HoopsHype: Atlanta Hawks

Chris Haynes: Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons (recovered from a back procedure) will be a go to begin training camp on Oct. 1 with no restrictions, his agent Bernie Lee tells me: “Ben is fully cleared and is a full participant for the start of camp. He is excited to get started.”
Source: Twitter @ChrisBHaynes

Shams Charania: Rockets are waiving AJ Griffin via contract buyout, as he is expected to step away from basketball at 21 years old after two NBA seasons, sources said.
Source: Twitter @ShamsCharania

The Rockets on Friday reached a buyout agreement with forward A.J. Griffin, allowing him to sit out the season while considering whether to continue his career, a person with knowledge of the agreement said.
Source: Houston Chronicle

Josh Lewenberg: Bruce Brown underwent an arthroscopic surgical procedure on his right knee, per the Raptors. He will be re-evaluated in 3 weeks, which means he’ll miss the start of training camp (at minimum).
Source: Twitter @JLew1050

Embiid will decline his $59 million player option for the 2026-27 season and sign the new, three-year extension. He will earn $69 million in the final year of the new deal.
Source: ESPN

Rich Paul: “You can’t skip steps. I didn’t start representing LeBron until my ninth year. He came into the league in ’03, and I started representing him in 2012. Prior to that, I did all these different things, and he was able to look from afar and say, ‘The plane leaves at 2, Rich ain’t late. Rich missed the boat trip, why? Oh, because he’s at Boo Williams Tournament.’ I wasn’t trying to just be there for the gear, I wanted that too, but I wasn’t there just for that. When they call on me, I’m a consumer... Читать дальше...

Shams Charania: JUST IN: Joel Embiid says he is signing a contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers. The one-time NBA MVP will sign a three-year, $193 million maximum extension with the 76ers, with a player option in 2028-2029, sources tell @TheAthletic .
Source: Twitter @ShamsCharania

If you consume enough NBA media, you’ll note how often we pigeonhole players into rigid categories. The superstars get more than their fair share of the discussion, but everyone else falls into generalities: the game manager, the rim-running big man, etcetera. After a while, players can blur together like uniform blocks within their segments, interchangeable and faceless. Categorization makes for easier conversation and analysis but loses the nuances that make basketball the best sport.

Jason Beede: News: In addition to waiving Myron Gardner and Tre Scott, the #Magic have signed Ethan Thompson, Javonte Smart, and Mac McClung to Exhibit 10 deals.
Source: Twitter @therealBeede

Ja Morant isn’t shying away from putting strong expectations on the 7-foot-4 center. He believes Zach Edey could be taking hardware home at the end of the season. “Definitely rookie of the year,” Morant said of his expectations. “I think easily, too.” He said he wasn’t surprised to see Edey perform well in workouts, but it was an encouraging sign. Morant prides himself on summer workouts that he refers to as “boot camp,” and Edey held his own.
Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal