LOS ANGELES — When Candace Parker was on the court, the Sparks were dominant. On the afternoon her jersey was retired, they had a chance to channel that energy — but the Sparks were anything but overpowering.

In a matchup between the two franchises Parker led to WNBA titles — the Sparks and Chicago Sky — her hometown team played spoiler...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Clippers executives were serious when they said they had not soured on James Harden’s future with the franchise after an underwhelming postseason performance.

Harden declined his player option for $36 million with the Clippers on Sunday and intends to sign a two-year deal with the team for $81.5 million, league sources with ...Read more

DETROIT — FBI agents in New York have launched a wire fraud investigation of Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley related to gambling and prop bets, The Detroit News has learned.

The investigation involving one of the top NBA unrestricted free agents this offseason has been underway for about 18 months and is being overseen by the U.S. ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Lakers superstar LeBron James will once again make NBA history by playing in his 23rd NBA season.

James exercised his player option for $52.6 million to play for the Lakers during the 2025-26 season, his agent and CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul told The Los Angeles Times Sunday morning.

James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer,...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jusuf Nurkić’s tenure with the Charlotte Hornets was rather brief.

Just days after sending Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for the rights to Liam McNeeley, the Hornets agreed to trade Nurkić to the Utah Jazz for guard Collin Sexton and a 2031 second-round pick, league sources confirmed to The Charlotte Observer Sunday....Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Julius Randle was set to decide whether to opt in or opt out of a $31 million player option on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Randle were working hard to get a deal done before the deadline hit.

Mission accomplished.

Randle will opt out of his contract and sign a new three-year, $100 million deal with the ...Read more

MIAMI — In a somewhat surprising but also likely strategic move, Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson on Sunday invoked the early-termination clause on his contract, moving into NBA free agency.

The immediate ramification is Robinson’s $20 million salary for 2025-26 being removed from the Heat books.

In essence, Robinson effectively opted out ...Read more

ATLANTA — Onsi Saleh already made the move that should get the Hawks back into the NBA playoffs.

They’ll surely be one of the Eastern Conference’s top eight teams in 2025-26 after the trade for big man Kristaps Porziņģis. This summer Saleh will have the flexibility to add more good players and give the Hawks a real chance of making a ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Timberwolves left the draft in the same place as they entered it. No better, no worse. Just taller and with a few cool accents. If you squint, you might see the outline of Tim Connelly’s vision of the new additions in the distance.

The Wolves selected a pair of 18-year-old developmental center projects, one from France, ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Interesting. Fun. Refreshing. Intriguing.

The Sixers?

Believe it. A team that has spent the last eight years chasing championships with a revolving door of veterans is suddenly alive with the intoxicating uncertainty of youth. The additions of VJ Edgecombe, Johni Broome and Jared McCain to complement Tyrese Maxey have opened a...Read more

RALEIGH, N.C. — The tweet went out on a Thursday afternoon in May, a routine announcement of a nonconference basketball game more than seven months away. It was a clean and simple graphic, with the teams’ nicknames in bold type and the time, date and location of the game over an outline of the Atlanta skyline. Nothing special.

Only a ...Read more

MIAMI — Because they are the Heat, it seemingly is always about the next big thing, as has been the case during these three decades of Pat Riley rule.

Sometimes it happens: Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry (somewhat lamentably), Terry Rozier (very lamentably).

Sometimes it doesn’t: Kevin ...Read more

SEATTLE — Lenny Wilkens returned to Seattle Center where his Sonics teams rose to the heights of the NBA in the 1970s.

And a part of him will never leave.

Under clear blue skies, a 6-foot, 700-pound bronze statue of Wilkens was unveiled on the west plaza at Climate Pledge Arena to honor the man who embodied Seattle’s NBA team and became a ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency has been set in motion.

The Warriors tendered the $7.9 million qualifying offer to the 22-year-old forward, the Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported on Saturday morning.

If Kuminga accepts the qualifying offer as expected, that would allow other teams to negotiate contracts with the...Read more

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls are trading point guard Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for guard/forward Isaac Okoro, ESPN reported Saturday.

It’s the first trade of the summer for the Bulls, who are attempting to reshape the roster extensively ahead of a transitional season. The move comes two days before free agency is set ...Read more

NEW YORK — VJ Edgecombe cried because he knew the gravity of his accomplishment.

The native of Bimini, Bahamas, came to America five years ago with dreams to one day be in position to feed his family. That day came Wednesday, when the 76ers selected Edgecombe third overall in the NBA draft. The 19-year-old will make around $11.1 million next ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Second-generation NBA players are plentiful, and why not?

Dads can pass down their height, dedication and athleticism. Dad's handsome compensation can afford a son the opportunity to follow in his footsteps. And Dad's drive can serve as a road map.

Dylan Harper, the second pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday, is the latest ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — All those who have Naz Reid tattoos don’t have to remove them, and all those who have his name splayed across a beach towel can bring the towel to their favorite lake for the foreseeable future.

Reid will now be a member of the team for at least the next four years. He is tearing up the player option he had for next season for...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — With the NBA draft in the rearview mirror, the entire Warriors offseason orbits around one, solitary question.

What will happen with Jonathan Kuminga?

The talented but inconsistent 22-year-old forward has tantalized the Warriors with his athleticism and scoring, and frustrated with his mental lapses and on-court gaffes, for ...Read more