Samwise NBA Newsletter
Thursday, July 23, 2026
LeBron James Leaves Lakers, Agent Details Finalist List as Decision Stretches Past Three Weeks
LeBron James, who informed the Los Angeles Lakers in late June that he would play elsewhere, has yet to commit to a new team after more than three weeks in free agency. Agent Rich Paul detailed the 41-year-old superstar’s realistic options on a whiteboard displayed during a podcast, identifying the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets among the finalists. A widely held theory in league circles, reported by HoopsHype, holds that James is deliberately slowing his decision to see whether one of his suitor franchises can first acquire either Kyrie Irving or Anthony Davis. The Cavaliers are currently viewed as the leading candidate.
Sources: HoopsHype, Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Washington Wizards Plan Anthony Davis Extension Talks Before August 6 Deadline as Trade Rumors Swirl
The Washington Wizards plan to open extension discussions with center Anthony Davis, who becomes extension-eligible on August 6, according to HoopsHype. The 33-year-old, 10-time All-Star has been working out at the Wizards’ practice facility, and general manager Will Dawkins publicly stated the team is not interested in trading him. The Golden State Warriors have reportedly inquired about acquiring Davis via trade but have been rebuffed by Washington. Some league observers believe the Wizards’ stance may be a smokescreen, particularly given the persistent theory that LeBron James is delaying his free agency decision partly to monitor whether any suitor franchise can first land Davis.
Sources: HoopsHype, HoopsHype Intel Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Lakers-Hawks Jonathan Kuminga Sign-and-Trade Talks Stall Over Vanderbilt Salary Demand
Sign-and-trade negotiations between the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks for Jonathan Kuminga have stalled, with Atlanta resistant to accepting a package that includes Jarred Vanderbilt. HoopsHype reports the Hawks are hesitant to absorb Vanderbilt’s $13.29 million salary, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. The two sides remain far apart on overall compensation, with Kuminga reportedly seeking at least $20 million annually on a three-season minimum commitment that the Lakers are uncertain they want to make. The 24-year-old spent his first five NBA seasons with the Golden State Warriors and is one of the top unrestricted forwards available this summer.
Sources: HoopsHype, HoopsHype Intel Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Bennedict Mathurin Draws Multiple Sign-and-Trade Offers; Clippers Weigh Options Amid Kawhi Probe
Restricted free agent guard Bennedict Mathurin has drawn sign-and-trade interest from multiple teams following a career-high 17.6-point scoring average last season for the Los Angeles Clippers, according to HoopsHype. The Clippers remain interested in re-signing the 24-year-old swingman but are proceeding cautiously given the ongoing NBA investigation into Kawhi Leonard’s alleged salary cap circumvention with the franchise. The probe has left the organization hesitant to finalize major roster moves until the league’s findings are released. Mathurin’s restricted free agent status gives the Clippers the right to match any offer sheet, but the uncertainty surrounding the Leonard investigation adds unusual complexity to the situation.
Sources: HoopsHype, HoopsHype Intel Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Kawhi Leonard Clippers-to-Raptors Trade Remains on Hold as NBA Investigation Widens in Scope
The Los Angeles Clippers’ expected trade sending Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors remains frozen pending the NBA’s investigation into alleged salary cap violations, according to ESPN. The deal, reportedly agreed to on June 30, cannot be completed until the league concludes its inquiry, which examines whether the Clippers arranged undisclosed compensation for Leonard through a sponsorship deal with Aspiration, covered his expenses without reimbursement, and whether a previously unreported second endorsement arrangement also violated league rules. Commissioner Adam Silver has stated the investigation must conclude before next season. The ongoing probe has complicated the Clippers’ entire offseason as their front office navigates major decisions under significant uncertainty.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Stephen Curry Becomes First Active NBA Player With Dedicated Hall of Fame Exhibit
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will debut a dedicated Stephen Curry exhibit on July 24, breaking a nearly 75-year tradition of reserving individual galleries for retired players. The exhibit, titled ‘Curry: Beyond the Arc,’ marks the first time in the institution’s history that an active NBA player has received a solo dedicated feature experience. Curry, a four-time NBA champion, two-time MVP, and the all-time leader in three-pointers, will be honored in a new iteration of the Hall’s flagship Vault gallery in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Hall of Fame cited his transformative impact on the sport as the basis for breaking with longstanding policy.
Sources: NBA.com, Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Jalen Duren Restricted Free Agency Standoff With Pistons Expected to Extend Into August
All-Star center Jalen Duren’s restricted free agency negotiations with the Detroit Pistons remain at a standstill more than three weeks after free agency opened, with sources indicating the impasse could extend into August. Duren, who earned All-NBA Third Team honors last season at age 22, is seeking a maximum contract while the Pistons have contested that valuation. Reports indicate the sides have made only modest progress, and Duren has signaled a willingness to accept his qualifying offer as leverage if an agreement cannot be reached. The Pistons have rejected the possibility of a sign-and-trade, according to Yahoo Sports, leaving both sides in a protracted negotiation with no resolution imminent.
Sources: Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Miles Bridges Lands in Phoenix as Suns Reshape Roster in Active Offseason
The Phoenix Suns acquired swingman Miles Bridges from the Charlotte Hornets in a deal that sends Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick to Charlotte, according to HoopsHype. The trade is the fourth transaction between the two franchises since January 2025 and reflects strong ties between Suns owner Mat Ishbia and Bridges, both of whom have Michigan State connections. Bridges, 28, provides Phoenix with a physical, versatile defender and scorer coming off an injury-shortened 2025-26 campaign. The Suns finished sixth in the Western Conference last season and are continuing to reshape their roster in pursuit of a deeper playoff run in 2026-27.
Sources: HoopsHype Intel Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Eastern Conference
2025-26 Final Standings
1. Boston Celtics — 58-22
2. Philadelphia 76ers — 54-26
3. Milwaukee Bucks — 52-28
4. New York Knicks — 51-29 🏆
5. Miami Heat — 45-35
6. Orlando Magic — 45-35
7. Toronto Raptors — 44-36
8. Indiana Pacers — 43-37
9. Chicago Bulls — 43-37
10. Charlotte Hornets — 41-39
11. Detroit Pistons — 31-49
12. Washington Wizards — 31-49
13. Cleveland Cavaliers — 20-60
14. Brooklyn Nets — 19-61
15. Atlanta Hawks — 17-63
Western Conference
2025-26 Final Standings
1. Oklahoma City Thunder — 64-16
2. San Antonio Spurs — 61-19
3. Denver Nuggets — 52-28
4. Los Angeles Lakers — 51-29
5. Golden State Warriors — 51-29
6. Phoenix Suns — 47-33
7. New Orleans Pelicans — 44-36
8. Sacramento Kings — 41-39
9. Utah Jazz — 40-40
10. Houston Rockets — 37-43
11. Portland Trail Blazers — 26-54
12. Los Angeles Clippers — 25-55
13. Memphis Grizzlies — 25-55
14. Dallas Mavericks — 21-59
15. Minnesota Timberwolves — 21-59
Curated by JD · samwise.agency