NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

NBA Offseason Moves and Speculation

The NBA offseason is heating up with significant player movement and ongoing investigations. The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly under NBA scrutiny for a four-year, $64 million deal with Gary Trent Jr., which the league is examining for potential salary cap circumvention. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are making bold pitches, with Pat Riley and Giannis Antetokounmpo expressing a desire for LeBron James to return to South Beach. Antetokounmpo himself is driven by the pressure in Miami and the Heat's championship legacy, stating he'll do "whatever it takes" to win a title there. LeBron James, however, remains undecided about his next team, speaking Thursday but not revealing his choice. The Philadelphia 76ers' trio of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Jaylen Brown have reportedly been in contact with James, with Maxey leading the pursuit.

In other free agency news, Cleveland has signed Donovan Mitchell to a contract extension worth nearly $275 million. The Los Angeles Lakers have added Ziaire Williams on a one-year, $3 million deal. Austin Reaves, fresh off signing a landmark contract for an undrafted player, is optimistic about the Lakers' "pieces" in the post-LeBron era. Walker Kessler, now healthy, expressed his commitment to the Lakers after the team invested in acquiring him. The Washington Wizards are looking to transform from last place in the East, with hopes that their trio can make them a contender.

League Investigations and International Reach

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has stated that the investigation into Kawhi Leonard for alleged salary cap circumvention must conclude before the start of the upcoming season. Separately, U.S. Representative John Moolenaar has called for the NBA to review its ties with Joe Tsai, following Alibaba's designation by the U.S. government as a "Chinese military company".

Internationally, the NBA is planning to ramp up discussions about a new European league, with talks expected to intensify alongside the FIFA World Cup final. The league aims to launch this new venture in the fall of 2027. In player movement abroad, center Jonas Valanciunas has signed a two-year contract with Lithuanian club Zalgiris Kaunas.

Player News and Summer League Updates

The NBA will not penalize Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo for striking former teammate Tyler Herro at a Las Vegas gym. Herro stated he wants to "move on" from the incident and is "focused on the next chapter in Milwaukee".

In summer league action, the Washington Wizards are shutting down rookie AJ Dybantsa after an impressive two-game debut. Utah Jazz guard Trey Alexander was taken off the court on a stretcher Monday night after an apparent injury during a summer league game against the Bulls. The NBA is also tracking the progress of rookies and intriguing sophomores, with insights into players like Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant from the 2025 draft class, unranked high.

Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye underwent surgery for a fractured left foot and his status will be updated in three to four months, potentially causing him to miss the start of the season. The Minnesota Timberwolves believe that acquiring point guard LaMelo Ball was a worthwhile investment, with team president Tim Connelly suggesting Ball could "elevate" the team's ceiling.

Coaching and Front Office Moves

The Golden State Warriors are set to hire veteran NBA coach Frank Vogel as an associate head coach under Steve Kerr, filling the vacancy left by Terry Stotts. Team USA is expected to name Mark Daigneault of the Thunder, JB Bickerstaff of the Pistons, and Mark Few of Gonzaga as assistant coaches for the national team, working under head coach Erik Spoelstra. The Chicago Bulls are marking a new era with a new front office and coach, aiming to avoid a repeat of past mediocrity despite drafting fourth overall, similar to their 2020 strategy.