LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards shoots a free throw during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 12, 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A potential battle between top-4 picks looms for the Washington Wizards on Tuesday as they take on the Chicago Bulls in their third NBA Summer League game.
Game info
When: Wednesday, July 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas
How to watch: NBA on Prime, Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
What to watch for
The names on the marquee for this one are obvious: AJ Dybantsa and Caleb Wilson. The biggest question mark is whether or not the Wizards opt to keep Dybantsa out for this one.
Washington’s No. 1 overall pick poured in 23 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in his team’s 104-85 blowout win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. Will Riley caught fire in the contest, with 32 points on 6-of-8 shooting from beyond the three-point arc.
But nobody was hotter than Wilson on Friday, when the Bulls’ No. 4 overall pick broke the record for the most points in an NBA Summer League debut. The North Carolina alum erupted for 35 points on a 12-of-21 clip, and looked really comfortable shooting from deep with seven triples.
Dybantsa and Wilson did not face off during their one year of college, but they did play against each other in a preseason contest. Dybantsa paced BYU in scoring with 18 points and eight rebounds in a 78-76 win, while Wilson led all scorers with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on July 13, 2026 at the 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 Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Boston Celtics lost 102-90 to the Atlanta Hawks in the team’s first loss of the Las Vegas Summer League, notably without 2025 draftees Hugo Gonzalez or Amari Williams.
Both teams were 2-0 and part of a six-member group of undefeated LVSL teams heading into the game. Following the loss, the Celtics are 2-1, and only the Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, and Philadelphia 76ers remain undefeated.
The Celtics started 2025 draftee John Tonje, 2026 first-rounder Chris Cenac Jr. and second-rounder Dillon Mitchell, Curtis Jones, and Tucker DeVries. Boston did not play Gonzalez or Williams, who started both of the team’s first two games but watched from the bench today on the back end of a back-to-back.
The Hawks starters included Isaac McKneely, Gabe Madsen, Isaiah Wong, Devon Higgs, and Henri Veesaar.
Unlike the Celtics’ first two games in Vegas, they got off to a hot start against the Hawks.
DeVries, a 6’7” forward who went undrafted this year, immediately hit a pair of three-pointers to put Boston up before Atlanta even scored. John Tonje also hit a couple shots in the first quarter, including one from distance, for 5 early points. Celtics rookies Cenac and Mitchell also got a pair of buckets between them.
However, the Hawks kept pace and took a 20-17 lead with about three minutes left in the opening quarter, thanks to 9 points from Kobe Johnson (who hit all of his first four shots), 8 points from Veesaar (who hit his first three shots, including two three-pointers), and 6 points from Higgs.
Milos Uzan, one of Boston’s best Summer League players so far in Vegas, came off the bench again and scored a couple buckets to help keep it close.
Nevertheless, the first quarter ended with the Hawks ahead by 4, 29-25.
Mitchell got the second quarter scoring started with a nice dime to Hank Morgan, then hit a 14-foot jumper to briefly tie the game up at 29-29.
Unfortunately, Boston’s offense fizzled out in the second frame, while Atlanta’s remained hot. Veesaar hit his third three-pointer to give the Hawks a lead again, then Johnson cut into the paint for a layup to put them up by 5 points, 34-29.
Cenac hit a midrange jumper of his own, then blocked Johnson soon after using his length, but Atlanta recovered the ball and Johnson ended up hitting a three-pointer out of the scramble. Johnson hit another shot from distance only a minute later, giving him 17 points on 7/8 shooting from the field.
Behind Johnson and Veesaar, the Hawks’ lead ballooned to 15 points, 46-31, with about 3 minutes left to go in the half.
That lead got up to 19 points with about a minute to go in the half, but Boston was able to cut into the deficit with an Alondes Williams three-pointer, a DeVries putback layup, and a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Kyle Mangas to cap off a rough second quarter.
At the half, the Hawks led Boston by 13 points, 52-39, with three double-digit scorers (Johnson with 19 points, Veesaar with 13, and Higgs with 10). DeVries led the Summer C’s in scoring at the half with 8 points. The team as a whole shot only 41.2% from the field and 31.3% from three-point range.
As the third quarter began, Cenac’s hands were all over the game, for better or for worse. He fouled a Hawks shooter, gifting Atlanta a free throw that it hit for its first points of the second half, and set an illegal screen a couple minutes later. However, Cenac also scored the first 8 points of the half for Boston and became the team’s first double-digit scorer of the night. He hit a couple impressive shots in the paint, a free throw, and an emphatic putback dunk.
Cenac was subbed out for a quick breather after he missed a thunderous dunk attempt. He was subbed back in after less than a minute on the bench, but did not have the same impact on the rest of the game as he did to open the third.
DeVries hit another three-pointer to bring the lead to 10, 60-50, but the Celtics were unable to build on that momentum as they could not find a way to slow down Johnson and Veesaar. With less than 3 minutes to go in the third quarter, the pair had 42 points between them and the Hawks had a commanding 20-point lead, 75-55.
It wasn’t all negative, though. Cenac had an impressive block (his fourth of the night) that led to an easy Mitchell layup, then a dunk a minute later. Mitchell continued to show a willingness to shoot from the perimeter and buried an open three-pointer to end the quarter.
At the end of the third, the Hawks led 83-62.
Mitchell opened up the fourth quarter with a slick turnaround fadeaway jumper, but the Hawks kept up their pace and hit a pair of three-pointers and a layup over the first two minutes of the frame to take a 91-67 lead.
Johnson continued his hot night, hitting a three-pointer and a layup to get up to 30 points, and helped keep Atlanta in control for the remainder of the game.
With about 5 minutes to go, Boston emptied the bench, and the move seemingly reenergized the team. The bench players narrowed the lead to 14 points after Morgan hit a three-pointer and a free throw, but the bench burst came too late to make the game a real competition.
Overall, Cenac led the way for the Celtics with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks on 46.2% shooting from the field. He also had 5 turnovers and 5 personal fouls.
Mitchell and DeVries tied as the team’s second-leading scorers with 11 apiece. It was the first Summer League game where Mitchell did not record a block or steal.
On the other side, Johnson and Veesaar combined for 50 points.
The Celtics’ next Summer League game will be at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, against the Sacramento Kings and the seventh pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Darius Acuff Jr. It will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Jul 13, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the stadium and field as fans look on before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
It’s Dinger time (and not the Rockies mascot). Tonight includes a couple Phillies on the list:
LeBron James’ roots in Akron, Ohio run deep. Can they be deepened?
The recent time James has spent in his hometown only has heightened excitement about him possibly rejoining the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Listen, this is an exciting time for us, right?’’ Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson told Sirius XM NBA Radio on Sunday, July 12. “Like we’re in the mix for the greatest player of all-time.’’
(No, Atkinson was not referring to Michael Jordan.)
It’s customary for James to spend time in the offseason in Akron, which helped launch him into basketball stardom. But it seems ever more meaningful as he searches for what likely will be the final destination of his celebrated NBA career two weeks after informing the Lakers he will play elsewhere next season.
If you’re reading tea leaves, James has posted on his Instagram page twice in about the last two weeks. The first was about a custom 1,200-square-foot putting green that’s been installed at the LeBron James Family Foundation headquarters.
The second was of James standing inside “Buckets Restaurant,’’ where chicken is served in buckets. Of course, what everybody really wants to know is, where will James be scoring buckets next season?
ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania addressed the timing of James' decision on NBA Today.
“It’s decision time for LeBron James,’’ Charania said. “Because all of the information for the most part is in. GMs, presidents, owners, they’ve all been heard from. They’re continuing to have conversations with agent Rich Paul here this week as well. Players have also reached out to LeBron James to recruit him.’’
According to Charania, the leading suitors have been Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Minnesota.
What Polymarket says
The Polymarket prediction market posts by percentage the chances of James signing with the following teams:
Cleveland Cavaliers (45%): It’s the one place James could chase another ring (his fifth) and not be derided as a ring chaser. In Cleveland, he’ll always be the prodigal son.
Golden State Warriors (25%): It’d be a blast to watch James team up with Steph Curry and Draymond Green. But their collective gas tank might be empty when the playoffs start.
Miami Heat (18%): Could anyone fault James for taking his talents back to South Beach, where he won his first two NBA titles? Well, of course they could!
According to Polymarket, it's also still too early to count out the Philadelphia 76ers (7%), not to mention the Minnesota Timberwolves (3%), San Antonia Spurs (1%) and Denver Nuggets (1%).
A historic Big Bash League season opener in India has been officially locked in, with Cricket Australia announcing the full fixtures and venues for the upcoming BBL|16 season.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Teoscar Hernández #37 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium on June 09, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After the All-Star break, the Dodgers embark on a three-city, nine-game, 11-day road trip that will take them to New York, Philadelphia, then back to New York with a little stop in Washington D.C. in between. First up is The Bronx for a three-game series against the Yankees beginning Friday night at Yankee Stadium.
The Dodgers have the best record in baseball at the break (61-36) and the best run differential (+149). The Yankees are tied for the fifth-best record (54-42) and own the third-best run differential (+91).
Dodgers on the road this season are averaging a whopping 6.04 runs per game and top MLB with a 125 wRC+ away from home.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts after LA Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) was called for an offensive foul in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Once again, Austin Reaves is showing how badly he wants to win with the Lakers.
Prior to the start of free agency, Reaves agreed to a reported four-year, $185 million deal to stay in Los Angeles. However, with some time for the Lakers to plan for the future after agreeing to other deals, the two sides adjusted the contract with Reaves taking less money to help the team’s flexibility.
Update on Austin Reaves’ contract with the Lakers: Final terms are four years, $180 million, with a player option in 2029–30, league sources tell me. Reaves agreed to a lower amount than the previously reported $185 million to help give Los Angeles more future flexibility.
This isn’t the first time the Lakers have gotten creative with a contract this offseason. Sandro Mamukelashvili’s contract features a dip in the second year as well.
The rationale? Well, it appears the Lakers are looking to create enough cap space to use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception next summer.
Reaves’ decision, sources told ESPN, will give LAL more financial flexibility moving forward – making it possible to pursue a player with the non-taxpayer midlevel exception next summer. https://t.co/7AHGDG2Pbu
The Lakers are going to operate as an over-the-cap team not just for the rest of the summer, but likely for the rest of the Luka Dončić era. That means they’re going to have limited means to notably upgrade the roster.
One of those means, if they navigate things correctly, would be the non-taxpayer MLE next season. It will give LA a big contract they can offer in free agency next year and a real big way to upgrade the roster.
The non-taxpayer MLE not only would allow them to sign a player to a deal with an AAV of roughly $15 million, but it would also allow them to trade for someone in that range. LA will be a contending team with the ability to make an attractive offer to free agents next summer.
To ensure the ability to offer that type of deal and make that upgrade to the roster, though, Reaves had to skim a little bit off his deal. Ultimately, it’s a millionaire making a few less millions, so there’s only so much credit he’s going to get, but it’s not common for player to do what he did, so he does deserve some praise.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies warms up before the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I’ll admit, I have no interest in the home run. I think my lack of interest comes, in part, from listening to Chris Berman saying back back back back back back, like he was a chicken. But, mostly, because it the home run derby is the same thing over and over.
But I realize, my experience isn’t everyone’s.
The players in the derby are:
Munetaka Murakami, White Sox Kyle Schwarber, Phillies Junior Caminero, Rays Bryce Harper, Phillies Jordan Walker, Cardinals Willson Contreras, Red Sox Jac Caglianone, Royals Ben Rice, Yankees
Of course, maybe I’m not interested in the home run derby because I don’t care about any of the players in it. I don’t know who I would cheer for in that group. Hmmmm Bryce Harper? I don’t know. I have no allegiance to any of them.
But, if you are watching and want to chat, you can do it here.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 20: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Bryce Harper #3 at home plate after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning during the game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, June 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Just because there are no Dodgers involved doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy this Home Run Derby with a field that makes up in raw power what it might potentially lack in terms of star appeal.
This year’s format has gone through some changes. Gone are the clocks, and the event will be split into three rounds with each hitter receiving x number of swings per round. There’ll be 20 per hitter in the first round, then 15 apiece in the following two.
The first round will not have any head-to-head matchups, with the top four advancing. Those four hitters will be seeded based on their output, with H2H matchups between 1st vs. 4th and 2nd vs. 3rd. The winners of those two matchups decide who takes home the trophy.
One wrinkle to this format is that if a player hits a homer on the final swing of their round, they can keep going until one does not leave the yard.
Here are the contestants for this year’s edition of the Home Run Derby in the order that they’ll bat:
Jan 22, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Jordan McLaughlin (0) stares down Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the first half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images | Peter Creveling-Imagn Images
The Spurs have filled at their required 14th roster spot, and it’s with another returning face. For the second year in a row, Jordan McLaughlin is returning on a minimum deal worth $3.3 million for one year, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Free agent guard Jordan McLaughlin has agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal to return to the San Antonio Spurs, agent Greg Lawrence of THE•TEAM tells ESPN. McLaughlin appeared in 44 games for the Spurs last season and now enters his ninth campaign. pic.twitter.com/o2srVy0psO
McLaughlin came to San Antonio with De’Aaron Fox from the Kings in February of 2025 and has been a valuable veteran off the bench for the Spurs. He appeared in 44 games last season, and although he only averaged 2 points and an assist in 6 min per game, he was always ready when called upon, including in the few instances he got rotation minutes when any combination of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle or Dylan Harper were out.
The signing fills out all the Spurs’ required roster spots, although they can still sign a 15th player if they choose. They also still have one two-way slot they can fill. With the returns of McLaughlin, Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie, the Spurs are returning their top 11 players in games played, and the addition of veteran forward Tobias Harris and drafting of big men Tarris Reed and Jayden Quaintance shores up what were considered the only weak areas in the rotation. In other words, the Spurs are running back a team that made the finals and were a few blown leads from winning it all, and they still managed to get better despite limited resources (barring a massive trade, which wasn’t needed).
Munetaka Murakami is ready to win the Home Run Derby hardware with a win tonight. | (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
When Munetaka Murakami was the eighth player named, at almost the very last minute, to the field of hitters in tonight’s Home Run Derby, things suddenly got a LOT more interesting for us White Sox fans.
To that end, here’s your space to discuss the events of tonight and perhaps even look forward to tomorrow night’s All-Star Game, featuring an AL team with more than the minimum ONE White Sox player for the first time in what seems like ages.
Given that the bracket format of the Derby has now changed, we have five American League hitters in tonight’s competition and just three from the National League:
Jac Caglianone, Royals Junior Caminero, Rays Willson Contreras, Red Sox Bryce Harper, Phillies Munetaka Murakami, White Sox Ben Rice, Yankees Kyle Schwarber, Phillies Jordan Walker, Cardinals
The format of the Derby is much different this year vs. seasons past, named in that there is no longer a timer attached to the competition. This year, the contest will be measured by swings.
Each hitter gets a certain number of swings: Round 1: 20 Round 2: 15 Round 3: 15
The only way to earn additional swings is by homering on the final swing of the round, and if so, the hitter gets to keep swinging until a ball falls short of the fence.
The top four from Round 1 advance to the semis, where the homer leader from Round 1 faces the fourth-place finisher in a head-to-head battle, and likewise No. 2 vs. 3. Not sure why this round suddenly shifts to head-to-head vs. free-for-all. The championship (Round 3) is obviously a head-to-head battle as well.
If two players tie in the first round, the tiebreaker goes to whichever hitter had the longest home run of the round. Ties in the semis and finals will be broken by a three-swing “swing-off” bonus/mini round.
The players with the top four home run totals from the first round will advance to the semifinals, where they’ll be seeded based on their first-round homer totals. They will face off head-to-head (No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3) to determine the two finalists.
MLB’s Will Leitch ranked the hitters, naming the hometown sluggers Schwarber and Harper the most likely to prevail and Tampa’s Caminero the three favorites. Mune came in fourth, which seems right — if not just coming back from injury he’d probably slot behind only Schwarber, but cold after missing most of the past six weeks it’s hard to see how he overcomes the rust and fatigue to prevail. Then again, perhaps Mune is super-fresh and ready to mash hell outta the ball. Here’s hoping!
In terms of How to Watch, it’s especially tricky this year, as the Derby is being presented exclusively on Netflix. The pre-Derby hype begins at 6 p.m. CT, with the actual competition beginning at 7 p.m. CT. SiriusXM will broadcast the Derby on the radio; I am genuinely unsure whether that means it is airing on ESPN’s WMVP AM-1000 as well.
Derek Jeter brought the high heat just the way Colin Cowherd once mistakenly thought Nolan Ryan did to the Yankees legend.
As a guest on “The Herd” Monday, Jeter reminded Cowherd of when he had to correct his comment about the Hall of Fame shortstop facing the flame-throwing Ryan.
“Before we get started, I just want to remind you, you just said smart people make mistakes,” Jeter said. “Last time I was on your show, you asked me about facing Nolan Ryan. Let’s just hope you got your facts straight this time.”
Derek Jeter trolls Colin Cowherd on “The Herd” during the lead-up to the MLB All-Star Game. @awfulannouncing/X
Cowherd laughed off the joke, not taking it seriously, and the segment continued.
Jeter was referencing when he was on Cowherd’s show two years ago and the sports media personality said he played “in the Nolan Ryan era.”
"Last time I was on your show, you asked me about facing Nolan Ryan. Let's just hope you got your facts straight this time." – Derek Jeter sets some ground rules before his appearance with Colin Cowherd https://t.co/CqKJgftqZepic.twitter.com/ERwA1TdqHH
The San Antonio champion, who was part of the team’s title-winning team in 2014, sounded off on the firing of team play-by-play man Jacob Tobey amid his alleged affair with Loren Waters — the sister of Spurs player Lindy Waters III.
While Tobey has been in the headlines for his behavior, Green called him a “really good dude” and said his private decisions did not merit the Spurs firing him.
“I love everything the Spurs do and how they operate as an organization,” Green said on his “No Fouls Given” podcast. “They run a tight ship. They don’t deal with no BS, and they don’t like drama, so I understand certain issues. They’re going to be like, ‘No, we can’t allow this.’ To me, this was not one of those issues.”
Danny Green is disappointed by the Spurs decision to fire Jacob Tobey over cheating allegations:
“First and foremost, I want to say I love everything the Spurs do and how they operate as an organization. They run a tight ship, they don’t deal with no BS, and they don’t like… pic.twitter.com/IEnBMB74zJ
Green, who spent eight years with the Spurs, added that he was “really disappointed” by the decision.
“This is not a domestic violence case,” he continued. “He didn’t beat anybody up. He wasn’t loitering or DUI or anything crazy. You know he has a relationship that is behind closed doors, this is his personal life.”
Tobey’s personal life became public when his now ex-girlfriend appeared to take over his Instagram account and exposed his alleged relationship with Waters on his Instagram story.
“This is my girlfriend of six years,” the post read. “But I cheated on her with Loren Waters. So feel free to continue following me if you really think I’m a good guy because I’m not. :)”
Spurs champion Danny Green felt that the firing was unfair on Tobey, NBAE via Getty Images
Tobey’s ex-girlfriend then shared a photo, which appeared to show the broadcaster and Waters kissing.
Green, though, wasn’t sure the Spurs followed the fairest process in Tobey’s dismissal.
“We don’t know what the timetable of it was, if he was with this girl or not, or if he was even dating his girl at the time while he was with this girl,” the former sharpshooter said.
“His girl could have made it up, and she hacked his social media, and she wanted to ruin his life, and you allowed that to happen.”
Tobey has not yet commented on the situation and has made both his Instagram and X accounts private.
Harper beat Kyle Schwarber in the final round with a spectacular performance in the closing seconds, thus cementing Harper’s only Home Run Derby title to this point in his career.
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper poses for the MLB Home Run Derby. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Fast forward eight years and now Harper is competing against Schwarber in another Home Run Derby. Although this time, the two are teammates and are both performing in from of their home crowd with the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2026 Home Run Derby on July 13.
When Harper last hoisted a Home Run Derby, he had been married to his wife, Kayla, for less than two years, as the couple tied the knot in December of 2016.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
Bryce and Kayla Harper pose for an event together. Getty Images
Now they’ve been going strong for nearly a decade and have four children together, with their most recent being a son named Hayes Three, who was born in December of 2025.
One would imagine that Harper’s kids will be there to watch him send balls into Citizens Bank Park’s bleachers. Kayla will definitely be in the stadium, which was shown by an Instagram post from Monday that showed her outfit for the event.
The post was from a makeup artist, showing Kayla smiling with a full face of makeup and in a black shirt. It’s captioned, “@kayy.harper and @sharidanwebb my MLB wifeys glammed up for the All Star Home Run Derby ,” as it also included a photo of San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb’s wife, Sharidan.
Bryce Harper’s wife Kayla smiles before the Home Run Derby, per the @allisonkayeglam) Instagram account.
It will be fun to see whether Harper can recreate his iconic 2018 Home Run Derby on Monday night.
Everything has changed for Austin Reaves. NBAE via Getty ImagesHe signed the richest contract in NBA history for a player who went undrafted. He’s no longer playing with LeBron James, who championed him during their five seasons together. Lu Chau/Photagonist/Shutterstock
He was never supposed to be here.
‘I didn’t think I’d ever get the opportunity to play in the NBA,” Reaves said Monday while speaking to reporters at a hotel in Las Vegas during Summer League. “I was telling a story the other day: I didn’t even think I was going to play Division I basketball.
“For a long time I thought I would just go play Division II basketball at Central Missouri with my brother. And whatever happened there, probably go play overseas and just have fun with basketball. But there were different plans and I took advantage of a couple opportunities and we’re sitting here today.”
Things didn’t turn out as planned for Reaves in the best way possible.
He’s now a headliner on one of the most heralded franchises in the league. He’s the Lakers’ second option on offense. He signed a four-year, $180 million contract earlier this month.
Reaves not only surprised all of the teams that overlooked him in the 2021 NBA draft, he stunned himself.
In a way, that’s a gift.
Things didn’t turn out as planned for Reaves in the best way possible. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post
While someone like LeBron James would’ve been viewed as a failure if he didn’t become one of the greatest players of all-time, Reaves wasn’t even a blip on the radar. He couldn’t have failed because he was never supposed to succeed.
There’s no pressure because this is all gravy. There’s no angst because this was never supposed to happen. There’s no anxiety because this is all a stunning surprise.
Reaves clawed his way into the NBA. He had to earn every moment on the court. He was fearless because he had no phantoms chasing him, whispering in his ear that he’d be a disappointment if he didn’t shatter the glass ceiling.
He could just play. There’s a freedom to that. A purity.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
The noise has arrived. Fingers will be pointed if he doesn’t become an All-Star. He’s earning the big bucks, so he better prove he deserves them.
But Reaves is as unbothered as ever.
He showed up to his first team-sanctioned media availability since penning his new deal with a noticeably longer beard than usual. When a reporter jokingly asked him if he couldn’t find a razor this morning, he quipped, “Can’t afford it.”
But Reaves is as unbothered as ever. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
When he was asked why he chose to return to the Lakers after declining his $14.9 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent, he talked about his lighthearted relationship with Luka Doncic.
“He’s one of my best friends on this planet,” Reaves said. “Talk to him almost every single day. He sends me videos of his golf swing and asks me what he can do to get better. And I tell him I’m not a coach.”
For Reaves, this is still fun.
He’s a guy from Newark, Arkansas, which has a population of fewer than 2,000 people. He has never cared about the spotlight. He just loves basketball. He’s embracing the ride.
This isn’t life or death. This isn’t become a star or you’re a loser. This is just a roller coaster he’s grateful to be riding.
Funny enough, James always saw Reaves’ potential. James watched his college highlights. He took him under his wing. He gave him confidence as he blossomed into one of the league’s biggest surprises. He was Reaves’ biggest advocate before leaving the Lakers in free agency earlier this month.
He’s a guy from Newark, Arkansas, which has a population of fewer than 2,000 people. He has never cared about the spotlight. He just loves basketball. He’s embracing the ride. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post
“He’s kind of all I’ve ever known,” Reaves said. “Just him being around, joking around, acting like he’s 15. But that’s his decision and like I said [during a golf tournament] in Tahoe, anytime I’ve talked about it, I got nothing but love and respect for him, and, yeah, let’s play some golf soon.”
Reaves went from being shocked that he got to share the court with James to becoming one of the team’s biggest stars.
He has arrived.
And even though he’s under a different type of pressure than ever before, it’s obvious that’s more thrilling than daunting.
This was never supposed to happen.
And he’s going to enjoy every moment of it.
“It’s been fun,” Reaves said. “I don’t really look back and reflect that much because I kind of just live in the moment, but one of these days I’ll sit down and really think about what all has actually happened because it’s kind of insane.”
,” as it also included a photo of San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb’s wife, Sharidan. 
