Basketball Wiretap

Victor Wembanyama explained his decision to sign a five-year, $252 million extension below supermax value, saying the choice was designed to preserve the San Antonio Spurs' championship contention window. The Spurs announced the deal July 10, which begins with the 2027-28 season and starts at 25 percent of the salary cap rather than the 30 percent supermax figure Wembanyama was eligible to receive.

Wembanyama addressed his reasoning in an interview with The Athletic, tied to his announcement as a cover athlete for NBA 2K27.

"We have a good team, we had a very good playoff run, and we had a very good regular season. But what's even better and greater is our potential," said Wembanyama. "The reality of today's NBA is that often, the potential of teams is not fulfilled because of money. I just want to make sure it's never our case."

The decision could save San Antonio roughly $50 million over the life of the extension, offering the front office added flexibility for trades or additional signings as the team looks to build around its young core. Wembanyama, a two-time All-Star and the NBA's first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, averaged career highs of 25 points and 11.5 rebounds last season while leading the league with 3.1 blocks per game, helping San Antonio reach its first NBA Finals appearance during his tenure. He earned First-Team All-NBA honors and finished third in MVP voting.

Wembanyama acknowledged the rapid pace of his accomplishments while insisting he remains unsatisfied.

"Just like every achievement in my career, I wish it happened sooner," said Wembanyama. "It's all happening very quick, but I am not satisfied and I want it to happen quicker. It's definitely a big milestone, something good. That's done."

According to The Athletic's John Hollinger, maintaining Wembanyama's cap figure at 25 percent rather than supermax level would also allow the Spurs to use their full nontaxpayer midlevel exception in the 2027 offseason while remaining below the first luxury tax apron, an option that would otherwise require trading a rotation piece. That flexibility becomes increasingly important as San Antonio looks to extend young players like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper in the coming years.

Wembanyama also addressed the growing attention surrounding his game, both on the court and in broader basketball culture.

"I see it, and I feel it with people around me," said Wembanyama. "Whether it's fans or interactions, even haters, you know it's everywhere. But mentally, it's not taking a toll on me, I'm just living my career. I hear it the most with journalists and media. But, yeah, it comes with it. I guess it's only a good thing."

Wembanyama joins previous 2K cover athletes including Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Luka Doncic. He recalled playing the game growing up in France with his brother and uncle.

"I know it means a lot culturally, too," said Wembanyama. "It's hard to realize for me that I'm taking more and more space, more real estate in the world of basketball, in what basketball means, in professional basketball."

Veteran guard Bradley Beal is expected to sign with a playoff contender, after opting out of his contract with the LA Clippers. Beal is drawing interest from the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. A return to the Clippers also can't be ruled out.

The Heat are looking to add depth and shooting after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. Beal has a longstanding friendship with Jayson Tatum, after both grew up in St. Louis, which has the Celtics in play.

Beal appeared in just six games for the Clippers last season, as he suffered a left hip fracture in early November. The veteran shooting guard joined LA after being waived-and-stretched by the Phoenix Suns. Beal is expected to be healthy and ready for training camp this fall.

Real Madrid forward Mario Hezonja is drawing interest from multiple teams around the league, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Hezonja is widely expected to rejoin the NBA next season.

Hezonja is also drawing interest from teams who are also chasing LeBron James, with the 76ers, Cavs, and Heat the favorites to sign James.

Hezonja last played in the NBA for the Blazers during the 2019-20 season.

A Miami Heat spokesperson told ESPN's Shams Charania that the team posted a YouTube live stream titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" set to go live on July 27 by mistake.

The spokesperson added that the team's social media department was preparing just in case James announced he was signing with the Heat, with the post now deleted.

The Cavs, 76ers, and Heat are believed to be the favorites to land James.

Rich Paul said earlier on Tuesday that James will not be rushed into making a decision.

Peter Suder is set to explore his options after getting waived from his two-way deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

McMenamin adds that Suder would be welcome to join the Coachella Valley Lakers.

The Lakers waived Suder to make room for Arthur Kaluma. 

Jalen Slawson and the Indiana Pacers have agreed to a two-way deal. Slawson is represented by Aaron Turner and was the 54th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft out of Furman by the Sacramento Kings. 

Slawson appeared in 13 games with the Pacers last season while on a two-way, averaging 7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 23.9 minutes. 

Lawson also appeared in 37 G League games, averaging 19.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks. 

On the latest episode of the Game Over podcast, Klutch Sports leader Rich Paul said that he doesn't know which team his friend and client LeBron James will play for next season. Paul made one thing clear about the process however, by saying that it won't be a snap decision.

"We're not going to be rushed," Paul said about James choosing his next team. "We're not going to be rushed. It's his choice to make and when he makes the choice, he'll make it."

Paul went on to say that James has all the information he needs to make his decision.

"There's been several people to call and say, 'Hey, Rich, is there anything more we should be doing? We could be doing?'" Paul said. "And my answer is, 'No. We don't need you to go above and beyond about anything. We understand it. It's clear. All the messages have been sent.'"

James said in recent public appearances that, "I won't hold you guys up too much longer." NBA commissioner Adam Silver weighed in to say that he hopes the NBA's all-time leading scorer decides soon, so that the league can finish next season's schedule.

"I saw Adam in New York and we discussed it," Paul said about speaking with Silver. "And like I said, it's still his choice. So, if he doesn't really know, you can't rush it. You can't rush it."

Cameron Boozer said his ability to fill multiple roles on the floor is what sets him apart, pointing to the New York Knicks' championship run as a blueprint for the kind of versatile play teams now covet. The Memphis Grizzlies' first round draft pick spoke to The Athletic about his approach following a standout summer league performance.

"Versatility is the name of the game. That's what teams are looking for," said Boozer. "Teams want five guys who can make plays. Look at the Knicks this year. Everyone on that team was capable of doing more than one thing. Everyone was capable of playing on or off the basketball. That's what I feel like I can do best. I can screen. I can handle it. You can put me in a lot of different scenarios."

Boozer closely studied New York's title run, taking note of how the team shared the ball, moved cohesively on both ends of the floor, and relied on players capable of multiple skill sets rather than a single dominant scorer. Those observations shaped his own vision for how he wants to impact games as a professional.

That approach was on full display during a dominant 10-day stretch at summer league, where Boozer averaged 18.5 points, eight rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game. His performance helped lead Memphis to the Las Vegas Summer League championship game, a narrow loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Selected third overall in the 2026 draft behind AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, Boozer is expected to be a day-one starter for the Grizzlies alongside Cedric Coward, last season's All-Rookie First Team selection. His combination of playmaking, physicality and positional flexibility as a 6-foot-10 forward has drawn comparisons to the multi-skilled roster construction that defined New York's championship approach.

Jamarion Sharp and the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a two-way deal.

Sharp was the G League Defensive Player of the Year last season, averaging 7.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 blocks in 25.1 minutes over 39 games with the Texas Legends.

Sharp went undrafted out of Ole Miss in 2024.