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: Warriors keep pushing for LeBron James as Stephen Curry joins recruitment effort
LeBron James remains without a doubt the biggest name attracting attention on the NBA market. After it was announced on June 30 that James would not be playing for the Lakers next season, speculation has continued to grow about where the NBA’s all-time leading scorer will continue his legendary career.
Many potential destinations have been mentioned for James, including the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Philadelphia 76ers, as well as more realistic options such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, who remain involved in the situation.
However, at this moment, the Golden State Warriors are the team generating the most buzz, with their chances reportedly increasing. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, the Warriors have not given up hope of signing the 41-year-old superstar.
Last season, he appeared in 60 games, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.
While those numbers were below his remarkable career averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists, the 41-year-old remains one of the league’s most impactful players.
REPORT: LeBron is strongly considering joining the Warriors more than ever before after recent conversations with Draymond, per @BrettSiegelNBA pic.twitter.com/vTWeomac3I
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 13, 2026
NBA MOVES & TRANSACTIONS: Austin Reaves sacrifices $5 million to give Lakers more financial flexibility
Ziaire Williams, 24, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $3 million. The versatile forward, who can play both small forward and power forward, was selected 10th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Williams spent his first three NBA seasons in Memphis before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2024, where he played for the past two seasons. Last season, Williams appeared in 56 games, averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per contest. Now, he will look to continue his development and provide the Lakers with additional depth on the wing.
Jordan McLaughlin has agreed to a new one-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs worth $3.3 million, according to Shams Charania. McLaughlin spent the previous season with the Spurs as well, appearing in 44 games and averaging 2.0 points and 0.9 assists per contest, highlighting that his role was limited throughout the campaign.
The veteran guard has been in the NBA since 2019, when he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He remained with Minnesota until 2024, before joining the Sacramento Kings. In February 2025, McLaughlin was traded to the Spurs as part of the deal that also sent De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio, where he has remained ever since.
Austin Reaves has signed a new four-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $180 million, not $185 million as initially reported. According to Jovan Buha, the difference comes from Reaves’ decision to accept $5 million less in order to provide the Lakers with additional financial flexibility moving forward.
Free agent guard Jordan McLaughlin has agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal to return to the San Antonio Spurs, agent Greg Lawrence of THE•TEAM tells ESPN. McLaughlin appeared in 44 games for the Spurs last season and now enters his ninth campaign. pic.twitter.com/o2srVy0psO
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2026
NBA RUMOR MILL: Klay Thompson emerges as major offseason target for Miami Heat
Klay Thompson has become a major target for the Miami Heat this offseason, according to the Miami Herald.
Thompson spent the previous two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, but his future with the franchise remains uncertain as the team is reportedly looking to shift toward a younger core.
According to the report, Miami’s interest in Thompson is not connected to whether LeBron James decides to sign with the Heat. The organization is simply looking to add as many elite shooters as possible around Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Thompson fits that profile perfectly, having shot 40.9% from three-point range throughout his NBA career.
Thompson spent the prime years of his career with the Golden State Warriors, where he played from 2011 to 2024. During that time, he won four NBA championships, earned five All-Star selections, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team twice.
Although he was not at his best last season, averaging 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 69 games, Thompson could still be a highly valuable piece in the role envisioned for him in Miami. His shooting ability and championship experience could make him a dangerous addition to a team looking to build around a superstar core.
Following the blockbuster trade that brought Giannis Antetokounmpo to South Beach, the Heat have limited financial flexibility and are expected to target experienced veterans on team-friendly contracts. If LeBron ultimately chooses another destination, Westbrook could quickly become Miami’s top alternative as the franchise looks to strengthen its roster around Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins.
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.
