NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 12:22 AM ET

Retirement

Russell Westbrook announced his retirement after 18 seasons with seven teams, prompting an examination of his legacy as a transformative but polarizing triple-double machine.

Franchise Moves

The Lakers are being sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record $12.5 billion. Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy reaffirmed that Stephen Curry, on an expiring deal, is on track to finish his career with the franchise. Meanwhile, the Panathinaikos owner made a serious offer to buy three-time MVP Nikola Jokic out of his NBA contract for next season.

Free Agency & Legal

Several notable players remain unsigned, including Jalen Duren and James Harden, among the top nine free agents still in flux. The latest NBA offseason buzz includes updates on Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan. In legal news, a federal judge revoked the bond of Rozier co-defendant Deniro Laster for violating conditions with an Instagram rat emoji.

Contender Concerns

ESPN insiders break down under-the-radar concerns for the top 10 title contenders. The Rockets hope Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson can push them into the West's upper tier. Meanwhile, the Mavericks offseason recap highlights Cooper Flagg leading a new era after front office and coaching changes.

Schedule & Culture

The NBA Cup opening day on Oct. 30 features marquee matchups: Knicks vs. 76ers and Lakers vs. Warriors. In Philadelphia, a new Philly Chinatown mural honors LeBron James, painted by Chenlin Cai and inspired by a Dwyane Wade assist.