Cavs’ Riley Minix Reportedly Nearing Deal With ASVEL
Cavaliers forward Riley Minix is close to signing a contract with ASVEL in France, according to a report from Blazo Komnenic of Meridian Sport (hat tip to Eurohoops).
After going undrafted out of Morehead State in 2024, Minix initially signed an Exhibit 10 training camp contract with San Antonio and was promoted to a two-way deal shortly before the 2024/25 season began.
The 25-year-old only played seven minutes in one game as a rookie with the Spurs, but he was a steady contributor for the team’s G League affiliate in Austin, averaging 19.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks on .524/.414/.853 shooting in 19 games (31.6 minutes per contest).
Minix returned to the Spurs on a two-way contract last summer and appeared in three games with the club in 2025/26 before being waived in mid-December. He signed a two-year, two-way contract with Cleveland in February, making six appearances for the Cavs late in his second season.
In 34 NBAGL games (31.9 MPG) with the Austin Spurs and Cleveland Charge in 2025/26, Minix averaged 18.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.0 APG and 1.3 SPG on .519/.428/.800 shooting splits.
While Minix is technically under contract for 2026/27, his two-way deal is non-guaranteed, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Cavaliers permit him to pursue an overseas opportunity. Signing with ASVEL would represent Minix’s first stint in Europe.
James Harden Arrested, Charged With Unlawfully Carrying Gun
1:31 pm: The Cavaliers released a brief statement acknowledging Harden’s arrest, tweets Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information. We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”
12:43 pm: Cavaliers guard James Harden, who could be a free agent this summer if he declines a $42.3MM player option that would be partially guaranteed for $13.3MM, was arrested early Saturday morning in Texas on a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon. Police say a handgun in his car was in plain sight rather than in a holster, according to TMZ.
Harden was released on bond, with a court date set for June 22, per TMZ. His bond terms prohibit him from possessing a firearm or other weapons, and he has to submit to a random urinalysis and can’t consume alcohol, controlled substances, marijuana or other drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
Citing court records, Edward Lewis of The California Post reports that Harden’s arrest occurred at 3:41 am local time in Houston. The complaint alleges the 11-time All-Star “unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly” had the weapon in his vehicle.
Harden had the most productive years of his career with the Rockets, leading the league in scoring three consecutive seasons and finishing in the top three in Most Valuable Player voting four straight times. Sources tell Lewis that Harden and a large group of friends were at a hookah lounge before the arrest.
An eight-time All-NBA member and two-time assists champ, Harden spent two-and-a-half seasons with his hometown Clippers before angling his way to Cleveland ahead of the deadline when it became clear he didn’t have a long-term future in Los Angeles. The Cavs traded two-time All-Star point guard Darius Garland to the Clippers in the blockbuster deal.
In 70 total regular season games (34.8 minutes per contest) in 2025/26, Harden averaged 23.6 points, 8.0 assists (against 3.5 turnovers), 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals on .434/.375/.884 shooting splits. After an uneven first two rounds against Toronto and Detroit, Harden really struggled in Cleveland’s Eastern Conference finals sweep at the hands of New York. Overall, he averaged 19.2 PPG, 5.5 APG (to 4.7 turnovers), 5.1 RPG and 1.7 SPG on .410/.299/.831 shooting splits in 18 playoff games (37.3 MPG).
Harden, Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers each expressed interest in continuing their working relationship after the team was eliminated by the Knicks. Harden, a former third overall pick, turns 37 years old in August.
And-Ones: Teams To Watch, Haugh, Thomas, Korkmaz
While the NBA Finals are reaching their dramatic conclusion, teams around the league are preparing for what comes next. The 2026 offseason has the potential to be an exciting one, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks, who break down 10 teams that could define the summer.
The Celtics will be a team to watch as they look to continue building a contender around a healthy Jayson Tatum. Boston lacks the bigger-dollar contracts needed to bring in top-tier players unless the front office decides to move one of Jaylen Brown or Derrick White. The Celtics will also have to decide if they want to decline Neemias Queta‘s team option and sign him to a long-term deal or pick up the option and figure out his contract by next summer.
The Cavaliers have decisions to make on their high-scoring backcourt, as Donovan Mitchell is extension-eligible and James Harden is up for a new deal at 36 years old. The Pistons, meanwhile, have the choice between continuing to build slowly and steadily or taking a big swing.
The Clippers, Lakers, Bucks, Nuggets, Wolves, Heat, and Thunder round out the rest of the teams that ESPN’s duo believes will help shape the outlook of the offseason.
We have more news and notes from around the basketball world:
- Thomas Haugh was one of the higher-profile prospects to withdraw from this year’s draft class, having opted to go back to Florida. His decision was influenced by new NIL money, though he also appreciates the stability of one more year in college before he embraces the chaos of the NBA lifestyle, according to Mark Long of The Associated Press. “The NBA life is no joke,” Haugh said. “I think my mom didn’t really realize that until she talked to [Grizzlies guard Walter Clayton Jr,‘s] mom a little bit. Like, you can get traded any day of the week. You’re not out there getting dinners with your guys every night or going on fun trips and stuff like that. It’s a job.” He’s hoping that his return will allow the Gators to compete for another national championship.
- After leading Paris Basketball to its third straight Finals in France’s domestic league, German coach Julius Thomas has drawn interest from several NBA teams looking to add to their coaching staffs, Kevin Martorano writes for Sportando, citing a BeBasket report. While there are no specific teams listed, multiple clubs have reportedly approached Thomas with an eye towards next season.
- Former Sixers wing Furkan Korkmaz has reached a deal with Besiktas in his home country of Turkiye, Bugra Uzar reports for Eurohoops. Besiktas’s future is uncertain, as it has a chance to be promoted to the EuroLeague or stay in the BTK EuroCup. Korkmaz helped lead Turkiye to the silver medal in the 2025 EuroBasket tournament and is coming off a season with Tofas in the Turkish league, where he averaged 9.0 points in 19.7 minutes per game. He appeared in 328 NBA regular season games from 2017-24.
Central Rumors: Portis, Bulls, Quinn, Niang, Pistons
There’s a “growing belief in some corners” that if the Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, the deal will also include Bobby Portis, reports Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (Twitter link).
Portis, who has played with Antetokounmpo for the past six seasons and won a title with Milwaukee in 2021, has provided consistent production as the team’s top frontcourt reserve in recent years, averaging 13.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game since the start of the 2023/24 season. The 31-year-old forward/center will earn $14.5MM in 2026/27 and holds a $15.6MM player option for ’27/28.
We have a few more items of interest from around the Central Division:
- Although the Bulls don’t appear likely to make a trade involving their No. 4 overall pick, the idea that they might move up from No. 15 is “gaining momentum,” writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, citing a source. While Cowley suggests that might just mean using second-round assets to move up a spot or two to nab a specific target, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints says rival personnel believe the Bulls might be eyeing Keaton Wagler. The Illinois guard is considered likely to come off the board in the 5-9 range, so that would be a more challenging trade for Chicago to make.
- Cowley and Siegel also checked in on the Bulls‘ coaching search, with Cowley confirming the reported finalists and suggesting that the team will make its choice “well before” the draft begins on June 23, perhaps at some point within the next week. Siegel, who previously identified Heat assistant Chris Quinn as a candidate for Chicago, is hearing that Quinn will “probably” end up remaining in his role on Erik Spoelstra‘s staff in Miami.
- Having traveled to Italy to watch Cavaliers 2025 second-round pick Saliou Niang play for Virtus Bologna in the Lega Basket Serie A playoffs, head coach Kenny Atkinson referred to the draft-and-stash prospect as a “strong, determined young man” and lauded the 22-year-old’s energy and his leadership, per Federico Bettuzzi of Tuttosport (hat tip to Alessandro Maggi of Sportando). “I believe he will be part of our franchise’s future,” Atkinson added.
- Hunter Patterson of The Athletic lists five prospects the Pistons should consider with their No. 21 pick, assuming they’re still available, starting with Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie. Duke’s Isaiah Evans, Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz, Santa Clara’s Allen Graves, and Arkansas’ Meleek Thomas also earn mentions from Patterson.
Scotto’s Latest: MPJ, Mann, Wade, Mamukelashvili, Dick
While veteran forward Michael Porter Jr. will be eligible to sign a contract extension with the Nets this offseason, teams around the NBA are also keeping an eye on him as a potential trade candidate, writes Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Porter will turn 28 this month and is entering his ninth year in the NBA, whereas the rebuilding Nets added five rookies to their roster a year ago and are poised to draft another with the No. 6 overall pick on June 23. As Scotto explains, executives across the league aren’t convinced that Porter fits with Brooklyn’s timeline beyond his current contract, which will pay him $40.8MM in 2026/27 before expiring next summer.
According to Scotto, the Warriors were among the teams with interest in Porter at the deadline and considered giving up a first-round pick for him. That deal likely would’ve involved Jonathan Kuminga, who was sent to Atlanta as part of a package for Kristaps Porzingis instead. Based on its cap situation, Golden State isn’t as well positioned this offseason to make another run at Porter unless the team is prepared to move off Jimmy Butler‘s sizable expiring contract as he recovers from an ACL tear.
Scotto adds that Nets guard Terance Mann was involved in those pre-deadline trade discussions, but his involvement in a potential Porter deal would’ve necessitated a third team, which threw a wrench into those negotiations. Mann, who still has two years and $31.5MM left on his own contract, is well-liked in Brooklyn and is considered a positive locker room presence, says Scotto.
Here are a few more highlights from Scotto’s latest round-up of notes and rumors:
- Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, who will be an unrestricted free agent, is expected to draw interest from multiple teams who will have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception available, Scotto reports, pointing out that it could be difficult for a cap-strapped Cleveland team to make a competitive offer. The Cavs were the only club to operate over the second tax apron this past season and won’t have a ton of salary coming off their books if they re-sign James Harden.
- Raptors big man Sandro Mamukelashvili is expected to decline his minimum-salary player option and command a significant raise in unrestricted free agency. According to Scotto, Mamukelashvili has a chance to earn a contract worth a significant chunk of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which has teams wondering whether Toronto will be able to retain him. The Raptors only have Mamukelashvili’s Non-Bird rights, and while they could use their MLE to re-sign him, they have luxury tax concerns to consider.
- Rival executives view Gradey Dick as the Raptors‘ most obvious trade candidate if they look to trim some salary and create more breathing room below the tax line. Dick, who is entering the final year of his rookie scale contract, is coming off a down year but was a regular starter and averaged 14.4 points per game in 2024/25, so the 22-year-old could be viewed as a bounce-back candidate, Scotto notes.
- In case you missed it, we also passed along reporting from Scotto on the Pelicans’ efforts to acquire a lottery pick and the Hornets and Kings discussing Domantas Sabonis.
Latest On LeBron James’ Upcoming Free Agency
TIME Magazine’s newly minted “Athlete of the Century” and cover star LeBron James is headed for unrestricted free agency in a matter of weeks, and while it remains difficult to project his next move, there’s a widespread belief around the NBA that sticking with the Lakers would be his first choice, according to Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link).
As Fischer and Stein lay out, James and his family have become “entrenched” in Los Angeles over the course of his last eight years as a Laker, and L.A. – which holds LeBron’s Bird rights – is in a better position than any other team to pay him a favorable salary, even if that number comes in below the $52.6MM he earned this past season.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this week (Twitter video link), ESPN’s Brian Windhorst agreed that re-signing with the Lakers appears to be the most likely outcome for James. However, both he and The Stein Line duo pointed to the Warriors as the primary threat to watch if things don’t work out in L.A.
Golden State remains “legitimately interested” in adding LeBron to its roster, according to Fischer and Stein, who suggest that the Warriors’ pitch to James may involve a plan for him to commute back and forth to some degree between Los Angeles and the Bay Area so he doesn’t have to move – or be away from – his family.
As Windhorst observes, James is close with Draymond Green and enjoyed collaborating with Stephen Curry and head coach Steve Kerr as part of Team USA at the 2024 Olympics. Still, barring a sign-and-trade agreement or a major roster overhaul, the Warriors would be limited to offering LeBron the mid-level exception, which is projected to start around $15MM.
While a reunion between James and the Cavaliers has been a popular subject of speculation, the geographical considerations of a cross-country move, along with Cleveland’s own financial limitations, make that idea look like a longer shot, per Fischer and Stein. Windhorst agrees with that assessment.
“I know that everybody loves the idea of LeBron in Cleveland, (but) Cleveland needs perimeter defense,” Windhorst said. “It would be a great story. He would definitely help them, (but) Cleveland needs interior toughness and perimeter defense. LeBron can do some of that, but I don’t know.
“Also, that would require LeBron to play for three million bucks. And I don’t want to spend his money — if he wants to play for three million, he can do it. But until I hear from (agent) Rich Paul that LeBron is ready to play for three million, I’m not going to believe it.”
Based on their current payroll situation, the Cavaliers would be limited to offering James a minimum-salary contract, which would technically be worth closer to $4MM, but that doesn’t materially change Windhorst’s point. Cleveland would have to significantly reshape its roster to be in position to make LeBron a competitive offer.
Fischer’s Latest: Sabonis, Hawks, Porzingis, Wade, Ellis
Rival teams are expecting the Kings to make Domantas Sabonis available in trade talks again this summer after he stayed with Sacramento through the February deadline, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
As Fischer writes, the Kings are facing a significant cap crunch this offseason and are “known to be looking” to reduce their payroll if they can. Sabonis may more draw more interest than some of the team’s other pricey veterans, Fischer notes. That group also includes Zach LaVine (if he picks up his $49MM player option as expected), DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk.
Here’s more from Fischer’s latest rumor round-up:
- In addition to the Bulls, Lakers, Hornets and Raptors, whom Fischer linked to Mitchell Robinson, the Hawks are another team eyeing frontcourt reinforcements this offseason. Fischer suggests the team may be in the market for a backup to Onyeka Okongwu rather than a starting five.
- The Warriors are optimistic about their chances of re-signing Kristaps Porzingis to a more team-friendly contract after he made $30.7MM last season while appearing in just 32 regular season games, per Fischer. However, if a deal falls through, Golden State would likely be in the mix for center help too.
- Cleveland essentially had to pick between re-signing Sam Merrill or Ty Jerome last offseason due to the team’s high payroll — even after significant cost-cutting moves ahead of the deadline, the Cavaliers were the only team to finish over the second tax apron in 2025/26. A similar situation could play out this summer, according to Fischer, with the Cavs expected to prioritize retaining Dean Wade over deadline addition Keon Ellis. Fischer hears Wade could command a “healthy portion” of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which starts at $15MM next season and projects to be worth up to $64.7MM over four years. Ellis’ stock may be trending in the opposite direction after he didn’t play much for Cleveland in the postseason, Fischer adds.
Central Notes: Buzelis, Niang, Gunn, McCaffery
Bulls forward Matas Buzelis will make his debut with the Lithuanian national team this summer, according to BasketNews.
Lithuania has a pair of qualifying games for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in early July. The team will face Great Britain on July 2 and Italy on July 5.
While the 21-year-old said he’d like to play for Lithuania during the second qualifying window in August, his availability for those contests is up in the air.
“For now, I’m still not sure whether I will play in the second window,” Buzelis said, per BasketNews. “I like to finish what I start, but the Bulls will make the decision. We’ll see, but as I said, I like to finish what I start.”
Here’s more from around the Central Division:
- Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson was in Venice, Italy this week to watch draft-and-stash prospect Saliou Niang compete in the semifinals of the Lega Basket Serie A playoffs, writes Iacopo De Santis of PianetaBasket.com. Cleveland selected Niang with the 58th overall pick in the 2025 draft. The 22-year-old forward has spent the 2025/26 season with Virtus Bologna, which is currently facing a 2-1 deficit in its playoff series vs. Reyer Venizia. Niang averaged 7.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.9 steals in 21.7 minutes per game across 38 EuroLeague appearances this season.
- Indianapolis native CJ Gunn, who completed his senior season with DePaul in March, spoke to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files about working out for the Pacers on Wednesday and beginning his professional career. The 6’6″ wing spent a few weeks this spring playing for the Calgary Surge in the Canadian Elite Basketball League before taking part in the pre-draft process. Gunn told Agness he’s been leaning on veteran NBA guard Gary Harris, another local product, for advice. “Our families are real close-knit so he’s like my cousin,” said Gunn. “I go over to his house every weekend to work with him. After we get done working out and be able to sit down, have conversations about him or what coaches are looking for this whole process, his mindset when he was in it. And just him being a vet and being able to be in that moment and to pick his mind and to be a sponge. He’s definitely given me a lot of a lot of advice.”
- Connor McCaffery is rejoining the Pacers organization as a player development assistant with the Noblesville Boom, the team’s G League affiliate, Agness reports. A former Iowa Hawkeye, McCaffery spent the 2023/24 campaign in what he described as an “entry-level” job with the Pacers. He has spent the past two seasons in a coaching role at Butler, Agness notes.
Central Notes: Bulls, Pacers, Cavaliers’ Offseason
The Bulls hosted a pre-draft workout on Tuesday featuring Keaton Wagler (Illinois), Kingston Flemings (Houston), Nate Ament (Tennessee) and Morez Johnson (Michigan), league sources tell Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports.
Chicago currently controls the fourth, 15th, 38th and 56th picks in this year’s draft, which will take place on June 23 and June 24. Wagler, Flemings and Ament are all projected lottery picks, while Johnson has been moving up draft boards and could go in the top 14 as well.
Since none of those prospects are expected to go in the top four, rival teams are curious whether the Bulls might be open to moving down from No. 4 or possibly move up from No. 15 to add a second lottery pick, O’Connor writes.
We have more from around the Central:
- Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times examines the forwards who are under currently under contract with the Bulls, including the impending free agents, writing that Leonard Miller deserves to have his $2.4MM team option exercised after he flashed some intriguing tools down the stretch last season. While Chicago would probably be happy to part Patrick Williams, the $54MM he’s owed over the next three seasons makes his contact “unmovable,” in Cowley’s view.
- The Pacers were originally planning to host Purdue point guard Braden Smith and California forward Chris Bell as part of Friday’s group workout, but they will be replaced by UMBC guard DJ Armstrong and Kansas guard Tre White, the team announced (via Twitter). No reason for the change was given. The Pacers don’t currently control a draft pick, though it’s possible the team could acquire one (or more). Smith, an Indiana native, was a consensus All-America selection each of the past two seasons and is ranked No. 38 on ESPN’s big board.
- The Cavaliers have some difficult decisions to make this summer after a somewhat disappointing 2025/26 campaign, Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron (Substack link) writes in his offseason preview. Cleveland was the only team to finish over the second tax apron in ’25/26, Gozlan observes, which means the team’s 2033 first-round pick will be “frozen” (unable to be traded) for multiple seasons. Moving below the second apron figures to be a high priority for the Cavaliers, likely with the assistance of a lower cap hit for James Harden, Gozlan adds. Operating over the first but under the second apron would allow Cleveland to aggregate salaries in trades, among other eased restrictions.
Latest On Giannis Antetokounmpo
Discussing the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market during the latest episode of the Milwaukee Bucks Point Forward podcast, Bucks beat writer Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel suggested that the lack of concrete updates recently may, paradoxically, suggest that talks are getting more serious.
“I’m not reporting anything, but the quiet is eerie,” Owczarski said (Twitter audio link). “And what I mean by that is that means something’s happening. And that’s just being on the beat for six years. That’s how (Bucks general manager) Jon Horst operates. Jrue Holiday appeared out of thin air. Damian Lillard appeared out of thin air. Trading Giannis Antetokounmpo is not something that is going to be leaked and sort of bread-crumbed out in public. That’s just not how this is going.
“I think the lack of news…and the quiet on a story that’s been pursued nationally for so many years indicates that all of the parties involved have gone omertà. The code of silence. You generally don’t do that unless you’re trying to get something done.”
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam stated about four weeks ago that the team hopes to have resolution one way or the other on the Antetokounmpo saga by the draft, and there’s no indication that timeline has changed. As Owczarski notes, if Milwaukee does trade the star forward, the team would like to be able to add at least one pick in a loaded 2026 draft.
Of course, Haslam didn’t say that a trade must happen by the draft — it’s also possible that Antetokounmpo could make a long-term commitment to the Bucks and tell the front office he plans to sign a new contract when he becomes extension-eligible in October. However, Owczarski says he’s not sure how much the team has explored the possibility of trying to acquire another star player to pair with Giannis.
Here are a few more Giannis-related items of interest:
- Later in the Point Forward podcast, Owczarski discussed what a package from the Heat for Antetokounmpo might look like and speculated about what the Magic would have to offer to get Milwaukee’s attention (video link via The Journal Sentinel).
- The Heat‘s interest in acquiring Antetokounmpo remains just as strong as it was before February’s trade deadline, league sources tell Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, who says Bam Adebayo is the only Miami player “off limits” in the team’s trade talks with the Bucks. The Heat already have a good idea of which of their players Milwaukee likes, Jackson writes, noting that it’s “doubtful” Miami would draw the line on any specific role player. Jackson says that any trade is more likely to happen sometime after the NBA Finals end, in case more suitors emerge in the coming weeks, and adds that the Heat aren’t concerned about the offensive fit of a potential Adebayo/Antetokounmpo pairing.
- While the Celtics loom as a potential wild card in the Giannis sweepstakes, Jay King of The Athletic considers whether taking that sort of swing would be in Boston’s best interest, pointing out that president of basketball operations Brad Stevens could aggressively reshape his roster this summer without targeting Antetokounmpo.
- Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, who has been putting together several hypothetical trade packages for Antetokounmpo in recent weeks, ranks those hypothetical returns for the Bucks, suggesting that the Cavaliers would be well positioned to win the bidding if they change their stance on Evan Mobley and become more willing to discuss the big man with the Bucks.