NBA Player News

Jokic recorded another triple-double on Thursday, his second of the series, but the Nuggets have lost both games. While Kawhi Leonard’s excellence was a key factor in the Game 2 defeat, Denver’s supporting cast failed to show up in Game 3. With Jokic having to deal with Ivica Zubac for most of the night, Denver’s “others” must be better if they’re to win the series. Game 4 is on Saturday afternoon, with the Nuggets aiming to avoid a 3-1 deficit.

Brissett, who most recently played for the 76ers, will head overseas to join the EuroLeague team that is based in Israel. Brissett ended last season on a 10-day deal with Philadelphia after previous stops with the Celtics, Pacers and Raptors.

Okogie was dealt to Charlotte in January after spending time with the seasons. The Hornets made a handful of perimeter acquisitions this offseason, including Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley and Collin Sexton, that made Okogie expendable. He’s an impactful defender that should be able to find a spot on a new team.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the procedure was done to clean up bone spurs in Lively’s right foot. The expectation is that he should be ready for the start of training camp in late September. Also, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the handling of Lively’s injury led to a disagreement between members of the Mavericks’ medical staff. Four staff members, including director of athletic performance Keith Belton, were dismissed in May. With Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis recovering from knee and eye injuries, respectively, three of Dallas’ critical players are using the offseason to recover. In the case of Irving, he is not expected to be available until well into the 2025-26 season.

With the Jazz in the midst of a rebuild, there have been questions regarding Markkanen’s future with the franchise. However, while John Collins and Collin Sexton were traded this offseason and Jordan Clarkson’s contract was bought out, the team reportedly does not plan to move Markkanen. “It would be too much to describe Markkanen as untouchable, but the Jazz still project the All-Star forward as a key player in their future core,” MacMahon wrote. In addition to how he’s viewed within the franchise, Markkanen’s contract may deter some teams. Last August, he agreed to a five-year extension worth $238 million. Utah still needs some veterans to lead the way for their young roster, which is why Markkanen remains so valuable to the franchise.

Knecht had a rough night, shooting 1-of-8 from beyond the arc. Unfortunately for the second-year wing, he’s had more difficult nights than good ones this summer, which is concerning for the Lakers. Generally speaking, teams want to see their returnees excel in Las Vegas, if not dominate. Knecht has not done that, which may result in him playing more games at summer league than the Lakers would have hoped.

James put forth his best performance of the NBA 2K26 Summer League on Monday, leading the Lakers in scoring and offering solid value in the rebound and assist categories. Looking forward to the regular season, the second-year guard is not in a great position to provide tangible fantasy value. The Lakers remain in win-now mode, likely limiting Bronny’s opportunities to contribute. His ability to crack the rotation will likely hinge on what James can provide as a defender and perimeter shooter.

After two subdued performances, Konan Niederhauser was more involved offensively on Monday. The nine shot attempts exceeded his total in the Clippers’ first two games in Las Vegas, and the rookie’s teammates appeared more intent on getting him the ball. That led to a few dunks that likely boosted Konan Niederhauser’s confidence, and he finished in double figures. The hope is that he’ll be more consistent on both ends of the floor.

Waived by the Clippers just before the start of summer league, Miller is looking to earn another NBA opportunity, whether it’s with Los Angeles or another team. He needs to improve three-point shooting and defense, both on and off the ball. Miller looked good against the Lakers and performed well in Sunday’s win over the Bucks. The Clippers have a few standard contract slots available, and Miller may be positioning himself to earn one. However, he won’t be worth the risk in fantasy leagues.

After spending his first two seasons with the Celtics, Peterson is reportedly headed to Charlotte. The player and his new head coach are familiar with each other, as Hornets coach Charles Lee was a Celtics assistant during the 2023-24 season. While the change of scenery may result in more opportunities for Peterson, he is not a player to target in fantasy drafts.

After missing Phoenix’s first two summer league games with a sore right knee, Fleming was available to make his debut on Monday. The second-round pick out of Saint Joseph’s was a Suns target, as evidenced by the team’s moves to draft him. Fleming had a quiet night, but he’s a frontcourt player who has range beyond the three-point line and can defend multiple positions. Due to the Suns’ defensive struggles last season, Fleming may be able to earn consistent playing time as a rookie.