Here is your NBA Morning Brief covering all the latest NBA news, scores, trades, injuries, and standout performances from around the league.
TOP NBA Story of the Day: Kevin Durant believes LeBron James has turned the 76ers into title contenders
Kevin Durant believes LeBron James’ move to the Philadelphia 76ers has immediately placed the franchise among the leading contenders for the NBA championship.
James officially joined the 76ers in late July, ending an eight-year spell with the Los Angeles Lakers and returning to the Eastern Conference ahead of what is expected to be his 24th NBA season. He will now form a star-studded core alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown.
Speaking at a USA Basketball event, Durant compared Philadelphia’s new lineup to the Golden State Warriors team he joined in 2016. Durant played alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, winning two NBA titles and earning two Finals MVP awards during his three seasons with the franchise.
“The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair,” Durant said to ESPN. “They’ve got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they’re going to be a contender. They’re going to be a fun team to watch. It’s going to be League Pass-worthy.”
Durant also revealed that James kept his decision private and that he had no advance knowledge of the move. “I didn’t know at all. LeBron is stealth like that,” Durant said, while adding that Philadelphia represents an ideal destination because of its championship potential, passionate fan base and major market.
With James joining a roster led by Embiid, Maxey and Brown, the 76ers will need to find the right balance between several high-usage stars. Still, Durant expects Philadelphia’s offensive firepower to make the team one of the NBA’s most dangerous and entertaining groups as James continues his pursuit of a fifth championship and a historic title with a fourth different franchise.
Kevin Durant compared LeBron joining the Sixers to him joining the Warriors:
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) August 1, 2026
“The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the Warriors team I was on. They have FOUR 25-point scorers on this team.“ pic.twitter.com/gZmEQLydwo
NBA MOVES & TRANSACTIONS: Dallas Mavericks reward Naji Marshall with $52.2 million extension
The Dallas Mavericks have secured Naji Marshall’s future by agreeing to a three-year, $52.2 million contract extension, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The new deal is fully guaranteed and will keep Marshall in Dallas through the 2029-30 NBA season. The extension represents a major commitment from the Mavericks after the forward delivered the strongest campaign of his career.
Marshall appeared in 74 games during the 2025-26 season, averaging career highs of 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He also recorded 1.1 steals per game while shooting an efficient 51% from the field.
Although Dallas endured a difficult season and finished with only 26 wins, Marshall was one of the team’s most consistent performers and emerged as a key positive during a disappointing campaign.
After joining the Mavericks as a free agent in 2024 on a three-year, $27 million contract, Marshall has now earned a long-term extension. The 28-year-old is expected to remain an important part of Dallas’ plans as the franchise builds around rising star Cooper Flagg.
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall has signed a three-year, $52.2 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The fully guaranteed deal takes Marshall through the 2029-30 season in Dallas. pic.twitter.com/SKFfPkHdKO
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2026
NBA RUMOR MILL: Sacramento Kings plan to keep Zach LaVine for final year of contract
The Sacramento Kings are not considering a contract buyout with Zach LaVine despite recent reports suggesting a potential separation between the two sides.
According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, the Kings expect LaVine to remain with the team and play out the final season of his contract in Sacramento. The veteran guard picked up his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 NBA season.
LaVine’s first season with the Kings was disrupted by injuries, as he appeared in only 39 games before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right hand. Despite Sacramento’s disappointing 22-win campaign, he still averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 47.9% from the field and 39% from three-point range.
With a significant salary commitment remaining, Sacramento has little interest in a buyout and will instead hope LaVine can return to form next season. A strong campaign could increase his trade value as the franchise enters a new phase.
The Kings are expected to focus on rebuilding around young talent after selecting Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, while LaVine’s future remains one of the team’s biggest storylines.
"Detroit would loom large as a suitor for Durant if he were to ever want out of Houston, given his strong relationship with Cade Cunningham," per @BrettSiegelNBA. pic.twitter.com/hIDYZt78Ah
— Kalshi Hoops (@KalshiHoops) July 31, 2026
NBA MARKET WATCH: Cap space watch
As the 2026 NBA offseason begins to take shape, cap space is quickly becoming one of the most decisive factors in how the league’s free agency and trade market will unfold.
A clear divide is emerging between teams that are financially flexible and those operating near the second apron, where every move requires far more precision and long-term calculation. That gap is already shaping conversations across front offices, especially as teams begin prioritizing either aggressive roster upgrades or preservation of future flexibility.
Several franchises enter this phase of the offseason with significant cap room, positioning themselves as potential accelerators of the market. These teams are not necessarily chasing star-level free agents, but instead are strategically placed to absorb contracts, facilitate multi-team trades, or take advantage of opportunistic signings once the market begins to move.
On the other end of the spectrum, contending teams remain heavily restricted by apron-related limitations, which continues to push them toward smaller, targeted improvements rather than major roster overhauls. In many cases, this is forcing front offices to explore creative mechanisms such as sign-and-trade structures or veteran minimum additions to address clear roster needs.
The next phase of the offseason will likely be dictated by how quickly the cap-space teams decide to act. Historically, once the first major domino falls, it creates immediate ripple effects across the league, unlocking stalled negotiations and forcing other organizations to adjust their strategy in real time.
For now, the market remains in a holding pattern — but the financial landscape is already clearly defining who will have the power to shape it.
