NBA 101

DeMar DeRozan Set For Free Agency After Being Waived By Kings

The Sacramento Kings will waive DeMar DeRozan, which will allow him to become an unrestricted free agent. The Kings were unsuccessful in their attempts to trade DeRozan, but he is expected to receive interest from multiple contending teams as a free agent.

DeRozan had a partial guarantee on his contract for only $10 million of the total of $26.74 million.

DeRozan, who is represented by Aaron Goodwin, appeared in 77 games last season with the Kings and averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assist.

DeRozan will be playing in his age-37 season.

LeBron James Was ’80 Percent’ Sure He’d Stay With Lakers Until Handling Of Free Agency Led To Exit

The way the Los Angeles Lakers approached the free agency of LeBron James was the deciding factor in why he decided to leave the franchise this offseason. James remains undecided on which team he will sign with in free agency.

Sources close to James told ESPN that the way the Lakers handled his re-signing process mattered more than the money involved. James reportedly would have accepted less than the $52.6 million he earned last season had the Lakers clearly explained its plan to reallocate that money.

That explanation never came, according to sources, and James never met face-to-face with the organization before making his decision.

One Lakers team source acknowledged the franchise may have fallen short in recognizing what James sacrificed this past season by stepping into a reduced role alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

“Honestly, I don’t know if we did enough to acknowledge the sacrifices he made in being willing to give the keys over to Luka and AR this year,” said the staffer. “Of course he has a big ego and people can say what they want about that. But he’s also the No. 1 scorer in the history of basketball and he really tried to do what was best for the team to win.”

A separate team source described the financial dynamic as a disadvantage tied to James’ existing ties with the franchise. Even an offer $10 million to $15 million above market value could have felt like a pay cut, since another team could offer its full allotment, the source explained.

The Lakers held Bird rights that would have allowed them to exceed offers from other teams. Instead, sources indicate the front office spent weeks debating internally how to present a reduced offer without appearing disrespectful toward James’ legacy and contributions.

James ultimately made the decision before the Lakers could formalize their approach, ending an eight-year tenure that included an NBA championship in the 2020 Florida bubble.

This represented a sudden change of mind as a few weeks before the start of free agency, James told Rich Paul that he was “80 percent” sure he would stay with the Lakers for another season.

Josh Bartelstein To Sign Extension As CEO Of Suns, Mercury

Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein is close to finalizing a contract extension, according to owner Mat Ishbia. Ishbia confirmed the news to ESPN on Monday, reinforcing his continued partnership with Bartelstein across both franchises.

Ishbia praised Bartelstein’s role in shaping the organization’s culture since taking over ownership.

“From day one, I knew Josh was the right person to help build the culture and organization that I envisioned in Phoenix, on and off the court,” said Ishbia. “He is my trusted partner in every aspect of our basketball operations [Suns and Mercury] and business side as well.

“His knowledge of basketball, care for our players and the strong relationships he has across the NBA and WNBA have been invaluable in building our success and will continue to shape our future. His leadership has elevated our entire organization.

“He is one of the best CEOs in all of sports, and happens to be one of the youngest, too, and I’m excited to keep working next to Josh as we continue to build on our success.”

Bartelstein, who turns 37 next week, became Ishbia’s first hire after he purchased the franchise in 2023. He has since played a central role in rebuilding both the Suns and Mercury organizations.

The extension arrives as Phoenix looks to build on last season’s playoff run, which came after significant coaching and roster turnover.

Before joining the Suns, Bartelstein rose quickly through the Detroit Pistons front office. He served as executive vice president of business and basketball operations under Palace Sports and Entertainment vice chairman Arn Tellem.

A former walk-on at the University of Michigan, Bartelstein is the son of Mark Bartelstein, a prominent player agent and CEO of Chicago-based Priority Sports and Entertainment.

Tari Eason’s $81M Deal Guarantees More Than Rejected $100M Extension Offer From Rockets

Tari Eason was offered a four-year, $100 million contract extension by the Houston Rockets before the start of the 2025-26 season, but ultimately signed a five-year, $81.5 million deal in restricted free agency.

The $100 million offer, however, had $65 million in guaranteed money and the new contract at $81.5 million has more guaranteed money. Eason also has a player option and a 10 percent trade kicker.

Eason was the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft out of LSU and is one of the NBA’s better perimeter defenders.

In 60 games last season, Eason averaged 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 25.8 minutes. Eason shot 35.8 percent on three-pointers.

Eason is represented by Thaddeus Foucher and Chafie Fields.

Your Ultimate 2026 NBA Summer League Guide: Las Vegas, California Classic, & Utah Schedules

The basketball universe turns its undivided attention to the desert as the highly anticipated 2026 NBA Summer League takes center stage from July 9 to July 19. All 30 NBA franchises are heading to Las Vegas with their newly drafted rookies, sophomore standouts, and hungry roster hopefuls, setting the stage for 76 high-velocity matchups over an action-packed 11 days. Watch all the action live on Fubo.

This year’s showcase features an extraordinary influx of elite young talent, headlined by an immediate opening-night heavyweight collision between No. 1 overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards against No. 2 selection Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz. The following day promises equal drama as No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer guides the Memphis Grizzlies against the Chicago Bulls and No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson. With championship aspirations beginning in July, Fubo provides complete coverage without a traditional cable contract.

The primary structural layout ensures every participating team is guaranteed at least five games, with the initial four running from July 9 to July 16. The top four seeds based on winning percentage and tiebreak metrics will advance to a high-stakes tournament bracket, featuring a semifinal double-header on July 18 and culminating in the presentation of the Summer League Championship trophy on July 19. The remaining 26 rosters will participate in crucial placement and consolation matchups across the final weekend. Stream the complete showcase live on Fubo.

From the first baseline drive on opening night to the final buzzer of the championship game, Fubo is your premier home for tracking the league’s next generation of superstars. Catch every thunderous dunk, defensive stop, and clutch bucket live on Fubo.

How to Watch the 2026 NBA Summer League

Comprehensive television coverage across the 11-day event will be carried across ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and NBA TV. Cord-cutters can stream every broadcast live on Fubo by taking advantage of a free trial subscription package.

Category	Details
Dates	Thursday, July 9 – Sunday, July 19, 2026
Location	Las Vegas, Nevada
Venues	Thomas & Mack Center & Cox Pavilion (UNLV Campus)
Live Stream	Fubo (Free Trial Available)

Marquee Opening Weekend Schedule

The preliminary schedule opens with blockbuster operational pairings designed to feature the absolute top tier of the 2026 rookie class immediately on the main stage.

Date & Time (ET)	Matchup	TV Network
Thursday, July 9 @ 7:00 PM	San Antonio Spurs vs. Atlanta Hawks	ESPN2
Thursday, July 9 @ 9:00 PM	Washington Wizards vs. Utah Jazz	ESPN
Friday, July 10 @ 4:00 PM	Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat	Thomas & Mack
Friday, July 10 @ 8:00 PM	Chicago Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies	ESPN

Players to Watch in Las Vegas

Basketball executives and fans alike will keep a close eye on these frontline cornerstone talents during their initial professional transition runs.

Player (Team)	Draft Pick	Summer League Outlook
AJ Dybantsa (WAS)	No. 1 Overall	Elite wing scoring threat showcasing premier athletic length
Darryn Peterson (UTA)	No. 2 Overall	Dynamic backcourt orchestrator with advanced shot creation
Cameron Boozer (MEM)	No. 3 Overall	Physical low-post engine anchored to command the glass
Caleb Wilson (CHI)	No. 4 Overall	Versatile, multi-positional forward built for transition pacing

Stream NBA Summer League Action on Fubo

Fubo provides complete, high-definition streaming coverage throughout the entire 2026 Las Vegas tournament circuit. Don’t miss a single highlight or roster sequence as the league’s next generation marks their arrival on the hardwood.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Restrictions may apply.

Brandon McCoy Jr. To Stay At Michigan Following Dusty May Departure

Five-star recruit Brandon McCoy Jr. will remain committed to Michigan after head coach Dusty May left the program for the Dallas Mavericks.

McCoy is ranked No. 18 in the SC Next 100 for the class of 2026.

Assistant coach Mike Boynton is currently the interim head coach of the program.

McCoy is one of six recruits for the 2026 class. The three other SC 100 prospects Quinn Costello, Lincoln Cosby, and Joseph Hartman are also expected to stay at Michigan.

Mitchell Robinson Says Hand Injury Was Related To Reaction To Car Accident Involving Sibling

Mitchell Robinson addressed the hand injury he suffered before the NBA Finals on a Facebook post on Sunday, saying it was related to his reaction after hearing that his younger brother was in a car accident.

“I received an unexpected phone call, and my family members contacted me, informing me that my youngest brother had been involved in a car accident. I did not see the messages until I arrived home late that night. As the eldest sibling, I felt a deep sense of concern, and I immediately went into panic mode.

“I began returning calls and texts, and when I FaceTimed my brother, I thought he was deceased. He was wearing a neck brace, unresponsive, and not speaking. I broke down in tears, feeling like a failure for not being able to protect my siblings. Being 910 miles away, I felt helpless. In a moment of frustration, I banged my hand on my truck,” wrote Robinson in his post.

Robinson averaged 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds over 18 playoff games.

Robinson most recently signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Celtics.

Nikola Kusturica Receives $12M NIL Deal From UCLA

FC Barcelona’s Nikola Kusturica has reportedly committed to UCLA after receiving a $12 million NIL deal.

The 17-year-old was attracting interest from several college programs.

Kusturica is averaging 22.0 points and 6.8 rebounds in six games for Serbia at the FIBA U17 World Championship.

Kusturica made his Liga ACB debut for Barcelona in October 2025, becoming the youngest player to appear for the team in the competition.

Garrett Temple Joins Mavs Coaching Staff

Garrett Temple accepted an offer to join Dusty May’s coaching staff with the Dallas Mavericks as an assistant, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Temple appeared in 22 games for the Raptors last season.

Temple joins Willie Green as an assistant on May’s staff.

Jordan Miller, Clippers Agree To Three-Year, $15.3M Deal

Jordan Miller and the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a three-year, $15.3 million deal. Miller was a restricted free agent.

Miller appeared in 60 games last season, averaging 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 22.1 minutes.

The Clippers converted Miller from a two-way contract in February.