The Athletic NBA Daily

NBA Summer League is over, and Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are here to hand out Summer League Awards with Bryce Simon of the Game Theory podcast. They hand out the following awards:"The Point Gawd" Award - This award goes to the rookie point guard who impressed you the most at Summer League."If I Had Known That" Award - This award goes to the player who showcased a skill in Summer League that, if it's real, might have changed your evaluation of them."It's Summer League, I'm Not Worried, BUT..." Award - This award goes to the rookie whose Summer League performance has you asking some questions (negative)."The Sneaky Summer Surprise" Award - This award goes to the player who you weren't really thinking about heading into Summer League but forced their way into the conversation with their play."Too Good for Summer League" Award - This award goes to the 2nd or 3rd year player who most impressed you."Are We Done Here?" Award - This award goes to the non-rookie who you are most worried about coming out of Summer League."Late but Early" Award - This award goes to the player drafted late (late 1st or 2nd round), who you think will contribute early in their career based on your evaluation, landing spot, and SL performance."Biggest Pop" Award - This award goes to the moment in Summer League that got the biggest pop from the crowd (ex: Bronny guarding Cooper Flagg in 2025) • 9. "Summer League MVP" Award - This award goes to the best player you saw at SummerHost: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Bryce SimonProducer: Andrew SchlechtVideo: Lara Sinclair

Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and Zena Keita discuss if the Lakers are better, what happened with the Clippers, who the Suns are now, the Warriors plan, and can the Kings climb out of the basement. Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Zena KeitaProducer: Andrew Schlecht

The NBA Board of Governors met and Adam Silver gave an update on the status of the Kawhi Leonard trade. To help guide us through where the process is Pablo Torre joins Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni to discuss where the investigation is at, what the possible punishments are, if there is a second no show deal and much more.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Pablo Torre and Es BaraheniProducer: Andrew SchlechtVideo/Audio: Alex Oliver

The Atlanta Hawks made a surprising run to the playoffs before being sent home by the eventual champion New York Knicks. The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Hawks beat writer, Lauren Williams, joins Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni to discuss Atlanta’s offseason moves, life without Trae Young, and the need for a Jalen Johnson leap.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Lauren WilliamsExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver

The LeBron James era is officially over in Los Angeles and the Lakers have built next year’s squad around Luka Dončić. The Athletic’s Lakers beat writer, Dan Woike, joins Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni to go behind the scenes on the Lakers offseason moves and life after LeBron. Then, Dan ranks the Western Conference contenders and gives his takes on how the Lakers stack up in the playoffs.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Dan WoikeExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver

The Kawhi Leonard trade between the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors is currently on hold. The Athletic’s Raptors beat writer, Eric Koreen, joins Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni with the latest news on the hold up and the league’s investigation into the Clippers and Kawhi. Then, the guys take a look at the Raptors team with Kawhi, Scottie Barnes offensive growth, and their best lineups.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Eric KoreenExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver

Victor Wembanyama is giving the Spurs a hometown discount on his next contract, much to the chagrin of the Player’s Association. The Athletic’s Bulls beat writer, Joel Lorenzi, joins Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni to discuss what Wemby’s deal means for other star players, Caleb Wilson’s shooting and projection as a rookie, and how Thiago Splitter will operate in Chicago.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Joel LorenziExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver

The Philadelphia 76ers traded for Jaylen Brown in what was one of the most surprising trades of the offseason, and Trill Bro Dude of the You Know Ball Podcast is here to discuss the trade, how it happened, if the Sixers can get LeBron, and so much more. Then the guys finish with another round of Andrew vs. the Beat.Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Trill Bro Dude Producer: Andrew SchlechtVideo Producer: Monica Compton