Samwise NBA Newsletter
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Blockbuster Offseason Trades Made Official as NBA Moratorium Lifts
The NBA's moratorium period ended Monday, officially completing a wave of blockbuster transactions. Most notably, Giannis Antetokounmpo is now a member of the Miami Heat, with Milwaukee receiving Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and a package of draft picks. The Charlotte Hornets' trade of LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and draft picks also became official, as did the Memphis Grizzlies' deal sending Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. The moratorium's end transformed weeks of verbal agreements into official NBA transactions.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Kawhi Leonard's Return to Toronto Put on Hold as NBA Investigates Clippers
The Toronto Raptors' trade for Kawhi Leonard remains in limbo as the NBA's investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers continues. The deal, which would send Leonard back to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple draft picks, cannot be finalized until the league completes its probe into whether the Clippers paid Leonard impermissible benefits through a reported $28 million endorsement arrangement with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt financial company. Toronto had hoped the investigation would be resolved by Tuesday's NBA Board of Governors meeting. The Clippers denied any wrongdoing, saying they were victims of fraud by Aspiration's co-founder.
Sources: ESPN, The Score, Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
LeBron James Enters Decision Phase; Cavaliers Lead as Preferred Destination
LeBron James is expected to announce his next team soon, with NBA insiders calling this decision time for the 21-year veteran following his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers. James, entering his 24th NBA season, has had agent Rich Paul speak with more than two dozen teams. Consensus among rival team executives at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas points toward the Cleveland Cavaliers as the likely landing spot, though the Golden State Warriors are described as a stronger consideration than previously reported. The Miami Heat is also in the running. James has reportedly gathered all the information he needs to make his final decision.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Wembanyama Commits to San Antonio: Signs Five-Year, $252 Million Max Extension
San Antonio Spurs cornerstone Victor Wembanyama signed a five-year, $252 million rookie-scale maximum extension, committing his future to the franchise that drafted him first overall. Wembanyama chose the 25-percent maximum salary option rather than pursuing the 30-percent supermax escalator worth approximately $50 million more. The deal makes him the third-largest rookie extension recipient in NBA history, behind Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley, who each signed $269 million extensions. Wembanyama, the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in 2025-26 who led San Antonio to the NBA Finals before losing to the New York Knicks, posted on social media: "Spurs family, I'm here to stay. Whatever it takes."
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports, The Score Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Ja Morant on Joining Trail Blazers: 'Like Starting All Over Again'
Ja Morant broke his silence on being traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Portland Trail Blazers, calling the move like starting all over again. The 26-year-old point guard, in the fourth year of a five-year, $197 million extension, was sent to Portland in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray as Memphis continues rebuilding following its first-round sweep by Oklahoma City. Morant has played just 79 games over the last three seasons due to injuries and suspensions. Portland now pairs him with Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard — who returned on a three-year deal after being waived by Milwaukee — alongside Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
Brown Heads to Philadelphia, George Joins Celtics in Blockbuster Swap
The Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George and four draft picks — two firsts and two seconds. Brown, who averaged a career-high 28.7 points per game last season with Jayson Tatum sidelined, heads to Philadelphia as Boston turns a new chapter. George, a nine-time All-Star, is set to make $54.1 million this season and holds a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28, compared to Brown's $57 million salary this year. The Celtics had initially attempted to swap Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Milwaukee chose Miami, prompting Boston to pivot toward the 76ers deal.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Hornets Front Office: LaMelo Ball Trade Positions Charlotte to 'Compete for Championships'
Charlotte Hornets management defended the decision to trade franchise star LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves, saying the move positions the team to compete for championships. Charlotte sent Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota in exchange for Naz Reid and a package including a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030, and three second-rounders. Ball, who starred for a Charlotte team that won 44 games last season and reached the Play-In Tournament, will team up with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota. The Hornets are now rebuilding through the draft haul rather than remaining a fringe playoff contender.
Summer League Day 5: Hawks, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers Dominant in Las Vegas
Monday's NBA Summer League action in Las Vegas featured dominant performances across multiple games. The Atlanta Hawks improved to 3-0 with a 102-90 victory over the Boston Celtics, as guard Kobe Johnson led with 30 points and four three-pointers. The Cleveland Cavaliers got a standout game from second-round pick Meleek Thomas, who scored 35 points on 14-for-23 shooting — including 5-for-9 from three-point range — in a 90-73 win over the Miami Heat. The Portland Trail Blazers routed the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-84, and the Utah Jazz defeated the Chicago Bulls 80-63, with Jonas Aidoo contributing 15 points and 11 rebounds.
2025-26 Season Summary
NBA Champions
🏆 New York Knicks
def. San Antonio Spurs 4–1
Finals MVP: Jalen Brunson (32.6 PPG)
First title since 1973
Final Regular Season Seeds
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons — 60-22
2. Boston Celtics — 56-26
3. New York Knicks — 53-29
4. Cleveland Cavaliers — 52-30
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder — 64 wins
2. San Antonio Spurs — 62 wins
Curated by JD · samwise.agency