NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: July 23, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

Offseason Moves and Summer League Wrap-Up

The NBA offseason has seen significant player movement and team evaluations. The Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade that sent three second-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder, while former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher landed with the Dallas Mavericks. Zach Kram for all 30 teams' offseason maneuvers, assessing who succeeded and who fell short. League executives and insiders generated considerable buzz in Las Vegas, with the biggest storylines. In a notable free agency move, Matisse Thybulle agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.3 million with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Golden State Warriors behind Yaxel Lendeborg, who achieved the rare feat of winning both a Division I NCAA championship and a summer league title in the same year. The Suns GM expressed confidence in veteran forward Miles Bridges, stating the franchise felt comfortable with his acquisition despite past "unacceptable conduct." ESPN is tracking deals, trades, and free agency buzz across the league, including updates on rookies from summer league.

Rookie Watch and Player Honors

As summer league concludes, attention shifts to the highly anticipated draft class. NBA analyst Zach Kram for this season's prospects, evaluating their performances. Andre Snellings explored betting angles for the 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year race, offering insights on potential candidates for the award. Beyond current players, Stephen Curry will achieve a unique distinction as the first active player to have his own exhibit in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, which opens to the public Friday. In a surprising auction result, a Wilt Chamberlain warmup jacket, discovered in a Portland Goodwill, sold for $89,600 at Sotheby's.

Free Agency Speculation and Player News

The future of LeBron James remains a central topic of offseason speculation. Rich Paul, James' agent, indicated that his client is "not going to be rushed" into a decision regarding his next team for the upcoming season. The Miami Heat acknowledged that a scheduled live stream link for a "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" was posted in error while preparing for the possibility of his signing the team clarified. In personal news, Tyrese Haliburton and his fiancée Jade Jones prior to their official wedding ceremony in August.

Video Game and Team Insights

The cover athletes for "NBA 2K27" were revealed, featuring Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose as the stars of this year's edition the announcement was made Wednesday. ESPN is providing comprehensive analyses of all 30 NBA teams' offseason strategies and moves lessons from the summer of 2026. The publication also offers detailed grades for key offseason trades, including the Lu Dort deal assessing the impact of trades.