Articles from July 2025

Kendrick Perkins Leaves Out Veteran PG From Top-10 List

2022 NBA All-Star - Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
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When Kendrick Perkins shares his opinion about the NBA, millions of people listen.

And, sometimes, millions of people disagree.

Perkins’ latest statement with the “Road Trippin Show” will surely get people talking, because he spoke about the best point guards of all time and left off a very big name: Chris Paul.

“I do not have him [Chris Paul] in my top 10. I don’t have CP3 ranked above Russell Westbrook,” Perkins said, via NBACentral.

Make no mistake: Perkins thinks that Paul is one of the top 15 guards of all time.

He knows he is wickedly talented and also a future Hall of Famer, but he doesn’t view him as a top-10 point guard.

Why is that, and what does he lack that Westbrook has?

Both of these players have yet to win an NBA title, which is a common measurement that people use to judge greatness in the league.

Perkins is aware of that, but it’s not what is swaying his decision.

He does admit that Paul’s lack of a league MVP weighs on him.

Westbrook won that prize years ago, but Paul has not.

If Paul hears Perkins and his claim, it may affect how he performs next season for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Paul has a lot to prove, for a number of reasons.

He is coming back to the team where he once found great success, and he is definitely near the end of his career.

Paul wants to make an impact with the Clippers, and he wants to remind people why they call him the “Point God.”

Perkins doesn’t feel Paul is a top-10 guard, but he will be excited to be proven wrong.

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NBA Executive Raises Big Question About Quentin Grimes’ Market Value

Milwaukee Bucks v Philadelphia 76ers
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Quentin Grimes remains a restricted free agent, and it’s not clear if the Philadelphia 76ers will sign him or let him go.

What is his value, and is he really worth a big contract?

Speaking with Fred Katz, an unnamed NBA exec seemed lukewarm about Grimes.

“Why would you spend $20 million on Quentin Grimes when you can get Gary Trent (Jr.) for a minimum?” The anonymous executive said, via NBACentral.

Grimes produced 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists for the 76ers in 2024-25.

He played in 28 games for them after the trade deadline and was with the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Dallas Mavericks before that.

He put up strong numbers in a short amount of time, but are the Sixers ready to commit to a long-term partnership with him?

That is a big question, one made larger when there are other free agents, like Trent, who could come in at a cheaper price point.

The 76ers need to be very careful with all of their contracts, and they should only sign people they truly believe in.

Last season proved that injuries can completely disrupt and change this team, and anyone on the roster needs to be able to suit up and perform well at all times.

If the 76ers are going to sign Grimes, they want to be sure that he can step up and provide a lot of assistance.

He needs to be worth every single penny, and the Sixers aren’t sure that he is.

Where will Grimes play and how much will he make?

This is just one of the many questions floating around the NBA as the offseason rolls on.

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Heat Reportedly ‘Explored’ Trade For Former Guard

Oklahoma City Thunder v Miami Heat
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How much longer will Terry Rozier be with the Miami Heat?

That isn’t entirely clear, especially with a new report coming out of the team.

According to Marc Stein, the Heat recently looked at a potential trade featuring Rozier for Marcus Smart, then of the Washington Wizards.

In the end, they couldn’t decide if swapping out Smart for Rozier was a good enough upgrade.

“Sources say Miami has explored the feasibility of trading away veteran guard Terry Rozier this offseason. Jake says Miami weighed a Rozier-for-Smart swap but could not reach an organizational consensus on whether such a trade was a clear upgrade,” Stein said, via NBACentral.

Last season, Rozier posted 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists for the Heat, while Smart produced 9.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists for the Wizards.

It’s understandable that the Heat aren’t sure if Smart is a better fit for them, but will they make any move with Rozier?

His name has been tied to trade rumors for months, but the Heat haven’t made any progress.

In fact, Miami has once again been very still during the offseason.

This has been their regular routine for years now, and some fans are ready for something different.

If they wish to compete in the Eastern Conference in the new season, Miami may need to shake things up in a rather large way.

They have talent, but they remain a middling team, at best, and that might not change unless they get daring.

This news about Rozier shows that the Heat are still a very measured team that won’t move the needle quickly.

Will they end up regretting that?

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Cam Thomas Could Make Big Career Decision In 2026

Brooklyn Nets v Milwaukee Bucks
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Cam Thomas has only played for the Brooklyn Nets during his four seasons in the NBA, but could that be changing?

According to new reporting, Thomas isn’t satisfied with what the Nets are offering and is leaving all options on the table.

Jake Weinbach says that Thomas “appears to be frustrated by Brooklyn’s unwillingness to offer him a multi-year deal north of $20M annually.”

“There’s a growing sense that Thomas may opt to accept the qualifying offer with the Nets for this upcoming season to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026,” Weinbach wrote.

Are the Nets really willing to lose Thomas?

He has become the team’s most consistent player, especially with recent changes to the roster.

Some people thought they’d build around Thomas, and he could be the franchise’s brightest light.

But he may be walking away next summer if he can’t see eye-to-eye with Brooklyn.

Last season, Thomas put up an average of 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 43.8 percent from the field.

He thinks that he is worth more than the Nets are willing to give him, and that will definitely impact his choices moving forward.

Here are the big questions about Thomas: Will another team bring him a better deal, and will the Nets change their mind and generate the cash that he wants?

There is still time for the Nets and Thomas to find common ground and work out a deal, but it sounds like Thomas isn’t going to budge on his demands.

He’s not the first NBA star who has asked for a certain number during contract negotiations, but this tactic doesn’t always pay off.

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Jonathan Kuminga Takes Firm Stance About His Role

Phoenix Suns v Golden State Warriors
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No one is sure if Jonathan Kuminga will stay with the Golden State Warriors or head to a new team before the upcoming season.

This has been a question floating around the league for more than a year now, and an answer could be coming soon.

According to Anthony Slater, Kuminga has an unwavering demand for his future: he doesn’t want to be a “secondary” player.

“Beyond the contract demands, Kuminga is in search of a more guaranteed, consistent starting role and featured opportunity, sources said. That’s something both the Suns and Kings have pitched. Kuminga would be a significant part of the Warriors’ rotation to open next season, and they’ll need his supplementary scoring on nights that either Steph Curry, 37, or Jimmy Butler, 35, rest. That’s something head coach Steve Kerr has voiced to Kuminga in recent weeks. Kerr has been one of the leading voices trying to patch this together, sources said. But Kuminga no longer wants to be a secondary option or a fallback plan, fearing a minimization in important moments,” Slater said, via NBACentral.

It sounds like the Warriors want to keep Kuminga around, but they may not be able to guarantee a consistent spot in the starting five.

A couple of seasons ago, that seemed possible.

Kuminga started in 46 of his 74 games in the 2023-24 season, and it looked like he had patched things up with head coach Steve Kerr.

Last season, things were different, and he started in only 10 games.

On top of that, he played in just 47 matches for the entire season.

The chances of Kuminga going from that to routinely starting seem unlikely, but it could happen.

According to Slater, it’s Kerr who is trying to keep this relationship going, but he only has so much power.

And if Kuminga will only settle on a starting role, he might be out of luck with the Warriors.

But what are his other options, and is he willing to leave the only team he’s ever played for in order to become a starter?

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