News from around the NBA 2025-2026

[Superbone]

Actually, for the most part, I've found playground rules to be fair. The players usually call it straight. It's an honor system.

In the NBA, players try to sell calls to a referee to gain an advantage. There is a different dynamic going on.

It's like a game within a game, and it's like whoever fools the referees the most, wins.

Yeah, I don't see it. "Hey, it was a foul! You touched my pinky on release." These guys make millions based on their stats and winning. They will take ANY and every advantage they can get.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah, I don't see it. "Hey, it was a foul! You touched my pinky on release." These guys make millions based on their stats and winning. They will take ANY and every advantage they can get.

Yeah, what you are describing is the NBA system of today.

I was being sarcastic about the NBA using playground rules but if they did, it might be more fair than the current structure.

 

[Mainstreet]

The NBA approves a new draft lottery format.

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[Mainstreet]

Shams Charania talks about the changes.

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[Chaplin]

This rule make it seem like if you are the 1st, 2nd or 3rd worst team in the NBA, you are automatically branded as a tanker, no matter if you were trying or not. That doesn't seem like a good way to run your league.

 

[Phrazbit]

This rule make it seem like if you are the 1st, 2nd or 3rd worst team in the NBA, you are automatically branded as a tanker, no matter if you were trying or not. That doesn't seem like a good way to run your league.

I think if they successfully eliminate the culture of tanking, they will soften up on this stuff. And I think this will succeed in that. If you're not trying to at least make the play in, then you're not going to be rewarded.

After watching a third of the league go out of the way to lose for half the season, they needed to do something.

It's a bit of an overreaction, but I am glad to see them do SOMETHING.

It does screw over some franchises that are so bad that they can't get out of their own way, like the Kings. But, I'd feel bad for any star player who got picked by them anyway.

It also really messes up the Grizzlies, who I think have been setting themselves up for a multi-year-tank, dumping every competent player that have for picks, trying to copy OKC... but, on the same note, screw them. I have no sympathy. I don't want that trash to be rewarded.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think if they successfully eliminate the culture of tanking, they will soften up on this stuff. And I think this will succeed in that. If you're not trying to at least make the play in, then you're not going to be rewarded.

After watching a third of the league go out of the way to lose for half the season, they needed to do something.

It's a bit of an overreaction, but I am glad to see them do SOMETHING.

It does screw over some franchises that are so bad that they can't get out of their own way, like the Kings. But, I'd feel bad for any star player who got picked by them anyway.

It also really messes up the Grizzlies, who I think have been setting themselves up for a multi-year-tank, dumping every competent player that have for picks, trying to copy OKC... but, on the same note, screw them. I have no sympathy. I don't want that trash to be rewarded.

It sucks for teams like Sacramento, Washington, and Memphis but they have helped create their own problems as well. This new way may make it harder to dig out but no one should want to fall so far. They're lucky the league doesn't act like European Soccer and have tiers, sending teams down to the G-League and promoting a G-League team. That could really hurt teams.

 

[Phrazbit]

It sucks for teams like Sacramento, Washington, and Memphis but they have helped create their own problems as well. This new way may make it harder to dig out but no should want to fall so far. They're lucky the league does act like European Soccer and have tiers, sending teams down to the G-League and promoting a G-League team. That could really hurt teams.

Washington and Memphis are unquestionably losing and putting together bad rosters on purpose.

The Kings are in their own realm. They are trying to win the title, every year, and every year they get worse and worse, and it's because they have an owner that is probably the stupidest person to ever oversee a sports franchise.

Honorable mention; the Bulls. It's a testament to Jordan's excellence that he was the centerpiece of an all-time dynasty while playing for a franchise that is quietly one of the NBA's worst. If you look at their history outside of Jordan it is utterly abominable.

 

[Yuma]

NBACentral
@TheDunkCentral
·
32m


LeBron’s camp would reportedly want an explanation from the Lakers if they offer him anything less than a max contract, per
@WindhorstESPN
“Windhorst noted that James and his camp want the Lakers to make a contract offer, and if it is for anything less than the maximum, they want the Lakers to explain why and what other players they are going to target with the money that is saved.”(Via https://hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2026/05/27/lebron-james-waiting-on-lakers/90276371007/)

Whenever you bargain, they always give you a reason for the offer, even if it is the max. That was a stupid post, imho.

 

[Adrian]

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
BREAKING: The Orlando Magic are finalizing the hire of San Antonio Spurs associate coach Sean Sweeney as the franchise's new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Sweeney broke into NBA coaching in 2011 and now lands the Magic head job as a top rising candidate.

 

[Adrian]

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[Adrian]

NBACentral
@TheDunkCentral
·
4h
There is a 0% chance that Giannis remains with the Bucks, per
@GeryWoelfel


A trade is expected to happen before the draft and could involve multiple teams

 

[Adrian]

Fullcourtpass
@Fullcourtpass
·
6h
Anthony Davis has been dropping "not-subtle hints" that he wants out of Washington, per
@SeanDeveney


(h/t
@TheNBABase
)

 

[Adrian]

NBACentral
@TheDunkCentral
·
3h
The Orlando Magic are expected to waive Jonathan Isaac, per
@SeanDeveney


“He would make good potential trade ballast, but the Magic are facing a cash crunch with Paolo Banchero’s extension kicking in. The expectation is that the Magic will waive Isaac and stretch his $8 million cap hit. Trading him would cost Orlando cap flexibility.”

(Via https://heavy.com/sports/nba/portland-trail-blazers/nba-trade-rumors-trey-murphy/)

 

[Adrian]

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
·
37m
Just in: Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey has agreed to become the new President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN. Gansey -- who rose the ranks within the Cavaliers front office since joining in 2011-12 -- now lands the top executive position in Philadelphia.

 

[Adrian]

NBACentral
@TheDunkCentral
·
4h
The Philadelphia 76ers are not expected to grant the Mavericks permission to interview Nick Nurse, per
@BrettSiegelNBA


“While he was with the Toronto Raptors, Ujiri was never afraid to target assistant coaches or first-time head coaches, as he did with Nick Nurse and Darko Rajakovic. Speaking of Nurse, some have mentioned his name as an intriguing candidate in Dallas, but the Philadelphia 76ers are not prepared to grant the Mavs permission to speak with their head coach should they reach out, sources said.”

(Via https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-st...t-office-intel-bulls-blazers-magic-mavs-76ers)

 

[boisesuns]

Fullcourtpass
@Fullcourtpass
·
6h
Anthony Davis has been dropping "not-subtle hints" that he wants out of Washington, per
@SeanDeveney


(h/t
@TheNBABase
)

Hope he doesn’t get hurt dropping those hints

 

[Yuma]

Knowing the Lakers, somehow, even with the Aprons and the Cap, I can see them signing Giannis and LeBron. Makes no logical sense, but it's the Lakers.

 

[Suns_fan69]

Knowing the Lakers, somehow, even with the Aprons and the Cap, I can see them signing Giannis and LeBron. Makes no logical sense, but it's the Lakers.

It's not inconceivable. A framework with sign and trade Reaves + filler (combination of Ayton, Knect, Vanderbilt) + draft picks (2031+2033 unprotected) would probably work under the cap for Giannis then LA can re-sign LBJ to as its own FA. No idea what kind of competing offers Milwaukee would get but it probably wouldn't be the worse

 

[Adrian]

NBACentral
@TheDunkCentral
·
6h
The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to run it back next season, bringing back Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Kenny Atkinson, per
@joevardon

 

[Hoop Head]

NBACentral
@TheDunkCentral
·
6h
The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to run it back next season, bringing back Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Kenny Atkinson, per
@joevardon

The trade for Harden was a mistake. I'm a big fan of Garland and feel like they should have let it ride or trade Mitchell. I don't see Mitchell as the key piece on a contender.

 

[myrondizzo]

The NBA approves a new draft lottery format.

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So a team could be legitimately the worst team in the league and end up drafting 12th? I pity these incoming expansion teams. And giving the commissioner extra power to change their draft spot at will sounds like a disaster for small market teams.

 

[Mainstreet]

So a team could be legitimately the worst team in the league and end up drafting 12th? I pity these incoming expansion teams. And giving the commissioner extra power to change their draft spot at will sounds like a disaster for small market teams.

It looks that way, although I'm guessing expansion teams will get earlier picks with the commissioner having so much power.

 

[Adrian]

Square profile picture
Polymarket Hoops

@PolymarketHoops
·
6h
REPORT: The Thunder are not expected to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they have expressed interest in Evan Mobley.

(via
@sam_amick
)

 

[Adrian]

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