[Finger] Victor Wembanyama about considering promoting a sports betting company ; “Absolutely not. I will never do that. Honestly, I think it’s very sad to see some players promote it…”
[Finger] Victor Wembanyama on whether he’ll ever sign a brand deal with a sports betting company: “Absolutely not. I would never.” Asked what he thinks about other professional athletes doing so: “It’s very sad to see.”
The Magic are rolling out new cost-saving options to make its home games more affordable for fans: • \(20 ticket drops for every game • Free and discounted tickets for groups • \)2–\(7 concessions and alcohol • \)15 apparel and new private label line • Free train service
[Fischer] The Knicks are “far more interested” in signing Towns to a contract closer to a 4-year, \(200M deal compared to the 4-year, \)276M extension he is eligible to sign. KAT is prepared to sign for less than his max, but the 2 sides are significantly apart on value. Towns can become a FA in 2027.
Deandre Ayton ponders who number 7 on the Washington Wizards is
Bam on Kobe fans wanting him to stop at 81 points: “I went for it. I knew exactly what I was doing. I don’t give a f*ck about what anybody negative has to say. — People say ‘you should’ve stopped at 81!’ Why? So y’all can never mention me? I already know how Kobe fans are. I’m a Kobe fan!”
Charles Barkley “I saw a guy get like 55 stitches in a hockey game and came back in the game. If a basketball player got 10 stitches, he would retire on the spot and take the check.”
[Charania] Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead has agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract extension with the franchise, his agent KJ Smith tells ESPN. The new deal keeps Shead under contract through the 2029-30 season.
Within the 25-45 days, the Minnesota Timberwolves, for the first time in more than a decade, will likely not have the worst all-time win/loss record of any active NBA franchise. They have won 42.08% of their games all-time (since 1989), while the Nets are down to 42.21% (since 1977)
Michael Wilbon on Stephen A. Smith: “He’s not a journalist… It don’t matter that he fought back, he knows he lost that fight… He wants to be a show.”
[Charania] Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell has signed a new multiyear contract extension with Adidas – a deal that will take him through a 10th signature shoe with the same brand, becoming the seventh active NBA player to accomplish the feat.
Pistons GM Trajan Langdon pushed back at a reporter who said this is his first time dealing with a disgruntled player: “It’s the first time I’ve had to handle it here. I was in New Orleans for five years with a certain player that wasn’t easy to deal with either. So I do have experience in that.”
[OC] The Wolves win more games near a full moon
What’s an example of an NBA player that actually managed to change the narrative around themselves?
[O’Connor] A sign-and-trade involving Duren would be particularly complicated because of base-year compensation rules. Detroit could legally make a trade with all four of the teams that have reported interest in Duren. Here’s a look at those possibilities:
NBA closes sole training academy in Africa in blow to young players
[Highlight] Luka Doncic with 73 vs the Hawks on 91.2% TS (25–33 FG, 8–13 3PT, 15–16 FT)
[Lewenberg] Jakob Poeltl hired and worked with a strength and conditioning coach that specializes in helping athletes bounce back from injury.
DeMarcus Cousins speaks on the Kings hot-mic incident. Says a reporter in Sacramento lifted his shirt to check his physique when he was a 19-year-old rookie. “She had this infatuation about my body”
[Hines] Sixers announce Tacko Fall has a left hip strain, will be re-evaluated in 2 weeks.
Mat Ishbia “I don’t own the team, it’s the city of Phoenix’s team.making the TV for free, yeah, I know it costs money.but I’ve got money. And I’m hoping, the last comment on that is, other owners follow..We’re going to do what’s right by the fans, continue to lead, and hopefully others will follow.”
Kawhi Leonard on Pablo Torre and his reporting: “I don’t follow it. I don’t know what to think of it or expect. I’m not really entertained by it so… like I said before the NBA did their job. The PA did their job. I don’t even know what he’s talking about.”
Anthony Edwards on his true role in the league and how it feels to play with LaMelo Ball: “I feel like I’m a natural two-guard at heart. I never thought I could develop any point-guard skills. I know Finchy harps on me passing the ball, but now we got LaMelo, so I’m happy.”
[Karl Towns Sr.] “It only hurt me as a father to hear people saying stuff that was negative, that wasn’t true, to bring him down. But in the end, it all paid up. Jimmy ain’t got no championship. Karl bypassed him.”
NBA Officials will focus on flopping violations during the 2026-27 season
[Amick & Patterson] The Detroit Pistons are no longer discussing adding a weight clause to Jalen Duren’s contract offer. The contract is now a 5-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract.
Kon Knueppel spends the offseason playing basketball with his devout younger brothers, Kager, Kinston, Kash, and Kidman, at his home court, the Konplex, which he named after his father, Big Kon.
Lebron teaches a 19-year old Max Christie to play blackjack who proceeds to lose his bet
Players hitting their prime in year 6
A public sale record for a game-used NBA jersey occurred Tuesday night when Michael Jordan’s jersey from Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Final went for \(12.26 million. However, Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series “called shot" still remains king in the sports jersey world, selling for \)24.12 million in 2024.
Derrick Rose admired Kobe so much that he spent three years completely locked in, barely going out with family or friends, watching movies, or going to concerts because he thought that was how Kobe lived. He was stunned when he realized Kobe actually knew how to relax and have fun.
Klay on Spo: “I see why Mr. Riley trusts him so much. He cares. He respects your work, but he also wants to get the most out of you & he doesn’t believe in you’re past your prime or your best yrs are behind you. He believes you can still be effective at any stage as long as you’re willing to work.”
Luka Goes 4 of 5 Shooting From The Logo in Practice
[Charania] Guard Ryan Nembhard has agreed to a two-way NBA contract with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN.
[BasketNews] Former NBA All-Star D’Angelo Russell is taking his talents overseas for the 2026-27 season. The 30-year-old guard has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Shanghai Sharks of the CBA, with this being his first experience outside of the U.S. in his career.
Poetry in motion. Derrick Rose - The MVP
MSG Sports is splitting up the New York Knickerbockers and New York Rangers into separate entities
[NBA x Thinking Basketball] Inside the Mind of Big Shot Bob
50 Years of NBA WAR — Day 3: Boston Celtics Top 50
[Amick] League sources also confirmed an ESPN report indicating that the Washington Wizards would have interest in a Duren-for-Anthony Davis trade, but that scenario – like all the others – does not appear to be of interest to the Pistons.
[ESPN] Inside the NBA Schedule For the 2026-2027 Season
Kawhi on his $115 million contract extension: “I never really look at the money cuz I could’ve stopped playing today with the money I made. I’m just fortunate enough to be healthy and able to play the game… the money doesn’t drive me. I want to be great regardless of what paycheck that I’m getting
[Patterson] Jalen Duren could make history and become the first player in NBA history to accept a qualifying offer coming off an All-Star and All-NBA season. Duren has time until Thursday: he can accept the QO, agree to the 5Y/200M deal offered by Detroit or the 2 sides can extend the deadline.
Despite defending their Clippers reporting, ESPN assigned longtime LA reporter Ramona Shelburne to Portland for media day. Former Blazers writer and Portland native Ben Golliver was assigned to Clippers media day. Shelburne’s reporting was then seemingly cut from a Hoop Collective podcast episode
[Vorkunov] MSG Sports will spin off the New York Knicks and Rangers into separate publicly traded companies, after its board approved the move. Transaction will be completed on Oct. 26… Former Knicks team president Isiah Thomas will be on the MSG Knickerbockers Corp. board of directors.
Phoenix Suns Dillon Brooks Charged With DUI …After Arrest In March: Prosecutors
Giannis on the Heat: “I’ve never been apart of something like this. — I want to leave my mark. I want to know when this chapter is over, if I’m only here for a year, two or whatever it’s going to be I want to leave my mark”
[Amick & Patterson] The Washington Wizards would have interest in a Duren-for-Anthony Davis trade, but that scenario – like all the others – does not appear to be of interest to the Pistons. The Kings have not spoken to Detroit about Duren since June.
Rui Hachimura gifts a young fan a Clippers jersey to replace his Lakers one
Darius Acuff Jr. gets shots up with the assistance of all of the Kings’ player development coaches