Latest news with #NBASummerLeague
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Al Horford's exit from Celtics all but confirmed
The post Al Horford's exit from Celtics all but confirmed appeared first on ClutchPoints. Veteran center Al Horford has been a calming presence within the Boston Celtics' locker room for nearly half of his 18-year career. However, the C's might not be able to rely on him for much longer. The 39-year-old is currently an unrestricted free agent and has reportedly grown very friendly with the Golden State Warriors this summer. Although no deal has been confirmed yet, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel said that Horford (as well as free-agent guard De'Anthony Melton) recently reached a verbal agreement with the Dubs. 'Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton are widely expected to sign with the Warriors,' Siegel wrote. 'A handful of teams at NBA Summer League stated Horford and Melton already have verbal agreements in place with Golden State.' Horford leaving Beantown shouldn't be a complete shock as Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens even admitted that bringing him back was going to be difficult. 'I'd say that's unlikely,' Stevens replied when asked about Horford returning during a press conference in early July. 'But I don't want to speak in absolute terms until an ultimate decision is made. 'If he were to go and play somewhere else, I think he's an all-time Celtic, a winner, and did everything he could for this organization, not only in the games but also how he impacted our younger players.' As a result of the new CBA and its stringent financial penalties, Boston probably can't afford Horford. While the five-time All-Star is far from his prime and nearing retirement — which he's reportedly considered this offseason — he'll command over the vet minimum at the very least. The Celtics already failed to re-sign backup center Luke Kornet this summer as a result of money woes, meaning Horford's departure is all the more likely. But if anything is working in Boston's favor, it's the fact that restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is holding things up for the Warriors. Before Golden State can finalize a deal with Horford, it may have to decide what to do with its 22-year-old wing, who's surely looking for a payday. In addition to the Kuminga debacle, Horford's shocking free-agency decision nearly a decade ago could provide Celtics fans with a tad of optimism. Back in 2016, the former Atlanta Hawk surprisingly chose the C's over his old team, even duping legendary NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski. Another dramatic turnaround isn't out of the question given the volatile nature of free agency, yet as things stand, it seems like Horford won't don the green and white again. Related: Exec makes Celtics playoff guarantee amid harsh Jayson Tatum, second-apron realities Related: NBA rumors: Why Celtics, Grizzlies trade talks fizzled out
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
No. 57 overall pick Max Shulga signs two-way contract with Celtics
Former VCU guard Max Shulga, the 57th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics, according to the official NBA transaction report. Shulga was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, averaging 15 points, 5.9 rebounds, four assists and 1.8 steals on 38.7% shooting from 3-point range. He ranked ninth in the conference in points (526) and eighth in the country in win shares (7.0). Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog first reported the news. The 23-year-old helped the Rams to a 28-7 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament in their second season under coach Ryan Odom. He produced eight 20-point games, including a 29-point, four-rebound performance on Dec. 4. Shulga debuted with the Celtics in the NBA Summer League, averaging five points, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 rebounds in five appearances. He had a summer league-high seven points, two assists and two steals in a win over the New York Knicks on July 13. The 6-foot-5 Ukrainian will split his time next season between the NBA and the Maine Celtics in the G League. He is eligible to be active for up to 50 games in the NBA and will earn $636,435, which is equal to 50% of the minimum salary applicable to a player with zero years of service. Shulga will now have the chance to begin his career with the Celtics and develop within the organization. He is currently the second player signed to a two-way contract, along with Miles Norris.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bronny James' Next Move Teased After Strong Summer League Showing
Bronny James' Next Move Teased After Strong Summer League Showing originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Bronny James is heading into his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers and has been exciting fans with his strong performances this summer. After putting up unremarkable averages of 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists over his rookie NBA season, Bronny set the NBA Summer League alight with averages of 14.3 points and 3.8 assists in four games while shooting 47.8% from the the development Bronny has had over the last 365 days, it seems he's more confident about showing his skills off in more diverse environments. This is reflected in a recent statement by the Drew League Commissioner Dino Smiley, who revealed to Mark Medina that Bronny might feature in the offseason league this summer in Los Angeles."I've heard Bronny [James], but nothing clear on that yet. I heard Bronny might play. But nothing concrete. Earlier in the summer, there was talk about Dalton Knecht and Cam Christie playing.' Fans Are Buzzing Over Bronny James' Potential Drew League Involvement Naturally, this revelation has caused Lakers fans to get excited about Bronny proving his worth in the highly competitive Drew League, an offseason league his father competed in just two years ago. "Might turn into a family tradition at this point," said a fan with LeBron's appearance in the Drew League a few years ago."Aye, I actually think this would be dope. They go chirp and Bronny go bring it to them," said a positivefan."Bronny in the Drew League will break the internet," said another fan."That would be fire," said one fan who's already gettingexcited."Tough move for Bronny... Feels like it would solidify him as nothing more than a bench player in the NBA," said one fan."He should take any chance to develop," said another fan who thinks this could be good for the Lakers guard. Bronny James Eyeing A Big NBA Season Alongside LeBron James After a season together on the Lakers, the father-son duo of LeBron and Bronny will hope to have another fruitful year as teammates. While LeBron averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds and Bronny was a non-factor, the younger James could have an increased role this looked much better than he did during his rookie Summer League in 2024. As a result, hopes for Bronny to prove his worth as an individual NBA player and not just LeBron James' son are mounting. If he can provide solid defense and adequate floor spacing, he's bound to get more opportunities than he did last season. Despite that, he likely won't be a consistent rotational presence on the roster while LeBron deals with potential future uncertainty before his record-breaking 23rd NBA story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers' LeBron James Loves This Summer League Photo of Bronny James
Lakers' LeBron James Loves This Summer League Photo of Bronny James originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James impressed in the 2025 NBA Summer League, averaging 14.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in four games while shooting 47.8% from the field. More than his statistical output, the 20-year-old son of NBA superstar LeBron James played with more confidence. During his matchup with Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg at the start of the Las Vegas Summer League, he defended with tenacity and showed the mindset that he wants to stop the best player on the court. LeBron James Reacts to Bronny James' Photo For his part, LeBron James continues to show support for his son. The Lakers forward, who attended one of the team's Summer League games, hyped up Bronny James once again with a photo of the second-year guard on Friday. Sports photographer Kool Mac posted his coverage of the Lakers, particularly Bronny James, during the Summer League. His post featured several photos and videos of the youngster, including one showing him guarding Flagg. One photo that stood out, however, was that of an airborne Bronny James trying to dunk during warmups. LeBron James shared the picture on his Instagram stories. LeBron James Keeps Cheering for Bronny James Prior to his latest post, LeBron James has been consistent in cheering for his kid. In the Lakers' game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Bronny James actually had a big game, putting up 17 points, five rebounds and five assists. While the Lakers ended up losing 67-58, LeBron liked what he saw from his son. "Keep going kid! Only you know your personal legend! @bronny," LeBron James wrote on his Instagram stories. Bronny James Poised for a Bigger Second Year Bronny James averaged 18.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals in the G League — between the regular season and Tip-Off Tournament. However, in 27 games played in the NBA, he put up just 2.3 points in limited minutes. His performance this summer should inspire confidence that he'll have a better year in his second season in the NBA. It will still be hard for him to earn plenty of minutes, but if he continues to improve defensively, Bronny James could find a nice role for a Lakers team that is in desperate need of improvements in that area. The Lakers were 17th in defensive rating in the 2024-25 story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Bronny James opens up on health struggles since cardiac arrest
Lakers guard Bronny James said he spent the past year working to overcome lingering effects from his heart condition and become a player worthy of coach JJ Redick's rotation. The son of Lakers superstar LeBron James went into cardiac arrest two years ago due to a congenital heart defect, and underwent surgery that left a six-inch scar down the center of his chest before his freshman year at USC. 'I get kind of sick easier now,' the younger James, 20, told ESPN's Dave McMenamin while in Las Vegas for the NBA summer league. 'Which is kind of weird, but I think it messed with my immune system a little bit. So, I would have times where I have to sit out, and that conditioning that I'm working on just goes away in that week of me being out.' Advertisement 5 Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 17, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images James said an illness this summer kept him out of a week's worth of workouts leading up to the California Classic earlier this month. He was out for the opener in San Francisco and was on a minutes restriction in his second game. Redick explained that James — the Lakers' No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft — needs to prioritize getting stronger in order to progress to the next level. Advertisement 'The biggest thing for Bronny is that he has to get in elite shape, that's the barrier of entry for him right now,' Redick told ESPN. 'And if he does that, I think he's got a chance to be a really fantastic player in the NBA. With the defensive pickup points, the disruption, being able to get downhill … I think we have all seen these amazing flashes of it from Bronny. And to get to that next level for him, it's cardio fitness. 5 Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter of Game 3 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images 'He's cleared. … I get that there's a history there of a really scary thing that he had to live through, and I think it's tough to push past certain points for him, but he's going to get there. He's going to get there.' In 27 NBA appearances in his rookie season, the guard averaged 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists on 31.3 percent shooting from the field and 28.1 percent from three-point range. Advertisement James was back and forth from the Lakers to the South Bay Lakers in the G League, where he averaged 21.9 points, 44.3 percent shooting and 38.0 percent from beyond the arc. 5 (L-R) Dorian Finney-Smith #17, LeBron James #23, Bronny James #9, and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the LA Clippers on February 4, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images 'My head is all over the place,' James said. 'There's so much going on in Vegas. I personally don't like summer league at all. I like the competition and the games, but I don't like coming to Vegas and being in Vegas … After this, I'm just doing nothing.' South Bay Lakers coach Zach Guthrie said he's seen progress in James' condition, and that he's focusing on his diet and sleep. Advertisement 'His conditioning is like a basketball 401(k),' Guthrie said. 'It is all about daily deposits…Yeah, there's going to be sometimes he's sick or this or that, but if he just stays vigilant and stays about his work, I think he will be fine.' 5 South Bay Lakers Head Coach Zach Guthrie speaks to Bronny James #9 of the South Bay Lakers during the game against the Valley Suns on February, 7 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. NBAE via Getty Images James' offseason workouts include interval training — VersaClimber sessions, stationary bike burnouts, incline walk exertions, and windsprints — to supplement scrimmaging and skill work. He finishes his workouts with a curated 105-shot shooting drill, and his goal is to make 80 shots. Redick was adamant about James' growth and dedication to developing his game after the Lakers' season ended in April with a loss to the Timberwolves in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, whom James backed up on a few occasions last season, said the rookie earned respect from his teammates for how hard he works. 5 Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers play against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center on January 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images As for the NBA's all-time leading scorer? LeBron, who will turn 41 in December, is rumored to want out of the Lakers after his agent, Rich Paul, released a statement regarding the 21-time All-Star accepting his $52.6 million player option. Advertisement LeBron was spotted partying in the South of France last week with his wife, Savannah James, and his business partner, Maverick Carter. 'LeBron wants to compete for a championship,' Paul told ESPN last month. 'He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career. 'We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him.' LeBron, who is entering his 23rd season, has a no-trade clause in his contract.
