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Kings To Add D.J. Ham To Coaching Staff

August 3rd, 2025 at 6:14pm CST by Eli Cohen

The Kings are adding D.J. Ham to their coaching staff, reports James Ham (no relation) of The Kings Beat (Twitter link). D.J. Ham will serve as the head of player development under head coach Doug Christie.

The Kings had previously announced Paul Jesperson as the head of player development for the 2025/26 season, but he stepped away from the team last month, per James Ham, so the team is making a new hire for that position.

D.J. Ham previously served as a player development coach and video assistant for the Cavaliers after spending two seasons as an assistant with the Cavaliers’ G League team, the Cleveland Charge. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Northwood University, his alma mater.

Ham is the son of former Lakers’ head coach Darvin Ham, who is currently an assistant coach for the Bucks.

Stein’s Latest: Kuminga, Doncic, Vucevic, Fox, Love

August 3rd, 2025 at 5:00pm CST by Eli Cohen

Jonathan Kuminga‘s restricted free agent negotiations with the Warriors continue to be one of the top lingering storylines of the NBA offseason. Following up on recent reports indicating that Kuminga has turned down a two-year, $45MM offer with a team option on the second year, Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link) notes that the team’s request for the forward to waive his implicit no-trade clause is part of the holdup.

A player who re-signs with his previous team on a one-year contract or a two-year deal with a second-year option gets the right to veto trades for the rest of the season, but that right can be waived as part of the contract agreement. Jaxson Hayes, Taurean Prince, and Jeff Green are among several players who have waived their veto rights when re-signing with their respective teams this summer.

A player in that position who consents to a trade – either by waiving his veto rights when he signs or by eventually approving an in-season trade – would lose any form of Bird rights as part of the deal and would have Non-Bird rights at the end of the season.

Aside from the contract negotiations, Stein writes that while Kuminga has returned to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he is still not expected to play in FIBA’s AfroBasket tournament this summer. No official decision has been announced yet, but it’s unlikely that Kuminga would suit up for the Congolese team if his contract situation remains unresolved.

Here’s more from Stein:

Much has been made about Luka Doncic‘s three-year max extension with the Lakers and what it means for him and the team’s future, but Stein points out an important detail regarding the timeline of the deal. The contract would allow Doncic to become an unrestricted free agent in 2028 when he has more than eight years of NBA service and four seasons with his current team, which means he would be eligible for a no-trade clause if he were to wait until ’28 free agency to sign a new contract with the Lakers. Stein writes that while Doncic will have technically played three-and-a-half years with the Lakers, he’d still meet the no-trade criteria because he would have finished four seasons with the Lakers, even if he started the first one in Dallas.
While the offseason buyout market has been particularly active this offseason, Stein cautions fans not to expect Bulls center Nikola Vucevic to join the likes of Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard this summer. He writes that unless a trade materializes in the next couple of months, Vucevic will very likely begin next season in Chicago. There has been speculation that the veteran big man could be a prime mid-season buyout candidate if no deal occurs by February’s trade deadline.
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox became eligible on Sunday for a three- or four-year extension that would look like the one Doncic signed in L.A. However, Stein notes that with the rise of reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and the addition of Dylan Harper with the No. 2 overall pick, there are questions league-wide about whether such a max deal is an automatic decision for San Antonio.
Kevin Love is actively exploring landing spots in the case of a potential buyout from the Jazz after landing in Utah as a part of the Heat’s trade for Norman Powell, though Stein doesn’t name any possible suitors.

Lakers Notes: Cap Room, Luka, LeBron, Preseason

August 3rd, 2025 at 3:54pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Even after signing Luka Doncic to a maximum-salary extension, the Lakers are in position carve out maximum cap space for the 2027 offseason, with multiple superstars in position to reach free agency at that time, writes Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link).

Doncic signed a three-year, maximum contract extension on Saturday that could pay him up to $165MM. While Doncic qualified for a five-year, $335.9MM super-max extension as a Maverick, he lost that privilege upon being traded to Los Angeles. His shorter-term deal will enable him to potentially reach free agency in 2028. With 10 years of NBA service at that time, he will qualify for a maximum deal worth 35% of the NBA’s salary cap (up from 30%).

Gozlan observes that Los Angeles could also have significant cap room in 2026. Even if L.A. gives impending guard Austin Reaves a massive raise next offseason and both Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart pick up their 2026/27 player options, the team will still be able to reach $30MM in available space.

But because there is no superstar-level talent expected to hit free agency next summer, 2027 has been viewed as the Lakers’ target date to maximize their cap flexibility. Both Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo could reach free agency that summer, when they would figure to earn maximum annual deals in the $60MM range.

There’s more out of Los Angeles:

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin answers some lingering questions for the Lakers in the wake of their new deal with Doncic, including addressing their expectations for the upcoming season. McMenamin indicates that Doncic and L.A. both think the current club can realistically compete for a title in 2026. The team has augmented its 50-win 2024/25 core by adding free agents Ayton, Smart and sharpshooting forward Jake LaRavia this summer.
With the Lakers seemingly going all-in on the 26-year-old Doncic, Dylan Hernández of The Los Angeles Times wonders how invested L.A. is in the future of 40-year-old All-NBA forward LeBron James.
The Lakers’ full six-game preseason slate has been revealed, per Khobi Price of The Orange County Register (Twitter link). Los Angeles will tip off against Pacific Division nemeses the Suns and Warriors twice between October 3-14, before wrapping up with a game apiece against the Mavericks and Kings.

Latest On NBA’s Potential European League

August 3rd, 2025 at 12:12pm CST by Rory Maher

The NBA continues to explore creating a new European league, including leadership meetings with potential teams, stakeholders and investors over the past week.

According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, commissioner Adam Silver, deputy commissioner Mark Tatum and the NBA’s European and Middle East director George Aivazoglou met with Real Madrid on Thursday in Paris about the possibility of the Spanish powerhouse joining the proposed league.

As Vardon writes, Real Madrid currently has a guaranteed spot in the EuroLeague, but its license expires in 2026. Sources tell Vardon that if Real Madrid decides to join the NBA’s new venture, other EuroLeague teams are considered likely to follow.

Real Madrid is the most decorated EuroLeague team in history. Dating back to when the competition was known as the FIBA European Champions Cup, the Spanish club has racked up 11 championships and made the finals a total of 21 times — both league records.

In addition to Real Madrid, Barcelona (Spain), ASVEL Basket (France) and reigning champion Fenerbahce (Turkey) are viewed as EuroLeague teams that might defect to the NBA’s new league, Vardon reports.

Silver and other top NBA executives have met with Alba Berlin as well, Vardon adds. The German club previously competed in the EuroLeague but will be in the Basketball Champions League for 2025/26.

Sources tell Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal that the NBA is “all-in” on the new European league in part because it thinks “EuroLeague franchises are not being run as high-end businesses and have untapped commercial upside” (hat tip to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports).

According to Friend, the NBA is seeking between $500MM and $1B in licensing fees from prospective teams. While some sources have expressed skepticism that the NBA will be able to extract that high a fee, others are more bullish on the league’s chances.

“Look, the FC Barcelonas and the PSGs and the Manchester Citys, they can do [between $500M and $1B],” one source briefed on the NBA’s plan told Friend.

Daniss Jenkins Re-Signs With Pistons On Two-Way Deal

August 3rd, 2025 at 10:25am CST by Rory Maher

Guard Daniss Jenkins has re-signed with the Pistons on a two-way contract, according to the official transactions log at NBA.com.

The news was first reported by Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link).

Detroit made Jenkins a restricted free agent at the end of June when it tendered him a two-way qualifying offer, which is equivalent to a one-year, two-way deal, with a small portion ($85,300) guaranteed. Jenkins may simply have accepted the QO.

The 6’3″ guard had a well-traveled run through college, playing for the Pacific Tigers, the Iona Gaels and the St. John’s Red Storm. He signed a two-way contract with the Pistons last summer after going undrafted.

While Jenkins’ NBA contributions during his rookie season were very limited – seven appearances for 23 total minutes – he played a significant role with the Pistons’ G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, averaging 18.5 points, 6.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 47 games (35.7 minutes per contest). He posted a shooting line of .427/.331/.768 with the Cruise.

In five games during the Las Vegas Summer League last month, Jenkins thrived, averaging 14.0 PPG, 5.4 APG, 2.6 RPG and 1.0 SPG on .449/.421/.783 shooting in just 22.6 MPG.

Jenkins, who was named to the All-NBA G League Rookie Team in 2024/25, will turn 24 years old in a couple weeks. As our tracker shows, he will fill Detroit’s third and final two-way spot, joining Tolu Smith and Colby Jones.

Jenkins will earn $636,435 in 2025/26, half of the rookie minimum, if he remains under contract through the league-wide guarantee date in January. He is eligible to appear in up to 50 games for the Pistons.

Cavs’ Darius Garland Feels ‘Great’ Following Toe Surgery

August 3rd, 2025 at 9:51am CST by Rory Maher

Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland hosted his first annual celebrity softball game on Saturday, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required). While the two-time All-Star was unable to participate in the festivities beyond taking a few swings in the batting cage and throwing out the first pitch, he provided an encouraging health update.

“I feel great. The recovery process is going well. But I’m here for my foundation,” Garland said. “I’m here to spread some positivity around the city of Cleveland and trying to have a good time. I always loved baseball, so I tried to make it a little bit competitive and kind of friendly as well.

“It’s my first one, so I’m kind of nervous, but I hope it’s going to be really cool and everybody really enjoys themselves.”

Garland, who made his second All-Star team last season, underwent surgery in June to repair the left great toe injury that hampered him in the postseason. He’s expected to miss some time to start the 2025/26 season.

Garland’s name has popped up in trade rumors for the second straight offseason, though things have quieted down considerably of late. The Kings and Suns were reportedly among the teams that expressed interest in the 25-year-old.

According to Fedor, seven members of the Cavaliers — including Garland — were present at the event, with the others being Evan Mobley, Jaylon Tyson, Max Strus, head coach Kenny Atkinson, president of basketball operations Koby Altman, and executive Grant Gilbert. Free agent center Tristan Thompson, who has spent the past two years with Cleveland, also participated.

“This city has embraced me since day one, and this event is a way to give that love back,” Garland said, per Fedor. “It’s more than just a game — it’s a celebration with purpose, supporting the work we’re doing through the Darius Garland Foundation to uplift and empower others in a meaningful way.”

Richaun Holmes Weighing Panathinaikos Offer, Hoping To Stay In NBA?

August 3rd, 2025 at 8:44am CST by Rory Maher

Free agent center Richaun Holmes was waived by the Wizards on July 14. At the end of July, reports indicated that his representatives were talking to Turkish club Fenerbahce, the reigning EuroLeague champions.

Evidently the talks with Fenerbahce weren’t fruitful, but Stavros Barbarousis of Eurohoops.net hears that Holmes now has a two-year offer on the table from 2024 EuroLeague champion Panathinaikos.

As Barbarousis explains, Holmes is reportedly still holding out hope of landing a guaranteed NBA contract. If that doesn’t happen in the near future, he’s expected to sign with the Greek powerhouse, which made an unsuccessful run at Jonas Valanciunas earlier this offseason.

The 37th pick of the 2015 draft after starring in college at Bowling Green, Holmes has spent the past 10 years in the NBA, suiting up for Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, Dallas and Washington. His most productive season was 2020/21, when he averaged 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 blocks in 29.2 minutes per game across 61 appearances for the Kings.

Holmes, who will turn 32 years old in October, holds career averages of 8.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 0.9 BPG in 19.1 MPG (489 games, including 178 starts). He averaged 7.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 0.7 BPG in 31 games for the Wizards in ’24/25 (17.2 MPG).

Khem Birch Signs One-Year Extension With Fenerbahce

August 3rd, 2025 at 8:35am CST by Eli Cohen

August 3: Birch’s one-year extension with Fenerbahce — which covers the 2025/26 season — is now official, according to a team press release.

August 1: Veteran center Khem Birch is nearing a contract extension with EuroLeague champions Fenerbahce Istanbul, reports Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. Urbonas indicates that the deal would at least lock up Birch for next season, though it’s unclear if it would extend beyond that.

Birch was named the Turkish League Finals MVP this season after averaging 11.2 points and 5,2 rebounds per game during the Finals. He averaged 3.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per night throughout EuroLeague play. BasketNews named him one of the best defenders in the EuroLeague.

After starting his career with Olympiacos in the Greek league, Birch played six seasons in the NBA, splitting his time between the Magic and the Raptors. He then returned overseas and has been playing in Europe since the 2023/24 season.

The Fenerbahce roster is loaded with players who have spent time in the NBA, including Nicolo Melli, Onuralp Bitim, Bonzie Colson, Devon Hall, and Wade Baldwin IV. The Turkish team will look to defend its domestic and EuroLeague titles this coming season.

Northwest Notes: Holiday, Jokic, Shannon, Westbrook

August 2nd, 2025 at 11:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Jrue Holiday is ready to fill the role of veteran leader for the Trail Blazers, even if it means being a “jerk” sometimes, writes Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. That was his joking term for Andre Iguodala, who had a strong influence on Holiday during his rookie season in Philadelphia. Holiday adds that he didn’t understand Iguodala’s constant chiding at the time, but it helped him become a better NBA player.

“I know when I was younger and first coming in, I had vets,” he said. “But I tried not to look at them as vets, more just kind of like study everything around me. And even though I’m at this age now, I feel like I still try to do the same thing, even though guys might be younger and I might not like the same type of music or we might not be into the same thing. But I also feel like that’s what makes us a team — finding commonality and be able to mesh over that and then kind of translate to the court.”

Portland acquired Holiday from Boston last month — and took on the hefty contract that pays him $104.4MM over the next three years — to provide leadership for an otherwise young team. He said his desire to win hasn’t lessened at all, even after 16 NBA seasons and two championships.

“Honestly, I can just be me,” Holiday said. “I don’t really know how to do anything else. So come here and just be the person that I’ve always been, and, again, try to not just help out as much as possible, but to try to win.”

There’s more from the Northwest Division:

There have been suggestions that Nikola Jokic‘s passion for training racehorses might cause him to leave the NBA early, but Troy Renck of The Denver Post predicts it will have the opposite effect. The Nuggets center was overcome with emotion after one of his horses won a race last weekend (Twitter video link), becoming more demonstrative than when he led his team to the NBA title in 2023. However, Renck points out that there’s not much money in Serbian horse racing and states that Jokic will likely keep playing as long as he can to help finance his stable.
Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. has signed with Octagon Basketball, the agency announced (via Twitter). Shannon was a first-team All-Summer League selection last month.
Russell Westbrook remains on the free agent market, but a reunion with the Thunder is unlikely, according to Rylan Stiles of Sports Illustrated. He points out that even though Westbrook is still a beloved figure in Oklahoma City, the team already has a full roster with 15 guaranteed contracts and the former MVP doesn’t fit the Thunder’s current style of play.

Damian Lillard To Serve As GM For Weber State Basketball

August 2nd, 2025 at 8:40pm CST by Arthur Hill

Damian Lillard is the latest NBA player to take a management role with his alma mater, announcing Saturday that he will become the new general manager for the Weber State men’s basketball program (Twitter video link).

Lillard was on hand for the school’s annual Basketball Alumni Classic, according to Brett Hein of The Ogden Standard-Examiner. After signing autographs for about 90 minutes, he addressed the crowd with the news of his continuing relationship with the university.

“It’s something that, my relationship with coach (Eric) Duft and this program means a lot to me, and seeing the success of the program means a lot to me,” Lillard said. “I feel like I can do a lot to help the program be successful, to help the players even individually continue to grow their careers past college, that’s something that I’m passionate about.”

Few details of the position were announced, but Lillard’s association should bring prestige to the program, which competes in the Big Sky Conference and is coming off a 12-22 season. WSU issued a press release stating that Lillard “will work closely with the coaching staff and athletic department leadership to provide insight, mentorship, and guidance, using his experience at the collegiate and professional levels to elevate the program.”

Lillard is one of the most accomplished players in Wildcats history, twice earning conference Player of the Year honors before declaring for the draft in 2012. He had 1,934 points and left school as the second-leading scorer in Weber State history and No. 5 all-time in the Big Sky Conference.

“All of the resources that I have, I’ve got an opportunity to be able to create for the program, while they’re in the program and even after the program, it’s something I’m excited about,” Lillard added. “I’m looking forward to doing that work, looking forward to continue to lift up the university, lift up the program. It’s going to be fun.”

The new arrangement with Weber State continues an eventful offseason for Lillard, who had his contract waived and stretched by Milwaukee after suffering a torn Achilles in the playoffs. He wound up returning to the Trail Blazers on a three-year deal.

Stephen Curry started the trend of active players helping to run college basketball programs in March when he became an assistant GM at Davidson. Since then, Trae Young (Oklahoma), Terance Mann (Florida State) and Patty Mills (Hawai’i) have accepted similar positions.