Sam Amico
Sam Amico has covered the NBA for 20 years, previously for SI.com, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, Amico Hoops and the Boston Herald.
Damian Lillard says he ‘couldn’t be happier’ back in Portland
Damian Lillard figured he’d spend at least two more years in Milwaukee. Instead, he’s back in Portland — and if you ask him, it...
West Notes: Mavericks, Anthony Davis, Warriors, Stephen Curry, Timberwolves
Mavericks
What a year in Dallas. Twelve months ago, the Mavericks had Luka Doncic, fresh off an NBA Finals run, looking like the face of...
Cavs picked to finish first in East in reader poll
Most people seem to believe that the Cavaliers will build on last year's 64-18 record. As in, get past the second round of the...
West Notes: Lakers, LeBron James, Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, Spurs
Lakers
LeBron James’ future may be murky, but ESPN suggests that the Lakers are suddenly looking pretty secure.
Why? Because they swung big, trading for Luka...
East Notes: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Hornets, assets, Wizards
Bucks
For years, rival teams have been circling Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo like sharks, waiting for an opening. ESPN writes in its latest future power...
East Notes: Pistons, Cade Cunningham, Sixers, Paul George, Raptors
Pistons
The Pistons landed their best spot in ESPN’s long-term power rankings since 2017. Why?
Well, Cade Cunningham’s All-NBA leap in his fourth season has given...
Pelicans make pair of roster moves
The Pelicans have signed and waived a pair of undrafted rookies this week, shuffling the back end of their offseason roster.
New Orleans added forward/center...
Report: Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga ‘really wants’ to play for Kings
Jonathan Kuminga has made it clear he has no desire to return to the Warriors.
Per Ashish Mathur of Dallas Hoops Journal, NBA sources say...
Clippers’ Steve Ballmer: ‘I was personally defrauded’ by Aspiration
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer insists he was taken advantage of in the ongoing saga involving bankrupt “green bank” Aspiration and star forward Kawhi Leonard.
“This...
Clippers Notes: Derrick Jones Jr., Kawhi Leonard investigation
Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. has been ordered to pay his former agent, Aaron Turner, the full 4% commission from his current contract, per...
Thunder rookie Thomas Sorber undergoes season-ending knee surgery
Thunder first-round pick Thomas Sorber won’t see the court this season. The rookie big man out of Georgetown underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a...
West Notes: Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Rockets, Kevin Durant, Clippers
Thunder
The question, ESPN writes, wasn’t whether the Thunder would land at No. 1 in the long-term power rankings -- it was just how they...
East Notes: Heat, projections, Celtics, Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton
Heat
Despite back-to-back first-round exits that weren’t especially competitive, the Heat actually climbed in ESPN’s latest long-term power rankings.
Per ESPN, Miami moved up three spots...
East Notes: Magic, Paolo Banchero, Knicks, Hawks, Trae Young
Magic
The Magic may have made some of the biggest splashes of the summer -- trading for Desmond Bane and handing Paolo Banchero a five-year...
