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NBA News

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

Friday, July 18, 2025

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker Challenged to Golf Match After Steph Curry's Bet Loss

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Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is set to participate in a 1-v-1 golf match against content creator Gabriella Degasperis, known as GabbyGolfGirl, a challenge initiated by his former Team USA teammate, Steph Curry. This unique golf event was a consequence of Curry losing a nine-hole match and a subsequent chip-off to GabbyGolfGirl. Curry, who described Booker as an 'amazing teammate' from their 2024 Paris Summer Olympics gold medal-winning run, informed Booker that he's 'balling right now on the golf course' and will be 'locked in' for the upcoming contest, promising a competitive showdown.

Buddy Hield Reacts to Damian Lillard's Trail Blazers Return

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Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield offered a concise, one-word reaction, "Real," on Shams Charania's Instagram post after news broke of Damian Lillard's return to the Portland Trail Blazers. Hield's team, the Warriors, opted against making significant offseason moves, trusting their existing core to contend for another championship.

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Damian Lillard Returns to Blazers on New Deal Despite Achilles Injury

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Nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, the franchise where he spent the first 11 seasons of his career. This move comes after the Milwaukee Bucks waived him, following a torn left Achilles suffered in the recent playoffs, an injury expected to sideline him for most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season. Despite reported interest from contenders, Lillard chose to prioritize his family and home in Portland, securing a deal that includes a player option and a rare no-trade clause. His return provides a veteran presence for Portland's young roster, though questions linger about his long-term fit and role on a rebuilding team as he recovers from injury.

MarJon Beauchamp Explodes for 28 Points in Knicks' Summer League Loss

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MarJon Beauchamp delivered an impressive performance for the New York Knicks in their Las Vegas Summer League game against the Indiana Pacers, scoring a game-high 28 points on an efficient 6-of-11 from three-point range. He demonstrated aggressive offensive play, contributing with inside floaters, a dunk, and converting a block into an and-one, which helped spark the Knicks' heroic 17-point comeback attempt that ultimately fell short in a narrow 91-88 loss. Beauchamp's strong showing highlights his continued offensive momentum in Summer League.

Kevin Porter Jr.'s Four-Game NBA Suspension Deemed Served, Expected at Bucks Training Camp

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The NBA has concluded its investigation into Kevin Porter Jr.'s 2023 domestic violence incident, imposing a four-game suspension that is considered already served given the more than a year he spent out of the league. Porter Jr. previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation and completed a domestic violence intervention program. After stints in Greece and with the Clippers, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and subsequently signed a two-year, $10.5 million contract (with a player option for the second year), and is now expected to join the team for training camp in September.

Klay Thompson Confirms Relationship with Megan Thee Stallion, Also Referenced in Summer League Shooting Analysis

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Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson has publicly confirmed his relationship with Grammy Award-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion, making their red carpet debut together at her inaugural Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala in New York City. Megan Thee Stallion expressed her genuine happiness, noting Thompson's kindness and stating she's 'never dated somebody so kind.' Separately, Thompson's distinctive sharpshooting ability was highlighted in Las Vegas Summer League discussions, where Brooklyn Nets rookie Egor Dëmin was favorably compared to him for his impressive and unexpected perimeter shooting performances.

Quinten Post Sidelined from Warriors Summer League Due to Ankle Injury, Remains Active with Team

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Golden State Warriors big man Quinten Post was held out of the 2025 NBA Summer League roster because a recurring ankle injury, which he battled throughout the second half of his 2024-25 rookie season, flared up before the California Classic. The Warriors decided against risking their sharpshooting center, who, despite his absence from play, remained active by working out at the team's facility and attending games courtside in Las Vegas. In his rookie year, Post, selected 52nd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, proved to be a valuable contributor by averaging 8.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 42 appearances, and provided crucial floor spacing by shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range.

Kel'el Ware Concludes Impressive Las Vegas Summer League Stint Early

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Kel'el Ware has been shut down by the Heat for the remainder of the Las Vegas Summer League, a decision not related to injury, following a series of strong performances. Ware, who signed a two-year, $9.54 million contract with the Heat in July 2024, capped his Summer League play with an impressive double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds in Monday's win against the Celtics. His overall showing in Las Vegas, including previous outings with 21 points and 9 rebounds against the Cavaliers, and 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks against the Spurs, consistently showcased his potential as a rising star.

Kevin Durant Rejected Timberwolves Trade, Landed with Houston Rockets in Blockbuster Deal

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Kevin Durant reportedly rejected a potential trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite the Phoenix Suns engaging in in-depth discussions that would have involved a package including Rudy Gobert and other assets. This decision reportedly influenced Bradley Beal's subsequent buyout from the Phoenix Suns. Durant instead became the centerpiece of a trade to the Houston Rockets, a move that also brought Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to Phoenix along with significant draft capital. Houston Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone stated that acquiring Durant was a top priority, anticipating his significant impact on both offense and defense, and believing his veteran, championship-winning mentality will drive the Rockets toward their first title since 1995; last season, Durant averaged 26.6 points and six rebounds with the Suns.

Jonathan Kuminga Seeks Larger Contract, Drawing Sign-and-Trade Interest from Phoenix Suns

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Golden State Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is reportedly seeking a new contract valued at least $25 million annually, along with a more consistent role within his team. The Phoenix Suns have expressed interest in acquiring Kuminga via a sign-and-trade. However, a significant obstacle remains as the Warriors are reportedly demanding first-round draft capital in return, which poses a challenge for the Suns given their limited draft pick inventory. This situation suggests that a third team may be necessary to facilitate a deal that meets Golden State's asset requirements, while previous rumored suitors like the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings have shown no substantial progress on those fronts.

Paul George Vows to Avoid Charlotte Hornets in Future Free Agency, Citing Lack of Winning Culture

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Paul George has unequivocally stated that he would never sign with the Charlotte Hornets as a free agent, emphasizing that the team's significant lack of a "winning culture" would effectively mark the end of his career from a basketball standpoint. Speaking on his podcast with Baron Davis, George acknowledged Charlotte as a great city but highlighted the Hornets' prolonged struggles, including missing the playoffs since 2016 and achieving only one winning record in the past nine years. He underscored that it would take several years of sustained success to alter the team's public perception and make it a desirable destination for players.

Bradley Beal Finalizes Buyout with Suns, Joins LA Clippers

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Bradley Beal has concluded a $99 million buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns, subsequently finalizing a two-year, $11 million deal to join the LA Clippers. The Suns opted to waive and stretch Beal's contract, a move that saves them $175 million in luxury tax this season but will result in a $20 million annual cap hit extending for five years. Beal, seeking a return to a more impactful role in "big games and big moments," was actively recruited by James Harden to the Clippers, where he aims to have a productive season and potentially re-enter free agency next summer.

James Harden Spearheaded Recruitment of Bradley Beal to Los Angeles Clippers

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James Harden was reportedly the "key voice" in the Los Angeles Clippers' successful recruitment of Bradley Beal, actively lobbying the front office and directly persuading Beal to join the team. Harden sold Beal on the Clippers' roster depth and their supportive environment for players looking to rejuvenate their careers, citing how the team helped rejuvenate his own career after disappointing stints elsewhere. He even took the unusual step of speaking with Beal's agent, Mark Bartelstein, to facilitate the deal, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing the Clippers' roster. Harden, who signed a two-year, $81 million deal, expects to ease his burden next season and, with Beal, anticipates the Clippers will be an even tougher opponent after winning 50 games last season.

Anton Watson Delivers Strong Summer League Performance for Knicks, Highlighting Growth and Defensive Prowess

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Anton Watson, playing for the New York Knicks as an unrestricted free agent in his second NBA Summer League, contributed significantly with 12 points on highly efficient 5-of-6 shooting and three rebounds in a 97-93 win over the Brooklyn Nets, which included a battle against his former Gonzaga teammate Drew Timme. Watson also threw down a notable one-handed poster dunk on Enrique Freeman in another game. Having learned to be more aggressive offensively and focusing on physical strength since his rookie year, Watson, who graduated as Gonzaga's only player with 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, and 200 steals, continues to embrace his defensive role and aims to bring energy and shift game momentum for his team.

Drew Timme Delivers Strong 24-Point, 10-Rebound Performance for Nets in Summer League

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Drew Timme showcased an impressive performance for the Brooklyn Nets in their Las Vegas Summer League game against the New York Knicks, despite his team's 97-93 loss to his former Gonzaga teammate Anton Watson. Timme led the Nets with an impressive 24 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. He even engaged in some on-court banter, attempting to distract Watson at the free-throw line. Having had his contract option picked up by the Nets at the end of June, Timme expressed his continued determination to secure his place in the NBA.

Joel Embiid Adopts Patient Recovery Approach for Knee Injury While Vowing to Skip Future 76ers Team Meetings

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Joel Embiid is prioritizing a patient approach to his recovery from knee issues that limited him to just 19 games last season, stating there is no set timeline for his return but hoping it will be "sooner rather than later" and ideally by training camp. Concurrently, the Philadelphia 76ers star has declared he will no longer participate in closed-door team meetings, citing a profound breach of trust stemming from a leaked discussion last season that included a confrontation with Tyrese Maxey over his tardiness. Embiid, who believes he knows the identity of the leaker, emphasized that this incident irreparably damaged his trust, raising concerns about ongoing internal chemistry despite his anticipated readiness for the upcoming season.

Yuki Kawamura's Stellar Summer League Performance Generates Two-Way Contract Buzz

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Yuki Kawamura has garnered significant attention and fan support at the NBA Summer League, with his impressive performances while playing for Chicago earning him strong consideration for another two-way contract. Previously on a two-way deal with Memphis, Kawamura's strong showing suggests he has proven his worth for at least another two-way opportunity with an NBA team.

Reed Sheppard Continues to Impress at NBA Summer League, Poised for Rockets Rotation

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Reed Sheppard has once again been a standout performer at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, averaging 23 points per game and appearing "too good for this level." Despite his strong showing last year, he struggled to find consistent playing time on a deep Houston Rockets team, but his visible improvements in strength and comfort with the physicality of the game now position him well to earn a consistent role in the Rockets' rotation for the upcoming season. His performance is expected to be a positive sign for Coach Ime Udoka.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Alex Sarr to Sit Out Second Consecutive Summer League Game for Rest

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Alex Sarr will sit out his second consecutive Las Vegas Summer League game on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz due to rest purposes. This decision comes after an impressive performance on July 13 against the Nets, where Sarr recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and a Summer League record eight blocks in 29 minutes, nearly achieving a triple-double. It remains uncertain if Sarr, who signed a two-year contract with the Wizards in July 2024, will play again during the Las Vegas Summer League. As he heads into his second NBA season, the No. 2 overall pick from the 2024 NBA Draft, who earned an All-Rookie First Team selection after averaging 13.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 67 games, is expected to have a significant role in the Washington Wizards' frontcourt.

Bradley Beal Finalizes Suns Buyout, Joins Clippers on Two-Year Deal

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Bradley Beal has officially completed his buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns, subsequently signing a reported two-year, $11 million contract with the LA Clippers. This acquisition fills a key backcourt position for the Clippers, who had an opening after trading Norman Powell. Beal, known for his volume 3-point shooting and improved defense in a complementary role, is expected to lead the second-unit backcourt alongside Bogdan Bogdanovic, and potentially start with James Harden by staggering minutes. The buyout involved Beal reducing his guaranteed salary by nearly $14 million, with the new Clippers deal including a player option that could allow him to make up the given-back money or even exceed it if he performs well, while also providing the Suns with cap flexibility.