly regarded Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney to replace Jamahl Mosley. That was the big change for the Magic.

16. Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland’s offseason is all about bringing back LeBron James. They let valuable forward Dean Wade walk in free agency and haven’t done much to upgrade after they were swept out of the Eastern Conference finals by the Knicks.

Play-in potential

17. Phoenix Suns

The additions of Miles Bridges and Luke Kennard provide offensive oomph, and the Suns also retained center Mark Williams along with guards Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie.

18. Portland Trail Blazers

Ja Morant and Damian Lillard are now part of the same backcourt mix that also includes Shaedon Sharpe. Deni Avdija is coming off a breakout season (24.2 points, 6.7 assists) and Donovan Clingan has shown potential as a rim-protecting court-spacer in the middle. Potentially fun team.

19. Utah Jazz

After four straight losing seasons, Utah may be ready to at least contend for a playoff berth. The second overall pick in the draft, Darryn Peterson, has superstar potential, and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen could be dynamite together in the frontcourt.

20. Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte improved its frontcourt with the addition of Naz Reid, but got worse at point guard in losing LaMelo Ball. The Hornets, coming off their first winning season in four years, are betting big on Coby White to fill that void.

21. Washington Wizards

Say this for the Wizards: They’ll at least be worth checking out. Experienced veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis are joined by the No. 1 overall pick in AJ Dybantsa. Will this result in Washington’s first winning season since 2017-18? It can’t be discounted.

22. Golden State Warriors

Like the Cavaliers, the Warriors’ offseason hinges on LeBron James. Steph Curry and Draymond Green aren’t getting any younger, and Golden State hasn’t done anything so far to add to a 37-win team.

23. Dallas Mavericks

The big moves in Dallas aren’t player-related. They included hiring Masai Ujiri as the new team president and bringing in Michigan’s Dusty May as new head coach.

Enjoy the lottery

24. New Orleans Pelicans

How long do Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson remain in New Orleans? The Pelicans have two trade chips that could land them a ton of draft picks.

25. Chicago Bulls

Top draft pick Caleb Wilson has been one of the stars of the NBA Summer League, an exciting young forward who the Bulls and new coach Tiago Splitter hope to build around.

26. Brooklyn Nets

A starting five of Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, Day’Ron Sharpe, Egor Dëmin and Mikel Brown Jr. is intriguing, and sure beats the tanking rosters general manager Sean Marks has given Nets fans the last two seasons.

27. Sacramento Kings

The Kings have reached the playoffs just once in the last 20 years, and have lost at least 50 games 10 times in that span. Expect the losing to continue next year.

28. Memphis Grizzlies

This is now Cameron Boozer’s team. The third overall draft pick is the face of the franchise after it sent Ja Morant to Portland. Patience will be required.

29. Los Angeles Clippers

After a decade and a half of contention, the Clippers are rebuilding. Hey, at least the Intuit Dome is cool.

30. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are rebuilding after sending Antetokounmpo to Miami, ending what felt like an eternity of rumors involving the two-time MVP’s future. Get used to the lottery, Milwaukee.

Checking what's left on Brad Stevens' offseason to-do list originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

What might be left on Brad Stevens’ offseason to-do list?

With the biggest boxes checked — having made the difficult decision to deal away Jaylen Brown and then being forced to explain the team’s motivation in the aftermath — there is seemingly only some tidying up to complete before the start of the 2026-27 season. 

That said, Stevens has to stay alert. The bigger judgment of the Brown trade won’t come until we see how Stevens maximizes the assets acquired. That is unlikely to be decided this summer. 

But there are still a few other items to attend to, including … 

The Payton Pritchard extension

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Pritchard is eligible for a three-year extension at up to $67 million starting in October. Both sides should seemingly be motivated to get a deal done.

For the Celtics, Pritchard’s four-year, $30 million extension has made him maybe the best value contract in the NBA. From Sixth Man of the Year on championship-level teams to thriving in a starting role last year, Pritchard is performing well beyond the $7.8 million (4.7 percent of the cap) that he’ll earn this season (and the $8.3 million he’s scheduled to earn in 2027-28). The bump to an average annual value of $22.3 million rewards Pritchard for his current impact and banks on his continuing to be an impact player on title-hunting teams through Jayson Tatum’s prime.

For Pritchard, an extension would be a chance to finally cash in after earning just under $25 million over the first six years of his NBA career. His current deal will take him through his age-30 season. He could wait through the 2025-26 season with hopes of tacking on an extra year of guaranteed money — with the very real chance that he’ll put up some glitzy numbers this year after the Celtics moved on from Brown.

Alas, the history of small guards suggests that guaranteed money shouldn’t be messed with. Pritchard would still have a chance to earn another decent-money deal when this potential extension expired after the 2030-31 season. 

The Jordan Walsh extension

David Butler II-Imagn Images

Jordan Walsh, still only 22 years old, is entering the final year of a rookie contract that will pay him what’s currently a team-low $2.4 million this season. He becomes extension eligible on July 20. Walsh’s playing time was inconsistent last year, though he had stretches where rival players were gushing about his potential to be one of the most impactful wing defenders in the league.

Walsh could bet on himself knowing that increased opportunity without Brown around might drive his price tag up next summer. The Celtics are also overflowing with long, defensive-minded wings, and Walsh will have to decide if — like Ron Harper Jr. to start this summer — there’s a long-term number that Boston could entice him with now. 

A Walsh who is playing for his next contract might produce the most motivated player for the 2026-27 season. 

Filling out the roster

The Celtics currently stand at 14 roster players after waiving Dalano Banton before the start of Summer League. The team has often entered seasons with an open roster spot to maximize flexibility and can do the necessary money juggling before the finish line of the season.

The Celtics have obvious motivation to once again duck the luxury tax, which would reset current repeater penalties and allow the team to splurge more freely over the next two summers. 

Second-round draft pick Dillon Mitchell has played well enough at Summer League to make it a conversation about whether the team should simply roster him now. Boston has typically started their second-round picks on two-way deals, though many have earned in-season promotions by the end of their rookie campaigns.

Boston has two two-way slots available, with only Amari Williams inked to one of three available deals. Mitchell and John Tonje would seemingly be favorites to earn those spots, at least based on Summer League returns.

Milos Uzan and Tucker DeVries have signed training camp deals with Boston, per Spotrac. The Celtics would likely prefer to funnel them to Maine as affiliated players if they don’t find roster opportunities with other teams out of camp.

Any other deals out there?

While August tends to be a dead period for NBA transactions, it’s also the time that teams start taking a harder look at where their rosters stand before players start rolling in for the ramp to training camp.

The Celtics should feel confident about where the roster stands at the moment. The addition of Mitchell Robinson shored up the team’s biggest area of need this offseason and delivered a key contributor from a rival (and title) team. The Celtics’ roster is well balanced with the additions of Mike Conley and Paul George. Boston’s current depth chart:

Ball-handlers: Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Mike Conley

Wings & Swings: Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Sam Hauser, Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr., Jordan Walsh

Bigs: Neemias Queta, Mitchell Robinson, Luka Garza, Chris Cenac Jr.

Two-way: Amari Williams, TBD x 2

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Celtics are well-stocked at wings and swings. We suspect Boston will tread cautiously with playing time for both Conley and George, allowing younger players to continue to get necessary reps.

We’d also suspect that the team would wait until the season to make decisions on any areas of need. Hauser’s name will perpetually dance in trade speculation because of Boston’s depth and his manageable cap number. But his 3-point output could continue to be vital for a team that might double down on attempts from deep, especially with Robinson now on board to help track the misfires.

The big question — whenever the next opportunity presents itself — is whether Boston can utilize available salaries and its beefed-up collection of future picks to get in whenever the next disgruntled player hits the market. 

Every season, a superstar balks at their situation. Boston has the necessary pieces — and, ahem, optionality — to at least entertain any pursuit.

Club options by end of October

The Celtics have until the end of October (when the 2026-27 season will have already started) to trigger the club options on draftees Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman. That’s just a formality for rookie deals. Scheierman is extension eligible next summer. 

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Houston Rockets second round guard Bruce Thornton has played pretty well through three NBA Summer League Games in which the Rockets have gone 2-1. Thornton has averaged 20.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.3 steals per game, shooting 40.9 percent from the field and 42.8 percent from three-point range.

Game-by-Game Breakdown

• Game 1 vs. Denver Nuggets: 27 points (7-18 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 7-7 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
• Game 2 vs. Toronto Raptors: 17 points (6-17 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals.
• Game 3 vs. Philadelphia 76ers: 18 points (5-9 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals

So what we’re asking you to do is give Thornton a grade for the Summer League so far.

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

The Dallas Mavericks, or at least the summer version of themselves, knocked off Cam Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night to win their first game of the Las Vegas Summer League. As the old adage goes, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and that should be true of any grandiose Summer League takes from Dallas’ first three games.

Nonetheless, after attending the Mavericks’ first game in Vegas and loosely watching the last two, there are at least some big picture thoughts that I think could matter as we get closer to the NBA’s regular season.

The rooks have impressed far more than the sophomores

It’s not like Dallas was in a position where they needed a second-year guy to come to Vegas and show that they’re too good for Summer League. Cooper Flagg showed plenty enough last year in route to winning Rookie of the Year to avoid playing in Vegas again. The Mavericks did, however, bring each of their three two-way contract players to Vegas, and the results have been mixed at best.

Ryan Nembhard was legitimately terrible against the Lakers on Saturday night, with five turnovers complimenting his 3-for-11 night from the floor. John Poulakidas has been fine, albeit the shot has been a bit uninspiring after yet another 1-for-4 showing against Memphis on Monday. And then there’s Tyler Smith, who received a DNP – coaches decision on Monday against the Grizzlies after playing just 28 combined minutes in the first two contests.

Meanwhile, Morez Johnson Jr. had 27 points in game one, Sergio de Larrea just dropped 16 points and 12 assists in the win over Memphis, Tobi Lawal is doing some fun athletic stuff, and Seva Ishchenko has been better than I thought in his three games of action. That juxtaposition leaves Dallas in an interesting spot as they evaluate what the end of the roster will look like.

Morez Johnson Jr., Sergio de Larrea two-man actions should be a bench-group staple

One of the more intriguing things about the first two games was seeing the synergy of the Mavericks two first round selections. In game one against the Warriors, Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio de Larrea hooked up for a couple of excellent possessions, with Johnson Jr. slipping a screen and de Larrea throwing an excellent pass, resulting in nice finishes at the rim.

As Sergio continued to get increasingly comfortable, you saw the best of him against Memphis. Twelve assists against that Memphis group is quite salty! De Larrea showed off his vision and passing creativity, throwing several pinpoint lobs for dunks. Of course, as the pair learns to scale this into the NBA there will be some challenges. But as an early return, I like the idea of this two-man tandem alongside Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.

Seva Ishchenko isn’t ready for the NBA… yet

I’m actually more impressed with Ishchenko after the first week in Vegas than I thought! He’s been a pleasant surprise to watch, as he hasn’t been as overwhelmed athletically as many have feared. Granted, it’s been very hit or miss on that, but on the whole, he’s fit in quite nicely.

Another year or two of seasoning for The Big Lebowski would do him very well. The Mavericks should be angling for him to end up in a stronger European league than where he was last year, playing for Lokomotiv in Russia. Ishchenko needs to get stronger, which will help him overcome the issues he’s had finishing at the rim during the first week of Summer League. But there have been glimpses of what the vision there is. Here’s to hoping the Mavs can play the long game here.