NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: August 21, 2026, 1:47 PM ET

NBA Basketball Briefing

Ownership & Front Office

Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, one of the Lakers' minority owners, has no plans to sell his 4% stake in the franchise, his attorney told ESPN. The decision eliminates any lingering uncertainty within the ownership group as Los Angeles heads into the new campaign with its financial structure settled.

Trade & Free Agency

The Cavaliers, Nuggets and Clippers agreed to a five-team trade that sends Peyton Watson to Cleveland and Max Strus to Los Angeles, with Watson signing a new four-year, $88M deal as part of the arrangement. Cleveland also locked down its backcourt, as James Harden agreed to a three-year, $97M contract to remain with the Cavaliers, his agency, Equity Sports, confirmed Thursday.

Western Conference Previews

The Nuggets finally resolved their biggest piece of offseason business, and the central question in Denver is whether Nikola Jokic now has enough help for another championship run in 2026-27. The Thunder face concerns of their own, as significant depth losses could prove costly despite the retention of their stars. In Minnesota, everything hinges on chemistry, because the new Timberwolves backcourt of Anthony Edwards and Lonzo Ball must mesh quickly for the team to become a genuine threat in the West.

International Stage & Farewells

France named Victor Wembanyama its national team captain on Wednesday as preparations begin for the FIBA World Cup European qualifiers. Domestically, Russell Westbrook announced his retirement after 18 NBA seasons, closing a career that featured nine All-Star selections and an MVP award, and he had foreshadowed the decision in conversations during camp.

Business of Basketball

The Suns said Tuesday they are installing the NBA's largest exterior video display, an LED board measuring 226 feet wide by 41 feet tall on the outside of Mortgage Matchup Center ahead of the 2027 All-Star Game. San Antonio's city council voted 6-5 to reject a proposed public vote on the city's $489M contribution toward a new downtown arena for the Spurs.

Legal Briefs

A former assistant athletic trainer for the Kings has filed a civil lawsuit against the organization and its senior director of athlete health, alleging pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment. The case adds an off-court distraction for a Sacramento franchise preparing for the upcoming season.

Style & Culture

Anthony Edwards' latest signature shoe puts Filipino artistry on full display, with the design built around bayanihan, the distinctly Filipino value of communal unity, cooperation and helpfulness.

Prospect Radar

Draft analyst Jeremy Woo capped a summer of scouting by identifying the early names to follow for the 2027 and 2028 drafts, giving front offices a head start on their boards. Separately, NBA insiders forecast which members of the incoming class can become the league's next faces, projecting the top rookies with the greatest long-term impact and clearest paths to stardom.

Season Retrospective

ESPN analyst Zach Kram examined the single moment that will define the 2025-26 season for years, if not decades, weighing candidates such as the Knicks capturing a title in five games and Adebayo delivering an unforgettable 83-point performance.