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LeBron’s Free Agency Goes Public as Paul Turns Podcast into a Recruiting Tour
1 day ago•Source: The New York Times
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22.27 min•2 days ago
Warriors bow out of LeBron pursuit as Davis price stalls deal
The Warriors reportedly won’t meet the Wizards’ hefty price for Anthony Davis, effectively ending Golden State’s pursuit of LeBron James and shifting leverage to Washington, which could flip Davis for a massive haul. With Davis in play, Cavaliers, Heat, and 76ers are seen as front-runners to sign James, and the situation remains fluid as LeBron’s destination remains undecided.
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Jazz Weighs Expanding Walker Kessler Trade Into Multi-Team Deal
Sports Illustrated•8 days ago
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NBA tests bold 'one free throw' rule in Summer League
The NBA will try out a new 'one free throw' rule in the 2026 Summer League, condensing all free throws into a single shot worth 2, 1, or 3 points depending on the established foul. The change could advantage elite three-point shooters and put more pressure on weaker free-throw shooters, with the league also testing sensor-enabled basketball tech to improve officiating and game flow.
Celtics push to trade Jaylen Brown, targeting a heavy draft haul
Boston is actively shopping Jaylen Brown, soliciting offers from about eight to ten teams and has set a high asking price that includes at least four first-round picks. Brown hasn’t requested a trade and no deal is close, but ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst say Boston intends to move him, potentially even if it takes until the season starts.
Duren’s Free-Agent Market Fades as Pistons Hold the Line
Two days into NBA free agency, Jalen Duren’s market has vanished as teams filled center roles with other options, leaving him as the lone starting center still on the board while the Pistons have signaled they’ll match any offer. With Lakers, Celtics, Bulls and Nets pursuing other moves, Duren is most likely headed for another year in Detroit, potentially under a five-year deal in the low-to-mid $30 millions per season if he stays.
Celtics Dream Big: Brown to Kings for DeRozan, Sabonis, and Three First-Round Picks
The idea from The Ringer’s Michael Pina imagines the Boston Celtics trading Jaylen Brown to the Sacramento Kings for DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and three first-round picks. The proposal would age Boston (Brown ~30 vs. DeRozan ~37) but add two former All-Stars and substantial draft capital, with DeRozan’s expiring contract and Sabonis’s injury-shortened 2025-26 season as key caveats. Sacramento would gain a dynamic wing, while Boston would land Sabonis’s interior scoring and playmaking, all while weighing payroll/tax implications and fit with surrounding pieces.
Warriors target LeBron and Davis as Green kicks off a multi-step cap reset
Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million option, helping set the stage for a bold, multi-part plan to pair LeBron James and Anthony Davis with Stephen Curry in Golden State. The strategy hinges on significant cap maneuvering and potential trades (including a possible path through the Wizards for Davis) and would rely on Porziņģis as a factor. It’s a high-risk, high-reward pursuit that would age poorly if prices are too steep or health falters, but would give Curry one final, memorable push rather than a straightforward rebuild.
Hornets emerge as potential destination in Jaylen Brown trade saga
Jaylen Brown trade rumors are heating up as the Celtics explore a big return; a new suitor—Charlotte Hornets—has emerged after Charlotte acquired Naz Reid, with Miles Bridges discussed as a potential wing swap. Shams Charania says the Hornets intend to keep Reid, while Boston is reportedly seeking up to four first-round picks. Any deal would have to address Brown’s $57 million cap hit and Bridges’ past, and could involve a three-team arrangement.
Kawhi Leonard Keeps Door Open for Raptors or Spurs If Clippers Extension Talks Stall
Kawhi Leonard would only consider an extension with the Toronto Raptors or the San Antonio Spurs if he is traded by the Clippers; with one year left on his deal at $50.3 million, his preference is to stay in Los Angeles but he could become an unrestricted free agent next summer if no extension is reached. He won't sign long-term with Detroit or Miami in any scenario, narrowing his options to his two former teams, with Toronto showing interest and the Clippers determined to keep him.
Wolves land LaMelo Ball in blockbuster Hornets swap, reshaping their core
Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly acquire LaMelo Ball and Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Naz Reid and multiple draft picks, continuing a years-long Wolves makeover and reshuffling their frontcourt around Gobert while pairing Ball with Anthony Edwards. The Hornets receive Reid and picks, but Ball’s departure tests their offense, with Coby White likely stepping in and Reid providing floor spacing as Charlotte recalibrates its core.
Cavs Move Down in Draft to Gain a Distant Second and Cap Flexibility
Cleveland traded the 29th pick to the Kings for the 34th pick and a 2032 second-rounder, trading a guaranteed $3M for the next season and $6.1M over two years for greater cap flexibility under the second apron. The savings could be about $1.65M, aiding cost-cutting as they navigate key summer decisions (Dean Wade, Keon Ellis, potentially James Harden) and pursue more roster moves. The extra second-round asset helps future prospects, but the move is framed as smart yet not a complete fix, earning a Grade B from Fear the Sword.
Giannis Trade Reconfigures 2026 NBA Draft Landscape
The final 2026 NBA Draft mock reflects a reshuffled lottery after Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blockbuster trade: Milwaukee lands a new No. 13 pick, while Brooklyn appears set for No. 6 with Mikel Brown Jr. The Hawks face a choice between Kingston Flemings and Aday Mara, the Warriors reportedly target Aday Mara, and OKC adds Yaxel Lendeborg, among other shifts (Bucs’ 13th pick, Burries to Dallas, Philon to Chicago, Cenac dropping, etc.). This is SB Nation’s last look at the top-60 prospects before the draft on ESPN.