The Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans completed a four-player trade on Tuesday, officially confirmed by both organizations. The deal sends two former first-round picks to new organizations, with each side betting that a fresh environment can unlock more than the player produced with his previous team.
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Amen Thompson’s $208 Million Extension Locks In Houston’s Two-Way Core
Amen Thompson agreed to a five-year, $208 million rookie-scale extension with the Houston Rockets, the team confirmed this week. Thompson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, is entering his fourth NBA season locked into Houston’s long-term core.
The extension caps a breakout third season. In 2025-26, Thompson set career highs across the board, averaging 18.3 points, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 7.8 rebounds over 79 starts while leading the NBA in total minutes at 37.4 per game. He was also named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team for the 2024-25 season.
Team USA Tops Group E, Routs Colombia to Close Window 4 of World Cup Qualifying
Team USA closed Window 4 of 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying with a 104-80 win over Colombia in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 31, according to USA Basketball’s official release. The result pushed the Americans to 7-1 in group play, atop Group E of the Americas qualifying bracket.
Six players scored in double figures. Cole Swider led the way with 18 points and 8 rebounds, and Orlando Robinson II added 17 points and 9 rebounds, while Jaron Blossomgame, DeJon Jarreau and James Nunnally each scored 16. The U.S. shot 49.4% from the field (38-for-77) and 36.7% from three-point range (11-for-30). Colombia’s Braian Angola led all scorers on his team with 13 points.
Cavaliers Add Frontcourt Depth, Signing Center Khalifa Diop to a Four-Year Deal
The Cleveland Cavaliers added frontcourt depth on Sept. 2, officially signing center Khalifa Diop to a four-year contract. President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced the signing from Cleveland Clinic Courts.
According to Yahoo Sports, corroborated by RealGM’s transaction wire and Hoops Rumors, the deal is worth $9.26 million over four years, with the first season fully guaranteed at $1.36 million.
Warriors and Clippers Both Heading to Hawaii for Training Camp, Will Meet in Preseason Opener
The Golden State Warriors and LA Clippers are both holding their 2026 training camps in Hawaii this September, and they will open the preseason against each other on the island. The Warriors announced they will run camp at BYU-Hawaii from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3, with media day set for Sept. 28 at Chase Center. It is Golden State’s sixth training camp trip to Oahu.
Deni Avdija Says Trail Blazers Blocked Him From Playing for Israel Amid Back Injury
Deni Avdija wanted to play for Israel in FIBA World Cup qualifying this summer. The Trail Blazers said no, and Avdija made clear this week that the decision was not his.
“Portland wasn’t willing to take a risk with my health, and in the situation that arose, I simply didn’t have the option to step up and play,” Avdija said in comments posted to social media on Aug. 31. He went further in describing the injury behind the decision: “This time I dealt with a complex back injury. An injury that those who haven’t gone through it really can’t understand what it demands.”
Jokic Plays Through Illness to Push Serbia Past Italy in FIBA Qualifying
Nikola Jokic did not need a big scoring night to be the difference for Serbia. Playing through illness, the three-time NBA MVP finished with 8 points and 8 rebounds on 25 percent shooting as Serbia beat Italy 76-64 on Aug. 31 in FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifying.
Wembanyama’s France Stays Unbeaten at 7-1 in FIBA World Cup Qualifying
Victor Wembanyama and France closed out the August window of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifying unbeaten, running their record to 7-1 and sitting atop their qualifying group. Les Bleus beat Slovenia 92-67 on Aug. 27, then went on the road and handled Sweden 84-69 on Aug. 30.
Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs center, has led the group as national team captain, a role he was given ahead of this qualifying cycle. Qualifying continues into the spring, with matches running through March 2027 and the top nations from Europe advancing to the World Cup final tournament in Qatar. France’s early dominance gives the program a cushion as the qualifying window winds down and the games get tougher.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo Leaves the NBA, Signs With Greece’s Aris BC
Thanasis Antetokounmpo is heading back to Greece. The 34-year-old forward has signed with Aris BC of Thessaloniki, according to Marc Stein, who cited the club’s own announcement. The deal is structured as a multi-year contract, with two guaranteed years and a club option for a third season.
Jalen Duren Contract Talks: Pistons Raise Offer to $190 Million
The Detroit Pistons have raised their offer to Jalen Duren to roughly $190 million over five years, according to league-source reporting from The Athletic. The new figure materially narrows the gap from Detroit’s earlier proposal, but Duren is still seeking at least $200 million.
The movement changes the status of negotiations that previously looked like a wider annual-salary standoff. Detroit has improved its position. Duren’s camp has not publicly lowered its target, leaving the sides close enough for a deadline to matter but not close enough to call a deal imminent.