NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, discussing the art of beat writing with @chriskirschner.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
Senior NBA Writer for The Athletic | Host of Katz and Shoot, a twice-a-week Knicks and NBA podcast
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NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, discussing the art of beat writing with @chriskirschner.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
Is this thing on?! A late summer NBA discussion with @fredkatz.bsky.social and @thompsonscribe.bsky.social, at @theathletic.com Talking Jonathan Kuminga (and the other RFAs), the revamped team we're most excited to see and the one that, well, we're not. www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
What's the latest with Jonathan Kuminga and the rest of the RFAs? Which teams that made changes are we most excited for? Which are most confusing? Got together with @samamick.bsky.social and Marcus Thompson to discuss: www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
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NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot — drafting big men with @jledwardsiii.bsky.social until we get to the Knicks. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/136949...
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, answering mailbag questions with @andrewjclaudio.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
If you would like to contribute to the Katz and Shoot mailbag episode for next week, you can submit questions at this link: www.patreon.com/posts/135191...
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, reacting to the Mikal Bridges extension and diving deep into Mike Brown’s X’s and O’s with @djacenba.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/135483...
I have a disappointing correction I must issue to you all: The $150,000,001 that showed for Bridges’ contract initially was because of a clerical error. The actual number on the Bridges deal is $150,000,000 for four years. There’s no extra dollar.
In my favorite cap-nerd news of the day, the Mikal Bridges contract is NOT actually $150M over four years, league source says. More accurately, it is $150,000,001 over four years. Gotta get that extra dollar.
Mikal Bridges, Knicks agree on four-year, $150 million extension: www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
Had a fun time putting this project together, and I think the results will be interesting for those following the four biggest free agents who are still on the market:
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, answering mailbag questions and speaking for way too long about nicknames with @andrewjclaudio.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
Here is my series on the remaining RFAs, in which I poll members of NBA front offices about what they deem fair contracts for each. • Kuminga: www.nytimes.com/athletic/651... Giddey: www.nytimes.com/athletic/651... Grimes: www.nytimes.com/athletic/652... Thomas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...
The Nets are more desperate for shot creation than anyone. And yet, Cam Thomas remains unsigned. I polled 16 people from NBA front offices, asking them what they would deem a “fair” contract for Thomas. Results in here. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...
Story from today:
Every cent matters for the 76ers, who are at risk of paying the luxury tax. But every cent matters for Quentin Grimes, too. I polled 16 people from NBA front offices, asking them what they would deem a "fair" contract for Grimes. Results in here. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...
Four- and five-year contracts are becoming increasingly rare. But can Josh Giddey buck the trend? I polled 16 people from NBA front offices, asking them what they would deem a fair contract for Giddey. Results in here. Story with @jxlorenzi.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
I’ll take pretty interesting!
this was pretty interesting
Check it out:
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NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, drafting guards and wings until we get to the Knicks with @jledwardsiii.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
Should Jonathan Kuminga take the qualifying offer? Would the Warriors benefit from re-signing him to a large salary? I polled 16 people from NBA front offices, asking what they consider a "fair" deal for Kuminga. Results in here. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Wizards have waived Blake Wesley, league source says. Washington acquired the former first-round pick as part of the Kelly Olynyk trade.
Check it out. Lots of Wizards stuff in here for my Wizards followers
Ronald Acuna just made one of the greatest throws I’ve ever seen in my life. Oh my goodness.
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot talking Knicks on the margins, summer league takeaways, who to sign to fill out the roster and extensions with @jledwardsiii.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/134422...
Let's look into five under-the-radar moves from this summer, including the details inside the Thunder's extensions, the Pistons' retooling, the Wizards' attention to detail and more. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...
Dame going back to Portland is about as cool as it gets. What an awesome story.
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, discussing the state of the Eastern Conference, the sleepers, the clunkers and more with @talkhoops.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
Josh Hart underwent a procedure on his right ring finger, the Knicks said. Suffered the injury in the playoffs. Team expects him to resume basketball activities later this summer.
Bradley Beal's time in Phoenix is done. Story with @doughaller.bsky.social and @lawmurraythenu.bsky.social on the details behind his buyout and why Beal chose the Clippers as his next destination: www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
The Knicks plan to add former Kings assistant Riccardo Fois to Mike Brown’s coaching staff, league source tells @theathletic.bsky.social. Fois is sitting with the Knicks’ contingent at their summer league game right now.
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, breaking down Mike Brown's hopes of playing fast with @jledwardsiii.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
Here's the NAW year-by-year breakdown: 2025-26: $15,161,800 2026-27: $14,403,710 2027-28: $15,161,800 2028-29: $15,919,890 (player option)
Catching up on contract info now and the Nickeil Alexander-Walker contract actually came in at $60.6M over four years. That's the exact number of the MLE, though Hawks structured it differently than if it were an actual MLE contract.
“Mike Brown wanted OG Anunoby before the Knicks got him" — Anthony Slater The Athletic More Brown intel from @anthonyvslater.bsky.social and @fredkatz.bsky.social www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
As long as Bradley Beal secures a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns, the LA Clippers are the likely leaders to sign the guard, league sources tell @TheAthletic. Story with Law Murray and @danwoikesports.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
Mike Brown was asked if he got an explanation why he was fired in Sacramento: "I don't want to get into it. That's behind me. I'm here in New York."
Mike Brown: "Our goal ... is to build a sustainable winning culture that produces championships. That's why I'm here. I'm fortunate to know what it takes to create that success: A lot of hard work, a high level of commitment and a focus on today."
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, diving deep with @anthonyvslater.bsky.social on who Mike Brown is, what makes him tick and how he might approach his new job. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
Luke Kornet's deal in San Antonio is descending with a partial guarantee on Year 3 and no guarantee on Year 4, league source says. Here's the breakdown: 2025-26: $11M 2026-27: $10.45M 2027-28: $9.9M ($2.55M gtd) 2028-29: $9.35M (non-gtd)
Here’s why the timing of the Clippers signing Brook Lopez matters: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
There’s a team option on the second year of Brook Lopez’s two-year, $18M contract with the Clippers, league source says.
League sources say the trade will send: • Kevin Durant, Clint Capela to Houston • Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Daeqwon Plowden to Phoenix • David Roddy to Atlanta All other elements of the deal are pick trades from draft night that are yet to be finalized.
The NBA-record seven-team trade is agreed to, league sources tell @TheAthletic. The Rockets and Suns have expanded the Kevin Durant trade to include five other teams: ATL, BKN, GSW, LAL, MIN. The move will consolidate a bunch of previously agreed upon trades into one deal.
NEW SI pod w/Fred Katz: ▪️Is Mike Brown the right fit in New York? ▪️Will a more collaborative Knicks coach get better results? ▪️Unpacking the LeBron possibilities 🔽 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Great addition for the Wizards. No risk at all with a possibly super reward. Whitmore is only 20 years old and has real talent, especially as a scorer.
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, talking all things Mike Brown with my esteemed producer, @andrewjclaudio.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/133363...
My feature story on the Knicks' soon-to-be head coach, Mike Brown, what makes him tick as the leader of an NBA team and why New York settled on him:
Story from today:
Mike Brown organizes his pens by color. He categorizes his mail before opening it, stacking envelopes on top of one another. Now, he is about to become the Knicks' new head coach. Story on a detail-obsessed man who's on his way to New York: www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
The Rockets and Suns are working on expanding the Kevin Durant trade into a deal that would involve a league-record seven teams. No trade is imminent, but here’s what we know about negotiations so far: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot (recorded before the Mike Brown news!), breaking down the Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele signings as well as the Bucks' situation in the East with Eric Nehm Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
This is the NBA, where it’s always worth monitoring two entities with diverging philosophies. And on that note, let's talk about LeBron James. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
Re: the Knicks signing Yabusele… Good player. Good fit. Fills a need. Can play the 5. Can run next to Towns or Robinson. Gotta guard him beyond the arc. Not obsessed with the PO, given potential 2026-27 payroll, but sometimes that’s the cost of doing business for a good player
One thing you gotta hand to the Bucks: Any time it seems they need to operate with urgency to show a multi-time MVP they’re trying to build a contender, they do it.
The Kevin Porter Jr. contract with the Bucks is for the biannual exception, league source says. Exact number is $10.5 million over two years. Player option on year 2. Shams Charania first to report the deal.
Ty Jerome has agreed to sign with the Grizzlies, league sources tell The Athletic.
Dennis Schröder will agree to sign with the Sacramento Kings, league sources tell The Athletic.
Quite a summer for the Rockets: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
The NBA has officially announced the salary cap for next season: $154,647,000, as expected. First Apron: $195,945,000 Second Apron: $207,824,000
Also, golden parachute is a terrible expression. Yeah, you have gold for like 1 second and then the parachute doesn’t work and you crash and die
I was 98% certain when Bruce Brown signed with the Pacers he wouldn’t get that team option picked up. Golden parachutes becoming more and more common
As expected, the Suns are holding onto Nick Richards, league sources tell The Athletic. Richards’ $5 million salary is expected to guarantee today for the 2025-26 season.
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, previewing the Knicks’ offseason with @jonathanmacri.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/132495...
The Rockets and Jock Landale have agreed to push back Landale’s guarantee date to July 7, a league source tells The Athletic. Landale’s original guarantee date was previously supposed to be today.
CAN’T EVEN STRETCH HIM.
Three off-season situations I have my eye on, including … • Reporting on the Pacers’ future • Why the Suns can’t just waive Bradley Beal • Worsening fears of the second apron Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...
There is a very realistic world where the best of the Bucks' and Pelicans' first-rounders next summer is an incredibly high pick. That's quite the acquisition for Atlanta.
Unbelievable photo
NEW EPISODE of Katz and Shoot, discussing the cap nuances of the Knicks’ offseason with @thecohencidence.bsky.social. Listen/Subscribe: www.patreon.com/posts/132187...
The Wizards could have eight players under contract whose salaries add up to only ~$51M heading into the summer of 2026. Cap projects to be $170M in 2026-27. Washington will have massive sway in the market next summer, however it wants to use it.
The 2025 Pacers’ legacy isn’t that they made the NBA Finals. It’s how they got there. Story on a conditioning-obsessed team that bought into not just fast-breaking basketball but a special lifestyle, too: www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...
Absolutely tremendous
It’s a good bit
An elated Alex Caruso on winning his second ring: “Now I got a real one! Now nobody can say anything!” Caruso was on the 2020 Lakers, who won the title in the bubble.
Isaiah Hartenstein said they didn’t pop champagne in the locker room because no one other than Alex Caruso knew how to do it so Caruso had to give the rest of the team a tutorial on how pop champagne bottles.
Jalen Williams was asked if he’s able to reflect on winning the title. “I just had my first drink so I’m still working on that,” he responded. Said that God has been good to him and he thought about that, “but then I had alcohol.”
Lu Dort wrapped in a Canadian flag with the Larry O’Brien is a vibe
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: “All the achievements and accolades, they don’t come close to the feeling of winning with your brothers.”
“As a kid, you dream. Every kid dreams. But you don’t know if those dreams are gonna come true.” — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champs for the first time in franchise history.
Lu Dort with the Lu Dortiest two minutes imaginable.
The busses knew the script.
It's such a shame Tyrese Haliburton isn't out there. Other than his injury, this game has been tremendous.
Win or lose, one thing that is clear after 82 Pacers regular-season games and 23 Pacers playoff games: This team is completely unflappable.
Tyrese Haliburton is officially out for the game, the Pacers say. Team is calling it a right lower leg injury.
Cason Wallace has zero points, one rebound, zero assists and is playing one heck of a Game 7. He's been suffocating defensively.
Big moments coming up not just for TJ McConnell, who is of course gonna have to step in for Haliburton, but also Andrew Nembhard. Nembhard a really good pick-and-roll ball handler, consistently makes the right passes and has had ginormous moments in Game 7s before.
Tyrese Haliburton was playing his behind off while very injured and killing it in Game 7 of the Finals. Just horrendous to see that happen to that guy in this moment. Absolutely sucks.
The entire Pacers team left the bench to huddle around Haliburton, who just got up and is being helped off the court. Looks like he can barely put any pressure on the injured leg.
Tyrese Haliburton is on ground, laying on his stomach and slamming the floor in frustration/pain.
The crowd in Oklahoma City is off the charts insane. And the Pacers remain totally unfazed.
An element worth watching in Dallas: The Mavericks opted to not extend their assistants after they went to the Finals last year. Their top guys — which includes Sweeney, Jared Dudley and more — are up June 30. Dallas may have a bunch of holes on the bench to fill.
Assistant coach Sean Sweeney is going from the Mavericks to the Spurs, league source confirms. Sweeney had been a longtime assistant under Jason Kidd and has been under consideration for head coaching jobs. Shams Charania first with the news.
This series deserves a Game 7.
As Kirk Goldsberry noted, Tyrese Haliburton hasn't made a shot from the left side of the court in the NBA Finals. But it's not just shot-making that's dissipated from the left side during five games against OKC. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
Here's a fun thing: Deuce McBride is now an author. He wrote an illustrated children's book called "Deuce: The Champion of Friendship." Can order it on Amazon.
