NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: July 18, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

LeBron James's Free Agency Saga Continues

LeBron James, stating he is not ready to reveal his decision as of Thursday. Despite multiple public appearances, James has kept his future plans under wraps, fueling speculation and fan anticipation. Pat Riley and Giannis Antetokounmpo have publicly expressed their desire for James to join the Miami Heat, with Antetokounmpo stating he is "excited" about the prospect and willing to do "whatever it takes" to win a championship in South Beach. Meanwhile, sources indicate that the Philadelphia 76ers' star trio, including Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Jaylen Brown, have been in contact with James, with Maxey reportedly spearheading the team's pursuit. The NBA's all-time scoring leader's decision looms large over the league as free agency continues.

NBA Investigations and Player News

The NBA is between the Milwaukee Bucks and Gary Trent Jr. for a potential four-year, $64 million contract, investigating possible salary cap circumvention. In other player news, the NBA will not punish Heat's Bam Adebayo for an altercation with former teammate Tyler Herro at a Las Vegas. Herro, now with the Bucks, stated he wants to "move on" from the incident and is "focused on the next chapter in Milwaukee". In international news, Jonas Valanciunas has left the NBA to join Lithuanian club Zalgiris Kaunas on a two-year contract .

Summer League Standouts and Rookie Buzz

NBA analyst Zach Kram has, highlighting prospects like Boozer and Dybantsa from the highly anticipated draft class. The Wizards are shutting down rookie AJ Dybantsa for the remainder of summer league after an impressive two-game debut, with the team's stars embracing the pressure to compete. Betting questions surrounding the 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year race are being addressed, with insights.

Team Moves and International Outlook

The Minnesota Timberwolves believe that the acquisition of star point guard LaMelo Ball will "elevate" the team's ceiling, with team president Tim Connelly deeming him worth the steep price. In injury news, Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye underwent surgery for a fractured left foot on Tuesday and is expected to be re-evaluated in three to four months, potentially missing the start of the season. The NBA is also preparing to ramp up talks for a new league in Europe, tentatively planned for the fall of 2027, alongside the FIFA World Cup final. Additionally, U.S. Representative John Moolenaar has called for the NBA to review its ties to Joe Tsai, following Alibaba's designation by the U.S. government as a "Chinese military company". Mark Daigneault, JB Bickerstaff, and Mark Few are expected to be named assistant coaches for Team USA under head coach Erik Spoelstra.