
Weekly NBA Roundup
Hosted by Big Dill
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: NBA news from the past week. Cover any summer league games, trade talk, or other league news.
Transcript
Hey everyone, welcome back to Big Dill Sports! I'm your host, Dillon, and today we’re diving into the most exciting week of the NBA offseason, right after the 2025 NBA Finals wrapped up. There's a lot to cover, so let's jump right in.
The NBA Draft always brings lots of surprises, and this year was no exception. The Dallas Mavericks turned heads when they landed the top pick against all odds. They chose Duke's prodigy, Cooper Flagg. This young talent put up some impressive numbers in college: 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, along with a solid defensive record. With Flagg joining Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, the Mavericks are looking like serious contenders.
Moving down the draft list, the San Antonio Spurs went for Dylan Harper from Rutgers at No. 2. He brings not only talent but also some NBA legacy as Ron Harper’s son. And then, the 76ers surprised us all by picking Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe. There were concerns about how he'd fit with Tyrese Maxey, but sometimes chemistry can surprise you.
Over in Charlotte and Utah, the Hornets picked up Wisconsin’s Kon Knueppel while the Jazz took a chance on Kentucky’s Ace Bailey. Keep an eye on these young players, as they have the potential to make a splash.
Speaking of new talent, the Summer League is just around the corner, kicking off on July 10 in Vegas. Teams like the Atlanta Hawks have already announced their schedules. Keep an eye out for rookie Asa Newell; he’s expected to make his debut. Players will be battling it out, hoping to catch the eye of scouts and secure those coveted roster spots.
Moving on to trade rumors, things are heating up. Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t requested a trade, but he's open to it if the Bucks don’t make some moves in free agency. Teams like the Knicks and Spurs are potential suitors, so it’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds.
On the other hand, Kevin Durant's recent trade to the Rockets still has folks talking. Even though Phoenix targeted the No. 10 pick, there's still chatter about Durant’s contract possibly moving again.
In Cleveland, despite some buzz, Darius Garland seems to be staying put. The Cavs clearly see a bright future with him at the helm.
Miami, shifting focus from Durant, is now considering moves that involve the Lakers' Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht. With their trade strategy evolving, it’s going to be an intriguing offseason for the Heat.
Now, let’s talk about some key free-agency updates. Jabari Smith Jr. secured a hefty five-year deal with the Rockets, ensuring he stays put. James Harden has signed with the Clippers after declining his player option, and LeBron James is sticking with the Lakers for another year. Meanwhile, Bobby Portis has re-upped with the Bucks, adding stability to their roster.
And now, it’s time for my favorite segment—our Big Dill of the week. This time it’s Cooper Flagg. Being the youngest No. 1 pick since LeBron, with the potential everyone’s buzzing about, certainly makes him the big deal in the NBA right now.
That’s a wrap for this week’s episode of Big Dill Sports. Keep your eyes peeled as free agency kicks in and trade rumors continue to swirl. By the time training camp hits, the NBA landscape might look very different. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to catch us next week for more NBA action. Stay sporty, folks!
## Overview of the Week (June 23–29, 2025)
The NBA offseason intensified in the week following the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Finals, as teams turned their attention to the June 25–26 NBA Draft and began laying groundwork for the upcoming season. While no official NBA Summer League games took the court during this period, front offices and prospects were busy preparing for the July 10–20 NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas, with several teams announcing schedules and rosters. At the same time, high-profile trade rumors dominated headlines, with star players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant at the center of speculation, and clubs such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat clarifying their offseason plans.
## NBA Draft Recap
### Cooper Flagg Leads as No. 1 Pick
On June 25 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the Dallas Mavericks shocked the basketball world by winning the draft lottery despite just a 1.8% chance, snapping up Duke prodigy Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45585367/mavericks-pick-cooper-flagg-no-1-2025-nba-draft?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Flagg, who averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in his freshman year, becomes the youngest No. 1 pick since LeBron James and joins Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis in Dallas ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45585367/mavericks-pick-cooper-flagg-no-1-2025-nba-draft?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Mavericks GM Nico Harrison lauded Flagg as "a generational talent" poised to help Dallas immediately contend.
### Top-Five Selections
The San Antonio Spurs selected Rutgers guard Dylan Harper at No. 2 overall; Harper averaged 19.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 2024–25 and brings NBA pedigree as the son of Ron Harper ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_Harper?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). In a surprise twist at No. 3, the Philadelphia 76ers picked Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe, despite concerns about positional fit alongside Tyrese Maxey, after a workout where he "appeared nervous" yet impressed in interviews ([basketball.realgm.com](https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/news/wiretap/archive/2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). The Charlotte Hornets used their fourth pick on Wisconsin’s Kon Knueppel, and the Utah Jazz drafted Kentucky wing Ace Bailey at No. 5, a move that raised eyebrows given his pre-draft reluctance to meet with teams ([news.com.au](https://www.news.com.au/sport/basketball/nba/nba-draft-2025-cooper-flagg-named-no-1-pick-teen-torn-to-shreds/news-story/cb01002928002281819beb8e67111b72?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Notable First-Round and Second-Round Picks
New Orleans picked Jeremiah Fears from Oklahoma at No. 7, with Fears posting 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_Fears?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). The Brooklyn Nets were busy on draft night, trading for and selecting French point guard Nolan Traoré at No. 19 overall, adding to their youth movement ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolan_Traor%C3%A9?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). In Round 2, the Phoenix Suns maneuvered to snag Saint Joseph’s wing Rasheer Fleming at No. 31 via a trade with Minnesota ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2025-nba-draft-tracker-takeaways-johni-broome-ryan-kalkbrenner-kam-jones-go-off-the-board-early-in-round-2/live/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)), while the Cleveland Cavaliers added Duke guard Tyrese Proctor at No. 49 for backcourt depth ([new.cbssports.com](https://new.cbssports.com/nba/news/2025-nba-draft-tracker-takeaways-johni-broome-ryan-kalkbrenner-kam-jones-go-off-the-board-early-in-round-2/live/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Summer League Preview
Although official Summer League gameplay does not commence until July 10 in Las Vegas, teams used the week to finalize travel plans, training camp invites and schedules. The league’s California Classic and Salt Lake City Summer League segments were also confirmed, bringing the total of 76 games across three venues ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_Summer_League?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- **Atlanta Hawks**: Announced on June 27 that they will open against the Miami Heat on July 11 at 4:30 pm ET (ESPN2), followed by games versus the Suns (July 13), Rockets (July 14) and Grizzlies (July 17) ([si.com](https://www.si.com/nba/hawks/news/atlanta-hawks-officially-announce-2025-nba-summer-league-schedule-01jysb9mncaj?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Rookie Asa Newell, the Hawks’ first-round pick, is expected to suit up in Las Vegas, per team sources.
- **Other Team Schedules**: While the Lakers, Warriors and Knicks have yet to publicly release full Summer League rosters, all 30 NBA franchises will participate in Las Vegas, providing a platform for rookies, G-League assignments and two-way signees to showcase their talent.
Scouts and front offices will monitor emerging prospects such as Kings rookie Bub Carrington, which, alongside second-year standouts like Jalen Wilson (Summer League MVP last year), could influence training camp rotations and depth charts.
## Trade Rumors and Front-Office Moves
### Giannis Antetokounmpo “Open-Minded” on Trade
Despite three consecutive first-round playoff exits, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has not formally requested a trade—but he remains receptive to the idea if Milwaukee does not take the desired steps in free agency and the draft. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Giannis will observe the Bucks’ offseason activity before making a decision, with potential suitors including the Knicks, Nets, Warriors, Heat and Spurs ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/06/26/sports/dont-close-the-books-yet-on-a-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-insider/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Kevin Durant Trade Speculation
Though Kevin Durant was dealt to the Houston Rockets on June 22, Shams Charania noted that the centerpiece of the transaction for the Phoenix Suns was the No. 10 overall pick, described as the “jewel” of the deal ([basketball.realgm.com](https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/news/wiretap/archive/2025/06/older/1?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Yet ESPN insider Brian Windhorst maintains that further movement around Durant’s contract remains plausible, especially as teams eye a championship window ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/06/26/sports/dont-close-the-books-yet-on-a-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-insider/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland Untouchable—for Now
Contrary to earlier chatter, Cleveland is not shopping All-Star point guard Darius Garland, per league sources. While the Phoenix Suns inquired about Garland as part of a Kevin Durant package, the Cavs’ front office values Garland’s potential upside too highly to include him in trades this summer. Instead, Cleveland is exploring moves involving other contracts, notably Isaac Okoro’s ([fearthesword.com](https://www.fearthesword.com/2025/6/25/24455638/cavs-nba-trade-rumors-darius-garland-cleveland-cavaliers-kevin-durant-phoenix-suns?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Miami Heat’s Trade Strategy
The Heat, unsuccessful in pursuit of Durant, have reportedly shifted focus to Los Angeles Lakers forwards Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht, potentially offering Andrew Wiggins in return. According to multiple ClutchPoints reports, negotiations have moved beyond preliminary checks, with Miami eager to leverage expiring contracts and future draft capital ([clutchpoints.com](https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/sources-lakers-heat-moving-forward-andrew-wiggins-trade-talks?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [timesofindia.indiatimes.com](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nba/top-stories/miami-heats-smart-trade-strategy-puts-rui-hachimura-and-dalton-knecht-in-spotlight/articleshow/122078729.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Early Free-Agency and Contract Updates
Even before the July 1 free-agency moratorium, teams have agreed to terms on various extensions and opt-outs:
- **Jabari Smith Jr.** locked in a five-year, $122 million extension with the Rockets on June 29 ([clutchpoints.com](https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-free-agency-2025-tracker/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- **James Harden** declined his $36.3 million player option to sign a two-year, $81.5 million deal with the Clippers ([clutchpoints.com](https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-free-agency-2025-tracker/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- **LeBron James** exercised his $52.6 million player option to remain with the Lakers ([clutchpoints.com](https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-free-agency-2025-tracker/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- **Bobby Portis** re-signed on a three-year, $44 million deal to return to the Bucks ([clutchpoints.com](https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-free-agency-2025-tracker/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
These moves reflect teams’ priorities in salary-cap management and roster building ahead of free agency.
## Looking Ahead
As the calendar turns to July, the focus will shift to Summer League action beginning July 10 in Las Vegas, where rookies and young players will battle for roster spots. Meanwhile, offseason maneuvers—ranging from finalizing draft pick signings to potential blockbuster trades—promise to keep NBA fans engaged. With Giannis, Durant and other stars at the heart of swirling rumors, the league’s landscape could look very different by training camp.
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