Expert basketball coverage from around the world
NBA Summer League in Las Vegas brought more than on-court evaluations, with league personnel tracking rookie standouts and major business questions around Portland. Conversations among executives and insiders highlighted both emerging talent and unresolved franchise-level issues.
Rich Paul said Monday that there is no set timetable for LeBron James to decide where he will play next season. Paul added that interested teams do not need to make additional pitches while James weighs his options.
A Wilt Chamberlain warm-up jacket discovered at a Goodwill store in Portland, Oregon, has sold at auction for $89,600, including the buyer’s premium. The item was originally found by 19-year-old Quinn Brown.
Free agent forward Matisse Thybulle has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal is worth $3.3 million.
Michigan announced that athletic director Warde Manuel will step down at the end of the calendar year. The decision comes as the university concluded an investigation into the culture within its athletics department.
With NBA Summer League in Las Vegas complete, attention turns to the players who made the strongest impressions. A group of 10 standouts emerged from the event, highlighting notable performances across the league’s offseason showcase.
Yaxel Lendeborg powered the Warriors to a Las Vegas Summer League title, outdueling Boozer in the championship matchup. The victory gave Golden State its second summer league championship.
Atlanta has acquired All-Defensive wing Luguentz Dort as part of a three-team deal involving Oklahoma City and Dallas. The trade sends three second-round picks to the Thunder, Zaccharie Risacher to the Mavericks and Ryan Nembhard to the Hawks.
The Dallas Mavericks have matched the New York Knicks’ two-year, $4.7 million offer sheet for restricted free agent Moussa Cisse. The move keeps Cisse with Dallas after New York attempted to sign him away.
Moussa Cisse has agreed to a two-year offer sheet with the New York Knicks. The Dallas Mavericks now have 48 hours to decide whether to match the deal and retain the restricted free agent center.
LeBron James’ presence at Fanatics Fest adds another major basketball storyline to a packed sports calendar in New York. The city is hosting a wide range of high-profile events, including the Sports Humanitarian Awards, the ESPYS, Fanatics Fest and the World Cup final.
LeBron James completed four scheduled public appearances over the first two days of Fanatics Fest without revealing his upcoming free agency decision. The lack of clarity kept attention on his next move as the offseason approaches.
Cooper Flagg has signed a one-of-one numbered rookie card, adding another notable item to the growing market around his memorabilia. At least one collector believes the card could command a price as high as $5 million.
The 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year race is already drawing attention as summer league performances begin to shape early discussion. Andre Snellings addressed five key betting questions surrounding the award market.
The latest rookie rankings assess a highly anticipated draft class following summer league action. Prospects including Boozer and Dybantsa are among the names drawing attention as analysts evaluate early performances.
Pat Riley and Giannis Antetokounmpo both expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of LeBron James returning to the Miami Heat. James previously won two championships during his four-season run in Miami.
Giannis Antetokounmpo says he is driven by the pressure that comes with playing in Miami and the Heat’s championship tradition. His focus is on doing whatever is necessary to help deliver a title in South Beach.
The University of Michigan’s board of regents did not discuss athletic director Warde Manuel’s future during its Thursday meeting. No action or formal conversation regarding Manuel’s status was taken at the session.
U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar has called for the NBA to review its ties to Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai. The comments came after Alibaba was designated by the U.S. government as a “Chinese military company.”
The SWAC has reached a new multi-year media rights agreement that will keep its football and basketball games on ESPN networks through the 2030-31 seasons. The deal continues the conference’s long-running presence across ESPN platforms.
Illinois has awarded athletic director Josh Whitman a contract extension that runs through 2036. The new agreement also includes a significant raise for Whitman.
The NBA is reviewing the reported four-year, $64 million agreement between Gary Trent Jr. and the Milwaukee Bucks. The investigation centers on possible salary cap circumvention.
LeBron James has not yet announced where he will play this season. The NBA’s all-time scoring leader spoke Thursday but did not disclose his next team choice.
The NBA will not issue punishment to Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo following an altercation with former teammate Tyler Herro at a Las Vegas gym. The incident occurred last Friday, and the league has decided no disciplinary action will follow.
Washington’s revamped trio of AJ Dybantsa, Trae Young and Anthony Davis has become the central storyline around the franchise. After finishing last in the Eastern Conference, the team’s next step will be measured by how quickly its new core can translate talent into competitiveness.
Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a fractured left foot. The team said his status will be updated in three to four months.
Jonas Valanciunas has signed a two-year contract with Lithuanian club Zalgiris Kaunas. The move marks his departure from the NBA and a return to play in his home country.
The NBA is expected to advance international business discussions in the coming days as plans continue for a new European league. The proposed competition is being targeted for a fall 2027 launch.
A look at the NBA’s most intriguing second-year players from the 2025 draft class includes young Spurs Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant. The evaluation focuses on how prominent sophomores are positioned entering Year 2 of their professional careers.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league’s investigation involving Kawhi Leonard and alleged salary-cap circumvention needs to be completed before next season begins. The matter centers on whether league rules were violated in connection with Leonard.
