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But as many mentioned during a week of games in Las Vegas, a three-year NBA veteran is supposed to have a big impact on Summer League games; if he didn’t, that’d be a cause for concern. So as good as Lawson has been, it’s unwise to even pencil him in for a roster spot — “lots of basketball between now and training camp cuts,” one executive warned. The same point is being made about the entire Raptors roster. They’ve certainly played well and the team’s defence was outstanding through the first three games but, as a handful of executives pointed out, it’s a team that includes seven players who spent time in the NBA last season and if they weren’t successful that’d also be a cause for concern.
While many NBA fans were stunned by the reunion, ESPN’s Shams Charania offered insight into the motivation behind Lillard’s decision — and it had little to do with money or title hopes. “Being home in Portland, being back with his three kids, was by far the biggest, most important factor in Damian Lillard returning to re-sign with the Portland Trail Blazers,” Charania said on SportsCenter. “He was going to spend the year rehabbing his Achilles tear in the Portland area anyway. So, returning to the Blazers franchise, even though he requested a trade just two years ago, was something he deeply cared about.”
Damian Lillard's locke will be next to Scoot Henderson's
Lillard’s locker will be next to third-year guard Scoot Henderson, whose selection as the third pick in the 2023 draft prompted Lillard to request a trade. At the time, Lillard wanted the Blazers to use the pick to lure in more NBA-ready talent who could help satisfy his thirst for a title. Now, Lillard will compete against and mentor Henderson, along with veteran Jrue Holiday, whom Portland acquired in an offseason trade.
Mike Trudell: Darius Bazley, who’s had a strong summer for the Lakers as he battles to get back on an NBA roster in the fall, went down in the 2nd Q with an injury and had to be carted off to the locker room. We’ll look for an update after the game.
Who are some of the NBA players that you’ve been in the sand with where you were like, “Dude, this guy could be a pro easily”? Who’s nice? Chase Budinger: Zero. None. None. But there have been a few guys that have impressed me. Richard Jefferson, J.J. Barea, Blake Griffin—those are just a few who have come out and played with us. They can compete and have fun with it, but not at the level that we play at.
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Law Murray: News @theathletic.com The league’s investigation into Kevin Porter Jr.’s 2023 domestic violence incident has concluded, resulting in a four-game suspension. Based on the facts and circumstances, the NBA and NBPA have agreed that the suspension is deemed to have been served.
Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources told ESPN on Thursday. Lillard's deal includes a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. Lillard joins the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James as the only NBA players with a true no-trade clause in their contracts.
Lillard will use the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate his injury, but a return to the franchise and Portland, where his family and children reside were of the ultimate importance, per sources. He also had multiple midlevel exception and minimum offers from NBA contenders, per sources.
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Rudy Gobert on skipping 2025 EuroBasket: I'm focusing on myself, my family and my son
After appearing in major international competitions for fourth straight summers, France star center Rudy Gobert won’t be joining his national team in the 2025 EuroBasket. Gobert talked about the reasons behind his absence to L’Aisne Nouvelle and explained why he’s skipping the tournament. “I’ve had busy summers in recent years, and it’s taken a toll,” Gobert said. “People don’t always realize how intense the EuroBasket is. It finishes just before the NBA resumes, and it’s a big responsibility. I had said I’d wait until the end of the season to decide, and now I have. This summer, I’m focusing on myself, my family and my son.”
Law Murray: The league’s investigation into Kevin Porter Jr.’s 2023 domestic violence incident has concluded, resulting in a four-game suspension. Based on the facts and circumstances, the NBA and NBPA have agreed that the suspension is deemed to have been served.
The Heat’s biggest move this offseason — up to this point — is its trade for veteran guard Norman Powell, who was among six NBA players who averaged at least 21 points per game while shooting better than 48% from the field and better than 40% from three-point range last regular season. “We know we have to improve,” Spoelstra continued. “We knew we had to do some things this offseason. We know that we have to have a really good training camp, which I think we will. Guys are going to come in prepared. We’ll have a productive August and September. Everybody is motivated. We’ve had plenty of time off. Everybody wants to just gear up and get ready.”
When Michael Jordan sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, the NBA no longer had any African American majority franchise owners. But with the announcement of former MLB star Alex Rodriguez becoming a co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, he says Black and Hispanic ownership is now a part of the NBA. “I’m hoping that the trend continues,” Rodriguez said to Andscape following an introductory news conference at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11. “But as far as being someone with Black and Brown skin, I’m representing a lot of good people out there. Give credit to [NBA commissioner] Adam Silver, who championed this transaction. I’m grateful for that.”
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