Samwise NBA Newsletter
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
LeBron James Officially Leaves Los Angeles Lakers After Eight Seasons
LeBron James will not return to the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent Rich Paul confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday, ending James’s eight-year tenure in Los Angeles. James, 41, will enter free agency for the 2026-27 season — his record 24th year in the NBA — after informing the team of his decision on the first day of free agency. The Golden State Warriors are listed as frontrunners at -500 odds on DraftKings, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers at +300 and the Miami Heat at +1000. James previously spent eight seasons with the Lakers, winning the 2020 NBA championship with the franchise.
Sources: CBS Sports Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Warriors Orchestrate Bold Pursuit of LeBron James and Anthony Davis
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option Monday, clearing cap flexibility for the franchise to pursue LeBron James in free agency and Anthony Davis via trade, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. Green’s decision was coordinated with the organization, which is expected to offer him a longer-term deal at a lower annual salary once its roster moves are finalized. Golden State’s pitch to James centers on reuniting him with Davis and pairing both with Stephen Curry and head coach Steve Kerr. Green is expected to ultimately re-sign with the Warriors regardless of how the James and Davis pursuits conclude.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Kawhi Leonard Returns to Toronto Raptors in Trade from Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers agreed to trade Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), a 2027 first-round pick swap, and second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, ESPN reported. Leonard, who averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over 65 games in Los Angeles last season, has one year remaining on his contract at $50.3 million. He previously won the 2019 NBA Finals MVP with Toronto. CBS Sports awarded the Clippers an A+ grade for the deal, calling it a masterful pivot for the franchise moving forward.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Memphis Grizzlies Trade Ja Morant to Portland Trail Blazers
The Memphis Grizzlies traded former All-Star guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday. Morant, 26, played just 20 games in 2025-26, posting 19.5 points while shooting career lows of 41.0 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from three-point range. The deal completes Memphis’s roster teardown, which also included trading Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Portland’s backcourt now features Morant alongside Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, who returned to the franchise on a three-year deal after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Charlotte Hornets Trade LaMelo Ball to Minnesota Timberwolves
The Charlotte Hornets traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, Josh Green, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029, and 2030, and second-round picks in 2029, 2032, and 2033, NBA.com confirmed. Ball, who averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists over 72 games last season, intends to sign a five-year, $112 million contract with Minnesota. Ball will pair with Anthony Edwards in one of the Western Conference’s most dynamic backcourts. The Wolves dealt All-Star forward Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a separate three-team deal days earlier.
Sources: NBA.com Sports Illustrated Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Austin Reaves Signs Historic $185 Million Max Deal to Stay with Lakers
Austin Reaves agreed to a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers, representing the largest deal ever signed by an undrafted free agent in NBA history, CBS Sports reported Wednesday. The contract includes a player option in the final year, covering through the 2029-30 season. Reaves entered the league undrafted in 2021, signing with Los Angeles as a two-way player before developing into a reliable starting-caliber guard. The deal gives the Lakers a cornerstone as the franchise navigates the departure of LeBron James and begins reshaping its roster for the 2026-27 season and beyond.
Sources: CBS Sports NBA.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Jalen Duren Pursues Sign-and-Trade Away from Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons restricted free agent Jalen Duren is angling for a sign-and-trade to either the Sacramento Kings or Los Angeles Lakers after expressing disappointment with the team’s initial contract offer, ESPN reported Wednesday. Duren, a Third-Team All-NBA center, is seeking a contract worth approximately $40 million annually. The Pistons have maintained they will match any offer sheet he signs and are not interested in facilitating a trade. A Kings scenario would likely involve three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis heading to Detroit. The Lakers also gained cap flexibility after LeBron James informed the franchise he will seek a new team in 2026-27.
James Harden Declines Option with Clippers, Negotiating New Deal with Cavaliers
James Harden declined his $42.3 million player option with the Los Angeles Clippers and is negotiating a new contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports reported. The expected two-year agreement would help Cleveland manage its salary position by placing the team below the second apron threshold. Harden, 36, played for the Clippers last season. The Cavaliers were swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks during the 2026 playoffs, and the front office is working to restructure its roster around greater cap flexibility to remain competitive in 2026-27.
Sources: Yahoo Sports CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
2025–26 NBA Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
First Round: Knicks def. Hawks 4–2
Semifinals: Knicks def. 76ers 4–0
Conf. Finals: Knicks def. Cavaliers 4–0
Western Conference
Conf. Finals: Spurs def. Thunder 4–3
🏆 NBA Finals
New York Knicks def. San Antonio Spurs 4–1
Finals MVP: Jalen Brunson — Knicks’ first title since 1973
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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