Joe Vardon

Gambling. Racism. Gambling again. And now, alleged salary cap circumvention by the Clippers. When the NBA has problems of this magnitude, it calls the same law firm. W @MikeVorkunov @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/70416… via @NYTimes

Huge scoop from @MikeVorkunov ahead of NBA Board of Governors press conference tonight: League investigators looking at a second company for Kawhi Leonard/cap circumvention case nytimes.com/athletic/74344…

Who is the next coach for USA Basketball? Keep an eye on Mark Daigneault, J.B. Bickerstaff, and yes, Gonzaga’s Mark Few — who are all going to join Erik Spoelstra’s staff through the 2028 Olympics pending board approval. @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/74455…

The NBA tabbed former Chicago Bulls chief Arturas Karnisovas as its consultant for NBA Europe as Adam Silver’s project of standing up a new league overseas presses forward, @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/74417…

“You couldn’t write it up any better” Former All-Star guard Jason Richardson talks to @TheJaxShow, @joevardon, and @TheSteinLine about what it means to him that his son, Jace, is playing in the NBA. Hear our Summer League coverage ⬇️ sxm.app.link/NBASummerLeagu…

Caitlin Clark is here for Cavs-Pacers Summer League. The Indiana Fever are in town to play the Aces.

Every time LeBron James switches teams, it changes how that sort of business is done in the NBA. This time, the trail blazing is coming through Rich Paul’s podcast, @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/74355…

It’s a 1-year vet minimum for Jordan Clarkson, per league sources.

Jordan Clarkson is re-signing with the Knicks, his agent Rich Paul told The Post.

Is the NBA gonna merge with EuroLeague? Who better to ask what SHOULD happen than the EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer, who (finally) got to star for USA Basketball this week? @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/74314…

Never forgetting this moment from Steph Curry. 👏 📺 American Century Championship: Friday-Sunday on NBC, Peacock & NBCSN

Sources: Nikola Jokic's stated plan to re-sign in Denver a year from now, and bypass an extension this summer, is driven by the chance to add another year of max money (when he'll be 37). More here, at @TheAthletic nytimes.com/athletic/74263…

Awesome

Folarin Balogun will be available to play the USMNT’s round of 16 match against Belgium, with his one-game red-card ban that he received against Bosnia and Herzegovina suspended. Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code states that “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.” nyti.ms/3RkeoH5

📍 Santo Domingo 🇩🇴 The USA Men's World Cup Qualifying Team takes on the Dominican Republic tomorrow (8 pm ET, DAZN) at Palacio de los Deportes! 🇺🇸⚔️🇩🇴

Jaylen Brown's low return goes much deeper than his on-court performance. His contract, outspoken reputation around the league and the Celtics' clear intention to trade him all contributed to the package Boston ultimately received. @Tjonesonthenba and @ByJayKing make sense of the trade (read for free): nyti.ms/4govcHf

More here on the strong mutual interest between Jalen Duren and the Kings, their Tuesday meeting, and the looming question of whether Detroit might consider a swap for Domantas Sabonis, at @TheAthletic nytimes.com/athletic/live-…

The Mavericks have registered interest in Kawhi Leonard, league sources told The Athletic. Masai Ujiri famously traded for Leonard once before. More here with @Sam_Amick and @DanWoikeSports: nytimes.com/athletic/74044…

The United States Soccer Federation has presented head coach Mauricio Pochettino with a proposal to extend for a second World Cup cycle, running until 2030, but any decisions will be deferred until after the 2026 tournament. The proposal was made to Pochettino for his consideration prior to this summer’s tournament, as U.S. Soccer made clear to their head coach they were eager to continue the working relationship. Exclusive story from @AdamCrafton_ here ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4evm6qG

“If we find a body, we say a small prayer. It’s to tell them: ‘Here we are. We’ve found you.’” In a World Cup host city, the search continues for the disappeared, the thousands upon thousands of victims of narcoviolence, including many buried in makeshift graves in the vicinity of the Estadio Akron. @jwhitey98 joined the mothers of the missing in Guadalajara to understand their heartbreaking stories. 🔗 nyti.ms/4oMPP1X

The NBA coaching community is furious at the Portland Trail Blazers over this low-end, incentive-laden, one-guaranteed-season contract with Micah Nori. I spoke with @NBA_Coaches prez JB Bickerstaff, Darvin Ham and Lloyd Pierce about why, at @TheAthletic nytimes.com/athletic/73917…