What happened to NBA logos?
From the endless uniforms to the courts themselves, what once were a bit of an institution unto themselves have become something of a shell of themselves over time as capitalism and the almighty dollar began to dictate how logos would look more than anything else.
The eponymous host behind the "Kofie" YouTube channel put together a clip taking a closer look at this trend. Check it out below!
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Forbes
29 minutes ago
- Forbes
Luka Dončić Is Turning Heads, And Cashing In
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 28: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los ... More Angeles Lakers pose for a photo before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on July 28, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by New) There's a lot of Luka Dončić buzz these days, and rightfully so. Not only did the Lakers superstar turn heads in a profile over at Men's Health, where he looked lean, and seemingly have made his weight issues a thing of the past, he's also widely expected to sign a four-year max extension with Los Angeles on August 2nd, the very moment he's eligible to do so. The body transformation It's important to note that Dončić has been extremely effective, regardless of the body type he's had. The superstar has been an annual MVP candidate, and has averaged 31.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.6 assists over the past three seasons. However, there have been numerous moments wherein Dončić has looked slow, and his large frame has had defensive issues as a direct result of it. Now, the Slovenian guard has changed his approach. Gone is the dad bod, and a muscled, lean physique is what's left. Presumably that will mean more speed, a quicker change of direction, and more energy to assert himself defensively. If Dončić's new emphasis on health will carry over to the floor, which it should given that that's the whole point, there is a world wherein the Lakers finish higher in the standings than perhaps expected, just as there's a chance Dončić finally wins his first MVP. And, yes, we probably can't avoid to mention the Mavericks in all of this, seeing as they are probably the motivation behind this change. Dallas, allegedly, spent weeks after the trade leaking stories about Dončić's lack of professionalism in regards to keeping his body healthy. Some might be inclined to say those stories were outright fat-shaming, but whatever the case, Dončić seemed to take it personally - as he should. The extension It makes sense for the Lakers to offer Dončić a max $229 million extension as soon as possible, but does it make sense for Dončić to accept it? The Lakers, after all, don't have a secondary star lined up for the 26-year-old for when LeBron James retires. James, who will be 41 this season, surely isn't long for the roster, and while Austin Reaves is around for now, his contractual situation is also up in the air. While many will argue the Lakers can easily acquire stars, especially as Dončić should be a huge draw, it's important to note that the league has shifted in many ways. Stars rarely enter free agency anymore, with most moving around via trade. The Lakers don't have oodles of trade assets, which means it's fair to ask how exactly they're planning on providing Dončić with help for when James is gone. It's also worth noting that there's a team in San Antonio, that might be able to offer Dončić a max contract, and a Tier 1 running mate in the form of Victor Wembanyama, next offseason. That situation should, by all accounts, be attractive to anyone, but Wembanyama might genuinely be the perfect fit for Dončić specifically, and vice versa. Do note that is pure speculation, but given that the Lakers are bit of a question mark moving forward, it makes sense if that's something Dončić and his team is aware of. Unless noted otherwise, all stats via PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
What I'm hearing about Cam Thomas' restricted free agency with the Nets
No NBA team is more desperate for shot creation than the Brooklyn Nets. The offense's best chance to fabricate an open look comes possibly from an unpolished 19-year-old, Egor Demin, who Brooklyn selected with the No. 8 pick in last month's draft. Or maybe it's from a veteran scorer who feasts on spot-up jumpers but isn't known for his work off the dribble, Michael Porter Jr. Or it's potentially from former second-round pick Tyrese Martin, who caught fire in spurts pulling up from long range this past season but was on a two-way contract until February. Advertisement As of now, these are the best options to run the Nets' attack. And yet, the team's former scoring machine, Cam Thomas, still rests untouched in the wilderness of restricted free agency. The Athletic recently polled 16 members of NBA front offices (including no one from the Nets), asking what they would consider a 'fair' contract for each restricted free agent who remains unsigned: Thomas, the Golden State Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga, the Chicago Bulls' Josh Giddey and the Philadelphia 76ers' Quentin Grimes. The Kuminga, Giddey and Grimes results have already been published. Now, it's on to Thomas, who inspired the widest range of responses out of anyone in the poll. On one side are the people who believe that Thomas' gaudy numbers warrant a payday. The highest average annual value proposed for him was $30 million a year. On the other are those who question if his score-first approach is conducive to winning. Thomas averaged 24.0 points and improved as both a pick-and-roll ballhandler and facilitator in 2024-25. But he played only 25 games due to a hamstring injury and still has to improve as a passer and defender. His status left even high-ranking front office personnel wondering what his next deal might look like. No matter the response provided, participants in the poll were uncertain if their answer was mainstream or against the grain. 'This is the hardest one,' one executive said. Another respondent deemed a two-year, $32 million contract for Thomas fair, but provided a caveat. 'I wouldn't be shocked if this was way lower or higher,' he said. 'His scoring is very much 'eye of the beholder.'' The one consistency in responses for the 23-year-old Thomas was short-term contracts. For instance, compare his results to those of Grimes. People in this poll were more willing to give Thomas a higher average annual value ($16.7 million for Thomas compared to $14.7 million for Grimes), but they were more comfortable handing Grimes total money ($47.7 million guaranteed for Grimes compared to $42.7 million guaranteed for Thomas). Advertisement Participants mentioned all types of structures for Thomas. One person suggested a two-year contract but with a team option on the second season. That one was worth $20 million a year. Seven other respondents suggested two-year deals: two contracts were for $20 million total; one was for $28 million; one was for $29.3 million (the exact value of the midlevel exception); one was for $30 million; one was for $32 million; and one was for $50 million. But that $50 million contract came with an asterisk: not all of it was guaranteed. The first year pays Thomas $25 million. The second is guaranteed for only $5 million. So Thomas receives either $30 million for one year of service or $50 million for two, handing him a pseudo-expiring contract for the upcoming season or a definite expiring deal for the next one. A bloated, one-year payment, this executive argued, could be enough to sway Thomas against picking up the qualifying offer, which would pay him $6 million in 2025-26 but allow him to hit unrestricted free agency next summer. 'It keeps the Nets' (cap space) alive for next year, gives Cam the money he wants per year in the short term, and he doesn't lose Bird rights if he's traded (like he would if he took the qualifying offer),' the executive said. The Nets have one element going for them in negotiations: Creating leverage is not easy for Thomas. Since he is a restricted free agent, Brooklyn can match any offer sheet he signs with another team to bring him back for the same price. Of course, Thomas would struggle to find a suitor anyway. The only team with enough cap room to make him a meaningful offer is the one he played on last season. Brooklyn is preparing for another season at the bottom of the standings. The Nets are looking to the future, one reason participants in the poll concentrated on them retaining Thomas for what they would consider a tradeable salary. Advertisement The executive who suggested the two-year, $30 million contract focused on keeping the second year, not the first, under the midlevel exception, which projects to be a shade above $15 million in 2026-27. In that case, Thomas could receive $15 million in each season, instead of approximately $14.5 million in Year 1 with a conventional five- or eight-percent raise to follow. This would allow Brooklyn to trade Thomas into another team's MLE either next summer or next season without having to match salaries. Five respondents proposed three-year contracts: one for $48.6 million (with a player option), one for $50 million, one for $51 million and one for $90 million, which was the most total money and the highest average annual value suggested for Thomas. 'I wouldn't personally give (it to) him … But I justified it as 'fair' because if I'm him, I'm saying I'm better than Jalen Green and that's way less than he got,' said the staffer who suggested the $90 million contract. Green received a three-year, $105 million extension this past summer after averaging similar scoring numbers on comparable efficiency. Of course, Thomas put up his statistics on a 26-win team. Green has a cleaner health history and was a former No. 2 pick, which arguably should not matter in these negotiations but often does. Thomas was the 27th selection in the same draft. Three respondents submitted four-year contracts: One for $50 million, one for $60 million and one for $80 million. In the end, eight of the 16 participants in the poll suggested a three-plus-year contract for Thomas. For perspective, 15 of the 16 proposed deals of at least three years for each of Kuminga, Giddey and Grimes. 'The teams clearly don't feel like the player or current market dictate longer deals at higher dollars,' one executive who proposed a short-term contract said. 'If I am the player (or) agent, then give me the ability to get out a little early, retain my Bird rights, and make an at least respectable salary that I can sell myself on taking.' Advertisement There is the issue of archetype, too. Off-guard scoring is not at a premium right now. The Utah Jazz waived Jordan Clarkson, who then signed a minimum contract, and dumped Collin Sexton without receiving future pieces. Tim Hardaway Jr. signed for the minimum. Gary Trent went for the minimum last summer and barely above it this one. The Miami Heat traded a couple of veterans not on Norman Powell's level to acquire Powell. But no team needs a player of this ilk, someone who can get a bucket off the bounce or even occasionally create for a teammate, quite like the Nets do. Thomas is waiting for a contract. Whether he receives a handsome payment will depend on the eye of the beholder.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Should Celtics, Brad Stevens embrace a tank job next season? Mailbag Part 1
Here at the end of July, NBA news is typically slower than Amir Johnson's 3-point release. It's a good time to dive into the Boston Celtics mailbag to answer questions from The Athletic readers. Part 2 will come later this week. Questions have been lightly edited for style, clarity and grammar. Given the offseason moves so far, shouldn't we expect the Celtics not to pursue vets at wing or center and other moves that can make them better in the short term? I know (Celtics general manager Brad Stevens) says they want to be competitive, but all his moves so far are sacrificing short-term competence for long-term upside. I know fans want to win, but it seems like maybe it's time to start rooting for the best possible draft pick. Instead of looking for vets, maybe we need to put more eggs in the 'Hugo Walsherman' basket? Lean into the tank? – John M. This might sound like semantics, but I wouldn't say Stevens has intentionally sacrificed short-term competence for long-term upside. Instead, after the Celtics entered the offseason far above the second apron, he prioritized solving his team's financial dilemma. So far, his moves have all been driven by that goal. The talent drain has been an unfortunate byproduct. Advertisement Anyway, now that I'm done arguing over semantics, a quiet quit — similar to what the Philadelphia 76ers did last season — doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility. With Jayson Tatum out and a frontcourt made of Silly Putty, the Celtics are probably a couple of injuries away from bleak times. If they run into some bad health early in the season, it wouldn't be shocking to see them decide to go overboard with recovery time for their best players. If Jaylen Brown suffers a minor knee issue: 'Well, he should probably sit for a few months.' If Derrick White bruises his arm: 'Maybe we should consider shutting him down for the rest of the season.' It worked for the 76ers last season. It worked for the San Antonio Spurs in 1997 and for the Golden State Warriors in 2020. If the Celtics fall into a similar path, the 'Hugo Walsherman' basket (a great phrase you came up with) should be filled with eggs. That said, there's another angle to consider in this conversation. Shouldn't the Celtics consider tanking? The 2026 draft is very strong, and barely making the playoffs does not serve the team long-term as much as seeing if any of the young players have real potential and acquiring a top-10 pick in 2026. Am I wrong in thinking this? — Evan T. Not necessarily! The prospect of adding a healthy Tatum and a lottery pick (or whatever that lottery pick would fetch in a trade) in 2026 is tantalizing. In a season during which they don't figure to contend for a championship, the Celtics could be better off taking an organizational step back. There's no chance they will begin the season with that mentality, though. Stevens has built his career on fostering a winning culture. He would never tell proven champions like Brown and White they should look at the coming season as an opportunity to relax. Stevens has already set the opposite tone. During a news conference in early July, he said the Celtics should have a chip on their shoulder given the doubts surrounding them. Advertisement 'The last time that Jaylen Brown was on a team that was doubted was a long time ago,' Stevens said. 'The last time that Payton Pritchard's been on a team that was doubted — he probably hasn't been. I mean, you go down the list, Derrick White and all these guys. I'm excited to see what this team has in store.' Imagine the conversations inside the Celtics organization if Stevens had taken a different tack. 'Jaylen, I know you've long wanted to show you're capable as the No. 1 option, but we're actually going to need you to dog it.' 'Payton, you've built your entire reputation as one of the hardest-working players in the NBA, but we're going to need you to tone it down.' 'Coach Joe Mazzulla, you're one of the most competitive people alive, but please just do whatever you can to lose games.' That's not realistic. The Celtics will open the season trying to win as many games as possible with the roster they have. If things begin to go wrong, though, it could be wise for the organization to seize the opportunity and chase ping-pong balls. In a time of getting flexible, I was irritated by the signings of (Josh) Minott and (Luka) Garza (especially so fast). I would have expected a team option in Year 2 to gain control on next year (though they might not have signed that) and/or at least offered less in Year 1 and more in Year 2, so not to get over the second apron. This way, they had to release JD (Davison) to get under once no other trade materialized. With just $200,000 less on each in 2025-26, they'd remained under the second apron and could have waited on JD's development!? — Christopher S. Unfortunately for the Celtics, they are bound by the NBA's collective bargaining agreement. Luka Garza and Josh Minnot, who signed minimum contracts, could not have accepted less money from Boston. And you'll be happy to hear that Minnot's contract does have a team option in Year 2. Though Davison achieved plenty in the G League over the last three seasons, he never provided substantial evidence that he was ready for a role at the next level. The Celtics essentially chose Garza and Minnot over him. The NBA's rules prevented them from keeping Davison on a two-way contract for a fourth season, but he was able to sign a two-way deal anywhere else, like he did in Houston. This will be his final year eligible for a two-way contract, so he will need to show he is ready to graduate to a standard deal. Advertisement How likely is it that Brad Stevens uses the final roster spot on a veteran wing or forward who can soak up some of Tatum's minutes early in the season? Any names worth watching? — James P. As the roster stands, the Celtics sit less than $2 million under the second apron. While staying under that apron, they would need to shed more salary via trade to afford even another veteran's minimum contract. Though such a maneuver could be possible, money is tight right now. Even after all of their salary-trimming moves this offseason, the Celtics are looking at a tax bill north of $70 million if they finish the season with their current roster. Would new ownership want to stomach the largest tax bill in franchise history while Tatum is injured and parts of the depth chart are questionable at best? As much as Stevens might want to continue bolstering his rotation, it would be logical for him to continue prioritizing ways to trim further salary, perhaps even escaping the luxury tax entirely to begin the process of resetting the repeater tax. It would also be helpful to see how young wings like Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh do with a bit more runway. If the Celtics do enter the regular season with the current roster, they could try to play smaller and faster. Their strength is on the perimeter, where Brown, White, Pritchard, Anfernee Simons and Sam Hauser should help make the team difficult to guard. In the absence of Tatum, who normally starts at power forward, Georges Niang and Xavier Tillman are probably the only natural power forwards healthy. Also, with an unproven group of centers, Mazzulla won't have nearly as much frontcourt versatility as he is used to. (Top photo of Jayson Tatum: Elsa / Getty Images)
