Bob Pettit, NBA's first Most Valuable Player, dies at 93
Bob Pettit, who won the NBA's first MVP award in 1956 and was the first player to cross the 20,000-point threshold, passed away Wednesday.
Bob Pettit, who won the NBA's first MVP award in 1956 and was the first player to cross the 20,000-point threshold, passed away Wednesday.
Bob Pettit, one of the NBA's earliest stars and once the league's all-time leading scorer, has died, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday. He was 93 years old.No cause of death was provided for Pettit.
The WNBA has been included in the group letter after being noticeably absent from the original version last week.
Julian Reese and the New Orleans Pelicans have signed a Two-Way contract. Reese was acquired by the Denver Nuggets' G League affiliate in August and subsequently waived.
In a wide-ranging news conference Thursday, Presti addressed the Thunder's cost-cutting offseason moves.
The Detroit Pistons privately raised concerns about Jalen Duren's weight following the team's Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs.
Subscribe to The Kevin O'Connor ShowApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeKevin O'Connor reveals his Preseason Power Rankings for the 2026-27 NBA season, with every move, surprise and question mark across the league dissected.
Through his foundation and a paid partnership, Curry raises awareness about keratoconus, which he was diagnosed with in the 2018-19 season.
Somehow, someway, we are only days away from the onslaught of media day and the opening of training camps in the NBA. A summer full of ideas, concepts, defensive schemes and drawn-up sets is closer to coming to fruition.
More than nine months after undergoing season-ending surgery to address "lingering pain and soreness" in his right foot, fourth-year center Dereck Lively II still has yet to be medically cleared to take the floor when the Dallas Mavericks begin training camp Saturday, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.
Ten years ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder needed Russell Westbrook to do just about everything. James Harden was long gone, and Kevin Durant had left for Golden State, leaving Russ as both their star quarterback and workhorse running back.
The Orlando Magic signed forward Kevin Knox II to a training camp contract. Knox is likely to land with the Osceola Magic for the G League season, as Orlando is likely to keep their final roster spot open into the season. Knox spent last season with the Windy City Bulls of the G League.
The Utah Jazz signed center Ibrahima Diallo to an Exhibit 10 contract. Following the preseason, Diallo is expected to join the Salt Lake City Stars for the G League Season. Diallo played in 33 games for the Westchester Knicks of the G League last season.
The Portland Trail Blazers signed wing Barry Dunning Jr. and guard Mark Sears to Exhibit 10 contracts. Dunning and Sears are both eventually expected to join the Rip City Remix for the G League season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves signed forward Nate Santos to an Exhibit 10 contract. Following the preseason, Santos is expected to join the Iowa Wolves for the G League season. Santos played in 41 games for Iowa last season. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 10.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers signed a quartet of players to Exhibit 10 contracts. Rashaun Agee, Zack Austin, Curtis Jones and Kadary Richmond all inked non-guaranteed camp deals. The foursome is expected to eventually land with the Cleveland Charge for the upcoming G League season.
The Boston Celtics signed forward Gabe McGlothan to an Exhibit 10 contract. Following the preseason, McGlothan is expected to join the Maine Celtics for the G League season. Maine recently acquired McGlothan's G League rights via trade.
Gary Friedman via Getty ImagesLongtime Los Angeles Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter died on Wednesday, the team announced.
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The new Timberwolves and Lynx owners built their fortune by thinking long term. They plan to bring that same approach to Minnesota.
Weight clauses are not extremely common in the NBA, though certainly not unheard of, and sometimes resemble incentives.
After some not-so-great picks last season, let's try again to identify some squads that could surpass their expected win totals.
Dereck Lively II still has not been cleared for training camp as he continues to recover from right foot surgery, sources told Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Lively appeared in just seven games last season before undergoing season-ending foot surgery in December.
The Atlanta Hawks signed Keon Johnson to an Exhibit 10 deal on Wednesday. Johnson averaged 10.6 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Nets in the 2024-25 season. Johnson averaged 16.4 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Maine Celtics last year.
The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Payton Sandfort to a training camp deal on Wednesday. Sandfort appeared in four games for the Thunder last season, averaging 8.8 points and 2.5 rebounds.
The Orlando Magic signed Ricky Council and Jarron Cumberland to training camp deals on Wednesday. Council appeared in 73 games for the Sixers during the 2024-25 season, averaging 7.3 points and 2.9 rebounds.
Tanter, the "voice of the Lakers" for 43 years, began working with the team as the public address announcer during the 1982-83 season.
Curry, 38, is entering into the final season of a max extension that will pay him almost $63 million.
Towns has been eligible for a five-year, $272 million extension for the last two summers, but the two sides are far apart now.
Marcus Smart could have remained with the Los Angeles Lakers for another season. But when it came time for contract talks, the offer that he got from the franchise was "disrespectful.
Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks are apparently very far apart on a new contract extension ahead of training camp next week.
Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks have "stagnated" on their contract extension discussions and a deal before the start of training camp is considered unlikely. Despite the lack of progress, the talks have been described as "cordial.
Hayden Gray and the Boston Celtics have agreed to a contract. Gray appeared in one game with the Utah Jazz at the end of last season, scoring six points in 24.8 minutes.
The Brooklyn Nets have signed forwards Ben Humrichous and Dain Dainja. Humrichous, a 6-7, 227-pound forward, spent three seasons in Division I between Illinois (2024-26) and Evansville (2023-24). He averaged 8.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 96 games (52 starts) during that stretch.
Stephen Curry said his pending contract extension decision with the Golden State Warriors will not disrupt his performance or the team's chemistry as training camp approaches. Curry addressed the situation in comments to ESPN on Wednesday. "I don't want there to be no drama," said Curry.
Fresh off signing a four-year, $85 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, Lonzo Ball was living up to his lofty expectations in his first season with the team. Through the team's first 40 games, Ball was the team's jack of all trades, and he was a major reason the Bulls had a 27-13 record.
With the 2026 NBA offseason now all but concluded, and with media day and training camp just around the corner, it's time to start looking ahead to what's coming next in the NBA.In that spirit, let's take a look at the five most interesting — to me! — folks who joined a new team this summer.
Stephen Curry has spent his entire 17-year NBA career with the Golden State Warriors. So, when Curry became eligible for a two-year extension with the team in August, it was expected he would quickly sign again and re-up for another couple seasons.
The New Orleans Pelicans waived guard Dominique Daniels Jr. and big man Solomon Washington. Daniels and Washington had signed Exhibit 10 contracts earlier in the week. Daniels and Washington are expected to join the Laketown Squadron for the upcoming G League season.
The Golden State Warriors have waived guard Obi Agbim. The Warriors had signed Agbim to an Exhibit 10 contract earlier in the week. Agbim is expected to join the Santa Cruz Warriors for the upcoming G League season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Jalen Crutcher to an Exhibit 10 contract. The Wolves later waived Crutcher from that deal. The transaction sequence was designed to get Crutcher's Affiliate Player rights for the G League.
The Brooklyn Nets waived guard DJ Rodman and forward Aaron Scott from their Exhibit 10 deals. Both players had signed non-guaranteed camp deals with Brooklyn earlier in the week. Rodman and Scott are expected to join the Long Island Nets for the upcoming G League season.
LaMelo Ball seemed irreplaceable in Charlotte. When Ball shared the floor with Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, the Hornets posted a 130.3 offensive rating, which was the best of any three-man combo that appeared in at least 60 games last season.
The San Antonio Spurs have signed guard Miles Barnstable to an Exhibit 10 contract. Following the preseason, Barnstable is expected to join the Austin Spurs for the upcoming G League season. Barnstable went undrafted out of Tulsa at the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Chicago Bulls have signed Houston Mallette and Peter Suder to training camp deals. Both Mallette and Suder signed non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contracts. Mallette went undrafted out of Alabama at the 2026 NBA Draft.
After handing down punishments to the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard for their involvement in salary cap circumvention, the NBA has turned their eyes to another potential case of cap circumvention. The NBA has hired law firm Hecker Fink to investigate the Milwaukee Bucks and Gary Trent Jr.
The Indiana Pacers are bringing a familiar face back for training camp. Veteran forward James Johnson has signed an Exhibit 9 contract with Indiana. Johnson did not play last season but was with the Pacers from 2022 through 2025. Indiana values the 16-year veteran's presence in the locker room.
When the Milwaukee Bucks agreed to sign Gary Trent Jr. to a four-year, $64 million deal in July, red flags went up all around the league's office. Days later, reports emerged suggesting the NBA was looking into the signing, though details of the league's probe were scarce.
The Portland Trail Blazers signed three players to training camp deals. Mark Armstrong, Keylan Boone and Samson Johnson all inked Exhibit 10 contracts with Portland. Armstrong played for the Texas Legends in the G League last season.
The Phoenix Suns signed a trio of players to Exhibit 10 contracts for training camp. John Camden, Corey Camper Jr. and Sam Hoiberg all inked non-guaranteed camp deals with Phoenix.
The Detroit Pistons have signed wing Jordan Riley to an Exhibit 10 contract. The Pistons also waived guard Drake Allen from his Exhibit 10 contract. Riley went undrafted out of East Carolina at the 2026 NBA Draft.
Leonard seen as a villain might make sense to some, but his efforts with the Raptors in 2019 still carry weight for Toronto.
Redden will take over while Lawrence Frank serves a six-month suspension as part of the NBA's ruling in the salary cap circumvention case.
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Behind Duncan Robinson’s unlikely ascent was a hidden second life — a decade spent as his brother's quiet lifeline.
Here's a look at some of the key storylines for the Knicks during the preseason as training camp begins next week.
The NBA needs to learn if the Bucks and Trent purposefully agreed to enter into cheaper contracts with a plan to reward Trent in the future.
Javion Tyndale announced his commitment to Seton Hall for the 2027 class on Tuesday. Tyndale, who is ranked No. 48 in the SC Next 100, is the school's highest-ranked recruit since 2014. "Coach Shaheen [Holloway] keeps it real, and I love that about him," Tyndale said.
Dawson Battie announced his commitment to Nebraska for the 2027 class on Tuesday. Battie is ranked No. 34 in the SC Next 100, making him Nebraska's second highest-ranked recruit in the past 20 years.
The Los Angeles Clippers announced that general manager Trent Redden will serve as the team's interim president of basketball operations while Lawrence Frank serves a six-month suspension for circumventing the NBA's salary cap.
Multiple teams are expected to be interested in signing Ryan Nembhard should he get waived by the Charlotte Hornets, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line. The Nuggets are mentioned as a possible landing spot for Nembhard.
HOUSTON —To the untrained eye, Rockets guard Fred VanVleet's mild-mannered, almost stoic demeanor could have come across as unenthusiastic.
The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to trade Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for Dorian Finney-Smith. The Hornets acquired Finney-Smith from the Houston Rockets this offseason along with three future second round picks.
The Atlanta Hawks are trading Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for forward Dorian Finney-Smith, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
Kawhi Leonard, as expected, has pledged his commited to the franchise that traded for him for more than one season.
Kawhi Leonard is staying put. The Toronto Raptors decided to keep the 35-year-old around for multiple seasons, signing him to a two-year, $115 million extension, the team announced Wednesday.
Kawhi Leonard is staying put. The Toronto Raptors decided to keep the 35-year-old around for multiple seasons, reportedly signing him to a two-year, $115 million extension Tuesday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors have agreed to a two-year, $115 million extension. Leonard will have a player option for the 2028-29 season. Leonard now has $165 million over the next three seasons.
Trae Young said turnover in the Atlanta Hawks' front office contributed to his falling out with the organization ahead of his January trade to the Washington Wizards. Young discussed the situation on the podcast of Brooklyn Nets forward and friend Michael Porter Jr., in an episode released Monday.
"There are so many things I won’t say until later on," Young, the former Hawks star, said. "Sometimes it’s better just to let things go.".
Boopie Miller and the Denver Nuggets have signed an Exhibit 10 deal. Miller went undrafted in 2026 out of SMU after averaging 19.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.5 steals in 35.2 minutes.
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The Wizards spent the past few years trying to lose. Now they're trying to win and develop players at the same time. Half the roster is young, the other half is old.
Some moves have better odds of success, and a few stand out every year as being unlikely to end up on the positive side of the ledger.
Oct. 20 will be here soon. It's time to get hyped about the NBA season ahead.
The Denver Nuggetes signed Keonte Jones and Reese Dixon-Waters to training camp deals on Monday. Jones averaged 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds for Dayton last season. Dixon-Waters averaged 13.1 points and 3.6 rebounds for San Diego State last year. The Nuggets own G League rights to both players.
The Detroit Pistons have offered Jalen Duren a five-year, $200 million deal, sources confirmed to The Athletic. The new offer is a $10 million increase from their previously reported offer of five years and $190 million. The deal also includes a weight clause.
Rookie Henri Veesaar is expected to miss the upcoming season due to a torn ACL, the Atlanta Hawks announced on Monday. Veesaar initially suffered the injury during a workout on September 15. Veesaar will undergo surgery in October.
Kawhi Leonard has cashed in after leaving his former team in tatters.
One week before NBA teams are scheduled to open training camp, the Detroit Pistons have reportedly made an effort to get restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren to report.
Rivers last worked in the booth for ESPN/ABC before leaving to coach the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022.
Long after retirement, O'Neal has suddenly become a focal point for card collectors reassessing NBA stars of the '90s.
Longtime NBA forward Nicolas Batum announced his retirement from the league after 18 seasons in a video posted to social media. The video begins with a quote from Batum saying, "After 21 years, it's time for me to go home.
The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Isaac McKneely on Monday. McKneely spent this offseason with Atlanta's Summer League squad, appearing in seven games across two summer leagues, five as a starter. He averaged 6.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 18.9 minutes per game.
Atlanta Hawks rookie center Henri Veesaar has a torn right ACL. The Hawks announced the news on Monday. Veesaar suffered the injury during a workout on Sept. 15, and imaging revealed the diagnosis.
Malachi Smith and the Toronto Raptors have agreed to a Two-Way contract. Smith signed a training camp deal with the Raptors in August. Smith appeared in 15 games last season with the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 23.9 minutes.
Jaden Bradley and the Toronto Raptors have agreed to a four-year, $9.3 million deal. Bradley initially signed a Two-Way contract with the Raptors after he was the 50th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft out of Arizona.
Over his 40 seasons of NBA experience, Hall of Famer Doc Rivers has learned a thing or two about the game. Because of that, Rivers will hop back into the broadcast booth for the 2026-27 NBA season, joining NBC as a basketball analyst, according to NBCSports.
The incoming majority buyers of the Los Angeles Lakers are projecting the team's valuation could nearly triple within a decade, according to an investor presentation reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
Nicolas Batum announced his retirement Monday in a social media video featuring his 10-year-old son, Ayden. The 37-year-old spent 18 seasons in the NBA and 15 with the French national team before deciding to step away from the game. "Yeah, that's it," said Batum.
Doc Rivers has joined NBC as an NBA analyst for the 2026-27 season, the network announced Monday. Rivers will appear on games across NBC, Peacock and NBCSN, with the possibility of additional studio work throughout the year.
The Los Angeles Clippers announced that John S. Gibson has been named interim Chief Executive Officer and Governor of the organization during the suspension to Steve Ballmer. Gibson will begin serving in the roles immediately.
The golden sculpture in Lowry's image will be inside Scotiabank Arena on nights when the Raptors pay tribute to the franchise icon.
Subscribe to The Kevin O'Connor ShowApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeKevin O'Connor welcomes YouTuber and independent sports journalist Joon Lee for a wide-ranging conversation on analytics and their impact on modern sports.
The French forward spent nearly two decades in the NBA with the Trail Blazers, Hornets, Clippers and 76ers.
Attorney John S. Gibson will lead the Clippers' basketball and business operations.
The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly named Los Angeles-based lawyer John Gibson as the team's interim governor and CEO in the absence of now-suspended owner Steve Ballmer, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Monday.
LeBron James and Jaylen Brown are in Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo is in Miami, and Kawhi Leonard is back in Toronto.
Golden State Warriors 2026 second-round draftee Lajae Jones has signed with Pallacanestro Trieste in Italy for the upcoming season. The Warriors drafted Jones out of Florida State with the 54th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
San Antonio's best path for 2026-27 likely doesn't align with what's best a few years down the line.