NBA

7:00 AM ET NBA Insiders The Brooklyn Nets enter September as the betting favorites to take home the 2021-22 NBA title — and for good reason. The superstar trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving form the most-feared big three in the league. But that group played just 14 games together during the

11:49 PM ET The Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with center Tacko Fall, his agents — Bill Duffy and Justin Haynes — told The Athletic. Fall, 25, spent his first two NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics, averaging 2.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 26 total appearances. At 7-foot-5, he became an

4:31 PM ET Rajon Rondo has a pretty good idea of what it takes to win a championship, and as he was introduced officially as a Los Angeles Laker — again — he said the advanced age of the team will only help in the pursuit of another one. “Wisdom is definitely key to winning

8:49 AM ET Associated Press Team USA will face Puerto Rico, Mexico and Cuba in the first round of qualifying for the 2023 Basketball World Cup. The Americans, who won a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Tokyo but finished only seventh at the most recent Basketball World Cup two years ago, found out their

2:55 PM ET Jeremy WillisESPN.com Damian Lillard and Shaquille O’Neal are teaming up to rebrand a classic pair of kicks. The “Shaqnosis” has a new look courtesy of the Portland Trail Blazers star and the former Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat champion and Hall of Famer. 1 Related The original, black and white, “Shaqnosis”

1:48 PM ET Rajon Rondo plans to sign a one-year, $2.6 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers upon clearing waivers Monday, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Rondo, who agreed to a contract buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, will still make his full $7.5 million salary this season between the buyout and his

11:57 AM ET Five-time All-Star forward Kevin Love has no interest in negotiating a buyout on the two years and $60 million left on his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, his agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, told ESPN on Saturday. “There have been no talks with Cleveland on a buyout, nor is there any

1:32 PM ET Associated Press NBA referees will all be vaccinated against the coronavirus this season. The NBA announced Saturday that it has struck a deal with the National Basketball Referees Association on that requirement. Part of the referees’ agreement with the NBA also says that those working games will receive booster shots once those

4:52 PM ET LOS ANGELES — Another former Laker appears to be on his way back to the purple and gold. Rajon Rondo will likely sign with the Lakers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, upon clearing waivers after a contract buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. Rondo was traded from the LA Clippers to

12:01 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN When Julius Randle was eligible for an extension this offseason, he knew there was a chance he could make more money if he waited a year to sign a new deal with the New York Knicks. If Randle would have waited until 2022, when his contract expired, he would have

11:17 PM ET Associated Press LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles police officer briefly pressed a knee to the neck of Jaxson Hayes as the New Orleans Pelicans center gasped “I can’t breathe” seconds before another officer used a Taser on him during a struggle, according to body camera video released Friday. The officers went

12:15 PM ET The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring Chicago Bulls restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen in a three-way trade that also involves the Portland Trail Blazers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Markkanen is heading to the Cavs on a four-year, $67 million deal in a sign-and-trade agreement with the Bulls. Chicago will receive Derrick Jones

2:23 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN The Phoenix Suns have had great success over the past year with their “The Valley” jersey design. Now, they’ve introduced a new concept to honor their Mexican and Mexican American fans and are looking to fans for feedback. Phoenix said it is working on a uniform concept based on ancient

5:58 PM ET Tory BarronESPN Editor Close Tory Barron is a Bristol-based writer and editor for ESPN.com. After retiring from playing lacrosse at UConn, the DC native decided to try her hand at writing about people playing sports. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and his wife, Ayesha, are collaborating with Davidson College to launch

2:01 PM ET The National Basketball Players Association, in partnership with NYC Parks, will renovate the Greg Marius Court at Holcombe Rucker Park in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood, the players’ union announced Thursday. In a project funded by the NBPA, the renovation of the iconic court includes repairing and leveling the pavement, the replacement

8:00 AM ET NBA Insiders The peak of NBA free agency is in the rearview. The full 2021-22 season schedule has been released. Training camps can officially open on Sept 28. Still, there are a few potential moves that remain unresolved. Will the Philadelphia 76ers trade Ben Simmons? How much longer will Damian Lillard remain

6:22 PM ET Associated Press ATLANTA — Nick Van Exel has returned to the Atlanta Hawks, joining Nate McMillan’s staff as an assistant coach. Van Exel spent the past two years as a scout with the Dallas Mavericks. The Hawks announced his hiring Wednesday, bringing back a former All-Star who served as a player development

2:00 PM ET Editor’s note: Richard Lapchick is a human rights activist, pioneer for racial equality, expert on sports issues, scholar and author. As the world navigated the COVID-19 global health crisis and an outcry for social justice, the NBA set a high standard for how leagues can address health policies, athlete activism and racial