July 26, 2025

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Marcus Smart’s Offseason Saga: From Trade Talks to Lakers Debut

Marcus Smart’s offseason took numerous twists before he landed in Los Angeles. Prior to agreeing to a contract buyout with Washington, trade discussions involving Miami, Milwaukee and Atlanta nearly sent Smart elsewhere—Miami even explored packaging Terry Rozier in a swap. Ultimately, the Wizards bought out the veteran guard and he inked a two-year, $11 million deal (with a 2026-27 player option) with the Lakers.

Now in purple and gold, Smart has already connected with new coach JJ Redick, who urged him to unleash the same tenacious defender that opponents remember from his Boston days. His arrival also casts doubt on Rui Hachimura’s starting spot, as Los Angeles evaluates whether Smart’s perimeter toughness can elevate its backcourt defense.

Knicks Revamp Bench and Staff With Clarkson Addition, New Hires

New York has moved aggressively to shore up its reserve scoring and coaching ranks. Over the opening days of free agency, the Knicks signed former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson to a veteran’s minimum deal, pairing him with Guerschon Yabusele on a two-year, $12 million contract to remedy last season’s league-worst bench scoring. Clarkson averaged 16.2 points and shot 36.2% from three last year, and has led all NBA reserves with 4,589 total points since 2020.

On the sidelines, new head coach Mike Brown is expected to add Charles Allen—formerly the Jazz’s head video coordinator and Sacramento Kings player development coach—to his staff, joining fellow ex-Kings assistant Riccardo Fois. The moves underscore the franchise’s low-risk, high-reward strategy as it eyes a deeper playoff run.

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Lakers’ Bench Battles Deepen as Hachimura’s Future Uncertain and Hood-Schifino Moves On

Los Angeles— As training camp approaches, the Lakers’ bench picture is clouded by two contrasting storylines. Guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, the No. 17 pick in 2023, managed just two games in purple and gold before a back injury and deep rotation limited his impact. Traded to Utah and waived, he resurfaced on a two-way contract with the 76ers, highlighted by a 19-point outing against Dallas.

Meanwhile, forward Rui Hachimura heads into a pivotal contract year without any public extension talks. The offseason addition of Marcus Smart—valued for his lockdown defense—has fed speculation that Hachimura may lose his starting spot, underscoring L.A.’s cautious approach to long-term commitments.

Nets Rookies Wolf, Dëmin Push for Early Rotation Spots

BROOKLYN (July 2025) – Two Nets rookies are staking claims on roster spots after standout Las Vegas showings. Michigan center Danny Wolf, the No. 27 pick, used his 7-foot frame and versatile skill set to fill a pressing big-man void behind Nic Claxton, earning praise from coach Jordi Fernandez and analysts alike. Meanwhile, No. 8 pick Egor Dëmin delivered 11.3 points on 43.5% three-point shooting in just over 11 minutes per game, showcasing his size and shooting touch.

Key Points:

Wolf’s finishing, rebounding and playmaking could translate to immediate bench minutes in October.

Dëmin’s 40.7/43.5/100 shooting splits highlight his shooting upside, though questions remain about his off-dribble creation and pick-and-roll usage.

Brooklyn’s positionless outlook under GM Sean Marks and coach Steve Hetzel leaves room for both rookies to carve roles in 2025-26.

McCollum Says New CBA Still Punishes Teams That Draft Well

CJ McCollum used his platform on The Young Man and the Three podcast to applaud rising player salaries under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement while calling out persistent flaws. He pointed to the second tax apron and movement restrictions as punitive elements that hamper teams—even those that build through the draft—from retaining their own talent.

Key points:

Player earnings have climbed across contract tiers, including the mid-level exception and veteran minimums.

The second tax apron and limits on player movement continue to penalize well-drafting franchises.

McCollum, a former NBPA president, stressed that ongoing dialogue and future negotiations must focus as much on structural fairness as on higher paychecks.

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Marcus Smart’s Wild Offseason: From Trade Talks to Lakers Debut