Samwise NBA Newsletter
Friday, July 3, 2026
LeBron James Informs Lakers He Will Play Elsewhere, Ending Eight-Season Run
LeBron James informed the Los Angeles Lakers on the opening day of free agency that he plans to play elsewhere for the 2026-27 season, ending an eight-season run with the franchise. Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said James is pursuing complete happiness with his next contract and believes meaningful, competitive basketball lies ahead elsewhere. James, now an unrestricted free agent, has drawn interest from the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat, among other suitors. Lakers governor Jeanie Buss thanked James and cited the 2020 championship. The Lakers, holding roughly $52 million in cap space, are rebuilding around Luka Doncic.
Sources: ESPN Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Celtics Send Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in Blockbuster Deal for Paul George and Picks
The Boston Celtics are trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round selections, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Boston made the move after failing to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, who instead was traded to the Miami Heat. Brown, a former NBA Finals MVP, now joins Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and a 76ers squad that eliminated Boston in last season’s opening playoff round. Brown is set to earn $57 million this season and $61 million the following year. George, owed $54.1 million in 2026-27, holds a $56.6 million player option for the season after that.
Sources: ESPN Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Clippers Deal Kawhi Leonard Back to Toronto in Reunion Seven Years in the Making
The Los Angeles Clippers are trading Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks, per ESPN. The Clippers chose not to offer the 35-year-old Leonard an extension, while Leonard’s representatives told other teams he wished to sign an extension only with Toronto. Leonard spent one season with the Raptors and helped the franchise claim its only NBA title in 2019. The Raptors plan to open extension discussions, with Leonard eligible for a deal of up to $123.7 million over two years.
Sources: ESPN Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Lakers Acquire Shot-Blocking Center Walker Kessler from Utah Jazz in $130M Sign-and-Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to acquire center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade worth $130 million over four years, per HoopsHype. Los Angeles sends unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler, seven-foot-two, averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds — including an NBA-leading 4.6 offensive rebounds — and 2.4 blocks per game in 2024-25, his last healthy season. The deal includes a player option on the fourth year and a full trade kicker. The Lakers also signed Quentin Grimes to four years and $60 million and Collin Sexton to two years and $19 million.
Houston Rockets Lock Up Tari Eason on Five-Year, $81.5 Million Guaranteed Deal
Restricted free agent Tari Eason has agreed to return to the Houston Rockets on a five-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $81.5 million, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The 6-foot-8 forward shot 35.8 percent from three-point range on 4.3 attempts per game last season and averaged double-digit scoring for a Houston team eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Eason opted not to sign an October extension and played out his season as a restricted free agent, netting more guaranteed money than the earlier talks offered. He will become the fifth-highest-paid player on Houston’s roster next season under the new pact.
Sources: ESPN Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Kyle Lowry to Sign One-Day Contract with Toronto Raptors, Closing Out 20-Season Career
Kyle Lowry will sign a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Toronto Raptors, ending his 20-season NBA career, according to HoopsHype and theScore. Toronto has scheduled a retirement press conference for July 7. Lowry spent eight seasons with the Raptors before closing out his playing days with the Philadelphia 76ers. He sits first in Raptors franchise history in both career assists with 4,277 and steals with 873, having averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game across 601 regular-season games in Toronto. A jersey retirement ceremony is considered likely to follow in the coming season.
Philadelphia 76ers Sign Anfernee Simons to Two-Year Deal as Offseason Overhaul Continues
One day after trading for Jaylen Brown, the Philadelphia 76ers agreed to a two-year, $12.3 million deal with free agent guard Anfernee Simons, with a player option in the second season, per ESPN and HoopsHype. Simons, who split last season between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics, averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across 55 appearances. He chose Philadelphia over the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat. Simons joins a revamped 76ers core featuring Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe as Philadelphia builds around its new superstar pairing in pursuit of a championship.
NBA California Classic Summer League Opens Today Ahead of Las Vegas Main Event in July
The 2026 NBA California Classic Summer League opened Friday in San Francisco and Sacramento, with the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings serving as dual hosts. The Warriors host games at Chase Center on July 3, 5, and 6, while the Salt Lake City Summer League tips off Saturday. The Las Vegas Summer League, featuring all 30 NBA teams, runs July 9 through 19 at Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus, with each team playing at least five games. A semifinal doubleheader is scheduled for July 18. All 76 Las Vegas games will air live on Prime Video or ESPN platforms.
2025-26 NBA Season — Completed Playoffs
Eastern Conference
New York Knicks — 2026 NBA Champions
Finals MVP: Jalen Brunson (45 pts, Game 5)
Knicks def. Spurs 4–1 in the Finals
Western Conference
San Antonio Spurs — Conference Champions
Every Finals game decided by 5 points or fewer
Free agency is now underway — 2026-27 rosters forming
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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