It’s been an eventful offseason in the NBA, with a blockbuster trade last week that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee and the Boston Celtics acquiring Jrue Holiday on Sunday. pen remaining transfers.
There are plenty of storylines still up in the air: James Harden’s trade request has yet to be approved, and 2023 MVP Joel Embiid may be keeping an eye on moves by other Eastern Conference contenders.
In addition to the many new faces in a new place, Victor Wembanyama, the most anticipated NBA draft pick in recent memory, is about to begin his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs. The 2023 draft class is stacked with talent as the next generation of stars begins to form.
The 2023-24 season unofficially kicked off on Monday, with most NBA teams reporting to training camp and participating in annual media days. Follow Yahoo Sports for the latest happenings from around the league.
Damian Lillard shares OG Anunoby prank
Until the dust settles on Damian Lillard’s move to Milwaukee, he’s keeping a close eye on the latest news. Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby seemed to take advantage of Lillard’s nerves for fun.
“I was on the phone and I just got a random text from OG, like, ‘Welcome to Toronto,'” Lillard told Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
Lillard immediately called Anunoby, but Anunoby ignored even the call for drama. He eventually called back with a smile.
Raptors forward OG Anunoby prankily told Bucks star Damian Lillard, “Welcome to Toronto,” just days before the actual trade. pic.twitter.com/kSJ4WAAIKv
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 3, 2023
Lillard said Anunoby is “always messing around.” The two trained together this summer and now share a session.
Lonzo Ball determined to play again
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is focused on returning to the court after multiple knee surgeries sidelined him from a promising chapter in his career.
“I definitely plan on competing again,” Ball told reporters. “After my third surgery, I feel like it’s going well so far and I haven’t had any setbacks. So for me, it’s just about keeping my head up and getting on with the job.”
He underwent a cartilage graft in March, his third surgery on his left knee in about a year. He said Monday he is nearly halfway through his recovery from his latest surgery. He has not played in an NBA game since Jan. 14, 2022, and will miss a second straight season. But the former No. 2 overall pick is staying positive. Ball is “only 25 years old” and “everything happens for a reason,” he added in his comments about the injury.
Jusuf Nurkic uses questions to solve America’s gun problem
The Phoenix Suns acquired Jusuf Nurkic from the Trail Blazers in a multi-party trade that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee.Although Bosnian players Speak out loud about your excitement Regarding this move, he did not shy away from more serious topics for half a day.
Nurkic candidly answered a seemingly easy question about a confusing aspect of the American experience. “I still don’t understand why everyone has so many guns,” he said.
The NBA veteran joined the league in 2014 and played three seasons with the Denver Nuggets before spending the final seven years in Portland.
“I feel like, and I still don’t understand it today, because I feel like kids should be safe in our schools,” he added. “I personally think it’s a bad thing when you see fake guns and kids in schools on social media and sometimes you can’t control certain things through this media, all the social media platforms we have, but I think our kids, “If we could make their world a better place, it would be without guns.” “
LeBron James reveals Bronny underwent surgery after cardiac arrest
LeBron James revealed Monday that his son Bronny underwent surgery this summer after experiencing cardiac arrest during a USC basketball practice.
James did not provide details about the surgery or its timing, but he did say Bronny is recovering well from the incident and he expects his son to play for USC this season.
“Bronny’s doing really well,” James told reporters at Lakers media day. “He has started the rehab process this season to get back on the field with his teammates and USC – his surgery was successful. But he is continuing to improve.”
“This summer has been an absolute whirlwind and a lot of emotions for our family. But the best thing we have is each other… We’re excited to see where he is today and we look forward to seeing where he goes The future. Stored for him.”
Grizzlies star Ja Morant to travel and practice with team while serving 25-game suspension
Although Ja Morant will miss the first 25 games of the season due to suspension, the Memphis Grizzlies star will be allowed to travel with the team and participate fully in practices.
Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman confirmed during the team’s media day on Monday that Morant would not be leaving the team until after he showed off a handgun in multiple Instagram Live videos last season. Suspended 25 games for harmful conduct. Can return.
“I think it’s great for Ja and it’s great for the whole team, because he gets to be with us every day,” Klayman said, via ESPN’s Tim McMahon. “The NBA basically said, As long as Jaa continues to stay on track, he will definitely participate in all private team activities, including practices, shootarounds, traveling with the team. Obviously, he will not be with us, preseason and the first 25 games, But we’ll see him play and we can’t wait to have him back for Game 26.”
Learn more about how the Grizzlies are handling Morant’s suspension.
Kevin Porter Jr. did not attend the Houston Rockets’ media day on Monday. The guard also will not participate in training camp or preseason games with the team.
Coach Ime Udoka and general manager Raphael Stone took questions about the situation for the first time since Porter was arrested in New York last month on suspicion of domestic violence and strangulation. That’s when Stone told the media that Porter’s tenure with the Rockets was over.
Porter is due back in Manhattan court on October 16 as his criminal proceedings are ongoing.
“The accusations against him are deeply troubling,” Stone said. “As soon as I heard of the allegations several weeks ago, I informed his representatives that he could not be a member of the Houston Rockets. Since then, he has not rejoined or left the team.”
Read more of Stone’s comments on Porter.
James Harden misses 76ers media day
The race is on to see who blinks first in the lore of James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers. In the latest episode, the point guard sat out the team’s media day on Monday as he continues to pursue a trade away from the team.
It’s all part of an ugly battle between Harden and Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey as their relationship frays.
In August, reports surfaced that the team was no longer pursuing a trade for the star. Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports reported last month that another thing to watch could be the morale of 76ers star center Joel Embiid if the game between the two teams goes on for an extended period.
Jimmy Butler debuts new look at Heat media day
Jimmy Butler’s offseason didn’t go as planned.
After his Miami Heat team lost the Damian Lillard sweepstakes, did he put his emotions… over his head? The Heat All-Star debuted an unexpected new look during Monday’s media day.
See more of Jimmy Butler’s new look.
Spurs re-sign Devin Vassell for $146M, moving into future with Victor Wembanyama
After struggling for a few seasons, the San Antonio Spurs are looking to the future.
The Spurs have agreed to a five-year, $146 million contract extension with fourth-year wing Devin Vassell. Vassell’s agent told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal secures Vassell’s spot alongside rookie Victor Vembanyama as part of the Spurs’ long-term plan to return to championship contention.
Find out more about Spurs’ investment in their future.
Cam Johnson will miss start of training camp
The Brooklyn Nets announced Monday that Cam Johnson will participate in training camp. The forward strained his left hamstring during on-field training last week.
Hornets team up with Mr. Beast to design new jersey patches
The Charlotte Hornets have teamed up with popular YouTuber Mr. Beast to create jersey patches for the 2023-24 NBA season. The patch will appear on the left side of the jersey, opposite the NBA logo.
This marks the first time an NBA team has partnered with a social media influencer.
Charlotte Hornets launch jersey patch partnership with YouTube and social media personality Mr. Beast, first for influencer and NBA team pic.twitter.com/3XYduRwYFY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 2, 2023
Mr. Beast is one of the most popular content creators on YouTube. His main YouTube channel has 188 million subscribers, and each of his videos regularly receives hundreds of millions of views.
Zion Williamson enters 2023-24 season in great shape
New Orleans Pelicans big man Zion Williamson is taking his training regimen to a whole new level this offseason. Pelicans executive David Griffin said this is the first time Williamson has hired someone to take care of his body during the offseason.
Griffin added that this was the first time Williamson was “taking his career seriously” during offseason workouts.
Grieve said Zion has hired independent people to help him take care of his body: ‘This is the first summer that Zion has taken his career seriously in this regard’
— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) October 2, 2023
Williamson played only 29 games last season due to injury. When healthy, he played at a high level, averaging 26 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Chauncey Billups excited for Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has nothing bad to say about Damian Lillard leaving the team. Billups said he can’t wait to see what Lillard does with his new team, noting that it’s “the best team (Lillard) has ever had.”
Chauncey Billups: “The position that Dame is in right now is the best team he’s ever been on. I’m really excited for him.”
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) October 2, 2023
Lillard requested a trade from the Trail Blazers in the offseason. The team granted his wish Wednesday, trading him to the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee fans came out to greet Lillard when he arrived at the Bucks arena on Saturday.