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NBA News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Friday, September 18

LeBron James Reacts as Childhood Friend Brandon Weems Named Cavaliers GM

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LeBron James publicly congratulated his high school teammate and childhood friend, Brandon Weems, on being promoted to general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Weems, who joined Cleveland's front office in 2015, replaces Mike Gansey. Gansey left the Cavaliers to become president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers—the franchise James joined in July on a two-year, $8 million deal after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency amid a quiet offseason for the franchise.

Darryn Peterson Set to Form Utah Jazz Backcourt Core With Keyonte George

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No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson is slated to form Utah's backcourt of the future alongside Keyonte George, who just locked in a five-year, $157.5 million contract extension. Peterson displayed strong star potential during his appearances at the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer Leagues. How Peterson and fellow ball-handler George mesh under head coach Will Hardy will be a primary storyline for the Jazz alongside Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Joel Embiid and 76ers Face Frontcourt Depth Questions After Bona Injury

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Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers face early frontcourt depth questions after backup center Adem Bona suffered a foot sprain during FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Bona is expected back in workouts within the first two weeks of training camp, though his absence tests Philadelphia's rotation given Embiid's extensive injury history and expected load management. Meanwhile, historical analysis highlights Embiid's dominant 50-point playoff performances and ongoing endurance challenges in the spring.

Adem Bona Suffers Foot Sprain During FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

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Philadelphia 76ers backup center Adem Bona suffered a foot sprain during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, with expectations to return to on-court workouts within the first two weeks of training camp. Bona, who averaged 4.7 fouls per 36 minutes over his first two seasons, was expected to enter the year with the inside track for the backup center role behind Joel Embiid. His brief absence exposes potential early-season frontcourt depth concerns for the franchise.

Luka Dončić's Lakers Face Scrutiny After Quiet Offseason Player Movement

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Following LeBron James' departure in free agency to Philadelphia, questions have arisen regarding why top free agents showed less interest in the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. Despite having Luka Dončić and 17 championships, the franchise saw targets like Klay Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga, and Peyton Watson sign elsewhere. The Lakers spent significantly re-signing Austin Reaves and trading for Walker Kessler, but transitions within the organization have raised eyebrows league-wide.

Nate Ament Prepares for Rookie Season with Milwaukee Bucks After Summer League

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Milwaukee Bucks rookie Nate Ament enters his first NBA season facing questions about whether he will spend time in the G League or earn immediate minutes. The 19-year-old lottery pick showed promise during Summer League, highlighted by a 23-point breakout against the Hornets and nearly 40 percent shooting from deep. Having added muscle and worked with trainer Zachary Gonzalez, Ament must address defensive positioning and over-aggressiveness as he works to carve out a rotation role in Milwaukee.

Duop Reath Joins Phoenix Suns on Training Camp Deal to Compete at Center

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The Phoenix Suns have signed Duop Reath to a training camp invite, bringing the 30-year-old center in to compete for a back-end rotation role following Mark Williams' injury. Reath averaged 6.2 points and 2.6 rebounds over 146 games with Portland and shot 41.8 percent from three-point range last season before undergoing foot surgery in January. Beyond floor-spacing capability, Reath's addition could provide valuable veteran mentorship for fellow countryman Khaman Maluach during training camp.

VJ Edgecombe Focuses on Three-Point Improvement for Sophomore Season

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Entering his second season with the Philadelphia 76ers, VJ Edgecombe aims to refine his game after finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. Edgecombe averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last year while shooting 35.4 percent from beyond the arc. Despite a late-season shooting slump in the playoffs, he is dedicated to expanding his range and taking defensive pressure off teammates like Tyrese Maxey as the Sixers prepare for the 2026-27 campaign.

Derrick White Poised for Bounce-Back Season in Restored Celtics Role

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Derrick White is set for an efficiency resurgence as he transitions back into his natural complementary role with the Boston Celtics. Forced into a heavy creation workload during Jayson Tatum's absence last season, White registered a career-high creation rate but saw his shooting split fall to 39.4% FG and 32.7% 3PT. Despite offensive struggles, White maintained elite defensive impact (94th percentile EPM), posting career highs in steals and blocks to anchor Boston's defense.

Mitchell Robinson Brings Elite Rebounding and Size to Boston Frontcourt

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Boston Celtics newcomer Mitchell Robinson joins the frontcourt after cleaning up a staggering 21.1 percent of his team’s misses last year for the Knicks, averaging 4.2 offensive boards per game. Teammate Paul George praises his vertical threat and pick-and-roll abilities. While his elite rebounding and defensive presence bolster Boston's center depth, durability and improving his 40.8 percent free-throw shooting remain critical keys to his success this season.

Thursday, September 17

Josh Hart Says New York Knicks Are Focused on Repeating as Champions

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New York Knicks veteran Josh Hart stated that the team has turned the page on their championship celebrations and is fully focused on attempting a repeat title run. Speaking at a Manhattan event on Thursday, Hart emphasized that the roster is tired of congratulations and eager to begin training camp work. The Knicks return nearly their entire core roster following the departure of center Mitchell Robinson, as they prepare for a reshaped Eastern Conference featuring updated rival rosters.

Milwaukee Bucks Guard Kevin Porter Weds Tee Janay Ahead of 2026-27 Season

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Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter married Tee Janay in an all-black attire ceremony, according to recent social media posts. Porter is heading into his third season with Milwaukee after exercising his $5.39 million player option. The 26-year-old averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists across 38 games during the 2025-26 season before suffering a season-ending injury in March. This upcoming campaign marks his first in Milwaukee without former teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Anton Watson Signs Exhibit 10 Contract With Los Angeles Lakers

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The Los Angeles Lakers have officially signed forward Anton Watson to an Exhibit 10 contract. The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward previously played for the South Bay Lakers last season, averaging 11 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 27.3 minutes. Originally selected 54th overall by the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Draft, Watson spent time with the Knicks after being waived in March 2025 following a five-year collegiate career at Gonzaga.

Saddiq Bey Agrees to 3-Year, $55.5M Extension With Pelicans

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Saddiq Bey and the New Orleans Pelicans agreed to a three-year, $55.5 million fully guaranteed contract extension featuring a trade kicker, keeping him signed through 2030. Returning from a 2023-24 ACL injury, the 27-year-old forward posted career highs of 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in 72 contests during the 2025-26 season while shooting 36.7% from deep. The deal solidifies his core role under new head coach Jamahl Mosley.

James Wiseman Signs Training Camp Deal With New York Knicks

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James Wiseman has signed a training camp deal with the New York Knicks as he seeks to earn a spot on the roster following his departure from the Indiana Pacers. The former No. 2 overall pick, who suffered an Achilles tear five minutes into his 2024-25 debut with Indiana and appeared in just four games last season, will compete with veteran Drew Eubanks for the team's third center opening. Wiseman, 25, previously considered options in Europe.

Stephen Curry Rejects Free Agency Route to Remain With Warriors

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has expressed no interest in following LeBron James' path through free agency, opting instead to stay committed to Golden State. Curry intends to remain with the Warriors throughout his career, though questions remain about whether the franchise can build a competitive roster around him to contend for additional championship runs heading into the new NBA season.

LeBron James Secures $15M Polymarket Endorsement Following 76ers Move

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Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James signed a $15 million annual endorsement deal with prediction market Polymarket, offsetting his two-year, $8 million contract after leaving the Lakers. The partnership promotes football and raises questions regarding salary cap dynamics. James chose Philadelphia over Minnesota, Miami, and Cleveland. Legal timing around Minnesota's prediction market ban suggests the deal may have influenced his free-agency decision prior to joining the 76ers on July 24.

Paul George Shaded by Former Teammate Montrezl Harrell Over Bubble Fallout

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Boston Celtics forward Paul George faced public criticism from former Los Angeles Clippers teammate Montrezl Harrell, who stated the two do not see eye-to-eye following their 2020 playoff collapse against Denver. Harrell cited a heated Game 5 exchange over accountability for a turnover as a key moment that fractured team chemistry. George recently joined the Celtics after spending the past two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, following his multi-year tenure with the Clippers.

Jalen Brunson Set for 'Law & Order: SVU' Cameo and Featured in Adidas Ad

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New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is expanding his off-court presence, with NBC announcing he will guest star in a "Law & Order: SVU" episode airing Nov. 5. The news comes as Brunson was also featured in a new Adidas commercial where Anthony Edwards playfully teased him and his father, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson. Brunson remains a focal point on and off the court following his standout leadership in New York.

Walker Kessler Added to Revamped Los Angeles Lakers Frontcourt

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Walker Kessler has been acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a comprehensive offseason roster overhaul around star Luka Dončić. The addition gives Los Angeles much-needed frontcourt size, interior defense, and depth as the organization seeks to compete with elite Western Conference contenders. Kessler joins a newly reshaped roster aiming to gel quickly ahead of the upcoming regular season.