The NBA is cursed

This is the NBA, where it’s always worth monitoring two entities with diverging philosophies. And on that note, let's talk about LeBron James. Story: nytimes.com/athletic/64684…

Can confirm that the Knicks have offered Mike Brown their head coach opening. Two sides expected to finalize a deal soon.

Mike Brown has coached with tremendous pressure before. But this new situation he’s coming into is different. Welcome to the Knicks. Inside New York’s hiring of Mike Brown and more: nytimes.com/athletic/64694…

As I wrote on Sunday, the Lakers and LeBron James did not have any discussions about extending his deal beyond this season before he picked up his player option. That revelation means their road ahead is undeniably uncertain. More here, at The Athletic nytimes.com/athletic/64615…

Watching the FIBA U19 World Cup final now, I really think JJ Mandequit is gonna end up in the NBA at some point. He has such a good feel for commanding both ends of the floor and has that motor/power to keep his thumb on the scale whenever he's on the floor. Feel like he's gonna

There’s a team option on the second year of Brook Lopez’s two-year, $18M contract with the Clippers, league source says.

Brad Stevens’ statement on the Celtics trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis: “We are so thankful for KP and Jrue and the time we had together in Boston. They were great Celtics whose impact on our organization went well beyond the court. They were integral parts of two

This is why Luke got the big bucks

You wanted parity in the NBA? Well, you got it. It's called the 2025-26 Eastern Conference, writes Jared Weiss.

Jared Weiss For the first time since the immediate aftermath of Michael Jordan’s initial retirement more than a quarter century ago, there’s a lack of clarity about the true contenders in an entire conference. nytimes.com/athletic/artic…

The Riley Minix game winner up close

Dylan Harper will sit for the remainder of the San Antonio Spurs’ summer league run, per the team. Kelly Iko and I wrote about his debut against Cooper Flagg, where Harper showed some exciting defensive versatility and a good feel for how to get to his shots in the paint. He has

🗞️The Athletic with Doug Haller Fred Katz on Bradley Beal leaving Phoenix Suns for LA Clippers nytimes.com/athletic/64959… Bradley Beal, Suns agree to contract buyout; guard plans to join Clippers: Sources

It’s been such an honor working with Slater, who is such a great journalist and friend. Gonna miss having him with us, as he was a huge part of building up The Athletic into what it is today.

NEW CELTICS BEAT Jared Weiss joins Adam Kaufman and I to discuss... 🏀 Was Boston really in Dame's plans? 🏀 Jaylen Brown as Batman 🏀 Celtics still looking to move Simons, Niang Listen: bit.ly/46dH9KH Powered by: PrizePicks (code: CLNS); Celtics on CLNS

Celtics Beat with Jared Weiss What will the #Celtics look like w/ Jaylen Brown as the lead dog? WATCH: youtu.be/D0h6YuTO_Z8 LISTEN: tinyurl.com/bdec65wa

NEWS: De’Aaron Fox and the Spurs have agreed to a four-year maximum extension worth as much as $229 million, his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, confirmed to The Athletic. More details from Jared Weiss & Sam Amick: nytimes.com/athletic/65331…