Tag: NBA basketball

NBA Punishes Clippers With Historic Draft-Pick Penalty as Kawhi Leonard Breaks Silence

Brandon King

The NBA has handed down sweeping penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers following its investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard, resulting in one of the most significant punishments in league history. The Clippers have been ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks, losing their selections in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033 NBA Drafts. The league also suspended Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank and president of business operations Gillian Zucker for their respective roles in the matter. Kawhi Leonard Issues Statement Leonard,…

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Stephen Jackson Says LeBron James Hurt His GOAT Case by Joining ‘Championship-Ready’ 76ers

Brandon King

Stephen Jackson has a clear opinion on LeBron James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers—and he believes the move could hurt James’ standing in the NBA’s all-time great debate. Appearing on All the Smoke, Jackson said he believed Cleveland was the move that made the most sense for LeBron if he wanted to strengthen his argument against Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. “Cleveland was the only thing that made sense for me to keep him in that conversation.” Jackson believes another championship in Cleveland would have carried more weight because…

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Blake Griffin Says Lakers Made a Mistake Giving Bronny James Nearly $8 Million Guaranteed

Brandon King

Blake Griffin believes the Los Angeles Lakers made a mistake when they gave Bronny James nearly $8 million in guaranteed money after selecting him with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Griffin, speaking about Bronny’s situation, made it clear that he doesn’t have a problem with the Lakers drafting LeBron James’ son. Instead, he questioned why the organization deviated from what would typically be offered to a player selected that late in the draft. “Give him what is normal for the pick. If you can get…

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Vin Baker Joins Erik Spoelstra’s Miami Heat Coaching Staff, Reuniting With Giannis Antetokounmpo

Brandon King

The Miami Heat are adding a familiar face for Giannis Antetokounmpo. After spending the past eight seasons as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, former NBA All-Star Vin Baker is joining Erik Spoelstra’s coaching staff in Miami, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. Baker’s arrival gives the Heat another member of Giannis’ inner circle as the two-time MVP begins a new chapter in Miami. Baker and Antetokounmpo developed a close bond during their time together in Milwaukee, both professionally and personally. From Milwaukee to Miami Baker joined the Bucks’…

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DeMar DeRozan Intends to Sign With Denver Nuggets

Brandon King

Free-agent star DeMar DeRozan intends to sign with the Denver Nuggets, league sources told NBA insider Chris Haynes on Friday. The move was later reported as a one-year, $3.9 million deal, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and others. DeRozan, 37, joins Denver after spending the previous two seasons with the Sacramento Kings. He was waived by Sacramento in July after averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game across 77 appearances during the 2025-26 season. The veteran scorer gives Denver another proven offensive weapon alongside Nikola Jokić, Jamal…

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The LeBron Effect? The NBA’s 2026-27 Schedule Is Raising Fair Questions About Favoritism

HODARI Brown

The NBA released its 2026-27 regular-season schedule, and one team immediately jumped off the page. The Philadelphia 76ers. That alone would not necessarily be controversial. Philadelphia entered the offseason as one of basketball’s most fascinating teams. But then LeBron James chose Philadelphia, joining Joel Embiid and a loaded roster that suddenly became one of the NBA’s biggest attractions. Now look at the schedule. Philadelphia has one of the most favorable rest profiles in basketball. Reports and schedule analyses circulating since the release show the Sixers among the league’s leaders in…

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NBA Pushes Back on ESPN Report Regarding Clippers Investigation

Brandon King

The NBA is disputing key details of ESPN’s reporting on the league’s ongoing investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers. NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass released a statement Monday criticizing ESPN’s report, saying the league did not participate in the outlet’s reporting and that its conclusions are premature. “ESPN’s article regarding the LA Clippers investigation — for which the NBA declined to cooperate — contains numerous and significant inaccuracies. The results in this matter will be made clear once the investigation is concluded.” The statement comes after ESPN reported that…

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NBA Finds No Evidence Steve Ballmer Funneled Sponsor Money to Kawhi Leonard

Brandon King

The NBA has reportedly found no evidence that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard and circumvent the league’s salary cap. According to ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., Baxter Holmes and Ramona Shelburne, the NBA’s investigation found no evidence that Ballmer used Clippers sponsors as a way to provide Leonard with additional compensation outside of his NBA contract. The investigation stemmed in part from Leonard’s business relationship with Aspiration, a now-defunct sustainable financial services company that previously partnered with the Clippers. The…

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AWS NBA Rivals Week: Breaking Down All 12 Matchups

Brandon King

The NBA is leaning heavily into star power, playoff history and emerging rivalries for AWS NBA Rivals Week, with 12 nationally televised games spread across five days from Jan. 26-30. From Texas bragging rights to heavyweight Western Conference clashes and a Saturday quadruple-header, here’s a closer look at the matchups that will headline the week. Tuesday, January 26 Rockets vs. Spurs — 8 p.m. ET Rivals Week opens with a battle for Texas between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. The matchup carries plenty of intrigue as two young…

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NBA unveils 2026 Christmas Day schedule featuring LeBron’s Lakers return and Knicks-Spurs Finals rematch

Brandon King

The NBA has officially revealed its annual Christmas Day showcase, with five nationally televised games set for Friday, Dec. 25. The holiday slate marks the 19th consecutive year that the league will feature five Christmas Day matchups, with every game airing on ABC and ESPN. Leading the festivities are two of the season’s most anticipated storylines. The defending NBA champion New York Knicks will host the San Antonio Spurs in their first meeting since the 2026 NBA Finals, renewing what has quickly become one of the league’s premier rivalries. Later…

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