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NBA News

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

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Bradley Beal Graciously Cedes No. 3 Jersey to Chris Paul on Clippers Return

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Bradley Beal, a key player for the Los Angeles Clippers, made a significant gesture by offering his No. 3 jersey to newly signed teammate Chris Paul. Beal, who has worn No. 3 throughout his NBA career, including achieving three All-Star appearances and scoring over 17,000 points, voluntarily gave up the number due to its iconic "CP3" association and significance for Paul's return to the Clippers. Clippers President Lawrence Frank confirmed Beal's thoughtful action, noting that Beal has yet to decide on his new jersey number.

Luka Dončić's Off-Court Recruitment Key to Marcus Smart Joining Lakers

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Luka Dončić demonstrated significant off-court playmaking by playing a pivotal role in recruiting veteran guard Marcus Smart to the Los Angeles Lakers, with Smart explicitly crediting Dončić's personal calls and outreach as a major factor in his decision to join the team. Dončić, whom Smart praised as one of the game's greats with an exceptional basketball IQ, expressed his direct need for Smart's help, which deeply resonated with the defensive standout. Dončić is currently under contract with the Lakers and is eligible for a four-year, $222 million extension starting August 2.

Marcus Smart Joins Lakers, Citing Luka Dončić's Pivotal Recruitment

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Veteran guard Marcus Smart has officially signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after reaching a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards. Smart, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, revealed that Luka Dončić's personal outreach and recruiting efforts were a significant reason for his decision to join the team. Expressing motivation after recent injury-plagued seasons, Smart, 31, is eager to bring his tenacious defense, leadership, and high basketball IQ to the Lakers, aiming to help them pursue championships alongside new teammates LeBron James and Dončić.

Kyle Filipowski Named NBA Summer League MVP After Dominant Performance for Utah Jazz

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Utah Jazz big man Kyle Filipowski was crowned the 2025 NBA Summer League Most Valuable Player, making him the first Jazz player to receive this honor. Over three dominant games, Filipowski averaged a league-leading 29.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, demonstrating exceptional efficiency with 56.1% shooting from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc. His standout performance earned him a spot on the All-Summer League First Team, and he hopes to leverage this momentum into a significantly increased role in his upcoming second NBA season, following a rookie year where he averaged 9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 72 games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Commits to EuroBasket 2025

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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has committed to play for Greece in EuroBasket 2025, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein. This decision confirms his intent to represent his national team in the upcoming tournament.

Kevin Durant Offers Support and Advice to Tyrese Haliburton During Achilles Recovery

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Kevin Durant recently extended his support to Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, visiting him at home to discuss the challenges of Achilles recovery and mental well-being. Haliburton referred to Durant as the NBA's "poster child" for successfully returning from such a devastating injury, as Durant himself tore his Achilles during the 2019 NBA Finals and has since returned to an All-NBA level of play. Despite his role as a prime example, Durant has reportedly expressed that he is "tired of being the Achilles guy."

Tyrese Haliburton Details Achilles Recovery and Mental Outlook After Season-Ending Injury

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Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is a month out from surgery to repair a torn Achilles suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, an injury sustained while he was playing through a calf strain. He is confirmed to miss the entire 2025-26 season, with an expected return in 2026-27, and is currently using a scooter for mobility. Haliburton recently received support and guidance from Kevin Durant, whom he credits as the "poster child" for Achilles recovery, and has also spoken with Jayson Tatum regarding their shared injury experience. Despite the setback, Haliburton remains focused on his mental well-being and intends to deepen his basketball knowledge by engaging with the Pacers' coaching staff and front office during his extensive rehabilitation.

LeBron James Opts In With Lakers for $52.6 Million After Weighing Dallas Move

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LeBron James has opted into his $52.6 million player option to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers, a decision that followed internal consideration of leaving for the Dallas Mavericks. Reports indicated that James explored the possibility of reuniting with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, and potentially playing alongside Cooper Flagg in Dallas, but ultimately committed to his Lakers contract, unwilling to forgo such a significant financial option. Despite ongoing speculation about his potential retirement next season, James's agent, Rich Paul, emphasized that the superstar is focused on making every remaining season count with the full support of the Lakers organization.

Kris Dunn Expected to See Point Guard Minutes for Clippers Alongside James Harden

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Kris Dunn is poised to play a significant role in the Los Angeles Clippers' point guard rotation alongside James Harden. With new acquisition Chris Paul expected to take on a reserve role with no guaranteed playing time, Dunn is anticipated to receive minutes at the point guard position. This setup suggests Dunn will be a key contributor in the Clippers' backcourt depth, potentially seeing increased playing time in the upcoming season.

James Harden Supports Clippers' Addition of Chris Paul for Point Guard Depth

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James Harden is set to lead the Los Angeles Clippers' point guard rotation, with veteran Chris Paul joining the team in a new bench role. Despite a reportedly strained relationship during their time together in Houston, Harden has explicitly given his approval for Paul's signing, acknowledging that Paul will serve as his backup. The Clippers consulted Harden prior to the acquisition, and he welcomed the move as a way to support him and manage his minutes, especially after he played the fifth-most minutes in the league last season. Harden specifically noted Paul's exceptional floor vision, leadership, and competitiveness as reasons he would be a great fit for the team.

Josh Okogie Joins Houston Rockets on One-Year Deal to Boost Wing Defense

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Veteran wing Josh Okogie has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million veteran minimum contract with the Houston Rockets, bolstering their deep rotation of defensive wings. The 27-year-old, known as a plus defender, is expected to provide active wing defense, complementing Houston's existing roster. Despite playing a career-low 40 games last season, Okogie recorded career highs in various shooting percentages and ranked fourth in steals per 36 minutes, indicating his continued defensive impact and potential to earn minutes and open offensive looks with his new team.

Kyrie Irving Questions Transparency of Public NBA Contracts, Citing Intrusiveness and Player Safety

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Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has publicly questioned the prevalent practice of making NBA players' contracts public, asserting that it "could get a little intrusive" and places "a target on someone's life." Speaking on his Twitch livestream, Irving acknowledged that salary transparency contributes to the sport's overall growth and appeal but expressed significant discomfort with the inherent lack of financial privacy. He believes that precise salary knowledge often leads to awkward social situations and undue criticism, even though the information typically originates from agents or teams themselves.

Blake Wesley Signs One-Year Deal with Portland Trail Blazers After Wizards Buyout

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Guard Blake Wesley has agreed to a fully guaranteed one-year contract with the Portland Trail Blazers following his waiving by the Washington Wizards. The 22-year-old, originally drafted 25th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 2022, saw his minutes and production decline in his previous stints, averaging 3.7 points and 2 assists in 11.8 minutes across 58 games last season with the Spurs. Despite his NBA struggles, Portland is taking a low-risk chance on Wesley, noting his 35.9% three-point shooting in the G League and his solid defensive abilities, which will see him fill a deep bench role and secure the Trail Blazers' 15th guaranteed roster spot.

Ben Simmons Drawing Interest from Multiple Teams Despite Injury Concerns and Offensive Limitations

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Unrestricted free agent Ben Simmons is attracting interest from several NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and New York Knicks, as they seek to bolster their point guard depth. Despite a career arc marked by decline since his All-Star days and significant offensive limitations, including scoring only four points in five playoff games and an inability to shoot threes, teams are considering the 6-foot-10 guard for his unique skills as a passer, defender, and rebounder, averaging 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 22 minutes last season. Concerns persist regarding his extensive injury history and mental health issues, which have limited him to no more than 51 games since the 2020-21 season, yet at 28, some franchises view him as a low-risk, high-reward option for defensive versatility and bench facilitation.

Damian Lillard Returns to Trail Blazers, Focuses on Achilles Recovery

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Damian Lillard has finalized a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, expressing his happiness to be 'back home' after being surprisingly waived by the Milwaukee Bucks. The nine-time All-Star, who averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists last season, is focused on rehabilitating a torn Achilles suffered in the playoffs and is unlikely to play the entire 2025-26 NBA season. Lillard emphasized his emotional return, stating he never felt right not being in Portland.

Monday, July 21, 2025

Damian Lillard Signs with Portland Trail Blazers After Bucks Waiver

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Damian Lillard has signed a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, a move he described as meaningful given his long history in the city. The nine-time All-Star, who was recently waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, is expected to miss the 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery for a torn left Achilles tendon sustained during the playoffs. Despite the injury and a prior deep vein thrombosis issue that limited his games last season, Lillard expressed excitement about being back with the team where he holds franchise records for points and 3-pointers.

James Harden's Contract Restructure Powers Clippers' Key Offseason Acquisitions

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James Harden has been instrumental in the Los Angeles Clippers' highly regarded offseason, agreeing to a team-friendly contract totaling $81.5 million over two years, with the second year not fully guaranteed. This strategic financial move was critical, as confirmed by Clippers president Lawrence Frank, for allowing the team to secure significant acquisitions like Bradley Beal and Brook Lopez. Harden further demonstrated his commitment by proactively engaging in recruitment efforts, including personally contacting prospective players such as Bradley Beal. His dedication to winning is evident, as he prioritized the team's competitive strength, mirroring a similar team-first approach he took previously with the Philadelphia 76ers. On the court, Harden is set to be the primary pick-and-roll pilot for new frontcourt addition John Collins, with veteran Chris Paul expected to back him up at point guard.

Chris Paul Agrees to Veteran Minimum Deal, Returns to Los Angeles Clippers for Likely 21st and Final NBA Season

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Chris Paul, the 40-year-old, 12-time NBA All-Star and future Hall of Famer, has officially agreed to a one-year veteran's minimum deal worth $3.6 million to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, a move that is expected to mark his 21st and likely final NBA season. His decision was largely influenced by a strong desire to be closer to his family in Los Angeles, despite receiving interest from other teams like Milwaukee, Charlotte, and Dallas. Paul previously played six successful seasons with the Clippers from 2011-2017 during the "Lob City" era, where he earned multiple All-NBA and All-Defensive honors, set the franchise's assist record, and averaged 18.8 points and 9.8 assists. Coming off a productive 2023-24 season with the San Antonio Spurs, where he started all 82 games at age 39, averaging 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.3 steals, Paul is expected to serve as a key veteran leader and backup shot-creator, likely coming off the bench behind James Harden. As a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team who has led the league in assists five times and steals six times, he brings significant playmaking and veteran presence to a significantly bolstered Clippers roster, which includes other key offseason acquisitions like Bradley Beal, John Collins, and Brook Lopez, as the team aims for a Western Conference championship and his elusive first NBA title.

LeBron James Features in Tyler, The Creator's New Music Video

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LeBron James made a notable appearance in rapper Tyler, The Creator's recently released music video for "Stop Playing With Me," where he was seen alongside his business manager, Maverick Carter. The Los Angeles Lakers star actively promoted his involvement on social media, including a post on X (formerly Twitter) expressing his excitement. This marks another instance of sports figures being referenced in Tyler, The Creator's artistic work.

Dalton Knecht's Summer League Struggles Raise Concerns for Second-Year Jump with Lakers

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Dalton Knecht, a second-year player for the Lakers, had a challenging summer league, failing to build momentum after previously struggling in the California Classic. In Las Vegas, he averaged just 10.3 points on a low 27.9% shooting, which observers note does not inspire confidence for a significant Year 2 improvement within a veteran-heavy Lakers rotation. His current performance contrasts sharply with his past college scoring prowess and the high expectations surrounding him as a lottery-projected pick who ultimately fell to No. 17 in the draft, with some attributing his decline since a botched trade involving the Hornets.