Samwise NBA Newsletter
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Heat Accidentally Post LeBron ‘Introductory Press Conference’ Video, Quickly Remove It
Miami Heat social media staff accidentally posted a video titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference” to the team’s official YouTube channel Tuesday night, set for July 27, sparking immediate speculation. The Heat quickly removed it, with a spokesperson telling the Miami Herald the clip was “mistakenly made public” as a contingency plan. Agent Rich Paul said on his podcast Monday morning that LeBron “won’t be rushed” into a decision and told interested teams to fill their rosters rather than wait. James, who departed the Lakers after eight seasons, has not yet signed with a new team. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers are considered the primary contenders.
Sources: Yahoo Sports Hoops Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Warriors Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg Named Summer League MVP as Golden State Wins Title
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg was named 2026 NBA Summer League MVP on Tuesday after leading Golden State to the Las Vegas championship. The No. 11 overall pick averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and four assists per game across the tournament. In the title game against Memphis, he scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, earning Championship Game MVP honors as well. Lendeborg acknowledged a playful college rivalry with Draymond Green — Michigan versus Michigan State — but said he hoped Green approves of his play. The Warriors won their first Summer League championship, and Lendeborg is expected to compete for immediate minutes in Golden State’s rotation.
Dwane Casey in Contention to Coach NBA Europe’s BC Roma Franchise
Former NBA head coach Dwane Casey has emerged as a candidate to lead BC Roma SPQR, one of the franchises bidding for the NBA Europe league launching in 2027-28, according to Marc Stein. BC Roma was co-founded by former Dallas Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson and Lakers star Luka Doncic. Casey, 69, coached the Detroit Pistons from 2018 to 2023 before transitioning to a special adviser role under owner Tom Gores. He previously served as a Dallas assistant under Nelson from 2008 to 2011. Commissioner Adam Silver noted the NBA has received “tremendous interest” from multiple European cities as the Board of Governors works toward selecting franchise recipients.
Sources: Hoops Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Lakers Sign Arthur Kaluma to Two-Way Deal After Standout Summer League
The Los Angeles Lakers officially signed 24-year-old forward Arthur Kaluma to a two-way contract Tuesday, capitalizing on his Las Vegas Summer League performance. Kaluma, undrafted out of Texas in 2025, averaged 18.6 points per game on 60.9 percent shooting across five Summer League games, helping Los Angeles go 4-1. He spent the 2025-26 season in the Lakers’ G League affiliate, averaging 13.8 points on 55.2 percent shooting in 40 games. To clear a roster spot, the Lakers waived guard Peter Suder from his two-way deal. Kaluma drew interest from multiple teams after his Summer League showing, making the signing a priority for the Lakers’ front office.
Sources: Hoops Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Heat Have Two Open Roster Spots, LeBron Remains Top Priority With DeRozan as Backup
The Miami Heat have two roster spots remaining with 12 players on standard contracts, and president Pat Riley is prioritizing a playmaker, a three-point shooter, and a big man. LeBron James remains the top target for the playmaker role, with DeMar DeRozan as a potential alternative. A reported Lakers pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga faces a significant gap: Kuminga is seeking close to $20 million per year while Los Angeles could offer roughly $10 million without a sign-and-trade involving Atlanta. Former Thunder lottery pick Aleksej Pokusevski is also re-entering the market after parting ways with Serbian club Partizan, where he averaged 3.7 points in EuroLeague play last season.
Sources: Hoops Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Blazers’ Yang Hansen Uses Chinese Social Media Backlash as Fuel Heading Into Year Two
Portland Trail Blazers forward Yang Hansen said he has turned harsh Chinese social media criticism following a difficult rookie season into motivation for 2026-27. Hansen, the No. 16 pick in 2025, appeared in 43 NBA games as a rookie while averaging 7.0 minutes per game and shooting 31 percent from the field, drawing accusations of laziness online at home. He showed improvement at Summer League, averaging 13 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists across four games. Hansen said he has dropped weight, feels faster, and expects to benefit playing under new head coach Micah Nori alongside a recovering Damian Lillard, who is working back from an Achilles tear.
Sources: Hoops Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Knicks’ Brunson Needs Cast 6+ More Weeks After Wrist Surgery, Activity Restricted Into September
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson will need a cast for at least six more weeks following wrist surgery, a potentially significant concern for the 2026 NBA Finals MVP heading into training camp. The issue involves soft tissue that was causing a tendon to flip and snap over the bone every time Brunson attempted to shoot or flick his wrist. The Knicks won their first championship since 1973 in June with Brunson earning Finals MVP honors. The surgery and extended recovery timeline place his return to full basketball activities in early September at the earliest, leaving the team’s preparation window narrower than expected ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Sources: Hoops Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Kings’ No. 7 Pick Darius Acuff Jr. Struggles at Summer League With 19 Turnovers in 5 Games
Sacramento Kings first-round pick Darius Acuff Jr. struggled at Las Vegas Summer League, shooting 35 percent from the field and 27 percent from three-point range while committing 19 turnovers across five games. The No. 7 overall selection from Tennessee was labeled “the loudest of the rookie lottery guards struggling” by a Western Conference scout who observed the tournament. Acuff posted 23 assists, highlighting his playmaking potential, but the turnover rate and shooting inefficiency raised early questions about his NBA readiness. The Kings, who selected Acuff with the seventh pick, are expected to develop him gradually as Sacramento looks to build on its 43-39 regular season and second consecutive playoff appearance.
Sources: Hoops Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
2025-26 NBA Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
First Round:
Knicks def. Hawks — 4-2
76ers def. Celtics — 4-3 (came back 1-3)
Cavaliers def. Raptors — 4-2
Pistons def. Magic — 4-3 (came back 1-3)
Semifinals:
Knicks def. Pistons
76ers def. Cavaliers
ECF: Knicks def. 76ers — 4-0
Western Conference
First Round:
OKC def. Suns — 4-0
Lakers def. Rockets — 4-2
Spurs def. Blazers
Timberwolves def. Nuggets
Semifinals:
OKC def. Lakers
Spurs def. Timberwolves
WCF: Spurs def. OKC — 4-3 (G7: 111-103)
🏆 NBA FINALS: New York Knicks def. San Antonio Spurs 4-1 — Jalen Brunson Finals MVP 🏆
First Knicks title since 1973