Eight Takes on the NBA Offseason’s Most Interesting Moves
Michael Pina, The Ringer
I’ve already praised the Lopez signing and broken down why trading for Collins made a lot of sense, but plopping Beal (sans his cap-killing contract and no-trade clause) onto a roster that could really benefit from the level of playmaking and independent shot creation he can provide is a cherry on top of L.A.’s summer sundae. Ideally, Beal will complement Kawhi Leonard and James Harden in myriad ways, whether as a capable decision maker on the ball or someone who can replicate Powell’s off-ball movement and the gravity that comes with it.
Put a bow on NBA Summer League ’25, and go ahead and plant the Flagg
Joe Cowley, Chicago Sun-Times
NBA Summer League winners and losers: Charlotte Hornets win title, Kon Knueppel game MVP
Jeff Zillgitt/James H. Williams
Is Age Just A Number?
Jared Dubin, Last Night, In Basketball
Five veteran NBA contract extensions to watch, including Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant
Kurt Helin, NBC Sports
All-NBA Summer League picks: Former Duke star is MVP, Cooper Flagg and Reed Sheppard on Second Team
Cameron Salerno, CBS Sports
Revisiting 2024 NBA offseason’s biggest deals
Kevin Pelton, ESPN
9 best NBA rookies at Las Vegas Summer League 2025, ranked
Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation
What I heard about Damian Lillard, LeBron, NBA expansion and more at summer league
John Hollinger, The Athletic
The part about Lillard’s return to the Blazers is much more easily understood than the team’s half of the deal. Lillard still has his entire circle in Portland and returns as a living legend. He also got the exact contract that is most favorable for him, with only the league’s second active no-trade clause, plus a player option that lets him become a free agent in 2027 if he has a big return year in 2026-27.
In the meantime, Lillard will miss all of the 2025-26 season recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. However, he will make a combined $29 million from the Blazers in the two seasons; about $12 million of that will go back to the Milwaukee Bucks as offset after they decided to waive-and-stretch Lillard earlier this offseason, but it’s still a nice payday. Between the two contracts, Lillard will make about $64 million for the next two seasons, although most of the money will be stretched over five.
NBA summer league grades for every lottery pick: Cooper Flagg earns ‘A-,’ rest of the rookie class shines
Cameron Salerno, CBS Sports
B/R’s All-2025 NBA Summer League 1st and 2nd Teams
Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report
BOS: Celtics Summer League players reveal which NBA players they model game after
Noa Dalzell, Celtics Blog
BOS: Celtics fans will love latest intel on team’s second-round pick
Bobby Krivitsky, Hardwood Houdini
CLE: What we learned from Cavs Summer League, and who’s poised to earn real rotation minutes: Wine and Gold Talk podcast
Chris Fedor, Cleveland.com
DET: Ron Holland II Video Breakdown
Bryce Simon, Motor City Hoops
DET: Duncan Robinson embraces his anxiety. It’s fueling a new chapter with the Pistons
Hunter Patterson, The Athletic
It’s a healthy friction, he believes. A welcomed discomfort keeps him from complacency and pushes him toward progress. Robinson is now embarking on his eighth season after being undrafted. The ink is barely dry on his new three-year, $48 million contract, adding to the $70-plus million he’s already earned. Yet, somehow, he still sees himself halfway up the proverbial mountain. The summit never gets closer.
GSW: Transcript: Steve Kerr and Natalie Nakase interview
Eric Apricot, Dub Nation HQ
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