Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
March 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander highlighted OKC’s improvement from last season, emphasizing that clinching earlier than in 2024 reflects their growth.
The Thunder, the second team to secure a playoff spot this season, have steadily improved, showing resilience against top teams like the Celtics and Nuggets.
Stephen Curry, James Harden, Damian Lillard, NBA Players
March 2025
Curry’s historic milestone drew admiration from Doug Christie, Chauncey Billups, and Steve Kerr, who joked that Curry might aim for 8,000 threes.
James Harden (3,127 threes) and Damian Lillard (2,794 threes) are the closest to joining Curry in the 4,000 club, but Curry’s influence on the game remains unparalleled.
Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
March 2025
Thomas is set to become a free agent this offseason, adding uncertainty to his future with the Nets after an injury-plagued season.
Despite being limited to 25 appearances, he led Brooklyn with six 30-point games, including a season-high 43 points against the Knicks. His injury status may impact his market value in free agency.
Steve Kerr, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry
March 2025
Kerr received high praise from his players after surpassing Al Attles for the most wins in Warriors history, with Draymond Green and Stephen Curry acknowledging his impact.
Green credited Kerr for “changing everything” in the Warriors’ culture, while Curry reflected on how fate kept them together in Golden State. Kerr’s leadership helped the team win four championships, and his influence extends beyond basketball, as he has also used his platform to speak on social issues.
Andrew Wiggins, Miami Heat
26 March 2025
Wiggins will face his former team, the Golden State Warriors, for the first time since being sent to Miami in the five-team trade involving Jimmy Butler.
Traded alongside Kyle Anderson, Wiggins is set to play a motivated role as both teams seek emotional wins for their traded stars.
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
April 2025 (Auction held Thursday)
A jersey worn by Kobe Bryant during his 1996-97 rookie season sold for $7 million at Sotheby’s, breaking the record for any Bryant collectible.
The jersey was photo-matched to seven games including his NBA debut. It surpassed the $5.8M record set by his 2007-08 MVP season jersey and is now the fourth-most-expensive game-worn jersey ever sold.
Phoenix Suns
June 2025 (final interviews this week)
The Suns have named Cavaliers assistants Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott as final candidates for their head coaching role, set to meet with team leadership in Michigan.
After a multiround process with 15+ interviews, Bryant and Ott emerged from a shortlist of six. Both are known for player development and coached under Kenny Atkinson during Cleveland’s 64-win season.
Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors)
September 2025
Golden State are open to trading Jonathan Kuminga but only for draft picks and young talent, a deal no team has offered. Sacramento and Phoenix showed interest, yet no agreement materialized. The 22-year-old now faces tough contract decisions. Kuminga must either sign a two-year, $45m deal with a team option or accept a one-year, $7.9m qualifying offer. The latter allows free agency in 2026 but limits trade options. The Warriors remain firm as training camp nears.
Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies)
October 2025
Memphis exercised Edey’s rookie-scale option. The 7’3″ center led Grizzlies rookies in boards, posted elite offensive rebounding, and earned All-Rookie honours. He’s rehabbing left-ankle surgery and could miss the first two months. Option secures cost-controlled size and rim protection alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. Medical pacing prioritises long-term availability; scheme fit leverages drop coverage, deep seals, and put-backs to stabilise second units once healthy.
Philadelphia 76ers
December 2025
The NBA fined the Philadelphia 76ers $100,000 for misreporting Joel Embiid’s status before their game against Atlanta, after listing the star center as out on the official injury report and then playing him, breaching league rules on accurate availability disclosure. The sanction factors in previous offences by the franchise under the same policy and underscores the league’s push for transparency in medical reporting, particularly in an era of load management and gambling partnerships, with the Sixers now on notice that repeat violations will be punished more severely.