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Thunder Notes: Mitchell, New Arena, Two-Way Spot

July 20th, 2025 at 2:32pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell missed 46 contests during his 2024/25 rookie season due to toe surgery en route to an NBA title, but he’s putting a positive spin on his extended injury absence, per Mark Medina of Sportskeeda.

“I think it was a great learning experience for me,” Mitchell said. “It was my first major injury. So going through that and learning how to manage that and learning how to play in the NBA was a great first year for me. I learned a lot. I’m really excited for the future.”

Mitchell was selected with the No. 38 pick out of UC Santa Barbara last summer. In his 36 healthy contests, the 6’5″ shooting guard averaged 6.5 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.8 APG and 0.7 SPG across 16.6 MPG.

Head coach Mark Daigneault clearly has confidence in Mitchell’s upside. The 23-year-old was deployed in spot minutes during the postseason after being sidelined for over three months, suiting up for 12 contests as a deep-bench option.

“My first year being able to compete in the playoffs and learn what the playoffs really is was awesome for me,” Mitchell said. “It’ll help me become a better player and help me know where I can impact a game. Defensively, I can be really aggressive and pick up full court. Offensively, I can make simple plays and make the right play.”

There’s more out of Oklahoma City:

Oklahoma City mayor David Holt supplied a sneak peak at the Thunder‘s impending new homecourt, dubbed Oklahoma City New Arena, per OKC.gov. “The primary purpose of our new arena was to secure a long-term future with major league professional sports, and to keep us competitive for concerts, but there are secondary benefits as well,” Holt said. “One of those other benefits is the opportunity to raise the aesthetic bar in our downtown and to make an architectural statement.” According to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman (Twitter link), Holt indicated that the new locale will seat fewer people than the Thunder’s current home, the 18,203-capacity Paycom Center, with its capacity likely in the 17,000s.
The Thunder still have one two-way roster spot available as of this writing. Rylan Stiles of Oklahoma City Thunder On SI pitches five possible fits for the team’s last two-way player, including top non-rostered Summer League player Chris Youngblood, an undrafted rookie guard out of Alabama.
In case you missed it, Thunder center Chet Holmgren‘s new maximum-salaried contract extension does not include Rose Rule language, unlike the recently signed extension for All-Star wing Jalen Williams.

Lakers Waive Shake Milton

July 20th, 2025 at 12:52pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Lakers are waiving guard Shake Milton, per Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).

Milton’s $3MM salary for the 2025/26 season would have become guaranteed if he had remained under contract through Sunday. Charania notes that L.A. is carving out room below the first tax apron for forthcoming new addition Marcus Smart.

As Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (via Twitter), the move now puts Los Angeles $3.9MM below the league’s first luxury tax apron. Another transaction will be necessary in order for the team to sign Smart to a deal worth the full bi-annual exception ($5.1MM).

Los Angeles recently picked up its club option on the $2.3MM contract of young, defense-first guard Jordan Goodwin, but only $25K of Goodwin’s salary is guaranteed as of now. He’s the only other Laker on a non-guaranteed deal, so he would likely be the odd man out unless the club trades or waives-and-stretches a player with a guaranteed salary.

Milton was a minimal contributor to head coach JJ Redick‘s rotation after being acquired as part of L.A.’s midseason trade for Dorian Finney-Smith.

Across 30 contests after being traded to Los Angeles, the 6’5″ SMU alum averaged 3.9 PPG, 1.8 RPG, and 1.3 APG in 11.5 MPG. The 28-year-old wasn’t in Redick’s rotation in the postseason, appearing in just two games for 2.0 MPG.

Southwest Notes: Thompson, Nembhard, Fears, Queen, Morant

July 20th, 2025 at 11:59am CST by Arthur Hill

Rockets wing Amen Thompson is viewed as a future star, and he believes playing alongside Kevin Durant will speed up his development. He talked about joining forces with one of the most productive scorers in NBA history during a recent Summer League interview with Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network (hat tip to Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire).

“He’s going to make my life a lot easier,” Thompson said. “He’s one of the greatest players ever, one of the best scorers ever. … Definitely going to be passing it to him a lot. They’re going to be double teaming him, so I’m going to be cutting off the back of it.”

Thompson was a first-team All-Defensive honoree in his second NBA season and finished fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. He also showed improvement on offense, raising his scoring average to 14.1 PPG while shooting 55.7% from the field.

Thompson is looking forward to the influence Durant will bring to Houston as a veteran leader.

“I just hear his work ethic is different,” he said. “I feel like I have a different work ethic, too. Combining that, I think it’s gonna be fun.”

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

The Mavericks are very happy with the Summer League performance of Ryan Nembhard, who signed a two-way contract after going undrafted out of Gonzaga, per Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. He averaged 11.7 points and 6.7 assists in three games before being shut down and showed that he’s capable of running the offense. “You guys saw it,” Summer League head coach Josh Broghamer said. “Ryan didn’t have to prove anything else. Everyone knows we got a steal in him. He can play on the ball, off the ball, he’s going to be a hard-nosed defender — and we’re very excited about him going forward.”
Pelicans rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen displayed their unique skills in Las Vegas, but they both have things to work on, observes Rod Walker of NOLA. Fears showed his quickness, elite handle and athleticism, but he didn’t finish well at the rim and only shot 18.2% from three-point range. Queen has a deft shooting touch and passing ability for a big man, but he battled turnover issues before sustaining a torn scapholunate ligament that required surgery and will keep him out of action until October.
Grizzlies guard Ja Morant may not be off the hook in a lawsuit filed by a teenager he punched in 2022, according to Lucas Finton of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. A judge ruled in April that Morant couldn’t be sued because he acted in self-defense, but an appeal in the case is set to be heard in late August.

Fischer’s Latest: Simmons, Brogdon, Kuminga, Celtics

July 20th, 2025 at 10:32am CST by Arthur Hill

The Kings and Knicks appear to be the most likely destinations for Ben Simmons in free agency, Jake Fischer said in a recent Bleacher Report stream (hat tip to BasketNews). Simmons, who played 51 combined games with the Nets and Clippers last season, is one of several prominent veterans who remain unsigned.

“We are still anticipating the Kings to be bringing in another veteran guard, and Ben Simmons is on that list of potential targets, in addition to Russell Westbrook, to Malcolm Brogdon, and I think he’d make an interesting addition there,” Fischer said. “I personally think Ben Simmons would be interesting in Minnesota, but I haven’t heard that they have interest in him.”

Sacramento currently has 12 players on fully guaranteed contracts, along with non-guaranteed deals for Keon Ellis ($2.3MM) and Terence Davis ($2.5MM), so there’s flexibility to add an established guard. The Kings are nearly $9.9MM below the first apron.

Simmons, 29, was a rotation player with Brooklyn before being waived in early February, averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 33 games. His role was reduced once he joined the Clippers, but he still offers versatility and defensive upside.

Fischer shared a few more rumors in his stream:

The Bucks likely won’t pursue Brogdon after landing Cole Anthony, but Fischer said there’s still plenty of interest around the league in the veteran guard. Along with the Kings, he names the Pelicans, Timberwolves and Warriors as potential landings spots for Brogdon, who appeared in 24 games with Washington last season.
Fischer doesn’t believe the Warriors have enough interest in Bulls center Nikola Vucevic to make him the main piece in a potential Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade. Vucevic has an expiring contract, and Golden State is expected to fill its need for a stretch five by signing Al Horford. Chicago is among several teams that have expressed interest in Kuminga, but Fischer says the most likely scenario has him remaining with the Warriors on “a short-term agreement.”
The Celtics remain active on the trade market as they try to get their roster younger and cheaper, Fischer adds. He states that Boston had discussions with the Grizzlies recently, but doesn’t provide any other details. He states that rival teams believe the Celtics are trying to unload both Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang.

Kings, Hornets To Meet For Las Vegas Summer League Title

July 20th, 2025 at 9:00am CST by Arthur Hill

Play will wrap up in the Las Vegas Summer League on Sunday with the Kings facing the Hornets in the championship game at 9 p.m. CT. Both teams advanced with convincing wins on Saturday, with Sacramento defeating Toronto, 98-88, and Charlotte routing Oklahoma City, 109-80.

Isaac Jones led the way for the Kings with 36 points and six rebounds in the semifinal matchup. The 25-year-old power forward appeared in 40 games as a rookie last season and is set to return after the team exercised its option on him last month. Sacramento also got 15 points from Mason Jones, who missed the previous game with an oblique injury, and 12 points and seven rebounds from rookie center Maxime Raynaud.

Charlotte was led by 25 points from Jaylen Sims, who appeared in six games with the team last season after signing a 10-day contract in April. The 26-year-old shooting guard is currently a free agent. Kon Knueppel, the fourth selection in last month’s draft, scored 17 points in 21 minutes before leaving the game after suffering a head injury while diving for a loose ball, according to Ben Golliver of The Washington Post (Twitter link).

Even if Knueppel returns today, the Hornets will be without two of their top players. First-round pick Liam McNeeley missed the past two games with right Achilles tendinopathy, while last year’s lottery pick Tidjane Salaün sat out the last three games due to right Achilles soreness.

There were six unbeaten teams during this year’s preliminary games, with the Raptors (+15.8), Thunder (+14.8), Hornets (+12.7) and Kings (+11.5) advancing due to point differential ahead of the Timberwolves (+9.5) and Hawks (+8.0).

Today’s contest will feature a matchup of former college teammates Nique Clifford and KJ Simpson, who spent two years together at Colorado, notes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. The Kings traded up to take Clifford with the 24th pick in this year’s draft, and he’s gotten off to a strong start in Summer League, averaging 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals in five games while shooting 55.4% from the field and 50% from three-point range.

Simpson has served as the Hornets’ primary ball-handler in Las Vegas and has posted 19.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals in five games.

The Kings are seeking their third title since playoffs were added to the league in 2013. They defeated the Rockets in 2014 and the Celtics in 2021. The Hornets are chasing their first Summer League championship.

Pacific Notes: Doncic, Richard, Suns, Little

July 19th, 2025 at 11:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Lakers have been checking off items from Luka Doncic‘s wish list this summer, and they’re encouraged that he’s taken an active role in the process, writes Dan Woike of The Athletic. Doncic’s extension restrictions won’t lift until August 2, but his enthusiasm for building the roster provides confidence that he’s committed to the organization for the long term.

Sources tell Woike that Doncic expressed his desire to management to add a “rim-running center, shooting help and defensive support.” They responded by signing free agents Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, with Marcus Smart about to join them once he clears waivers following a buyout with the Wizards. Woike’s sources say that Doncic reached out to Ayton and Smart and convinced them to come to L.A.

Woike adds that the Lakers posted an interview on Saturday where Doncic says he wants to be known as “the guy that brought championships to the city.” While details of an extension still have to be worked out, it seems increasingly likely that Doncic will have a new deal in place before the start of the season.

There’s more from the Pacific Division:

Longtime Warriors fan Will Richard got his wish when he wound up going to Golden State with the 56th pick in last month’s draft, per Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle. The Warriors were the 16th of the 17 pre-draft workouts Richard conducted after winning a national title at Florida, and he believes they’re a good fit for his skills. “I like that we play fast,” Richard said. “They want you to play free, but on the other end you’ve got to guard with ball pressure and stuff like that. Just playing hard. Playing fast and playing physical.”
Owner Mat Ishbia had visions of a dream team when he united Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but the Suns turned into a cautionary tale about the dangers of free spending in the apron era, observes Zach Kram of ESPN. Second apron restrictions forced Ishbia to break up his ‘big three” this summer by trading Durant to Houston and negotiating a buyout with Beal, who will sign with the Clippers. Kram goes through the reasons behind Phoenix’s demise, including the incompatibility of its stars, unwise spending and poor trade decisions.
John Little, who served as head coach of the Suns‘ G League affiliate last season, will join new head coach Jordan Ott’s staff, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Little is currently serving as an assistant to Summer League head coach DeMarre Carroll.

Southeast Notes: Sexton, AJ Johnson, Richardson, Saleh

July 19th, 2025 at 9:40pm CST by Arthur Hill

Collin Sexton feels reinvigorated by the offseason trade that sent him from Utah to the Hornets, writes Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer (subscription required). Sexton is only 26, but he’ll be a veteran leader in Charlotte, where he hopes to help mold his new teammates into a playoff contender.

“Super excited,” he said. “Super grateful for the opportunity. Ready to come in and help build the culture and just be a leader right away. I feel like the last couple of weeks practicing and stuff, it’s been a lot of fun but also getting used to the guys.”

Sexton, who will make $18.9MM in the final year of his contract, should bring more scoring punch to the offense. He averaged 18.4 PPG in 63 games last season while shooting 48% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range. He also brings a high level of competitiveness, which coach Charles Lee is happy to add to the team.

“At times he would stare me down during games as the opposing coach or scout coach, and he’s always looking for some fuel to get him going,” Lee said. “So, when he first got here, I made sure to remind them of that, ‘Like, don’t be looking at me crazy like that anymore or your minutes are going to suffer now.’ But it’s great. I’m so glad to have him on our side.”

There’s more from the Southeast Division:

The Wizards limited their top Summer League players to two games, which put a larger spotlight on AJ Johnson, observes Varun Shankar of The Washington Post (subscriber link). Johnson finished the season strong after being acquired from Milwaukee in February, and he welcomed the chance to showcase his skills in Las Vegas. “I think it would be hard for us to find anybody who’s not wearing a Wizards uniform out here that can stay in front of AJ Johnson,” coach J.J. Outlaw said. “Such a talented player; he can settle for his midrange, but getting downhill is his thing.”
Even though the Magic were winless in Summer League play, they’re encouraged by the performances of rookies Jase Richardson and Noah Penda, as well as second-year player Tristan Da Silva, per Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel (subscription required). Richardson, a first-round pick out of Michigan State, served as Orlando’s lead ball-handler and averaged 16.5 points and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 50% from three-point range. “He played two really tough, physical teams and he did a heck of a job commanding our offense, getting his teammates involved when he needed to and looked to score when he needed,” coach Ameer Bahhur said. “Defensively, for his first taste of NBA minutes, he did a great job of matching physicality and battling.”
Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh talks about adapting to his new job and the importance of Summer League for the team’s young players in an interview with Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (subscriber link). Saleh also said he appreciated seeing several Hawks veterans attend Summer League games to support the club’s youngsters. “It’s always great seeing our vets and our new guys kind of mesh together,” Saleh said. “It was really cool seeing, like, guys sit all together courtside and spend some time at different events that were going on in Vegas. So, it’s just fun. We got a good vibe about us, and everybody’s in a good place. I just feel like that will translate over to the season, hopefully.”

Nuggets Notes: Adelman, Johnson, Braun, Murray, C. Jones

July 19th, 2025 at 8:20pm CST by Arthur Hill

David Adelman will enter his first full season as Nuggets head coach with the type of roster that former coach Michael Malone was hoping for, along with sudden pressure to win big, writes Sean Keeler of The Denver Post. Adelman didn’t face those kinds of expectations when he took over for Malone late in the season, but he guided the team to the second round of the playoffs and a seven-game series with eventual champion Oklahoma City.

The new management team bolstered the roster by trading for Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas and adding Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency. Keeler states that it’s how the roster should have looked in 2023/24, when former general manager Calvin Booth decided to emphasize the development of young players over defending the NBA title.

“We think we’ve given ourselves a chance to give (Adelman) some tools, to have some resources to where we can be competitive,” said executive vice president of player personnel Jon Wallace. “Obviously, the season has to play itself out. But do we feel confident? Yes. But like I said, there’s a lot of basketball to be played. These guys have to gel. (Adelman’s) got to put his new philosophies in. So, time will tell.”

Johnson, who was acquired from Brooklyn in a trade involving Michael Porter Jr., expressed his excitement about being with a title contender again during an introductory news conference on Friday, Keeler adds.

“I want to win,” he said. “At the end of the day, I want to win. I want to win a championship. And obviously, we have the pieces to do it here. And that’s what I’m most excited about.”

There’s more on the Nuggets:

There are varied projections about what Christian Braun‘s extension might look like, but it’s reasonable to expect an average annual value of at least $30MM, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post states in a mailbag column. If he does reach that figure, Durando adds, the Nuggets will face a cap squeeze in 2026/27 with the starting lineup plus Zeke Nnaji combining for more than $200MM against a second apron currently projected at $222.4MM. Team salary could increase depending on how management handles Peyton Watson‘s potential extension, Valanciunas’ non-guaranteed contract and the options they hold on four rookie-scale contracts.
Nuggets fans should be encouraged by reports of Jamal Murray workouts during his time in Las Vegas, observes Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Murray, who struggled through a disappointing Olympics experience last offseason, has trained with Denver’s Summer League team and taken part in private workouts with some of the league’s best players.
A strong Summer League showing should help Curtis Jones land Denver’s final two-way spot, tweets Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports. The rookie guard out of Iowa State, who gets an A from Keeler in a full story examining his play in Las Vegas.

Celtics Notes: Norris, Gonzalez, Lillard, Scheierman

July 19th, 2025 at 6:57pm CST by Arthur Hill

Miles Norris only appeared in three games after signing a two-way contract with the Celtics in early March, so he has tried to make a strong impression during Summer League, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. The 25-year-old power forward had 11 points, including four dunks, in Thursday’s win over the Lakers. He said everything has been positive since he came to Boston, and he’s hoping to eventually move into a larger role

“The whole organization, you know, it’s been good to me,” Norris said. “Basketball has been enjoyable since I’ve been here, the environment has been great. So, you know, everyone’s having fun. I’m having a lot of fun. It’s good, I’m just trying to go out there and compete. I’m the two-way now, you know, trying to get work my way. Yeah, I’ve been enjoying it so far.”

Norris spent time with Atlanta and Memphis after going undrafted out of California Santa Barbara in 2023, but the Celtics gave him his first on-court experience. The organizati0n hopes he can develop into an effective three-and-D player, and he’s been instructed to study Michael Porter Jr. and Obi Toppin. He said he benefited from being part of a playoff atmosphere during the spring as the Celtics advanced to the second round.

“The thing I noticed was the preparation, before the court, off the court, you know, guys taking care of their body,” Norris said. “The real professionalism. That’s the biggest thing I’ve seen from the veterans you know. JT (Jayson Tatum), JB (Jaylen Brown), Al (Horford), I (saw) Al every day (last season) working on his body. It’s good to see guys you know, have that longevity, yeah, see how important it is. So I try to take some things from them every day, watch them every day. You know, try to follow them.”

There’s more on the Celtics:

First-round pick Hugo Gonzalez has been his own toughest critic during Summer League, Washburn adds in a separate story. The 19-year-old Real Madrid star could be seen talking to himself in Spanish after a few early errors in Las Vegas. “I’m just trying to have a positive message to my mind after a turnover or missed shot,” he said. “I’m trying to have the mindset of I’ve got to make the best decision on the next play. I try to live with the mistakes. That’s what basketball means.”
Appearing this week on NBA Today, ESPN’s Shams Charania said Damian Lillard gave strong consideration to Boston before returning to the Trail Blazers, per Brian Robb of MassLive. “Over a dozen teams made minimum and mid-level exception offers to Dame,” Charania said. “Two teams in particular, I’m told, that Damian Lillard really considered: Celtics and the Timberwolves. He held calls with both teams at different points, but to be in Portland, back home with his three young kids, was by far the most important factor in his return to the Trail Blazers.” Robb points out that Boston’s offer was limited to the $5.9MM taxpayer MLE and that signing Lillard would have required other moves to get below the second apron.
Baylor Scheierman is trying not to get discouraged by his poor shooting in Summer League, according to Souichi Terada of MassLive. Last year’s first-round pick is connecting at 27.4% from the field and 20.5% from three-point range. “Just keep shooting,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’ve practiced a lot in my career to get here, shooting-wise. I’ve shot a lot of shots in a game — made a lot of shots in a game. It’s just a slump that I’m in right now. At the end of the day, the only way I’m going to get out of it is to keep shooting.”

Damian Lillard Returns To Trail Blazers On Three-Year Deal

July 19th, 2025 at 5:40pm CST by Rory Maher

JULY 19: Lillard’s new contract is official, the Trail Blazers announced in a press release.

JULY 17: Star point guard Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42MM contract to return to the Trail Blazers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, who reports that the deal is expected to feature a player option for the 2027/28 season and a no-trade clause.

Zach Lowe of The Ringer first stated (Twitter link) that the Blazers and Lillard had mutual interest in a reunion, with Bill Oram of The Oregonian reporting shortly thereafter that the two sides were in “deep discussions” about a contract and that Lillard was “strongly considering” a return to Portland.

Lillard is expected to miss the entire 2025/26 campaign after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in late April during Milwaukee’s first-round playoff series vs. Indiana. The Bucks waived the 35-year-old guard earlier this month and used the stretch provision on his previous contract in order to create the cap space necessary to sign Myles Turner.

It’s a stunning turn of events considering the contentious way in which Portland’s all-time leading scorer exited the franchise after he requested a trade two years ago.

According to Charania, Lillard met with general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups multiple times in recent weeks to “bond” and hash out a new deal. Lillard’s family and children live in Portland and he considered it to be of the utmost importance to reunite with the organization and city, says Charania.

Lillard drew interest from several teams on the open market and had multiple offers for both the mid-level exception and the veteran’s minimum, sources tell Charania. The Timberwolves were among the teams that checked in on Lillard, tweets Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, though it’s unclear how serious those talks were.

NBA insider Chris Haynes hears (Twitter link) that Cronin and Lillard “made amends” at the nine-time All-Star’s house “weeks ago.” The goal is for Lillard to retire as a Trail Blazer, Haynes adds.

As Marc Stein of The Stein Line observes (via Twitter), despite not playing for the Trail Blazers for the past two seasons, Lillard is eligible for a full no-trade clause because he has at least eight years of NBA service time and spent at least four years with Portland. He spent his first 11 NBA seasons as a Blazer after being selected No. 6 overall back in 2012.

Lillard remained highly productive last season when healthy, averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 58 regular season contests (36.1 minutes per game). Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf in March, and suffered the major Achilles injury in his third game back after a remarkably fast recovery from the deep vein thrombosis.

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