NBA news.
ESPN Hires Vincent Goodwill
Vincent Goodwill has joined ESPN for a national writer on the NBA as well as the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.
Goodwill most recently was with Yahoo Sports following stops as NBC Sports Chicago and the Detroit News.
ESPN also added to their NBA coverage this summer by hiring Anthony Slater away from The Athletic.
Lauri Markkanen Could Become NBA’s Most Interesting Trade Candidate
Lauri Markkanen was a constant in trade rumors during the 2024 offseason before signing a five-year, $238 million renegotiate-and-extend contract with the Utah Jazz. After a disappointing 2024-25 season where his PER dropped from 21.2 to 15.6, Markkanen was conspicuously absent from trade rumors. If Markkanen has a bounce back season following his impressive performances in EuroBasket, Zach Lowe contends the Jazz could
“If that dude rebuilds his trade value, because he’s got a big contract over a lot of years, he is the most interesting trade candidate in the NBA,” said Lowe on his podcast. “In three, four months, if this continues and if Utah loses as much as I would expect them to lose.”
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported in March that the Jazz promised Markkanen “a timely turn toward competing” when signing the extension in August 2024. The Jazz have further stripped down their roster this offseason in a competitive Western Conference.
Markkanen is signed through the 2028-29 season and is 28 years old.
NBA Launching Investigation Into Possible Cap Circumvention By Clippers
The NBA is launching an investigation into allegations that Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers committed a salary cap circumvention violation.
“We are aware of this morning’s media report regarding the LA Clippers and are commencing an investigation,” said NBA spokesman Mike Bass.
Leonard allegedly received an endorsement deal worth $28 million over four years from a company with ties to Steve Ballmer.
The NBA previously conduced an investigation into Leonard and the Clippers in 2019 after he signed with the franchise in free agency.
Doncic leads Slovenia into final 16 at EuroBasket
Slovenia, led by Luka Doncic, as well as France and Israel, qualified for the knockout stage at EuroBasket on Tuesday.
🎮 2K Games reveals improvements to NBA 2K26
NBA 2K26 is expanding its management modes with multiplayer capabilities.
Free agent Payton launches skateboard league
NBA free agent Gary Payton II is launching a professional skateboard league, joining a growing movement of athlete-led leagues aimed at providing year-round relevance to Olympic and action sports.
Bucks bring back Giannis’ brother on 1-year deal
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who missed last season with a torn Achilles, has re-signed with the Bucks, meaning he’ll again join his brother, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Doncic’s rare Euro triple-double carries Slovenia
Luka Doncic posted the fourth triple-double at EuroBasket since 1995 to power Slovenia to its first win, while Giannis Antetokounmpo returned with 27 points to help Greece stay perfect with a 94-53 rout of Georgia.
Staley met with Knicks, would’ve taken HC job
Had the Knicks offered their head coaching job to South Carolina women’s coach Dawn Staley, who interviewed for the position, she said she would have taken it.
Lin retires after living ‘wildest childhood dreams’
Jeremy Lin, who took the NBA by storm in 2012 during a stretch of games for the Knicks that was dubbed “Linsanity,” has announced his retirement from professional basketball.