4:44 PM ET Bradley Beal says he won’t study film of how Kevin Durant, Paul George and James Harden played alongside Russell Westbrook to get tips or insight into his new backcourt mate. The Washington Wizards guard says that his first week with Westbrook has been “smooth sailing” so far and that he wants to

7:04 PM ET Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green and No. 2 overall NBA draft pick James Wiseman are both “very unlikely” to play in the team’s three preseason games, coach Steve Kerr said Thursday. “Neither one will play Saturday [versus Denver] and very unlikely to play either game in Sacramento, too,” Kerr said during

7:29 AM ET In fantasy basketball, preseason valuation is always tough. And this NBA fantasy season, it’s really tough because of all of the “unprecedented” factors surrounding our upcoming, one-of-a-kind regular season. So, when I look at some of your average draft positions (ADP) and say to you that with certain players, Fantasyland has abandoned

7:03 PM ET The Dallas Mavericks said a sad farewell to J.J. Barea on Thursday, when the franchise announced the release of the veteran point guard and fan favorite. “It still hasn’t hit me, but I woke up today super happy,” Barea said. “It’s been an amazing time here in Dallas. I wouldn’t change anything.

11:38 AM ET NBA commissioner Adam Silver and his staff have conducted expanded talks with teams, players and agents about crafting a policy to manage widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines around the league, sources told ESPN. Multiple COVID-19 vaccines are in final stages of approval, and the NBA could find itself as the first major

1:17 PM ET Six-time All-Star forward Paul George has signed a maximum contract extension with the LA Clippers that guarantees him as much as $226 million over the next five years, his agent, Aaron Mintz of CAA Sports, told ESPN. The Clippers are extending George’s contract for an additional four years at $190 million on

1:52 PM ET Pau Gasol is working toward what he hopes will be an NBA comeback and a spot on Spain’s Olympic team in Tokyo, the six-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion told ESPN on Wednesday. Gasol, 40, has identified the Los Angeles Lakers as one of his dream destinations. “There is meaning and history

6:51 PM ET Associated Press NBA referees will have to adhere to many of the same new health and safety protocols as coaches and players do this season, all part of the league’s plan to try to keep everyone safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Referees will be tested daily, just like players and coaches, and

8:01 PM ET Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry says the possibility of signing an extension with the organization is “on the table” and reiterated that he is hopeful he eventually will retire from the only professional team he has ever known. When asked if he plans to sign a contract extension, Curry, 32,

8:25 PM ET After a conference call with the NBA on Tuesday night, the National Basketball Coaches Association told ESPN its full membership is prepared to participate in the upcoming NBA season despite high rates of coronavirus infection and spread in many parts of the country. “As we enter the season, all of the protocols