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Lost in the hubbub of the NBA Draft Lottery was news that the Sixers’ schedule for the 2017 Utah Summer League came out. Hopefully one day we’ll get past the point of excitement for Summer League, but for now, it’s always fun to get a taste of what the new guy can do.
From Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers will be kicking off their Summer League action against the Boston Celtics on July 3rd. That will also presumably be the debut of Markelle Fultz as a member of the Celtics, a sentence that pains me to write. The Sixers will take on the Utah Jazz on July 5th, and the San Antonio Spurs on July 6th.
Pompey also reports that the Sixers will be one of 24 teams competing at Las Vegas Summer League, the most in LVSL history. That runs from July 7-17, and the Sixers will get to play in at least 5 games.
Paul George, Gordon Hayward denied shot at signing $200M deals - Brian Windhorst, ESPN
Paul George and Gordon Hayward were left off all All-NBA teams, making them ineligible for the Designated Player Extension. Hayward could quite possibly stay given the Jazz’s solid core and recent success, but George seems bound to hit the road. According to Windhorst, had George been able to sign a DPE, the difference between what Indiana could offer him versus another NBA team would’ve been $75 million. That could’ve been incentive enough to stay, but it’s not an option as of right now. Indiana could wait to see if George makes an All-NBA team next year, but at that point it might be too late. The whispers are that George wants to play for his hometown Los Angeles Lakers, and the Pacers might as well try to get as much as they can before he just walks anyway. Time to restart.
James Harden, John Wall eligible for max extensions under new CBA - Brian Windhorst, ESPN
Houston Rockets star James Harden and Washington Wizards star John Wall have qualified to sign new contract extensions this summer after making the All-NBA team on Thursday.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement that takes effect on July 1, both players are eligible to bypass free agency in 2019 and add four years and approximately $160 million to their contracts.
Well deserved for both of them.
LeBron James, James Harden headline All-NBA first team - ESPN
No real surprises on this list here, and you can see why Hayward and George had to be left off. Between James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler and so many more, it’s hard to find a spot for those two guys.
Sources: Brandon Austin, who faced sexual assault allegations, can try out for teams - ESPN’s Zach Lowe
Brandon Austin is working out with the Philadelphia 76ers this week, per NBA sources, trying to revive a basketball career in limbo after sexual assault allegations at two colleges -- Providence College and the University of Oregon.
Austin's effort to begin his NBA career has been facilitated by a secret arbitration ruling, meted out in October and pertaining to two players -- Austin and one unnamed player -- who have faced sex assault or domestic violence allegations, according to sources familiar with the ruling.
Austin worked out for the Sixers last year, as well as the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors. The 23-year-old was a star at Imhotep Charter School in Philadelphia before heading to Providence.