Basketball Wiretap

Charlotte Hornets president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson confirmed the team is engaged in extension talks with Brandon Miller. Peterson addressed Miller's future Saturday during a news conference at the Las Vegas summer league.

"I've had conversations with Brandon and his representation," said Peterson. "They know that we want Brandon here for a very, very long time."

Miller is represented by Gregory Genske, Edward Kim and Alan Vaynerchuck.

Miller underwent surgery in early May to address left shoulder instability and remains out indefinitely. Peterson praised the third-year forward's approach to his recovery.

"I've been very, very pleased with the way he's attacking his rehab," said Peterson. "He's in the gym constantly. He knows he has to continue to work on his body and get stronger and he's taken that to heart."

Miller is set to become a focal point of Charlotte's roster going forward alongside Kon Knueppel, who led the league in three-pointers made as a rookie last season. That shift comes after the Hornets traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a four-team deal.

Peterson said the front office remains committed to building around Miller and Knueppel as the roster's core pieces moving forward.

Victor Wembanyama is the only member of the 2025 draft class to sign a rookie scale extension this offseason, signing a five-year, $252 million deal at 25 percent of the cap without the ability to increase it to 30 percent if he makes an All-NBA team.

Alpha Diallo and the Denver Nuggets have agreed to sign a one-year, $1.4 million deal.

Diallo went undrafted out of Providence in 2020 and appeared in the 2021 Summer League with the Phoenix Suns, but has otherwise played in Europe for Lavrio in Greece and Monaco in France.

In 77 games last season, Diallo averaged 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 25.4 minutes. Diallo show 33.5 percent on three-pointers, but was at 38.2 percent and 39.3 percent in the two previous seasons.

Diallo won the EuroLeague Best Defender award last season. Diallo turned 29 in June.

Joe Mazzulla said the Boston Celtics need time to process the trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, speaking to The Athletic during Las Vegas summer league. Mazzulla detailed both his respect for Brown and the challenge of moving forward without him.

"There needs to be a grieving process for losing not just a player in Jaylen, but a person in Jaylen," said Mazzulla. "There needs to be a grieving process that this guy, what he has done on the court and what he's done in the community and what he's done for the city of Boston, there should be a grieving process. But the … gray area is throughout that loss, you're also gaining."

The Celtics acquired Paul George, Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley as part of their offseason overhaul. Mazzulla said he plans to draw on the varied experiences those veterans bring to the locker room.

"We're getting three guys back," said Mazzulla. "One guy was a champion. So, we can leverage the experience that he had in the current moment of like, 'Hey, what worked for you guys? How can we learn from little stuff that you did?' And there's two guys that haven't (won a championship) yet. And how can we leverage, for lack of a better phrase, the hungriness or the desperation that they may have to try and get to that point?"

Mazzulla praised Robinson's defensive versatility, recalling Boston's approach to the center during a 2025 playoff series against the Knicks.

"I think his defense is underrated as well," said Mazzulla. "If you look at his ability to defend different types of (centers). Even two years ago, they were very comfortable putting him on (Kristaps Porzingis) and recovering back to his pops for his size. So, everyone's going to talk about the offensive rebounding, but his defensive versatility and his pick-and-roll defense is good."

Mazzulla also addressed comparisons between George and Brown, cautioning against viewing the trade as a direct swap of talent.

"Because there was a transaction between Jaylen and Paul George, it doesn't mean one's better," said Mazzulla. "No one's going to replace Jaylen Brown on our team and what he's done in the community. No one's going to do that. And we're not asking that to happen, but we need and I need as a coach and we need as a staff and we as a team have to demand the best of what Paul George can bring in because he's got a lot left."

Brown has expressed frustration over how the offseason unfolded, saying he felt disrespected by the organization before being dealt to Philadelphia. Mazzulla said he empathized with Brown's position throughout the process.

"Honestly, when some of the trade stuff was starting to happen, there were other guys on our roster that were impacted emotionally as well because their names were in it as well," said Mazzulla. "I think the thing that's different is obviously having a respect and an understanding of what Jaylen has done for the Celtics for 10 years."

Mazzulla also pushed back on speculation that Brown's comments last season about it being his favorite year hinted at tension within the organization.

"You can't base it off that," said Mazzulla. "There's people who are going to (judge) the intention, but in those situations, you trust the intention of a guy that you've seen the character of every single day. And we've seen Jaylen's character, and we trust who he is."

Gary Trent Jr. and the Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal. Trent will earn $15.2 million in Year 1 of the deal. 

Trent spent the past two seasons with the Bucks, which allowed him to sign for a larger contract with early Bird rights. Last season, Trent averaged 8.1 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21.2 minutes in 65 games. 

Trent will be entering his age-27 season.

Bill Foley, owner of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, is pursuing an NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas, drawing on the success of his previous expansion effort. Foley brought the Vegas Golden Knights to the city in 2017 and believes he can replicate that success on a larger scale.

"We did a couple things really well," said Foley. "We're going to do it on steroids with an NBA team."

Foley publicly announced his intent to pursue a bid last month and is assembling a group of investors. Foley told The Athletic that demand to join the effort has been strong enough to reconsider how much capital he originally planned to raise from institutional investors.

Foley is one of several parties pursuing an NBA franchise in Las Vegas. He said he knows of five separate groups working on bids, including one led by Magic Johnson, another involving former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Josh Kushner, and a third backed by former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry.

A group led by longtime NBA executive Jerry Colangelo, former NBA coach Vinny Del Negro and ex-Turner Broadcasting president David Levy has also emerged as a serious contender. That group has already secured $8 billion in commitments and aims to raise up to $13 billion, with plans to operate under the name the Las Vegas Jacks.

Seattle, by contrast, has just one known bidder in Kraken owner Samantha Holloway. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said a final decision on expansion will not come until the end of the year, though the league has taken steps toward exploring the process with investment bank PJT Partners serving as an adviser.

Foley believes his ownership of a stake in T-Mobile Arena, where the Golden Knights play, gives him a structural advantage over rival bidders. He estimated the arena would need $300 million to $400 million in upgrades to become NBA-ready, along with the addition of roughly 1,000 seats.

"I know I can do it again in basketball," said Foley. "It's going to be difficult, but I know I can do it. I know I can rally a team."

Ja Morant said Saturday his trade from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Portland Trail Blazers gives him a chance to reset his public image. 

Morant led the Grizzlies to the playoffs in four of his seven seasons with the franchise, though his tenure included two gun-related suspensions in 2023.

"What would I like cleared up? I think you know the answer to that. My image. [That] I'm a bad guy," said Morant. "I'm Ja. I've done what I've done in the past, but it's been addressed and handled already. I don't see why, years later, that's still the topic when nothing's happened since. If I was that guy, y'all wouldn't be talking to me now. I wouldn't be here."

Morant served an eight-game suspension in March 2023 and a 25-game suspension to open the 2023-24 season, both tied to incidents involving a firearm shown on an Instagram livestream. The Grizzlies also suspended him one game in November following a confrontation with coach Tuomas Iisalo.

Portland acquired Morant in exchange for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. He joins a guard-heavy Portland roster that includes Damian Lillard, Deni Avdija, Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.

Morant addressed reporters at the Las Vegas summer league wearing a Trail Blazers polo.

"New home. New team. New organization," said Morant. "I get to show the fans in Portland a different Ja. It's like starting all over again. ... Over the years, I've grown a lot and learned a lot. My mindset changed. I go into things differently now. I feel more mature, and I'm ready to work."

Morant averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists last season but appeared in just 20 games due to injury. He said his body feels great after spending the past four months training.

Morant expressed openness to any role in Portland's crowded backcourt and enthusiasm about playing alongside his new teammates.

"All those guys will most likely unlock new parts of my game, and I'll do the same for them," said Morant. "I don't think it will be a problem having us on the floor or making sure minutes match or anything. We're all very unselfish."

Morant said he holds no resentment toward Memphis, calling the city home and noting he remains close with several former teammates.

"[The reaction from Memphis] was all love," said Morant. "It's some [fans] that might say bad things about me. I don't look at it like it's hate or anything. I just look at it as tough love from a family member. I love Memphis, I love the fans, I love my teammates."

Charlotte Hornets president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson addressed their LaMelo Ball trade Saturday during a news conference at the Las Vegas summer league. The Hornets traded Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a four-team deal in June. Charlotte received Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three second-round picks and three first-round pick swaps.

"These decisions are challenging at times, but when you look at the totality of the season and everything of where we were, it's important to take an honest look in the mirror of where you guys are as a team," said Peterson. "And that's what I had to do at the end of the season. And it just felt like the goal is never to compete for a play-in spot. The goal isn't to get to the play-in or even the playoffs for one year.

"I've said it plenty of times since I've been here in Charlotte: The goal is to get to the playoffs and stay there for a long time. And eventually contend to compete for championships. Getting Naz Reid when you can get a player of his caliber. And of course, the draft capital and the flexibility just felt like it was something that was able to achieve multiple goals in one transaction."

The trade came together after last month's NBA draft and caught many by surprise given Charlotte's turnaround last season. The Hornets won 44 games after finishing with just 19 the previous year, posting the NBA's top-ranked offense and fifth-ranked defense from Jan. 1 onward.

Charlotte beat Miami in the play-in tournament before losing to the Orlando Magic, extending the Hornets' playoff drought to nine seasons, the longest active streak in the league.

Peterson explained why he chose not to simply run it back with Ball alongside Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.

"It's my job to not just look at half of last season or two-thirds of last season," said Peterson. "I've been here for a little bit over two years now. So looking at the totality of the picture and also looking at trends along the league. LaMelo was tremendous in our run last year. He was extremely impactful and I know he's going to do great in Minnesota. But for the Charlotte Hornets, just felt like it was the right time to execute a trade of that magnitude."

Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 36.8 percent from three-point range across 72 games last season. Injuries limited him to just 105 games combined from 2022-23 through 2024-25.

Peterson acknowledged the emotional toll of trading a fan favorite.

"I do empathize with the fans and I understand just where they're coming from," said Peterson. "I love LaMelo. He's a tremendous human being. Of course, he's an enormous talent. He and I have a great relationship. But I would hope that they understand that I have the best interest of the Hornets organization."

Peterson confirmed Hornets owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall were fully informed throughout the process and said the move was not motivated by finances. Ball had three years remaining on his contract and was eligible for a two-year, $119.2 million extension.

Charlotte has since signed Coby White to a three-year, $74 million deal to help fill the void at point guard.

Gonzaga starting point guard Mario Saint-Supery is departing the program to sign with EuroLeague club Valencia. The Spanish squad announced the long-term deal Saturday.

Saint-Supery earned all-West Coast Conference freshman honors last season, averaging 8.6 points per game in his lone year with the Bulldogs. Before arriving at Gonzaga, he had built a reputation in Spain's Liga ACB, earning the nickname "El Principito," or "The Little Prince."

Valencia referenced that nickname in its announcement.

"The Little Prince will make the Roig Arena his new palace," Valencia said in a release, adding that Saint-Supery would "continue his development at a high competitive level."

The departure comes at a difficult time for coach Mark Few's roster, which is set to compete in the new Pac-12 during the 2026-27 season. With the transfer portal closed, Gonzaga has limited options to replace a starting point guard in July.

Saint-Supery, a 6-foot-4 guard, shot 40 percent from three-point range last season and started Gonzaga's final eight games. That stretch included a 21-point performance against Santa Clara in the WCC tournament championship game, along with 13 assists and four turnovers across two NCAA tournament appearances.

Saint-Supery had been expected to serve as Gonzaga's point guard alongside returning players Braden Huff and Davis Fogle and Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop as the Bulldogs prepare to compete outside the WCC for the first time since 1979.

The move also reflects a broader shift in how international prospects approach college basketball. The NCAA's 5-for-5 rule now starts a player's academic clock upon enrollment or the academic year after turning 19, whichever comes first, reducing the window for older international players to compete at the Division I level.