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Sam Amick: Yeah, so you have a bit of a track record where Steve has shown, at minimum, or had a history of coloring outside the lines. Obviously, this is on a much smaller scale than something like this—if it is proven. So, the penalties: The player contract could be voided. Executives could be suspended for up to one year. And it says all team personnel. I need to get clarity on possible player suspensions, outside of a—you know... but these are the extreme measures. There’s a bunch of scenarios that could happen. I had one person sarcastically say to me, “Man, Steve’s going to win here because…” And if I’m predicting—I don’t think this will happen—but they were basically saying: “You’re going to void Kawhi’s contract, get all kinds of salary cap room. The guy has barely played the last couple of years. Any fine you give Steve Ballmer is irrelevant because he’s such a wealthy man.”
Sam Amick: Now Steve Ballmer is not only the sixth-richest man in the world—or at least in the top ten—but a guy who, independent of these issues, is kind of a beloved member of the Board of Governors. He's a net positive for the league and, relationship-wise, has a good rapport with Adam. But this type of situation—which we've got to continue sifting through... We have smoking guns—how much of that smoke applies to real infractions?—this situation is exactly what Adam needs to cut out of the league right now. You cannot have a second-apron luxury tax system that is basically a hard cap meant to level the playing field—to keep the richest of the rich from outspending their competition—and then potentially allow deals like this that, if proven to be the case, are putting money in the pockets of star players on the side as a way to keep them in town.
Sam Amick: Do I think that NBA media—and even at times myself—is guilty of not, you know, jumping into the nitty-gritty? Um, especially, you know, listen—Pablo filing through Chapter 11 bankruptcy documents, and connecting dots between Kawhi’s arrangement with the team sponsor and Steve Ballmer’s relationship... That's old-school sleuthing. And we’ll see where it leads. But it's good work. And yeah, a lot of the media is not going down those roads, for sure.
Day'Ron Sharpe's second year is a team option
Michael Scotto: Update: The Brooklyn Nets gave Day’Ron Sharpe more money. Sharpe has now signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal, league sources told @hoopshype . Deal includes a second-year team option. Sharpe averaged 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game last season for the Nets.
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Mavericks, PJ Washington agree to huge extension
Shams Charania: Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington has agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract extension with the franchise, agent Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management told ESPN. Washington secures a new deal that keeps him in Dallas through 2029-30.
Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington has agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract extension with the franchise, agent Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management told ESPN.
Washington, 27, had one season left on his deal for $14.1 million and now secures an extension that keeps him in Dallas through 2029-30. Washington's four-year extension means the Mavericks have reached agreements with all key members of their roster eligible for new deals this offseason, including All-Star Kyrie Irving and center Daniel Gafford (three-year extensions).
Do you think WNBA players should make more money? Michael Porter Jr: I would love to see them make more money. Yeah, I would love to see people go support — and them get NBA TV deals so they can make more money. Yeah, I would love to see that for sure. And I think they’re headed in the right direction.
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Thanasis Antetokounmpo to return to Milwaukee
Shams Charania: Thanasis Antetokounmpo is signing a guaranteed one-year, $2.9 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. Antetokounmpo played for Bucks from 2019-24. This also means after a summer of exploring options, Giannis is staying in Milwaukee to start the season.
Michael Scotto: The Utah Jazz and No. 53 pick John Tonje have agreed to a two-way contract, league sources told @hoopshype . Tonje was an All-American for the Wisconsin Badgers last season, averaging 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Keith Smith: Caleb Houstan's contract with the Atlanta Hawks is an Exhibit 10 deal, a league source told @spotrac .
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