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LAS VEGAS — Insights from the NBA landscape and observations from the Summer League.
- LeBron James’s future remains a pivotal discussion among NBA executives gathered at the Thomas & Mack Center. Despite committing to another year with the Lakers, which secures him nearly $53 million up to his age-41 season, his long-term plans are still unclear. His representative, Rich Paul, has not quelled the rumors, and James himself, while present at several Lakers Summer League games featuring his son Bronny, has kept silent on the matter.
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Executives seem to agree that the current speculation in July is likely to lead nowhere significant. The notion of a buyout is dismissed outright; a franchise led by the Buss family isn’t about to pay substantial sums for James—or anyone—to play for a different team. Although new owner Mark Walter might see things differently, many would be surprised if the Lakers paid James to seek a championship with another team.
A trade seems more feasible than a buyout, but to which team? Golden State? The Lakers have no interest in taking on Jimmy Butler’s hefty contract. Dallas does not want to dismantle its team for James. Sources say the Knicks are also not interested and are satisfied with their offseason moves, which include acquiring Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele. Furthermore, the complicated history between James and New York executives Leon Rose and William Wesley—coupled with an ongoing cool relationship between Rose, Wesley, and Paul’s Klutch Sports—makes a move to New York seem improbable.
Could the Los Angeles Clippers be contenders? Possibly. The Clippers have had a strong offseason, transforming Norman Powell into John Collins and Bradley Beal. However, any deal excluding Kawhi Leonard would be complex, and it’s uncertain if either team would pursue that route.
James’s push for the Lakers to go all-in is understandable. With his career clock winding down, and despite the potential of a James-Luka Doncic duo, L.A. needs more firepower to compete with teams like Oklahoma City, Houston, Denver, and even Dallas in the Western Conference. However, the Lakers’ preference to maintain cap flexibility also makes sense. Once James’s contract expires, it opens up the possibility for L.A. to bring in another star to complement the younger Doncic.
There may be some tension when training camp begins in September. However, all signs point to James being present.
- Damian Lillard’s decision to return to Portland, which Sports Illustrated reported on Thursday, was unexpected. Following his record-breaking buyout with Milwaukee, many anticipated Lillard would sign with a contending team, as several showed early interest. Instead, Lillard has chosen to return to Portland, where he has spent the first 11 seasons of his career.
The primary reason for his return, I’ve been informed, is family. Lillard enjoyed his brief stint in Milwaukee and was excited about the prospects of securing a championship, but he missed his life back in the Pacific Northwest, especially his three children who remained there. Reflecting on his experience, Lillard shared with SI in 2024, five months following the trade.
“Being away from my kids was difficult,” Lillard remarked. “In Portland, everything in my life was perfectly arranged. My family was all nearby—my mom just down the street, my brother in one direction, my sister in another. My kids were settled in their schools. It was an ideal situation. Leaving all that was tough.
“It’s quite lonely because I’m deeply family-oriented. After games, I used to see my entire family waiting for me. We’d either go out for dinner or they’d come over to my place. On off days, I might just hang out at my mom’s. That’s how my life was set up. So, while I manage because I’m grown, it’s certainly lonely without them. They fill my life,” he added.
In choosing to return to Portland, Lillard, now 35, might be relinquishing his dream of clinching a championship. The Blazers are in a rebuilding phase. The team has some promising talents, but it is still years from being a serious contender. Lillard is expected to spend the entire 2025–26 season recovering from surgery on his Achilles. When fit, he will be joining a team that needs a seasoned mentor more than a game-changing star.
Winning is still important to Lillard, but he has realized that some things are more significant after spending two years away.
- Is the NBA slowing down its expansion plans? That was the impression NBA Commissioner Adam Silver gave this week. In a conversation with journalists following the NBA’s Board of Governors meeting, Silver mentioned that the league had been tasked with conducting a “thorough analysis of all issues related to expansion.” When asked about a timeline, Silver indicated it was “Day 1” of the NBA’s formal examination of expansion possibilities.
It came as a surprise, especially as many had expected the NBA to be more advanced in its expansion considerations. Instead, Silver, citing economic and basketball reasons, reiterated that there were no promises that the league would expand at all. When I inquired about the owners’ stance on expansion, Silver described it as “curious.”
“If I were an owner, what you’re evaluating is whether this is additive to the league,” Silver explained. “Additive can be measured in many ways. There’s the economic aspect, but from a competitive angle, how would certain markets affect our national presence? Additionally, how would certain owners fit within the league dynamics? Strategic value is significant for many owners here, and I believe one reason the league is prospering is due to the collective group of team owners we currently have.”
There are valid reasons not to pursue expansion. On the court, the NBA has achieved a competitive balance, with a new champion emerging each of the last seven years. Next season, over two-thirds of the league will have playoff aspirations—or higher.
Economically, the owners are delighted with the 11-year, $76 billion national broadcast rights agreement that starts next season. Adding two new teams would mean further dividing this revenue. And with local TV rights in a state of flux, the national deal represents the largest and most stable source of income.
“It would be negligent if we didn’t figure out how local and regional television will operate before considering expansion,” Silver stated. “It doesn’t make sense to assign a team to a city we’re not already in and then tell them, You need to sort out how to broadcast your games to local fans.”
Nevertheless, the NBA is clearly interested in exploring new markets. Seattle, a city with a long NBA history and a successful WNBA team, and Las Vegas, a rapidly expanding sports market, are both attractive options. Could a current team relocate? There are usual suspects. The Pelicans have had difficulties establishing a strong presence in New Orleans. Their lease with the Smoothie King Center is set to expire in 2029. Memphis’s agreement with FedEx Forum concludes in the same year, although city officials are working on an extension. The Blazers are on the market, and while Silver prefers the team to stay in Portland, he noted that a new arena “will be part of the challenge for any new ownership group.”
The consensus is that the league will eventually expand. The potential $10 billion—or more—in franchise fees from two new teams is tempting and would help offset the costs associated with dividing the new TV deal. However, it was widely believed that the NBA would expand before the end of the decade. Based on Silver’s comments, such expectations may be overly optimistic.
- I was initially skeptical when Portland decided to use a mid-first-round pick on Yang Hansen, the 20-year-old Chinese 7-footer who climbed out of the stands to shake Silver’s hand on draft night. However, after observing Yang’s performance this week, I understand why the Blazers made that choice.
Yang’s abilities are impressive. He’s an adept passer and a confident shooter from beyond the arc. He possesses post moves and the skill to handle the ball on the dribble. While his upper body could use some strengthening, his solid lower body will aid his rebounding efforts. Yang has modeled his game after Nikola Jokic, and it shows in his play.Similar posts:
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Mike Johnson is a passionate news writer with a keen interest in current events. With over a decade of experience in journalism, he has a talent for uncovering the stories that matter most. Mike’s insightful articles and in-depth analyses have made him a trusted voice in the industry. He thrives on staying ahead of the news curve, providing readers with timely and relevant information. Whether it’s breaking news, politics, or social issues, Mike’s dedication to the craft ensures that his readers are always well-informed.