Ramona Shelburne: This was a very hush-hush operation. Lakers knew they needed to give Bron space to decide and announce it as he wanted. None of us reporters could even confirm they’d been in touch whereas calls with Cavs & Sixers leaked. Says something on the discipline for all involved
Ramona Shelburne: This was a very hush-hush operation. …
July 6, 2022 | 8:35 pm EDT Update
Relationship with De'Aaron Fox a key factor in Malik Monk's decision to sign with Kings
Sacramento agreed to terms on a two-year, $19 million contract with Monk as soon as free agency began at 3 p.m. Thursday. The deal cannot be finalized until the moratorium ends July 6, but reunion plans between former Kentucky teammates are already underway. Sources with knowledge of the situation described Monk and Fox as “brothers,” saying their relationship was a key factor in Monk’s decision to sign with Sacramento.
“Him and De’Aaron are extremely close, and they’ve been close since high school, so I would say the overall factor with Fox, their relationship and the friendship they’ve always had, definitely played a big role,” the source said. The source went on to say the situation presents “a good opportunity to grow something organically there in Sacramento.”
“They speak all the time,” a source said. “They’re still in their college group chat, so they speak every day. Those guys are real brothers, so I’m excited for them both.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed guard Luguentz Dort to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed forward Joe Ingles. “Joe is a proven shot maker who will add great depth to our roster,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. “He is a terrific person and teammate who will fit in well with our team and community. We’re thrilled to welcome Joe and his family to Milwaukee.”
Cherelle Griner, the wife of detained American basketball star Brittney Griner, released a statement Wednesday following a phone call with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, “I am grateful to the both of them for the time they spent with me and for the commitment they expressed to getting BG home.”
In Cherelle Griner’s statement, which she posted on Instagram, she wrote, “While I will remain concerned and outspoken until she is back home, I am hopeful in knowing that the President read my wife’s letter and took the time to respond. I know BG will be able to find comfort in knowing she has not been forgotten.”
July 6, 2022 | 7:48 pm EDT Update
Tim Connelly on Rudy Gobert trade: He had no shortage of suitors
Dane Moore: Tim Connelly said Rudy Gobert had “no shortage of suitors” and that the Wolves had a “pretty good sense of the market” it would take to land him. But Connelly also said Utah was “maybe the biggest competitor” — because “this was not a fire-sale” for the Jazz.
