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: Adam Silver denies NBA blocked Kawhi Leonard trade, investigation still ongoing
NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the media regarding the proposed Kawhi Leonard trade to the Toronto Raptors, denying reports that the league blocked the deal.
According to previous reports, the Clippers would have received Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks in return.
Silver confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by independent law firm Wachtell Lipton, with the expectation that it will be completed this summer.
“My timeline is still this summer. As you know, I’m not conducting the investigation, nor is the league office. It has been entrusted to the independent law firm Wachtell Lipton,” Silver said.
He also rejected claims that the NBA prevented the trade from happening.
“I also want to clarify that the league did not stop the trade. The parties involved decided not to move forward because the investigation was still open, and the potential impact on Kawhi Leonard’s contract was not yet known.”
Adam Silver acknowledged that the investigation into Kawhi Leonard for alleged cap circumvention must conclude before the start of next season. https://t.co/YrkTZhfHqg
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 15, 2026
NBA MOVES & TRANSACTIONS: Jonas Valanciunas officially leaves the NBA after 14 seasons, signs with Zalgiris
Jonas Valanciunas has officially brought his 14-year NBA career to an end, with the Lithuanian center set to continue his career in the EuroLeague after signing a two-year contract with Zalgiris.
Valanciunas entered the NBA in 2012 and spent the most successful stretch of his career with the Toronto Raptors, where he played for seven seasons before being traded in 2019. He then joined the Memphis Grizzlies, remaining there until 2021, before spending the next three seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Over the past two years, Valanciunas saw his role diminish, leading him to play for three different teams – the Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, and Denver Nuggets.
During his NBA career, the veteran big man earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2013 and established himself as one of the league’s most reliable centers before deciding to return to Europe.
The Lithuanian lightning strikes in Kaunas.
— BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) July 15, 2026
All-time NBA Lithuanian top scorer Jonas Valanciunas signs a 2-year deal with Zalgiris! 💚⚡️ pic.twitter.com/tCgXItJFAh
NBA RUMOR MILL: Warriors lose confidence in LeBron James pursuit, new target already emerges
The Golden State Warriors are still waiting to see what LeBron James decides about his future, but optimism around a blockbuster move appears to be fading.
According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, the Warriors now believe they’re a “dark horse” in the race for James, with the expectation that the four-time NBA champion is more likely to end up with an Eastern Conference team.
“I’m kind of hearing today that the Warriors internally kind of feel like they’re a dark horse at this point, that LeBron James is probably going out east,” Spears said.
If that happens, Golden State already has a backup plan. Multiple reports suggest the Warriors could turn their attention to six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who recently became a free agent after agreeing to part ways with the Sacramento Kings.
“Because they have the mid-level to offer, the Warriors feel like the most likely landing spot for DeRozan if they miss out on James. They need another player who can create for himself. And while DeRozan doesn’t raise the ceiling the same way James does, he would help them raise their floor,” CBS Sports’ Robby Kalland wrote.
While DeRozan wouldn’t have the same impact as James, he would give Stephen Curry another proven scorer and shot creator, making him one of the most realistic alternatives if the Warriors miss out on their top target.
The Bucks have reportedly emerged as a team trying to “pry away” Peyton Watson from the Nuggets, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/PPYxTHfaYQ
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 14, 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.
