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NBA News

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

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Ben Simmons Explores Free Agency Options, Knicks Identified as Potential Fit

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Ben Simmons remains an intriguing unsigned name in NBA free agency, with the New York Knicks emerging as a potential low-risk, high-reward landing spot. The Knicks' roster, featuring shooting big man Karl-Anthony Towns and new reserves Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, could maximize Simmons by surrounding him with shooters. He could serve as a creator off the bench when Jalen Brunson rests, providing defensive versatility for a team keen on switching. While Boston was also considered, the Knicks' offensive setup, despite the pressure of Madison Square Garden, appears more amenable to accommodating Simmons' skill set, particularly as a 10-15-minute reserve.

Jonathan Kuminga Stalls Golden State Warriors Offseason, Actively Exploring Sign-and-Trade for Prominent Role

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Restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is reportedly in no rush to sign with the Golden State Warriors, finding their current contract offers unappealing and putting the team's entire offseason on pause. Kuminga, through his agent Aaron Turner, is actively exploring sign-and-trade options, with the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings making concrete offers for his services. These teams are appealing to Kuminga's desire for significant minutes and a consistent starting role, contrasting with his past concerns about being minimized by the Warriors despite strong performances. While the Warriors are disinclined to accept current trade proposals without a promising young player and a first-round pick, Kuminga is considering signing his one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer by October 1st, which would grant him an inherent no-trade clause and enable him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Tyrese Haliburton Reflects on Achilles Injuries, Addresses Myles Turner's Departure, and Pacers' Exception

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Tyrese Haliburton recently commented on the increased prevalence of Achilles tears across the NBA, suggesting his own injury and others might be attributable more to bad luck than excessive workload. He also addressed Myles Turner's trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, expressing understanding of the business decision and wishing his former teammate well. Furthermore, the Indiana Pacers have been granted a $14.1 million disabled player exception specifically due to Haliburton's torn Achilles, with the team reportedly considering adding point guard depth for the upcoming season in response to his injury.

JD Davison Waived by Celtics, Aims for Increased Playing Time Elsewhere After G League MVP Season

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The Boston Celtics announced on Thursday that they have waived 22-year-old guard JD Davison, a move that brings the team back under the second apron of the luxury tax. Davison, who spent his first three NBA seasons as a two-way player for Boston and had his two-way deal converted to a standard contract with a team option picked up earlier this year, saw limited action with the Celtics, appearing in only 16 games last season. Despite his minimal NBA playtime, Davison excelled with the Maine Celtics in the NBA G League, earning MVP honors by averaging 25.1 points, 7.6 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. Having earned a championship ring with Boston in 2024, Davison is now expected to pursue greater playing opportunities with a new team for the upcoming season.

Trade Chatter Around LeBron James Quiets as He Plans to Remain with Lakers

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Following widespread speculation at the NBA Summer League, reports indicate that trade discussions involving LeBron James have significantly quieted. With his no-trade clause making a workable deal exceptionally difficult for all parties, and the Lakers increasingly shifting their focus towards a future built around Luka Doncic, the most likely scenario is that James will remain with the Lakers for the upcoming season. While he was mentioned by Marcus Smart as a key reason for joining the Lakers due to his high basketball IQ, analysts like Zach Lowe suggest that despite exploring theoretical trades to teams like the Miami Heat, no viable option has emerged, leading to the expectation that James will play out his contract and potentially enter free agency next summer, as potential deals with teams like Cleveland or New York face significant logistical hurdles.

Marcus Smart Joins Lakers After Recruitment by Luka Doncic

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Marcus Smart, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, has officially joined the Lakers, signing a two-year, $11 million deal after being personally recruited by Luka Doncic. Smart, who was swayed by Doncic's competitive nature and the prospect of playing with both Doncic and LeBron James, expressed strong motivation to contribute after two seasons plagued by injuries. The three-time All-Defensive First Team selection looks to provide the Lakers with much-needed perimeter defense and contribute to their championship aspirations, having previously reached the NBA Finals with the Celtics in 2022. He averaged 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 34 games last season, and holds career averages of 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.

Myles Turner Joins Milwaukee Bucks; Tyrese Haliburton Reacts

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Myles Turner has signed a four-year, $108.9 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, a move made possible after the Pacers reportedly low-balled his free agency offer and the Bucks waived Damian Lillard to create cap space. Former teammate Tyrese Haliburton has expressed understanding of Turner's decision, acknowledging that 'at the end of the day it is a business' and wishing him well as he moves forward with his new team.

Chris Paul Returns to Clippers, Set to Impact Fantasy in Final Season

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Chris Paul has officially signed a one-year deal to return to the Clippers, hinting that this will be his final season in the NBA. Historically a top fantasy performer, Paul has finished in the top-10 in 9-cat leagues 11 times and top-20 16 times over his 20-year career, never dropping outside the top 100. From a fantasy perspective, he is now seen as a late-round option in deeper formats, primarily for those seeking assists and steals, as his scoring and shot volume are no longer considered reliable. He is unlikely to be a standard league lineup option unless the Clippers' backcourt experiences injuries.

Kevin Durant Headlined Multi-Player Deal Involving Jalen Green's Trade

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Kevin Durant was identified as the headlining player in a significant multi-player trade that included Jalen Green's move from the Houston Rockets. This deal saw Durant land with a new team, and it was noted as a transaction that strengthened the Houston Rockets' aspirations for reaching the NBA Finals in the upcoming season.

Jalen Green Reflects on Rockets Departure and Optimism for New Role with Suns

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Jalen Green expressed his gratitude for his recent trade to the Phoenix Suns, saying goodbye to the Houston Rockets and their fanbase in a memoir published by The Players' Tribune. He reflected on his four seasons with Houston, where he consistently started all 82 games for two consecutive years, averaging 21 points, 4.6 rebounds, and four assists. Green views the move as a mutually beneficial business decision, eagerly anticipating playing alongside Devin Booker in the Suns' backcourt and helping establish a winning culture in Phoenix, while also being happy to join a team that 'wants me to be me.' He indicated that he had expected the trade and appreciated his time in Houston.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Tyrese Haliburton Recounts Painful Achilles Tear, Attempting to Emulate Kobe Bryant's Walk-Off

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Tyrese Haliburton suffered a disheartening Achilles tear during Game 7 of the NBA Finals, just minutes after a strong start where he scored nine points in the first five minutes. He recounted knowing immediately it was his Achilles and attempting to walk off the court without assistance, similar to how Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant did after their own Achilles injuries. Haliburton described the intense pain and inability to move his leg, stating it felt like "dead weight," which led him to express profound disbelief at Bryant's ability to shoot free throws and walk off, and Durant's similar self-sufficient exit. His experience underscores the extraordinary resilience shown by Bryant and Durant during their devastating injuries, with Haliburton himself focusing on his mental recovery, having received a visit from Kevin Durant.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Confirmed to Play for Greece in FIBA EuroBasket

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Giannis Antetokounmpo has officially confirmed his participation for Greece in the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket tournament, which is scheduled to begin on August 27. His decision to play, consistent with his previous statements about playing if healthy, positions Greece as a significant threat in the competition. Antetokounmpo boasts a strong international track record, having been the leading scorer at the Paris Olympics last summer with averages of 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across four games, and also leading the 2022 EuroBasket with 29.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Despite recent trade speculation, he is widely expected to return to the Milwaukee Bucks for the next NBA season.

Victor Wembanyama Ruled Out of EuroBasket for France Due to Blood Clot Recovery

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Victor Wembanyama will not be suiting up for the French national team in the upcoming EuroBasket tournament. His absence is a result of ongoing recovery from a blood clot issue in his shoulder, an injury that led to an early conclusion of his sophomore NBA season. Wembanyama is prioritizing his health and rehabilitation to ensure a complete and successful recovery.

James Harden's Role in Nets' Short-Lived Super Team Era

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James Harden was a prominent figure in the highly anticipated, yet ultimately unfulfilled, Brooklyn Nets super team alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. His tenure with the Nets lasted two seasons before he requested a trade, a move that surprised teammate Kyrie Irving and significantly contributed to the eventual dissolution of the star-studded roster. Harden's departure marked a pivotal moment in the short-lived era of the Nets' 'Big Three.'

Kyrie Irving Reflects on Contentious Nets Stint, Loyalty to Kevin Durant, and Organizational Misgivings

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Kyrie Irving recently shared his candid reflections on his challenging tenure with the Brooklyn Nets during a Twitch livestream, attributing the team's struggles and his short stint to a lack of organizational due diligence and his unwavering loyalty to Kevin Durant, who was recovering from an Achilles injury. Irving expressed regret over not thoroughly vetting the front office, stating his belief that the Nets prioritized Durant and that he personally wasn't truly wanted by the organization or then-coach Kenny Atkinson, while also acknowledging his own immaturity during that period. He further revealed that he had requested his release from the Nets after his suspension related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite the team's struggles and his surprise at the James Harden trade, Irving clarified he holds no personal animosity towards Durant or Steve Nash, admitting his mental state wasn't always ideal, and reaffirmed his love and admiration for Durant as one of the greatest players.

Kevin Durant Discusses Nets Tenure and Potential Thunder Reunion

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Kevin Durant recently discussed his challenging tenure with the Brooklyn Nets on the 'Mind the Game' podcast, expressing that he and then-coach Steve Nash were fully committed despite various external issues, and felt Nash's 'hands were tied.' Durant also believed that not everyone within the organization shared their level of commitment, though he still enjoyed his time playing for Brooklyn, primarily citing injuries and distractions as the main reasons for the team's underperformance. Separately, speculation continues to build around a hypothetical reunion with the Oklahoma City Thunder, nearly a decade after his departure, potentially seeing him partner with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a move that could involve trades of key players like Chet Holmgren or Jalen Williams. Such a return could serve as a full-circle moment for Durant and potentially mend past tensions, especially after he recently lauded the Thunder as a 'perfectly crafted unit' and congratulated them on their championship.

Nikola Jokić's EuroBasket 2025 Decision for Serbia Awaited

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Nikola Jokić has not yet finalized his decision regarding his participation with the Serbian national team for EuroBasket 2025. However, reports from Marc Stein indicate that an announcement from the three-time NBA MVP concerning his status is anticipated very soon.

LeBron James: Reunion Talks with Cavaliers and Heat Emerge Amidst Lakers Frustrations; Past Incident with Lance Stephenson Recalled

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LeBron James is currently the focus of widespread speculation concerning potential hypothetical reunions with both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat. These discussions are reportedly fueled by James' growing frustration with the Los Angeles Lakers' shift towards building their future around Luka Doncic. A potential return to Cleveland is viewed as a storybook ending to his career, offering another chance at a championship with an already strong Cavaliers team. Alternatively, a reunion with the Miami Heat could create a formidable trio with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, potentially leading to a deep postseason run, though financial complexities suggest a buyout might be a more feasible path than a trade. Separately, an infamous past interaction involving James was recently recalled by Lance Stephenson, who expressed regret over blowing in James' ear during a game. Stephenson's regret stems not from the act itself regarding James, but from a subsequent incident where a fan at a club replicated the act on him, nearly leading to a physical confrontation. This memorable moment, despite the Pacers' competitive series against James' Heat, has become an indelible part of Stephenson's career.

Chris Paul Returns to Clippers, Set to Wear No. 3 After Bradley Beal's Gesture, Joins Star-Studded Roster

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Chris Paul is making his highly anticipated return to the Los Angeles Clippers for the upcoming season, reuniting with the franchise where he previously made a significant impact. He is set to wear his familiar No. 3 jersey, a decision made possible by new teammate Bradley Beal, who graciously offered to give up the number he has worn throughout his career. Paul joins a star-studded roster poised for championship contention, featuring key players like James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, and Brook Lopez. Despite his veteran status as a future Hall of Famer, Paul is expected to embrace a bench role, providing valuable contributions as needed, continuing his illustrious career that includes 12 All-Star selections and numerous accolades.

Damian Lillard's Return to Portland Trail Blazers Set for 2026-27 Season

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Damian Lillard is making a sentimental return to the Portland Trail Blazers after being waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks. He is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season as he rehabilitates from a torn Achilles suffered in the postseason, with his anticipated return to the court in a Blazers jersey slated for the 2026-27 season. Fans at Moda Center are expected to give Lillard a warm welcome upon his return.