Rumors

"The [Warriors] want to have all the leverage in this Kuminga situation for themselves. So until the Kuminga thing resolves itself, one way or another, they aren't giving out anything above a vet minimum deal. They're probably not going to even do a vet minimum deal until the Kuminga situation resolves itself." - @MarcGrandi (via @WillardAndDibs )

x.com

Jake Fischer: For Ben Simmons, the two teams we’re hearing that are hearing that arestill in the mix are: Sacramento New York

YouTube

Jake Fischer: Personally, I think Ben Simmons would be interesting in Minnesota, but I haven’t heard that they have interest in him.

YouTube

Damian Lillard had offers from "dozens" of teams around the league before signing a three-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. "Boston, Minnesota, dozens of other teams had minimum and mid-level exception offers out to Damian Lillard in the last several weeks," said Charania.

RealGM

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.”

Clutch Points

Darren Wolfson: Hard to top a homecoming (#NBA, not where born and raised), but told that there was definite mutual interest between Dame and the Wolves. #WolvesBack #Twolves

Twitter

Lillard and the Trail Blazers both deeply cared about a reunion in recent weeks -- with multiple meetings among the Portland franchise icon, general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups to bond together and move forward united on a new deal, sources said.

ESPN

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.

ESPN

But the recruitment process of free agents like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard—I know you personally reached out to both of those guys. Did you have a relationship with either of them? And if so—or if not—what was that recruitment conversation or process like for you as a leader of the Hawks? Trae Young: Yeah, no—I mean, I talked to both of them on the phone. I was able to talk to them. I’ve known them for years. I mean, being in this game, you connect with guys throughout the years, so I’ve known both of those guys for years. But yeah, I reached out to both of them and we were able to connect. Obviously, they both had options, but I wanted them on my team, and I know they would make our team better. So we were able to talk and make it happen. I'm happy that they’re on my team—we made it work.

YouTube

Chris Haynes: Portland GM Joe Cronin met at the star’s house weeks ago and the two made amends and focused their attention on getting a deal done to give Lillard the opportunity to retire as a Trail Blazer.

x.com

Shams Charania: Portland traded Damian Lillard for Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, and assets in 2023 -- then Holiday to Boston for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon and assets. Now, the Blazers have both Lillard and Holiday, plus Williams, Camara, a 2029 first-rounder and two Bucks swaps.

x.com

Shams Charania: Damian Lillard will use the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate a torn Achilles tendon, but a return to the franchise and Portland where his family and kids reside were of the ultimate importance. He also had multiple mid-level exception and minimum offers from NBA contenders.

x.com

Shams Charania: Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers both deeply cared about the comeback in recent weeks – with multiple meetings among the Portland franchise icon, general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups to bond together and move forward united on a new deal.

x.com

Shams Charania: Damian Lillard now will have a 2025-26 set salary of $70M between his Portland and Milwaukee deals, and a salary of $141M over the next two years ahead of an opt-out in 2027. Blazers officials and Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports Management are finalizing terms this week.

x.com