FULL NBA TODAY | LA Hot Rumors: Jokic, Smart & Lillard? Beal Clippers Favored

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10/07/2025

🔥 On NBA Today, analysts break down a flurry of blockbuster NBA trade & free agency rumors:

Nikola Jokic has delayed his extension talks until 2026, keeping Lakers trade speculation alive despite his strong ties to Denver

Reports suggest Marcus Smart and Damian Lillard could be on the Lakers’ radar, with Smart offering elite defense and Lillard adding proven scoring .

Meanwhile, Bradley Beal is heavily favored to sign with the Clippers after a likely buyout from Phoenix, as they have the cap space and need for perimeter

Get the full breakdown on L.A.'s ambitious offseason strategy, how each target fits their roster, and what it means for both Lakers and Clippers heading into 2025–26.

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Jokic Lakers trade speculation, Smart Lillard Lakers rumors, Beal Clippers buyout, NBA Today rumors, Lakers offseason targets, free agency 2025, L.A. blockbuster rumors, Clippers signing Beal, Lakers roster overhaul

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00:00I'm MVP Nikola Jokic will not seek a contract extension this summer, delaying talks until next year.

00:06Jokic has three years left on his current deal, including a player option for 27-28.

00:11Om Young-Masuk reported on this story yesterday and joins us now here.

00:17So, Omi, walk us through this contract scenario with Jokic and should Denver fans have any cause for concern here?

00:24Yeah, and talking to people around the league and including people from the Nuggets,

00:28there's zero concern about this being something like Nikola Jokic left a door open for other teams.

00:35This was expected because next year he could sign for a fourth year up to maybe as much as 80, close to $80 million more.

00:44Now, if you're a team like the Clippers who have cleared cap space to maintain flexibility,

00:50you will have this hope perhaps that maybe, look, something unforeseen could happen.

00:55Maybe Nikola Jokic won't be happy with how things end up in Denver, but look at the moves they've done in the last few months.

01:03They changed coaches from Michael Malone to Adelman.

01:06Adelman gave Jokic more of a voice in those huddles.

01:09You saw him being active there.

01:11They changed GMs.

01:12They went and swapped Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson.

01:15They went and got Tim Hardaway Jr.

01:16They brought back Bruce Brown, a guy they loved in the locker room, helped him win the title.

01:20All of these moves and Valanciunas, who they still is trending in the right direction.

01:24They believe, you know, they're holding him to play next season to be his backup.

01:28These are all moves they're doing to make Jokic happy.

01:30And by all indications, the Denver Nuggets are not concerned about this at all, that they expected him to wait until next time.

01:36All right.

01:36So Jokic could be a free agent as early as 2027.

01:39And Ramona, I'll mention the Clippers, but there are a number of teams that are trying to look at space for 2027.

01:45How do you see this kind of all shaking out with some of these teams?

01:48I mean, I see the Clippers and they've got spot for two max players in a couple of years.

01:53The Lakers are hoarding cap space.

01:55In this era, we all just got done covering free agency.

01:58And free agency is mostly done by the time we get to July 1st because you can negotiate with your own player if they haven't signed an extension yet.

02:04Or if they, you can, the day after the finals end, right?

02:07And I don't know what they're holding this cap space for.

02:11Like, I like the idea.

02:12If this was 2015, I like the idea of...

02:16Even 16.

02:17Even 16.

02:18That cap space could actually lead to landing another superstar.

02:21You know what it is, Ramona?

02:21I talked to someone today who said, it's no longer about free agency anymore.

02:26And waiting for a free agent to become available and you keep that cap space.

02:29Players sign the extensions, get paid, get their money.

02:32And then if they want to move, they force a trade.

02:35And I think that's where...

02:36Having the space to absorb the contract and only trade not assets.

02:38Right, but also having manageable contracts that you can trade.

02:40Several role players that might be attractive on decent things.

02:43And then you add in the picks.

02:45And if you don't have the assets and picks, you find five teams to come in the field to work something.

02:50Because wait, wait, wait.

02:51Or an NBA record 17.

02:52Right.

02:52Because here's the thing.

02:53I know a lot of people certainly were stunned by the way the Doncic trade went down because of the lack of assets that traded from a draft capital perspective.

03:03But the Mavs still got Anthony Davis.

03:05You still need one of those kinds of guys, an all-star caliber player, to fetch yourself potentially a Jokic or whoever could be available, another star player.

03:13And I suppose you can use your cap space to acquire those type of assets that you would use in a trade like that.

03:18But you see that list and we all go, oh, wow, they could all be free.

03:21They're not really going to get to free agents.

03:22No.

03:23They're probably going to do extensions.

03:24And that's one of the things in this new CBA.

03:26And we saw this last year with De'Aaron Fox where we kind of expected him to sign that when he didn't do it.

03:31It left the Kings in a position where you got your answer a little too early.

03:36Like maybe you don't want to know if he's going to extend with you early.

03:41Because then you have to trade him if he's not going to extend with you.

03:43And we're going to see that in a couple of weeks when Luka Doncic has this question for the Lakers in the start of August.

03:49He can do that extension.

03:50If he doesn't do that, now you have your answer.

03:52Right.

03:53All bets are off.

03:54Yeah.

03:54And by the way, Giannis could also be a free agent in 2027 as well.

03:57Oh, yes.

03:58You know what?

03:58When I think about Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, I like the moves they made.

04:01I do think that the same way that we talked about the Lakers running into the Nuggets, Nuggets ran into the best defense in the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

04:07And that changed the outlook of how successful their season was.

04:10So now if they're able to avoid a team like that, a buzzsaw, then maybe you'll look and say, like, OK, we are still championship caliber and competitive.

04:17Because right now, that man is the toughest guard in basketball.

04:21No doubt.

04:22Positionless, you know, when you think about it.

04:24So that's where I'm at.

04:25Like, as long as he's happy, the pieces are around for them to get better and to compete.

04:29And as long as you avoid maybe some of the stiffest composition in the West, then they're in pretty good position.

04:34Well, and he's become more vocal in the huddle as we've all seen.

04:36And maybe, I don't know, this is reckless speculation, maybe he's become more vocal behind the scenes, too.

04:40Yeah, and look, and to Ramona's point, if you are a conspiracy theorist or somebody who has wishful thinking, if Luka Doncic does not sign an extension, who is Luka Doncic very close to him?

04:51Oh, Luka Doncic.

04:52Oh, I love it.

04:55Reckless speculation.

04:56That's what we do here in the summer.

04:58All right, Kareem, Shaq, Dwight, A.D., all top-drafted big men who ended up in purple and gold, and now DeAndre Ayton joins that list.

05:08Ayton was introduced with the Lakers yesterday.

05:11Let's take a listen.

05:13It feel like a video game, like somebody set it up.

05:16I think somebody set this up.

05:18But, like, honestly, this is an opportunity that I won't take for granted.

05:21And, you know, Luka's a once-in-a-generation player, and I'm happy to be his teammate.

05:27Hearing how much shape he's been in, he's super-ripping, I'm finally glad to be on his side, you know, while he's doing all of that.

05:33It's a different type of drive that I've been wanting to express for a long time.

05:38And I think this is the perfect timing, you know, here in the purple and gold.

05:43And just to, it's a platform that I cannot run from.

05:46You know, I can show what I really am and just be around some greats to really emphasize that for me as well.

05:52And, you know, yeah, there's a lot of fuel in me, you know, to prove the whole world wrong.

05:59That suit game was strong yesterday.

06:00It was.

06:01DeAndre Ayton, wasn't it?

06:02All right, lucky for us, we also have a former number one overall pick here to take a look at what's going on in L.A. with the Lakers, Chanae Ogumike.

06:10So, Chanae, how do you see Ayton kind of rounding out with the Lakers?

06:14Let me talk nerdy to you.

06:16The Lakers have their long-awaited center at the center position.

06:21And as we focus on him here, because I want you guys to see, this is the impact this man will have.

06:27He actually led the NBA as a screener in points per pick and roll.

06:32So, if he sets a screen, he actually generates the most points.

06:35But as we go to the tape, I'll show you why he's such a tremendous lob threat.

06:38It starts with his angles on screens, and it actually starts with his hands as well.

06:42So, let's go back to when he was with the Suns.

06:44This is with one of the greatest point guards of all time.

06:47Sets a solid screen.

06:48Now you have two, three people attached.

06:51Look at his arm.

06:52He's like, hey, lead the pass here.

06:53Lob threat.

06:54You guys remember that value.

06:55But now fast forward to his time with the Trailblazers.

06:58I love how he adjusts his positioning on screens.

07:00It allows guards to snake.

07:02Solid screen right here.

07:03He's very patient, methodical with how he cuts to the basket.

07:06And then again, look at the arm, the extension.

07:08There he goes.

07:09He leads his passers.

07:10So, it's simple baskets for him.

07:12And if you think about the numbers, this is the type of offense that the Lakers want to hold down.

07:17Aiden actually triple.

07:18If you think, oh, let's get our graphic up here.

07:20I'm not sure if we have the graphic.

07:21But if you think about Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

07:24Luka Doncic, here it is.

07:26He's second in the NBA since he entered the league when it comes to points off of lobs.

07:31Generating those lobs and those assists.

07:33And then also, LeBron James is fifth in that category.

07:35So, if there's one player that is perfectly tailored to be the guy that they need,

07:40especially with these two stars offensively, these guys, future Hall of Famers, it's DeAndre Ayton.

07:45But he will have to bring his A game.

07:47Ayton and his A game.

07:48All right, Chanae.

07:49Awesome stuff as always.

07:50Let's welcome in ESPN NBA reporter covering the Los Angeles Lakers, our guy Dave McMiniman.

07:56So, Dave, we've seen DeAndre Ayton go from franchise cornerstone as the number one pick

08:00to somewhat relative obscurity in Portland.

08:03What are you hearing or assessing about his fit with the Lakers?

08:10Yeah, DeAndre said it, George, at his introductory press conference.

08:14He said, when you're not on a winner in this league, you're forgotten about.

08:18And certainly, this is an opportunity for DeAndre to reestablish who he was.

08:23The promise of being that number one pick who was a key cog on a Phoenix Suns team

08:29that was two wins away from the championship.

08:31On a Suns team that followed up that season by winning 64 games and getting the number

08:36one overall seed in the NBA.

08:39Obviously, the Suns gave up on that player for a variety of reasons.

08:43And over the last couple of years, only 57 wins combined with the Blazers in his time there

08:48in Portland.

08:49He sees this as a chance to get back on the trajectory of being someone who's known for

08:54the 16 points, almost 60 percent from the field, 10 rebounds a game.

08:59And for the Lakers, they see this as a great opportunity because he fits into their cap space

09:03they had available, only about eight and a half million dollar contract.

09:07And they hold on to their expiring contracts.

09:10They hold on to their 2031 first round pick.

09:12They hold on to Dalton Connect.

09:14That means they can continue to get this team better, whether that be for the rest of the

09:18offseason or leading up to the trade deadline in January and February.

09:23Because, again, this is about trying to get the most out of this group and turn them into

09:28contender.

09:29Dave, what else stood out to you from that press conference yesterday?

09:34Well, it was not just DeAndre Ayton coming and joining the Lakers.

09:37It was Jake LaRavia and several instances, both of those guys mentioned LeBron and Luka.

09:44It was almost a given, a, you know, just a certainly a decided factor that those guys

09:51are going to be on the team next year.

09:53And I understand that LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, gave a statement to Sham Sharania

09:58when he opted into his deal for next year, basically saying that he's going to be monitoring

10:02every move that the Lakers make and wants to play for a championship contender for

10:07the rest of his days in the NBA.

10:08And I understand that Luka Doncic has a contract decision come August 2nd when the Lakers can

10:14offer a massive extension and put it on his plate.

10:17But these guys, when they are serving in the market and they both had other options out

10:21there, they're joining the Lakers under the assumption, under the given decision that

10:28both those guys are going to be on the team.

10:30And I think we need to start thinking about the 25, 26 Lakers in the same manner, that we're

10:36going to be looking at a group that has the same core as last year with LeBron James,

10:41Luka Doncic, and Austin Reeves with some new faces around them.

10:44Dave, awesome stuff as always, man.

10:46Thanks for the time.

10:48All right.

10:48You got it, George.

10:49Let's take it from the court back here to the desk.

10:53All right.

10:53So, Ramona, we'll start with you.

10:54The Lakers roster starting to crystallize a little bit at the moment.

10:58What needs to happen for LA to kind of take that next step?

11:01The first step is to make sure LeBron James is cool.

11:03That's fair.

11:04Okay.

11:05His social media has been subtweeting and a little angst, I guess.

11:09Welcome home.

11:10He's in Cleveland.

11:12Proper attire.

11:13A lot of golf.

11:14A lot of golf.

11:14Yeah.

11:15Let's just make sure he's cool.

11:16But I also think they need some more perimeter defense.

11:19They lost, obviously, Dorian Finney-Smith.

11:21That was somebody they went out and traded for last season.

11:26And we have Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves as your starting backcourt.

11:29You need some help on the perimeter defensively.

11:31This league is a long, athletic league.

11:33And LeBron was in that defensive role last year.

11:36He was like the middle linebacker, I guess.

11:38He's almost playing center a lot of the times.

11:40I don't think he's going to be in that role now that they have DeAndre Ayton.

11:43But they still need some more athletes on the perimeter.

11:46And that sprinkles over to pace.

11:48I think this is a league that's dictated.

11:49We saw in NBA Finals that were on both ends, offensively and defensively,

11:53the pace is what dictated those types of matchups.

11:55So I think if finding the way to compete, especially with their young talent,

11:58you know, surrounded by Luka, who knows he likes to walk it up,

12:01and LeBron, who's more methodical, figuring out that offense.

12:04We have one year under the belt of J.J. Redick.

12:06I think he's going to – we all know he's going to dive into this.

12:09He's going to dive into the tank.

12:10He's been there.

12:11But, like, I do think that this is going to be – we already had the big trade.

12:15People acclimated.

12:15We got enough on tape.

12:16Now let's see how we can actually compete now that we've filled the biggest hole.

12:20Yeah, I just texted with two people in the Western Conference,

12:23one league personnel guy and one coach, and they're split.

12:28One person said, bad move.

12:30Oh.

12:30Because they said, like, look, Aiton, the time when they went to the finals,

12:34which was a long time ago in Phoenix, I was to think, almost 2021, right?

12:38That was the deepest paint shots we saw Aiton do in his career.

12:43And since then now he's more like a guy that just kind of floats, pick and pop,

12:47things like that.

12:47He said all the right things yesterday in the press conference,

12:50but where will he be, you know, basically in February?

12:54How will LeBron feel about him?

12:55Will he be that engaged all the time?

12:57Will they light a fire under him?

12:58And the thing is, as this one person said,

13:01if he's going to have those type of deep paint shots,

13:03well, then Luka can work with that.

13:04Luka will make him look good.

13:05As one other person said, though, given the options,

13:08this was a great pickup for the Lakers because they needed a big.

13:11But the whole thing is, where will J.J. Redick be and how will he feel?

13:15Who will he finish with?

13:16Is he going to trust DeAndre Aiton in those times when Aiton tends to float sometimes?

13:21Yeah.

13:21Well, look, on my radio show here on ESPN LA, got a shameless plug there,

13:25Sedano and Cap on 710 ESPN.

13:26We had Jason Quick on of The Athletic who wrote a recent story about some of the issues

13:31that went on with DeAndre Aiton in Portland.

13:33And talent has never been the question with him.

13:36It's desire that's been the question.

13:38I mean, Anthony Davis, one of the best rebounders in the game,

13:40one of the best defensive bigs in the game.

13:42And he's in Dallas now.

13:45Like, DeAndre, those are big shoes to fill.

13:46He's not going to fill those shoes on those ends of the court.

13:48But he's got to do better at rebounding, rolling hard to the basket,

13:52and playing some defense back on that back line.

13:53Yeah.

13:54We'll see how it all works out.

13:55You know, maybe it'll be like what Chanae said on that LED.

13:57And Lakers will be great.

13:58You're watching NBA Today.

14:03We welcome you to the Emirates NBA Cup Championship.

14:07Gilgis Alexander has it.

14:08Oh, ball fake and a slam.

14:10Giannis to spin move goes inside.

14:12He's in attack mode.

14:13Oh, as Lillard knocks that one down.

14:15Swims off the turnover.

14:16Drives, goes inside.

14:18Coast to coast.

14:19And Lillard answers.

14:20Back to back threes.

14:21Winning feels good when you're able to come to the game and execute your game plan.

14:26And that comes exactly what you want to do.

14:28The turnaround continues as they win the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup.

14:35As I mentioned before the break, the Bucs were the second ever NBA Cup champions last season.

14:40Giannis won NBA Cup MVP as they defeated the Thunder.

14:44That feels like a wild game.

14:45Yeah.

14:45And we have the group set up for the 2025 NBA Cup.

14:49Starting with the Eastern Conference, Group A features the Cavs, Pacers, Hawks, Raptors, and Wizards.

14:54Okay.

14:55Group B has the Celtics, Pistons, Magic, Nets, and Sixers.

14:59That's tough.

15:00That one's really tough.

15:01And lastly, Group C.

15:02This one looks perhaps a little easier.

15:04Knicks, reigning champ Bucs, Bulls, Heat, and Hornets.

15:08Let's say group of death is being promised.

15:10Yeah.

15:11And the West, Group A, has the 2025 NBA champs OKC Thunder with the Wolves, the Kings, the Suns, and the Jazz.

15:19Okay.

15:19Group B features the Lakers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Mavs, and Pels.

15:23And then Group C has the Rockets, Nuggets, Warriors, Blazers.

15:28That's the group of death.

15:29Yeah, right there.

15:30Why do my Rockets?

15:31Come on, man.

15:31Sure to be another great tournament for sure.

15:34It's tough too, though.

15:34And now we welcome in 2021 NBA champ and 2024 NBA Cup champ, Bobby Portis.

15:41Bobby, thank you for joining us, man.

15:43First off, congrats on the new deal.

15:45You just re-signed with the Bucs this offseason on a three-year deal.

15:48What made you want to continue your journey in Milwaukee?

15:52Man, first off, man, I appreciate y'all having me on the show, man.

15:55Y'all haven't invited me in so long, man.

15:57I ain't think y'all like me, you know.

15:58I ain't think y'all like me no more.

15:59We love you, Bobby.

16:00We love you.

16:01We love you, Bobby.

16:02We love you guys for a few minutes, man.

16:06Now I'm just playing, man.

16:07But, man, just the atmosphere, man.

16:09Just the culture, man.

16:10Just being in Milwaukee kind of helped shape and make my career, man.

16:14You know, starting off my career kind of rocky, going to three stops.

16:18Played with the Bulls for four years.

16:20Played with, you know, it's the Wizards for, like, two months.

16:24Nobody really talks about that stand.

16:26Played with the Knicks for half a season.

16:29And then finally found a home in Milwaukee where it's comfortable playing basketball.

16:33Obviously, it's a winning culture, winning team.

16:36We're always in the playoffs, always have a chance to win a championship.

16:39Playing with great players, have a chance to, you know, build a legacy there.

16:43All those things kind of just hit home for me, man.

16:45And then not wanting to move all my things as well, man.

16:49Got to think about all the places I can go.

16:51Do I really want to be 30 years old, moving all my stuff across the country?

16:55Nah, probably not, man.

16:56So I kind of just stay put where I'm at, man.

16:58I love it.

16:59For sure.

16:59I get it.

16:59No doubt.

17:00Moving stinks.

17:00I'll tell you that.

17:01All right.

17:01Listen, your Bucs went undefeated in cup play last year.

17:04You heard us do the reveal a moment ago.

17:06Let's take a look at the East Group C, where you guys will be.

17:09All right.

17:09So it's you guys, the Knicks, the Bulls, the Heat, and the Hornets.

17:12What are your initial thoughts?

17:15I like it, man.

17:16I love the whole NBA Cup thing only because, man, you know, it's the, you know, when guys

17:24score at the end of the game, guys get mad.

17:26They had a thing.

17:27Now it's about point spread.

17:29It's like I played in USA ball in 2023.

17:32And Coach Curry, we're just talking about winning by as many points.

17:35Don't get comfortable winning by as many points.

17:38It takes you to, like, a European-type style, right, winning by, you know, it's a total amount

17:43of points matter and all those things.

17:46So it keeps you locked in.

17:48It keeps you, gives you a early incentive throughout the season.

17:53So I love it.

17:55I love our group.

17:56It's going to be tough, obviously, in these type of settings.

17:59You know, any team can make it.

18:00So every team feels like they have a chance to win.

18:03So that's what makes the Cup so good.

18:05And it's fun to play in, man, and it's fun winning 500K.

18:07I can't see you act like that.

18:09It's not fun just seeing 500K just show up, too.

18:13So I got to throw that out there.

18:16Yeah, no doubt.

18:16That bag, it matters.

18:17There's no doubt, especially for those young guys who don't make a lot of money, for sure.

18:21So, all right.

18:21Well, listen, you guys made a big splash, speaking of money, in free agency, signing

18:25longtime Indiana Pacers big man Miles Turner.

18:29Look, there was a little bit of a rivalry brewing between the Bucs and Pacers.

18:32It's still a rivalry, man.

18:33It's still a rivalry.

18:34It's not going nowhere.

18:35No, it's not going nowhere.

18:36That's part of the reason why I want to play with the Bucs still, man.

18:39I want to still play against those guys, man.

18:41I like playing against the Pacers, man.

18:43That's not no secret, man.

18:45We don't like them, they don't like us.

18:47It ain't no secret.

18:48Okay.

18:48I love it.

18:49I love that he's still a rivalry.

18:50But how does Miles fit in now, considering now he's switched sides?

18:54I mean, shoot.

18:55I talked to him the other day, man, on the phone.

18:57I finally broke down and called him.

18:59I called him twice.

19:00And he didn't pick up.

19:01He didn't pick up, right?

19:02So I texted him.

19:03I sent him a little text, man.

19:05So I'm like, hey, Miles, it's BP, man.

19:06Just checking in, seeing how everything is going.

19:08Call me.

19:09You know what I'm saying?

19:10Call me.

19:11And I'm like, hey, bro.

19:12Like, NBA is kind of crazy how this whole thing kind of shapes and, you know, turns around.

19:17Me and Miles are actually in the same draft, too, 2015.

19:19So shout-out to my 2015 class, too.

19:22Got to give us some love, man.

19:23We still got about 15, 16 guys bumping in the league, man.

19:26All right.

19:27No doubt about that.

19:28Shout-out to the class of 2015.

19:29You also played with Dame Lillard the past two seasons, who was recently bought out, obviously dealing with a tough injury.

19:36What did he bring to the Bucs in your time there?

19:38And how do you guys look to try to replace him in any way you can?

19:43Man, Damian Lillard, man, I can't say, you know, you know what I'm saying, too much about him, man.

19:49He's just, you know, just one of the realest teammates I've ever had.

19:52Just being around him just made me better.

19:56You know, he's a, you know, selfless guy.

19:58Gives himself up for the betterment of the team, leader.

20:00You know, he's just a player.

20:02I played through all the things he played through this year.

20:04You know, the calf injury, had blood clots, come back and play.

20:07He even sent us a text message, you know, before the playoffs.

20:11So, you know, while the playoffs was starting, you know, we had lost the first two games.

20:15Then after the third game, he said, he's going to give it a go.

20:16He's going to just tell us first and foremost in the day.

20:20He's going to put his body on the line for us out there.

20:22So, you know, I can't say too much about him, man.

20:25That's one of my favorite teammates I've ever had.

20:27My two favorite point guards in the league I've ever had was Ray John Rondo and now Damian Lillard.

20:32So, he's definitely my guy, man.

20:34I always try to get cool with my point guard because I like the ball, too.

20:36He know that.

20:37He know that.

20:38You know how to do it?

20:39You know how it works.

20:41All right.

20:41Now, let me ask you about you and Giannis.

20:44The last two players left from that 21 title team, Giannis has said he wants to win another championship in Milwaukee.

20:50Why has that partnership with you and Giannis worked so well?

20:54Man, I just think it's just around 34, man.

20:57You got to have, you know, spacers, right?

20:58You got to have guys that can space the floor.

21:01You got to have guys that can open up driving lanes for them.

21:03When you play with them, man, like, you know, you might watch on TV and just watch the things that he does.

21:08But we kind of give ourselves up to let him be, you know, who he is, man.

21:11Sprinting to the corner, getting deep corner, letting him get his drives and things, whatever it is.

21:16But it's fun playing with him.

21:19And then, man, just his selflessness that he does, man, giving himself up with a team, putting his body on the line each and every day.

21:27You know, you got to have big, take a space for Florida that can, you know, knock down the wall, knock down the Giannis wall.

21:32It's a real thing.

21:33So, it's been fun playing with him over the five, over these past five seasons.

21:38Can't believe, you know, it's been five years already.

21:40Time really flies, man.

21:42But it's been fun, man.

21:43I hope we can keep it going, man.

21:44Hopefully get back to the top.

21:46All right.

21:46Real quick before we go, we only have a couple seconds here.

21:48I know you love Hubie Brown, our recently retired colleague, 91 years young.

21:52I know you always shout him out when you're mic'd up.

21:54Give him one more shout out here.

21:56What's up, Hubie?

21:57How you doing, man?

21:59That's for you, Hubie.

22:00Hey, my first three I hit this year, man, I'm going to give you a mean shout out.

22:03Hopefully, y'all got me mic'd up for that one, too, so y'all can get it.

22:05All right.

22:06From one champ to the next, the dollars are flying around in OKC as the big man, Chet Holmgren, got paid this morning.

22:13Holmgren agreed to a fully guaranteed rookie max extension worth a projected $239 million,

22:20which could be worth as much as a quarter of a billion dollars.

22:24Oh, my goodness.

22:25This deal does not include a player option, by the way.

22:27And that's after SGA already signed his four-year Supermax deal worth a projected $285 million.

22:33The MVP's contract, which starts in two years, is worth over $71 million a season, the largest average annual value in NBA history.

22:41The Thunder have now committed a projected $524 million in extensions to keep SGA and Chet in OKC through the 30-31 season.

22:51Next on their agenda could be an extension for Jalen Williams, who, like Holmgren, is rookie extension eligible this summer.

22:59Now, welcoming him in, the man who broke the news this morning, our guy, Shams Sharania.

23:03Check out the full rookie max extension.

23:06How did this deal come about, Shams?

23:07George, when you win a championship, the second youngest team ever to do so, big business awaits.

23:14And they got Shea Gillis-Alexander done on that four-year $285 million Supermax last week.

23:20And then it was about Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, a.k.a. J-Dub.

23:24And today was Chet Day.

23:26And getting him done was the priority.

23:28Oklahoma City officials and Holmgren's agent, Bill Duffy, at WME, they met over the last week or so.

23:34So, ironed out this five-year full max extension that reaches almost $250 million this morning.

23:41It is fully guaranteed.

23:43And this is for a player that has dealt with some serious injury issues in his three seasons.

23:48But listen, last year, he was the anchor of what was a historic defense.

23:52He had the best plus-minus of any player in the NBA playoffs.

23:56He had the most blocks ever in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

24:00So, up to $250 million for Chet Holmgren.

24:02He was on an all-star trajectory last year before his hip injury that sidelined him for three months.

24:09So, he's committed.

24:10Shea Gillis-Alexander's committed.

24:12Jalen Williams next up at some point here.

24:14But Chet Holmgren, like Shea Gillis-Alexander, last week, they had the very important attribute of commitment to this Thunder organization moving forward.

24:23All right.

24:23You kind of alluded to it there with Jalen Williams.

24:25But what else does OKC potentially now have to look forward to in regards to the foreseeable future about locking up this roster or making roster moves?

24:34George, I'm told now the Thunder are going to fully focus on finishing up Jalen Williams, their all-NBA star guard forward.

24:43Fully focused on finishing up his extension.

24:47There is momentum in those conversations with the Thunder between both sides.

24:51There's been positive talks.

24:52And both sides are aligned on where those negotiations are going.

24:55But big picture, the Thunder will be entering the 2025-26 season as a non-luxury tax team for the third straight season.

25:03It's very unique in today's NBA to be competing for a championship year in and year out.

25:08But it goes to the fact that they have this young core that is just now entering this max extension era for them.

25:15They have a bunch of role players locked up on long-term deals.

25:18But, again, bigger picture, starting that 20-26-27 season, this is a team that's projected to begin entering the first and second apron.

25:27Shams, thank you so much.

25:28You're the man, brother.

25:29Appreciate you.

25:30All right.

25:31So there was Shams.

25:32Now, Cheney, we know there have been seven different champions in the last seven seasons.

25:36But when you look at this Thunder team, OK, are they more equipped than any other team to be a potential dynasty?

25:44Right now, they're sitting pretty.

25:46I'll tell you that.

25:46And I just was listening to Shams, and I started writing some things down.

25:50I was like, two of their contracts were half a billy.

25:53Is that correct?

25:53Half a billy.

25:54Sam Presti, obviously, maneuvering this.

25:57They're still under the luxury tax.

25:58And their big three, 27 years or younger?

26:02A number of them all NBA?

26:03Yep.

26:04This is a wild level of finesse in the NBA.

26:08And, you know, if there's one team that is positioned or destined for greatness, it is this squad.

26:15But there's one big caveat, OK?

26:18It's the fact that when you grow over the next few years, as these guys continue to be dominant, it's going to be that much harder, especially when those numbers hit the books, to retain the supporting cast.

26:29Right.

26:29The Carusos, the Hartensteins, you know, the Dorts.

26:32That, to me, is the question mark.

26:34But they do have 50-11 picks to be able to buffer the young roster around them.

26:39But I think they're hedging on that core, that big three core.

26:43Which, by the way, if you're thinking about it, I was in love with the James Harden, the Russell Westbrook, the Kevin Durant.

26:50But this right here, they won a championship.

26:52Not saying that they're better than those future Hall of Famers.

26:55But their team basically has a runway where they've bought in already to the identity, the system.

27:01They have so many boxes checked that it's like, OK, if any team can do it and go back to back, maybe it's them.

27:07But they're set up for sustainable success.

27:10And they're set up in a way where, as Chanae mentioned, I think they won because of their cast, because of the supporting cast, because of their depth.

27:17They just outlasted everybody.

27:19They had the most talent, and they outlasted everyone.

27:21And I think as we go forward, OK, Hardenstein might become a luxury.

27:25Well, guess what?

27:25You have Jalen Williams behind him.

27:27And then you have Sorber, who you just drafted.

27:29And then you have Brandon Carlson, who you just did.

27:31Kaysen Wallace is right there.

27:33They're already getting big minutes.

27:34They just have the second wave right behind that first wave.

27:39And as you mentioned, Shea's extension doesn't kick in for two more years.

27:43So he's still on the deal that he was on before.

27:46These extensions don't kick in for a little while.

27:48And they have a couple years to play with, with those secondary players, before they have to make those tougher decisions.

27:55And by the way, can we shout out Jalen Williams a little bit here?

27:58That man was dealing with a wrist injury since March.

28:00He missed two weeks in March after an injury, then re-aggravated it in April, and played through the entire playoffs.

28:07He just talked about this recently, playing through that wrist injury.

28:10I was in those huddles.

28:11He was getting work on that wrist the entire conference finals and finals.

28:15And I remember watching him.

28:15We saw him.

28:16There was one game where he hit a couple shots.

28:18It was against Denver.

28:19And he starts blowing on his hand.

28:20And that wrist, the wrist that's always taped.

28:22And we asked him about it post-game.

28:24And he's trying not to say anything.

28:26Sure.

28:26He's trying not to acknowledge any level of pain or whatever it is.

28:28He goes, oh, I didn't even know.

28:30I mean, the cannon was literally captured him doing it.

28:33And he goes, I don't even know what you're talking about.

28:34That guy was cool as a pillow.

28:36And you know what's crazy to me?

28:37The only player that had high levels of consistency through all rounds with Shea,

28:41now you're going to get that in the future with J-Dub and Chet only improving.

28:45To me, it's wild.

28:45Even though the West is still tough.

28:47Yeah, yeah, stack.

28:48Yeah.

28:48Future is bright for sure there, no doubt about it.

28:50All right, coming up, the late in the world of boots.

28:53Starting in Texas, the Spurs and Wizards worked out a trade to send Kelly Linick to San Antonio.

28:58They also signed Luke Cornett in free agency.

29:00So, Jene, how will the center depth help Victor Webinyama?

29:04Look, this allows their front court to be more flexible because one thing that Victor Webinyama likes to do

29:09is have the rock in his hands, especially when it comes to transition or even being able to shoot from three.

29:13I know he only shot 35% from three, but now you have a little bit more versatility.

29:17I also like them surrounding him with seasoned vets.

29:20But most importantly, they've got young talent.

29:22This is a team not to be played with in my great state of Texas.

29:25Next to Dallas sticking in Texas.

29:28Shams reported that Anthony Davis had a procedure to repair a detached retina?

29:32He should be ready for training camp, according to Shams.

29:35The Mavs were crushed by injuries last year.

29:36Ramona, is it time for goggles?

29:38Yes, it's been time for goggles.

29:40He has a history of getting poked in the eye.

29:42I don't know why this seems to happen to him a lot, but back in 2020, look what LeBron James told him to do.

29:48LeBron James puts up the tweet, says,

29:49Anthony Davis, Jabbar, side by side with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

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