Dallas Mavericks shut Cooper Flagg down after 31-point performance in Vegas Summer League
Flagg's still waiting to make his official NBA debut, but fans have gotten a chance to see the former Blue Devils superstar in Vegas Summer League, where the 18-year-old has already started two games.
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However, after the new face of the Mavericks' franchise scored 31 points while shooting 10-of-21 from the floor, the team decided to shut Flagg down for the rest of summer league.
While it's a bit of a disappointing development, it's the latest sign that Flagg is arriving in the NBA exactly as advertised, as a potential superstar.
Plus, the Mavericks don't want to risk an injury to one of their top players in an exhibition matchup. He scored just 10 points in his summer league debut, but the Mavs were clearly more than impressed with what they saw on Saturday, where he broke out for 31 more points.
Related: NBA Rookie of the Year 2025-26: Cooper Flagg becomes early frontrunner
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Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NBA free agency 2025: The 7 worst contracts of the summer, including a costly Bucks blunder
An important reminder: There are no bad contracts in the NBA. The players earned their money. They receive 50% of the league's basketball-related income, and they probably deserve an even greater share. There are, however, misallocated funds from a team-building perspective, and that is where we find ourselves here, determining the seven most bewildering contracts of the 2025 offseason (so far). Advertisement NBA executives are making fewer big mistakes than ever, and part of that is because they have very little money to spend. Only one team, the Brooklyn Nets, entered this summer with sizable salary cap space, and they did not seem all that interested in spending it. Most teams had only their mid-level exception to offer free agents, and a few of them managed to screw that up. Imagine if they had unlimited resources. One team even took drastic measures to create cap space, and see how that turned out for them ... THE 2025 OFFSEASON'S 7 WORST CONTRACTS 1. Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks ($27.2M AAV) Contract: 4 years, $108.9 million Percentage of the 2025-26 salary cap: 16.37% 2024-25 (72 games): 15.6 PTS (48/40/77), 6.5 REB, 1.5 AST Cost Per Win: $5,790,876.70 Advertisement On its own, the contract for Turner is not a bad one. The average annual value of $27.2 million is probably pretty close to an average salary for a starting center. And Turner is probably pretty close to an average starting center, even after he helped the Indiana Pacers to the 2025 NBA Finals last month. For that he earned this contract. Stealing him from the Pacers also makes worse a rival, though Tyrese Haliburton's injury sets a sub-championship ceiling on Indiana, and the addition of Turner alone does not make Milwaukee a serious contender, either. Turner does make the Bucks a more competitive team than they were with a 37-year-old Brook Lopez manning the middle, and maybe that is enough to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay in Milwaukee. And maybe that makes Turner's contract worth the price. (Dillon Marshall/Yahoo Sports Illustration) But not if it limits the Bucks' ability to contend, and it does do that. Because, in order to sign Turner into salary cap space, Milwaukee had to waive and stretch the $113 million left on Damian Lillard's contract. As a result, the Bucks will pay Lillard $22.5 million annually over the next five seasons not to play for them. That dead money is wider than the salary divide between Rudy Gobert ($36.5 million) and Nikola Jokić ($55.2 million). Advertisement Instead of paying an average of $27.2 million over the next four years to retain Turner, Milwaukee will be paying an average of $49.7 million — or more than 30% of the cap. You cannot win a title paying the equivalent of superstar money to Turner, and sooner or later Antetokounmpo will realize that. 2. Duncan Robinson, Detroit Pistons ($16M AAV) Contract: 3 years, $48 million Percentage of the 2025-26 salary cap: 10.89% 2024-25 (74 games): 11 PTS (44/39/89), 2.3 REB, 2.4 AST Cost Per Win: $5,923,317.41 Who else, exactly, were the Pistons competing with to sign Duncan Robinson for $48 million? He made a similar salary the last four seasons, and we did not just decide that was a negative contract, the league did. There was no real market for Robinson's services, not even as an expiring salary this past season. Advertisement Do not get me wrong. Robinson is an elite shooter, and he is a safeguard against the Pistons losing Malik Beasley, who is currently embroiled in an alleged gambling scandal. But he is a replacement-level player, even though he just shot better than 39% from long distance for the fourth time in his past six seasons. The Miami Heat's offense was better when Robinson was on the court, and their defense was worse, and that is how it has been for the 31-year-old, who did contribute to a pair of runs to the NBA Finals. In the end, though, his defense made him a detriment on the game's biggest stage. That is unlikely to change. It will be interesting to see how much more the Pistons can squeeze from Robinson than they did Simone Fontecchio, the player who they dealt for Robinson in a sign-and-trade with Miami. Fontecchio, who shot 40% from 3 for the 2023-24 season, was making half Robinson's salary, and even that was a little steep. 3. Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings ($14.8M AAV) Contract: 3 years, $44.4 million Percentage of the 2025-26 salary cap: 9.12% 2024-25 (75 games): 13.1 PTS (48/40/77), 2.6 REB, 5.4 AST Cost Per Win: $4,627,875 Advertisement Dennis Schröder will play for his ninth team in five seasons. He is perennially available, as he was traded three times on his last contract, a two-year, $25 million deal with the Toronto Raptors. He represented little to no value each time he was dealt, and that was on a cheaper contract than the one he just signed. Granted, the Kings needed a true point guard. Rookie Devin Carter was the only one on the roster. But to bend over backwards — to the point where they reportedly considered signing-and-trading Malik Monk to facilitate the acquisition of Schröder — for this particular point guard seems like a strange priority. After all, what does Schröder do for a team that features Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan as its three best players? Maybe they hunt for a play-in tournament bid in a crowded Western Conference. But not with that defense, probably. More likely the Kings are bound for the lottery again. Advertisement If Sacramento was so keen on signing someone who is better off being a backup, why pay $44.4 million over three years to Schröder when, say, the Orlando Magic paid Tyus Jones $7 million for a single year? 4. Clint Capela, Houston Rockets ($7M AAV) Contract: 3 years, $21.1 million Percentage of the 2025-26 salary cap: 4.33% 2024-25 (55 games): 8.9 PTS (56/0/54), 8.5 REB, 1.1 AST Cost Per Win: $2,198,437.50 An average annual value of $7 million for Clint Capela is not so bad, considering he made three times that as a member of the Atlanta Hawks last season. He is a decent rim-running and rim-protecting big man, though the Hawks produced a whole lot of mediocrity (or worse) with him on both ends of the floor. Atlanta shopped Capela for what seemed like the entirety of his last contract, and there were no takers. He made more money then, and his contract now was probably net neutral value as soon as he signed it. Advertisement What I do not get is why the Rockets felt compelled to pay their third-string center $21 million. They have already committed close to $50 million over the next three years to Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams, and that does not account for any small-ball lineups that head coach Ime Udoka might want to roll out. It is unclear how much playing time Capela will even receive, though he does provide some injury insurance. 5. Luke Kornet, San Antonio Spurs ($10.2M AAV) Contract: 4 years, $40.7 million Percentage of the 2025-26 salary cap: 7.11% 2024-25 (73 games): 6 PTS (67/0/69), 5.3 REB, 1.6 AST Cost Per Win: $1,453,571.43 I like Luke Kornet. I feel like I need to say that about all of these guys. They are worthwhile NBA players. But the 30-year-old has not averaged more than six points since his early 20s, when he was toiling for terrible New York Knicks teams. He built his value over time on the Boston Celtics, turning himself into a fringe contributor on a championship team, all while playing on a series of veteran minimum contracts. Advertisement Now, Kornet will make almost as much money in his first season with the Spurs as he has for the entirety of his career — all to be Victor Wembanyama's sometimes sidekick in San Antonio's frontcourt. It is quite the added responsibility from what he was in Boston, where he served as a third- or fourth-string center. It sure seems like he is being paid commensurate with the best he has ever been (those seven blocks against the Knicks were something, weren't they?) than by what he actually is, which is a career backup who has only excelled in an ideal situation. This is a $41 million bet that Kornet's production per 36 minutes will translate in increased playing time, and that is a bigger bet than most others in this market. 6. Jake LaRavia, Los Angeles Lakers ($6M AAV) Contract: 2 years, $12 million Percentage of the 2025-26 salary cap: 3.88% 2024-25 (66 games): 6.9 PTS (48/42/68), 3.9 REB, 2.4 AST Cost Per Win: $2,068.965.52 Advertisement Jake LaRavia is fine. He was thrown in as salary filler at the deadline to a three-team trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards, and none of those teams — all of which could have used a value added — preferred to keep him. That should tell us something right off the bat. It did not tell the Lakers anything, though, as they made LaRavia their first priority, agreeing to terms with him in the moments after the free-agency window opened. They wanted his shooting, ignoring the fact they need to build a defense around Luka Dončić, 40-year-old LeBron James and Austin Reaves. LaRavia is making short money, and for that his cannot be a terrible contract. But it can be a questionable one. You are telling me the Los Angeles Lakers — the league's premier franchise — could not convince anyone else to accept a $6 million salary from them? How much more valuable is LaRavia than, say, Tim Hardaway Jr., who took a veteran's minimum contract to play for the Denver Nuggets? 7. D'Angelo Russell, Dallas Mavericks ($5.8M AAV) Contract : 2 years, $11.7 million Percentage of the 2025-26 salary cap : 3.68% 2024-25 (58 games): 12.6 PTS (39/31/83), 2.8 REB, 5.1 AST Cost Per Win: $3,066,907.89 Advertisement I cannot in good conscience tell you that anything more than a veteran's minimum contract is good value for D'Angelo Russell. Granted, he is a one-time All-Star who averaged 18 points for the Lakers two years ago, but tell me what team he has made better since he made that All-Star roster for the 42-win Brooklyn Nets in 2018-19? He has proven to be a high-usage, low-efficiency player over the course of his career. 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New York Times
23 minutes ago
- New York Times
Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and NBA's next big thing highlight Vegas Summer League notes
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I've got a lot of notes and impressions from the Vegas action, but for today, let's go over the lottery picks we saw (and didn't see) with an updated assessment/overreaction to those selections. (To be clear, yes the term 'assessment' is a bit sarcastic … don't get too upset just yet): My goodness! Maybe this is why some of these rookies have been kept out of games. Another Sixers star sidelined by surgery 🩼 Operation time. Paul George recently had a successful knee surgery and will be re-evaluated before training camp. Will Philly sign someone to make up for this? 🏀 Sweaty path. Before being drafted by the Timberwolves, Beringer used old-school workouts to reach the NBA. 'It was a hot-ass gym.' Advertisement 🏀 He's here. You'll never guess who LeBron James was in Vegas to watch at Summer League. Yes, it was his son, Bronny James – good guess. 💰 Get paid. The Pelicans gave Herb Jones a new contract extension: three years, $68 million. 💸 Staying put. The Cavaliers are keeping their front office together. Koby Altman is signed through 2030. 🎧 Tuning in. The latest edition of 'NBA Daily' discusses whether a former No. 1 overall pick should win Most Improved Player honors. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. It's official: Blazers nailed Yang Hansen gamble Last month, when the Trail Blazers shocked the basketball world by taking projected second-round pick Yang Hansen with the 16th overall pick, we all wondered if they'd lost their minds. Yes, he had the cool distinction of being called the 'Chinese Nikola Jokić,' but we also remember when Nemanja Nedović was called the 'Serbian Derrick Rose.' Sometimes, those nicknames don't mean anything for unknown prospects. 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A couple minutes later, he whipped a one-handed hook pass just over the outreached mitt of Isaiah Mobley to DJ Carton for a layup, and everybody's eyebrows were raised: Hansen's overall stats through two summer league appearances are solid. In 24.8 minutes per game, he's averaging 10 points, 4.5 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and four turnovers. He's made 46.7 percent of his overall attempts, hit 83.3 percent of his free throws and shot 1-of-5 from deep. That lone made 3 was banked in from the right wing. Advertisement The numbers are almost irrelevant, though. Hansen is a galvanizing force on the floor. His perimeter defense leaves a lot to be desired, but his timing and instincts around the rim are already quite impressive. His feel for the game at 20 years old is mind-blowing. The Jokić comparisons are unreasonable because the three-time NBA MVP is one of the best players we've ever seen. However, Hansen shares similar qualities, and it goes beyond passing ability. 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Newsweek
24 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Lakers Receive Strong Criticism Amid LeBron James Rumors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Lakers have been heavily in the NBA rumor mill over the last week. Most of those rumors have been connected to the future of superstar forward LeBron James. James decided to opt into the final year of his contract with the Lakers, which will pay him just over $52.6 million during the 2025-26 campaign. However, it seems that the two sides could part ways sooner rather than later. While there is still a chance that James plays out the final year of his deal, trade rumors have been swirling around the longtime superstar aggressively. He has been connected as a possible trade target for multiple times and the team seems heavily motivated to cut ties with him. LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Arena on April 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Arena on April 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo byRob Pelinka pulling off the blockbuster trade to acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks was a clear pivot. The team instantly went from being led by James to being led by Doncic. Read more: NBA Fans Buzzing About Luka Doncic's Physical Appearance Right after the move was made, the front office started making it clear that Doncic was the player they were going to build around. Los Angeles seems to want to move on from James as soon as it can. If that is the case, he might not even play out the upcoming season with the Lakers. That being said, one NBA analyst has spoken out with strong criticism for how Los Angeles is handling the situation. During a segment on "First Things First," Nick Wright spoke out strongly about the direction the Lakers seem to be heading. "I don't know why the Lakers seem to be in a rush to get out of the LeBron James business," Wright said. "I don't expect the Lakers to find a player better than LeBron James to replace LeBron James this year or next year." He makes a very valid point. On the outside looking in, keeping James would seem to be the better move if the franchise wants to win now. Los Angeles could win with Doncic and James leading the way if it makes the right moves. Read more: Shaquille O'Neal Doesn't Hold Back on Kobe Bryant Disrespect in New Ranking Parting ways with James would take away a player who averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and a steal per game last season. Even at 40 years old, James is still one of the most dominant players in the NBA. It will be interesting to see what happens between James and the Lakers throughout the rest of the offseason. Moving on from him seems to be the path that Los Angeles wants to take, but he still could finish out the final year of his contract and then head elsewhere or retire. Only time will tell, but the entire situation has been quite strange. For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
