NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: July 12, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Rookie Extensions and Player Signings Dominate Headlines

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have agreed to a five-year, $252 million maximum rookie-scale contract extension reached agreement, making it the third-largest rookie extension in NBA history. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is sticking with the Milwaukee Bucks for four years and $64 million agreed to a deal. The Houston Rockets have also signed rookie Tari Eason to a rookie-scale extension. The NBPA is urging a fix for the league's "second apron," stating it forces teams into "not basketball decisions" and hurts players for cost control.

LeBron James' Free Agency Continues to Spark Speculation

LeBron James' free agency decision remains a major topic, with teams pitching the four-time champion indirectly through voice memos. Stephen Curry acknowledged the appeal of a late-career team-up with James acknowledged the appeal, while Andre Iguodala suggested that Golden State being a consideration for James is a tribute to Stephen Curry's impact is a tribute. The San Antonio Spurs' Luke Kornet even made a comedic pitch to recruit James. Various teams can offer James different financial packages and intangibles.

Summer League Action and Player Transactions

Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson had a strong debut in the Las Vegas summer league, scoring 35 points, the second-most in a Las Vegas debut since 2004. Top 2026 draft prospects AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson faced off, with Peterson showing immediate chemistry with Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George. The Mavericks completed a six-team trade by signing Tarik Biberovic. The Washington Wizards reacquired Khris Middleton on a three-year, $17.6 million contract via a sign-and-trade deal.

Offseason Shakeups and Player Movements

The Charlotte Hornets' president of basketball operations, Jeff Peterson, described the LaMelo Ball trade as one of the most difficult decisions he has made called it "probably the most difficult". Gary Trent Jr. is returning to the Milwaukee Bucks on a four-year, $64 million deal. Trae Young expressed his excitement about his long-term future with the Washington Wizards after re-signing. Ja Morant stated his trade to the Portland Trail Blazers will allow him to "start fresh" and change his "bad guy" image.

League Transactions and Player News

The Clippers-Raptors trade involving Kawhi Leonard is on hold pending an NBA probe into potential salary cap circumvention. Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst called the decision to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo a "very difficult decision". Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban alleges that governor Patrick Dumont has engaged in "adversarial business practices" regarding the team's potential move from downtown.

Notable Collectibles and Miscellaneous News

A 2024 Victor Wembanyama trading card, a Panini Revolution vertical green Kaboom!, sold for $1,443,133. Jalen Brunson's Game 1 jersey from the 2026 NBA Finals sold for over $1 million at Sotheby's. Former ESPN senior NBA writer Tim Bontemps has joined the Atlanta Hawks in a front office role. Former Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields will lead the men's basketball division for Project B, a new global league. Charles Barkley has the longest odds, 500-1, to win the annual celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe.