Chris Forsberg: Marcus Smart asked about Pat Beverley scoffing at intensity comparison: “I’m not surprised at all … What I am surprised about is for Pat to think that I’m below him or anything in that standpoint … I think my play speaks for itself … I’m just on another level right now.”
Chris Forsberg: Marcus Smart asked about Pat Beverley s…
July 23, 2021 | 5:54 pm EDT Update
Kawhi Leonard not a lock to stay with Clippers?
Marc Stein: Today’s @Spotify Greenroom discussion about Kawhi Leonard was based on what I reported last Friday via Substack: https://marcstein.substack.com/p/bucks-cp3-got-what-they-wanted There are teams that no longer make the blanket assumption that Kawhi will stay with the Clippers and plan to pursue him if they get the chance.
Warriors unlikely to trade for Ben Simmons
After multiple reports suggested Lillard could ask out of Portland, he clarified last week that such rumblings were inaccurate. Simmons, currently the only All-Star known to be shopped by his team, is also unlikely to land with the Warriors. The 76ers are asking for a massive haul that includes an All-Star-level player. Per a league source, Golden State wouldn’t be willing to give up what it would take to get Simmons.
They might be better off zeroing in on a smaller move. A league source recently told The Chronicle that the Warriors are interested in packaging the Nos. 7 and 14 selections for a starting-caliber player, not necessarily an All-Star.
JD Shaw: Point guard Jeremiah Martin has committed to Vegas summer league with the Knicks, source tells @HoopsRumors.
Davion Mintz has become the first Kentucky men’s basketball player to reach an agreement with a shoe company during the name, image and likeness era of college athletics. While we’ve seen other players partner with smaller brands and companies – Dontaie Allen signed an apparel deal with The Players Trunk, while Kellan Grady partnered with iSlide for exclusive UK sandals, among others – Mintz announced a partnership with Reebok on Friday to become the first to UK player with a major shoe company agreement.
The partnership is expected to be an off-court deal, as NIL rules state players are not allowed to sign competing on-court apparel deals with rival companies. With Kentucky being a Nike school, Mintz’s partnership must be limited to time away from basketball.
July 23, 2021 | 5:30 pm EDT Update
JaMychal Green testing free agency after declining player option
Shams Charania: Denver Nuggets forward JaMychal Green has declined his $7.6 million player option for the 2021-22 season and will become an unrestricted free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
