Markelle Futlz will not participate in Summer League this year.

Fultz is working on finding his shot again with skills trainer Drew Hanlen. The 76ers are letting Fultz continue his work with Hanlen rather than play in five-on-five situations.

The 76ers are encouraged by the progress they've seen from Fultz and remain confident he'll be a major part of their future.

Brett Brown has been out to Los Angeles several times to check in on Fultz.

Russell Westbrook is hosting a private party on Saturday evening in Oklahoma City at the start of free agency with Paul George attending.

Nas reportedly will perform at the party.

The invitation says, "The FOMO will be real." Invited guests were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

George can sign a new contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on July 1st.

George is also strongly considering the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers.

LeBron James' decision to become a free agent became public on Friday and he is expected to decide between the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers.

"This is a good day for the Los Angeles Lakers," said Brian Windhorst. "It's a step forward for the Lakers. I believe the Lakers have the inside track for getting LeBron."

Windhorst suggested that the meeting between James and Magic Johnson will be critical for the Lakers' chances.

"If the Lakers can close the deal in that meeting, they have a great chance of stealing LeBron James away from the Cavaliers."

Windhorst said it imperative that the Lakers convince James they can build a team around him even if they don't receive a commitment from Paul George or trade for Kawhi Leonard.

"This will be about more than just this summer's transaction. It will be a long-term decision."

James appears to believe that the Lakers have more potential than the Cavaliers.

"The Lakers have a lot more avenues to chase (the Warriors) down," said Windhorst.

Windhorst added that the 76ers will have the chance to pitch James. The most important factor will be whether Joel Embiid and James can discuss how they can play together.

"I think the Lakers are the leaders for LeBron James," Windhorst concluded.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have begun to behave as though they expect LeBron James to leave this offseason.

James has until June 29th to decide whether to opt out for free agency.

James is expected to choose between the Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers.

Brian Windhorst also said during his ESPN Cleveland radio appearance that there are only four people who know what James is going to do and those people are not talking.

Ben Simmons has been named Rookie of the Year for the 18-19 season, beating out Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum.

Simmons was the first overall pick of the 2016 draft out of LSU.

Simmons received 90 first place votes, 10 second place votes and one third place vote, while Mitchell received 11 first place votes, 89 second place votes and one third place vote.

LeBron James has no plans on hearing traditional free agent pitches this offseason.

James might speak with a club official or owner, but elaborate presentations won't be part of his 2018 free agency. James along with agents Rich Paul and Mark Termini have enough understanding of the landscape and process to handle the process without the types of recruiting pitches he had in 2010.

James went through a much more elaborate courtship when he was a free agent in 2010. The Knicks, Heat, Bulls, Nets, Cavs and Clippers flew delegations in to make presentations to him, and he announced he was joining the Heat in a televised special.

When he was a free agent in 2014, James only met with the Heat and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert in person. Instead Paul and Termini met with the Bulls, Lakers, Suns, Rockets and Mavericks at the Klutch Sports office in Cleveland.

James remains undecided on whether to pick up his player option for the 18-19 season with the Cavaliers, which is worth $35.6 million. James can pick up the option and remain with the Cavaliers, pick up the option and orchestrate a trade to another team, or he can decline the option and become a free agent.

LeBron James' camp has grown pessimistic that Paul George is prepared to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder this offseason.

George was traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Thunder last June 30th.

George has raved about the Thunder throughout the process and has grown close to Russell Westbrook.

George was previously reported to be determined to join the Lakers by his 2018 free agency.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are expected to pursue George in free agency.

The San Antonio Spurs are determined to either repair their situation with Kawhi Leonard to retain him long-term, or deal him to an Eastern Conference team.

Leonard reportedly would like to join either Los Angeles team, preferably the Lakers over the Clippers.

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are the two most logical destinations for Leonard in the Eastern Conference.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have inquired about Leonard but have not gained any traction on a deal.

San Antonio has asked teams to submit offers but haven't provided a timeline on next steps.

The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to send Mikal Bridges to the Phoenix Suns for Zhaire Smith and Miami's 2021 unprotected first round pick.

The Suns acquired the draft pick from the Heat in the Goran Dragic trade.

Phoenix moved up just six spots despite giving up an unprotected first rounder.

LeBron James is reportedly zeroed in on signing either with the Cleveland Cavaliers or Los Angeles Lakers in free agency.

The Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers were initially on James' list, but the comfort of his family in Northeast Ohio or Los Angeles appears to be a factor.

"I don't think Houston is in the running," said Brain Windhorst. "I don't think his family feels comfortable going to Houston. I think where his family is going to be qualifies the teams. You have to get by his wife, Savannah. And his sons to say "yes."

"I think L.A. and Cleveland pass that and that's why their in the driver's seat right now."

Windhorst expects James to not use the opt-in at this point.

"It sounds like the opt-in won't be the way he goes," said Windhorst.