Lillard’s confidence and appreciation for McCollum playing through pain when the Blazers need him as they make their final playoff push is yet another layer of the duo’s special relationship. He’s a little bit banged up. He’s making no excuses or looking for no way out. He’s thuggin’ it out for the team and being out there for us, and fortunate for us, him doing that meant he was out there for those last free throws and came through for us. — Trail Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard on CJ McCollum
Lillard’s confidence and appreciation for McCollum pl…
June 25, 2022 | 3:24 pm EDT Update
Blazers guarantee Josh Hart's contract for 2022-23 season

Aaron J. Fentress: Source: Blazers fully guarantee Josh Hart’s contract that will pay him $12.9 million next season. Deadline was today. There is a mutual option for the following season. This was absolutely a no-brainer. #RipCity
JD Shaw: The Philadelphia 76ers are bringing guard Malik Ellison to summer league, his agent Jerry Dianis tells @HoopsRumors. Ellison is the son of Pervis Ellison, who was drafted No. 1 overall in 1989. He signed a 10-day deal with the Atlanta Hawks this season.
JD Shaw: DJ Funderburk has committed to play with the Utah Jazz during the Salt Lake City Summer League and Las Vegas Summer League, agent Cervando Tejeda tells @HoopsRumors. Funderburk played in Russia and France this past season.

Sean Highkin: Shaedon Sharpe on why he didn’t play at Kentucky: “Getting my body right, getting a little bit stronger, a little bit bigger. My mindset was, get my body right.”

Sean Highkin: Joe Cronin: “The goal is to win a championship. It’s plain and simple for us. We’re not content just making the playoffs and winning a round or two. Our goal is to take this to the peak and push it to the limit.”

Paul Garcia: Jeremy Sochan said Dejounte Murray already texted him to welcome him to the team. The players said they’ll be connecting with the other Spurs players soon.

Paul Garcia: Malaki Branham says his uncle was a big Spurs fan and Tim Duncan was one of his uncle’s favorite players, so Branham watched the Spurs growing up.
June 25, 2022 | 1:38 pm EDT Update
Keegan Murray on Kings: It's a dream come true

Jason Anderson: Kings forward Keegan Murray: “I’m excited to be here in Sacramento. It’s a dream come true to be able to put on the purple and black.”