NBA Basketball 3 Days

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

Rookie Watch and Summer League Buzz

NBA analyst Zach Kram has evaluated the upcoming draft class, offering insights into where top prospects like Boozer and Dybantsa stack up. Meanwhile, the summer league continues to be a proving ground, with some rookies who were now making strong cases for their draft status. The Wizards, after an impressive showing, are shutting down rookie AJ Dybantsa for the final two summer league games. In other summer league news, Jazz guard Trey Alexander was taken off the court on a stretcher Monday night after suffering an apparent injury.

Player Movement and Team Pursuits

Veteran center Jonas Valanciunas has departed the NBA to join Lithuanian club Zalgiris Kaunas on a two-year deal. In a significant development, LeBron James remains undecided about his next team, fueling speculation across the league. The Philadelphia 76ers, with Tyrese Maxey leading the charge, have been in communication with James, as have Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown. On the other side of the coin, the Miami Heat are reportedly making a pitch for both LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Antetokounmpo expressing his desire to win a title in South Beach. The Los Angeles Lakers, looking to define their post-LeBron era, have added free agent forward Ziaire Williams on a one-year, $3 million deal, and Austin Reaves League Investigations and Off-Court Matters

The NBA is investigating a four-year, $64 million deal between Gary Trent Jr. and the Milwaukee Bucks for potential salary cap circumvention. Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged that the probe into Kawhi Leonard for alleged cap circumvention must be concluded before the upcoming season begins. In a separate incident, the league will not punish Bam Adebayo for an altercation with Tyler Herro at a Las Vegas gym. Herro, however, stated he wants to "move on" from the incident and is "focused on the next chapter in Milwaukee." Additionally, a U.S. representative has called for the NBA to review its ties to Joe Tsai, following Alibaba's designation as a "Chinese military company."

Team Outlooks and Future Prospects

The Washington Wizards' young stars the pressure to contend, aiming to rise from last place in the Eastern Conference. The Minnesota Timberwolves believe the acquisition of point guard LaMelo Ball, who they traded a steep price for, will elevate the team's ceiling. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls, under new leadership and with a high draft pick, are signaling a new era, aiming to avoid a repeat of past mediocrity. The Atlanta Hawks face a potential setback as forward Mouhamed Gueye underwent surgery for a fractured left foot, potentially missing the start of the season. The NBA also talks for a European league, with plans for a launch in the fall of 2027.

Coaching and International Basketball

Team USA basketball is expected to name Mark Daigneault, JB Bickerstaff, and Mark Few as assistant coaches under head coach Erik Spoelstra.