OKC Thunder clinch 2025 Summer League playoffs spot, will face Hornets in semifinals
The Thunder have a perfect 4-0 record in Las Vegas with a plus-14.8 point differential. They finished as the second seed and will face the third-seeded Charlotte Hornets. The other semifinal matchup is between the first-seeded Toronto Raptors and fourth-seeded Sacramento Kings. All four playoff teams went a perfect 4-0.
The Kings vs. Raptors game will be played on ESPN at 3 p.m. CT. The Hornets vs. Thunder game will be played on ESPN at 5 p.m. CT. The 2025 Summer League finals will be played on Sunday at ESPN with a 9 p.m. CT tip.
Fresh off an NBA championship, the Thunder will get another chance to bring home another ring. The Summer League is a two-week extravaganza that showcases all of the top rookies and second-year players. Other players are also there trying to carve out an NBA career.
For the Thunder, Nikola Topic and Ajay Mitchell were their top players in this year's squad. Both dominated in their own ways but sat out the last game. They're likely done the rest of the way, even with the playoffs on the line. They will rely on Brooks Barnhizer and Branden Carlson to get two more wins.
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Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Damian Lillard is back with the Trail Blazers: Good move or bad move? Plus, other NBA reunions we'd like to see
It's Dame Time again in Portland. Damian Lillard has agreed to a 3-year deal to return to the Trail Blazers, after the Bucks waived the star guard earlier this month. Lillard, who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, spent his first 11 seasons in Portland and is expected to be ready for the 2026-27 season. What should we make of the reunion? Let's break it down. Good move or bad move for Dame? Dan Devine: Great move for Dame. Lillard returns to the franchise where he's a legend, to the city where he's a made man and, most important of all, to the home where he can be with his three children each and every day — a massive quality-of-life improvement for a player who'd been very vocal about the difficulties of being away from his family during his two years in Milwaukee. Oh, and Dame will get the Blazers' full $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception on a three-year deal. That comes with a player option for 2027-28 — potentially allowing him to re-enter unrestricted free agency for one more big score at age 37 — and a full no-trade clause. So: Between his waived-and-stretched deal with the Bucks and the new agreement with the Blazers, Lillard's in line to make $141 million over the next two seasons; to take the entirety of next year off to rehab his surgically repaired Achilles; to do it from the comforts of his own home; to put a regrettable period behind him; and to return to a city that adores him. Nice work if you can get it. Ben Rohrbach: Great move. Who doesn't like a grand reunion? It didn't even seem like Lillard was ever fully sold on the idea of leaving Portland, the future Hall of Famer loved it so much. To have the chance to finish his career where it started, shepherding the next generation of great Blazers, is storybook stuff. In the meantime, he gets paid handsomely to rehab his torn Achilles tendon. What, exactly, is not to like? Dan Titus: Good move, for sure. Sometimes it's deeper than basketball. Lillard returns to a beloved fan base and franchise that has supported him throughout his Hall of Fame career. He could've chased rings, but instead, Lillard chose family. At the end of the day, he's getting paid a ridiculous amount of money over the next two seasons to rehab an Achilles injury in which we don't know how he'll look when he returns. Lillard joins a young, ascending team, has earned himself a no-trade clause and will retire as the best Blazer in history. Sounds like a win across the board. Good move or bad move for the Blazers? Rohrbach: Meh? Lillard will sell tickets in Portland upon his return, but will the Blazers really want to hand the keys back to a high-usage 36-year-old who has rehabbed from a devastating injury a season from now, when the franchise will be years into the process of trying to emerge from Lillard's shadow? That depends on whether Lillard is willing to accept a diminished role behind any emerging young talent. Titus: With Paul Allen's estate announcing it's selling the team, I understand the decision to reacquire a star who can help drive revenue during a sale. The Blazers also wisely drafted Yang Hansen, who gives broader appeal to global audiences. Optically, it's the right move. Basketball-wise, it's more of a wait-and-see. I'm not sure how bringing back Dame accelerates Scoot Henderson's development. It probably stifles it somewhat, but overall, I like how Portland has reshaped its roster and is moving closer toward a contender than a pretender. Devine: First thing's first: It's good for Portland no matter how it works on the court. I'm not sure anyone involved here ever really wanted Dame to leave; now, all parties involved get a second chance, and the Blazers get to give their paying customers the gift of a heart-swelling reunion. Even in a results-based business like professional basketball, championships aren't the only thing that matters. The way this stuff feels is important, too. And this, near as I can tell, feels really friggin' good in Portland. There are reasonable on-court questions to consider. What will the Blazers' backcourt look like in the fall of 2026, with Lillard ready to return, Jrue Holiday owed $34.8 million for his age-36 season, Shaedon Sharpe perhaps starting the extension for which he's eligible now, and Scoot Henderson becoming extension-eligible himself? How will the introduction of a post-Achilles Dame alter the infrastructure and operation of a Blazers team that began to develop a defense-first identity last season? Is any of this enough to put Portland in position for the kind of postseason contention it's been chasing since before the pandemic? Those questions, and others, will find answers soon enough. The bet here, though, is that what the Blazers gain in bringing Dame home — emotionally and spiritually, if not necessarily practically — far outweighs what they might lose on the court in the bargain. What's another NBA reunion you'd like to see? Titus: Kevin Durant to Oklahoma City. It'd be cool to see KD, one of the staples of the franchise, give it one more go with the franchise that raised him. The expiration date has likely passed since OKC became the best team in basketball and is set up for success for years to come. Still, I think it'd be a good send-off for KD's illustrious but complex career. Devine: Let's get Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan back for one last lap in Toronto. They helped turn the Raptors into a consistently competitive, serious organization; Lowry reaped the fruits of those endeavors with the 2019 NBA championship, but DeRozan, sent to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard, never did. It'd be cool to see them get a season's full of flowers thrown at their feet north of the border before they both exit stage left. Rohrbach: Give me LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers — somehow, someway. They would have a real chance to compete for a championship with him in the mix on the wing, and wouldn't that be some full-circle moment for arguably the greatest — and certainly the longest — career in the sport's history? True or False: When Dame faces Milwaukee for the first time as a Blazer again, Giannis will still be a Buck. Titus: True. I expect Dame to return for the 2026-27 season. It may be wishful thinking, but Giannis has consistently displayed loyalty to Milwaukee. Barring a terrible upcoming season, Giannis will be a Buck until his $62M player option comes up in 2027-28. Rohrbach: False. While I also do not anticipate Lillard's return until the 2026-27 campaign, it is already in the best interest of both Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks to negotiate a blockbuster trade. For now, it seems like both parties are open to finding a path forward together, but sooner or later — as soon as it becomes clear to them he cannot win another title in Milwaukee — they should pave his exit. Devine: True. Every year, we talk about Giannis leaving, and every year, he doesn't. At this point, I'll believe he's going when I actually see him holding up a new jersey in a press conference.
Fox Sports
9 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Could it Happen? Best Trade Destinations for LeBron James From Lakers
It has been bandied about all offseason, and there's still not a definitive answer to the No. 1 question in the NBA: will LeBron James ask for a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers? James, who has a no-trade clause, opted into his $52.6 million salary for the 2025-26 season with the Lakers in June. Then, James' agent, Rich Paul, released an ominous statement, saying that James "values a realistic chance of winning it all" and understands the Lakers' challenge in "preparing for the future," which has sparked the notion that a trade is at least possible. It appears likely that if next season isn't James' last in the NBA, then 2026-27 will be the last dance for the future Hall of Famer. Making a trade for a 40-year-old — granted, James remains one of the top-25 players in the sport — on an expiring contract who has final say on any trade is complex. But coming off a 22nd season that saw James average 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game, suffice to say there's still plenty left in the tank. Here are the three best trade destinations for James, should he and the Lakers seek to move on from each other. 3. Philadelphia 76ers James and the 76ers could be a match for a variety of reasons. For starters, Philadelphia is better than its 24-58 record last season, as the prolonged absences of Joel Embiid and Paul George played an enormous role in that outcome. As a result of their nightmare 2024-25, the 76ers got the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — assisted by a bump in the NBA Draft Lottery — and selected Baylor standout VJ Edgecombe. They also have 2024 first-rounder Jared McCain returning from a knee injury and could still re-sign restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, who broke out to average a career-high 21.9 points per game in 28 contests after the 76ers acquired him in February. Put James with star guard Tyrese Maxey and Philadelphia's compelling young core, and the 76ers should be at least a top-eight seed in an Eastern Conference reeling in injuries (e.g. the Indiana Pacers with Tyrese Haliburton and the Boston Celtics with Jayson Tatum). Plus, if Embiid can return at some point during the season, Philadelphia then has a three-headed scoring monster in Embiid, Maxey and James and is a legitimate threat in the East. This is a franchise built to contend right now. Of course, that potential being realized is heavily reliant on health. Philadelphia could base a trade package for James around George and a future unprotected first-round pick (2030). The Lakers get an immediate replacement for James in George and future draft capital for their troubles, while the 76ers shed future payroll and embark on a compelling, short-term experiment. And Philadelphia certainly qualifies as a big market, likely to James' desire. All that said, holding out hope for both Embiid being close to 100% for the postseason and Philadelphia's young nucleus making a drastic jump would involve James taking a major leap of faith. 2. Miami Heat "Alright, wanna get nuts? C'mon … let's get nuts!" James returned to Cleveland. Why can't he return to Miami, too? Clearly, the Heat have no interest in rebuilding, exemplified by them holding Tyler Herro and Bam Abebayo near and dear to their heart… despite trading Jimmy Butler at last season's trade deadline and then being swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs in a series where they lost by 30.5 points per contest. This would be a fun reunion. With Norman Powell now in the fold, Miami has a pair of ball-handlers who can score both off the dribble and from distance in Herro and the aforementioned Powell. Accompanied by the versatile Adebayo and burgeoning young players like Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic, James would be a veteran enhancement for a team looking to retool, rather than rebuild. Back in the place where he won his first two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013, James' return would boost Miami's attendance and perhaps help James get back in better graces with parts of the fan base that are still scarred from his 2014 departure. On the court, James and the Heat would attempt to make a one-year push for the NBA Finals in a slumping Eastern Conference. Miami could offer Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier and a future unprotected first-rounder to Los Angeles for James and Shake Milton, giving the latter two immediate rotation pieces who could be deployed in a variety of ways. Worst-case scenario: Wiggins doesn't fit into head coach JJ Redick's rotation, and the Lakers try to move him for a future first-round pick down the road. What likely stops this reunion from coming to fruition is James potentially feeling that the Heat aren't a LeBron James away from contending, if you will, even in a lesser Eastern Conference, and that a new home has to be a place built to win in the immediate future. 1. San Antonio Spurs One could argue that the Spurs don't need to trade for James, just like how they didn't have to trade for Kevin Durant. When coming up with the best combination of basketball fit, what it would take to acquire James and matching timelines, though, the Spurs are the cleanest trade destination for the 21-time All-NBA honoree. The idea that a team could go from the 13th seed in the Western Conference to playing in the conference finals sounds absurd, but it's a possibility for the Spurs and even more of a possibility if James is in the mix. Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox, who San Antonio acquired at last season's NBA trade deadline, only played five games together before injuries got in the way. In-between Wembanyama and Fox is second-year guard and the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Stephon Castle — who flashed as a promising scorer in his rookie season — fellow guard Dylan Harper (the No. 2 pick in this year's NBA Draft), the scrappy Jeremy Sochan, the budding Julian Champagnie and proven and stable wings in Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson. San Antonio's rotation is a combination of players who are entering their prime or just getting started and can both score off the dribble and shoot with efficiency. What it doesn't have is a veteran star complement, which is where James comes into the equation. The Spurs wouldn't be asking James to play hero ball or possibly even be their No. 2 scorer. He can be an attacking scorer who plays off the ball more and provides Wembanyama and Fox with a priceless mentor. San Antonio could offer Los Angeles Vassell, Harrison Barnes and its 2028 first-rounder for James and Milton, giving the Lakers two immediate rotation players, if not at least one starter. Plus, in this trade, the Spurs wouldn't surrender a haul for a one-to-two-year rental in James while still having a plethora of first-rounders at their disposal. The 40-year-old James' arrival in San Antonio would be similar to Tom Brady's 2020 arrival in Tampa Bay at 42 years old, as the now-FOX Sports NFL Analyst instantly provided both veteran and star power to a talented Buccaneers team that needed a boost. Of course, Brady didn't provide a mere boost, rather, a shove, helping Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV in his first season with the franchise. Plus, James can be around legendary head coach Gregg Popovich, who became the franchise's full-time President of Basketball Operations in May with interim Mitch Johnson becoming the full-time coach. If the Spurs get to the precipice of the NBA Finals, maybe James would stick around for another year? Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Basketball Association Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
New York Times
10 minutes ago
- New York Times
John Calipari's view of the transfer portal lets coaches off the hook for athlete adversity
John Calipari's humanity emerged in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary 'One and Not Done,' a 2017 production that came at the height of his cartoon villain-ishness and illustrated the bonds he made with several Kentucky players who were in his program for only a year before heading to the NBA. This comes to mind after a doozy of a comment from Calipari this week at Little Rock's Rotary Club 99 about the transfer portal and its potential for adverse effects on the mental health of those who use it. Advertisement 'If a kid transfers four times, is he gonna graduate from that school? There's no way,' Calipari said, as shared on X in a video by KATV. 'You can't graduate. So now you're going to be done playing, without a college degree. You have no ties to the last school you went to, where they feel that, 'You're from Arkansas, you played here, we're here, you're gonna have opportunity …' That's done. You're going to be offered $55,000 in your first job, and you're like, 'What, $55,000? Do I have to show up? You got me an apartment, right, or a car?' 'I'm worried about mental health. Mental health. Look, I've been poor, and you know what's worse than being poor? Coming across some money and then being poor again. That's the worst.' Coach Cal at Little Rock's Rotary club 99 on thebiggest issue with Major College Athletics…The transfer portal. Great stuff from Coach. — Steve Sullivan (@sully7777) July 15, 2025 First of all, I think most people on this planet would give 'having money at any point' a whirl over the bliss of perpetual poverty. But the Calipari words that stick out the most for me? 'That's done.' The guys who played one year for Kentucky, or wherever, and went pro are welcomed back forever. Part of the crew. Connections. Job opportunities. Drinks on the house. And that year was all it took to carry on a close personal friendship with the coach. The guys who played one year or more for Arkansas, or wherever, and transferred to another school that is paying more? Traitors. No longer welcome. Rolodex is closed to them, and it's a cash bar. It matters not how much they gave to the program, nor the relationships they built, nor the fact that both scenarios involve financial betterment. This act of betrayal cannot be forgiven. Fans can feel this way. Coaches can't. Or shouldn't. But too many do. Even though many of them, Calipari without question, know well what it's like to leave a place for another that is paying more. All of them have the opportunity. Advertisement Another thing that came to mind courtesy of Cal's commentary: a conversation I had last year with a Power 4 head football coach about a prominent player who had left his program for another school and came back during spring ball. He was hanging out with former teammates who were close friends. The coach asked him what he was doing there. It's not like he was removed from the premises or anything, and it's not like he needed that coach's help — he's in the NFL now. But what if he did need help? I would argue a coach has a responsibility to be available for an athlete once that athlete decides to join that coach's program, and thereafter, if the worst thing the athlete did was depart for a better financial opportunity. I'd argue that turning your back on someone, as a full-grown adult, for something they did when they were 19 is pretty gross. And worth using against you. I agree with a lot of what Calipari said, by the way. And he's far from alone. Changing schools year after year for incremental financial gain can be detrimental, both in terms of education and in terms of not having a home base — the one doing the transferring may not know where to turn. These are decisions more likely to be made by a 19-year-old, especially if that 19-year-old doesn't have sound advice coming from their camp. And that can't be good for mental health, and I don't doubt Calipari cares about mental health. I actually have my doubts he'd delete the number of a kid who left his program. There's no question others would and do. Which brings us back to the same place we always find ourselves when we start talking about the economics of college athletics. These are laborers. They should have protections, and if there's going to be a cap on their pay and a limit on their movement, they must be able to bargain for that collectively. Anyone who says that can't be figured out — including some proponents of the latest legislative attempt to provide college athletics with an antitrust exemption — is either stupid or lying.
